Once again, the 2024 Jaegerfest event was not an “official” WSO field trip, but its popularity has continued, and many dozens of birders showed up for the long weekend on Wisconsin Point in Superior! This year’s dates were September 20-22, although many birders arrived already on Thursday, or even Wednesday. Our trip this year was following in the heels of a very warm weather pattern that had been in place for the past 10 days or more – which we knew wasn’t especially good for migration.
Wisconsin Point 2024 - Photo by Tom Schultz
Friday, September 20 – The skies were mostly clear, with just a few low clouds hanging in the east, and the temperature was a mild 64 degrees at dawn. A few AMERICAN CROWS were calling at dawn, and several RING-BILLED GULLS began to appear over Lake Superior – as we viewed from our usual vantage point on the beach near Lot #1. A small, dense group of AMERICAN COOTS was swimming not far offshore, and a small flock of BLUE-WINGED TEAL winged past us.
JUVENILE LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - PHOTO BY TOM SCHULTZ
Other ducks that were spotted at various times that morning were GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, MALLARD, NORTHERN PINTAIL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, REDHEAD, and COMMON MERGANSER. Just after 7:00 a couple of SANDERLINGS made an appearance, walking along the shore right in front of us. And within a couple of minutes, an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was spotted on the lake, later accompanied by a second individual. Just after that, an immature FRANKLIN’S GULL was spotted on the beach, just to the east of us.
FRANKLIN'S GULL - PHOTO BY TOM SCHULTZ
The first FORSTER’S TERNS of the day arrived about 7:09, followed by other groups later on. Several COMMON TERNS were also spotted. Other birds sighted were COMMON LOON, OSPREY, and several DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS.
PALM WARBLER - PHOTO BY TOM SCHULTZ
As the sun started to rise a bit higher, we began to see a number of PALM and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS moving through the trees just behind us, and it soon became evident that a decent movement of songbirds was underway. Other WARBLERS on the Point included TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE, MAGNOLIA and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. Unidentified individuals could be spotted as they came flying in low over the water – coming across from Minnesota.
A little after 8:30, a couple of BONAPARTE’S GULLS were spotted and they flew in and landed among the other gulls. Also sighted over the lake were 3 CASPIAN TERNS – a species that we haven’t encountered very frequently. Around noon a NORTHERN HARRIER came flying in from across the lake, and BALD EAGLES soared over from time to time.
About 10:50 there was great excitement as “jaeger” was shouted out! Everyone scrambled to their scopes to try to get a look. This flying bird was very distant as it flew about over the horizon, sometimes chasing a gull. Unfortunately, it was only observed for a short time before it disappeared, and it never came any closer. A similar sighting occurred about 3:30 in the afternoon – again raising our hopes!
A PEREGRINE FALCON flew by us about 11:43, and we also observed MERLINS and AMERICAN KESTRELS – often viewed as they came flying in from across the lake. Around 12:45 a WESTERN GREBE was spotted, swimming just past the floating gulls. This was a real highlight species for Jaegerfest, since we haven’t seen one very often over the years!
Other birds observed on the Point included TRUMPETER SWAN, BELTED KINGFISHER, AMERICAN PIPIT, HORNED LARK, and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET – as well as COMMON RAVEN and NORTHERN FLICKER. Also, LEAST FLYCATCHER and EASTERN PHOEBE, PHILADELPHIA VIREO and several additional WARBLERS, including BLACK-AND-WHITE, BAY-BREASTED, CHESTNUT-SIDED and BLACK-THROATED GREEN.
Saturday, September 21 – The dawn was spectacular on Wisconsin Point, with low rain clouds to the east lit up by a bright orange sunrise. Quite a few birders were already present before 6:30 AM, with great anticipation for a lively day of birding – including hopefully some target birds that we had missed on Friday! The morning temperature was about 60 degrees as we arrived, under mostly cloudy skies.
RING-BILLED and HERRING GULLS soon started to arrive, along with AMERICAN CROWS, and an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER flew by about 6:45. A GREATER YELLOWLEGS and a DUNLIN were also observed.
A RED-NECKED GREBE was spotted about 7:15, providing nice looks as it swam along. A little later, the WESTERN GREBE that had been present yesterday was spotted again. Just a few minutes later, the immature FRANKLIN’S GULL was found, followed by a small group of BONAPARTE’S. About 7:45 a CASPIAN TERN was spotted on the beach among the other gulls. We counted about 50 birders present at the time, and a bit later the group was up to at least 75!
A variety of WATERFOWL winged by at various times, including CANADA GOOSE, WOOD DUCK, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELER, AMERICAN WIGEON and GREEN-WINGED TEAL – as well as LESSER SCAUP and COMMON & RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS.
About 8:47 a SABINE’S GULL aroused great excitement as it was spotted well to the east of us, but unfortunately it proved difficult to re-locate after it apparently landed on the water. There was more excitement a little after 9:00 when a YELLOW WARBLER was spotted in the trees just behind us. This species is well-known for its early departure for migration, so it was really neat to see one this late!
By around 10:15, we were noticing storm clouds gathering to the west, towards Duluth, with heavy rain below them – and it was apparent that they would be heading our way. We soon began grabbing our scopes and chairs, and began to clear the beach as it approached. The thunder was nearly continuous as we all climbed into our cars to wait it out, and very soon the downpour arrived!
After about 30 minutes the storm passed, and many started heading back to the beach. Good numbers of gulls were gathered on the shore, but the activity was generally slow. A short time later a juvenile LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL flew in right in front of use, providing fantastic looks.
NORTHERN FLICKER - PHOTO BY TOM SCHULTZ
Single SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER’S HAWKS were observed, and an OSPREY came flying across the water about 3:38, but for the most part the afternoon was pretty slow. A few other birds were found, such as YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, NORTHERN FLICKER, PILEATED WOODPECKER and a BROWN CREEPER – plus BAY-BREASTED and BLACKPOLL WARBLERS. Most birders left the beach by 4:30 PM.
JUVENILE SABINE"S GULL - PHOTO BY TOM SCHULTZ
Sunday, September 22 – The group was feeling optimistic as dawn arrived, since the wind had shifted to the northwest overnight, and the morning temperature was down to 52 degrees. Hopefully the passing cold front would result in increased bird activity. Once again, there were quite a few birders arriving by 6:30 at Lot 1 on Wisconsin Point, with one final chance to find JAEGERS or SABINE’S GULLS or maybe other goodies.
We didn’t have to wait too long, because about 6:45 there were suddenly loud shouts in the group… SABINE’S GULLS!! Two juveniles came flying in, showing off their distinctive wing patterns, and after a while they landed on the water. It was readily apparent how tiny they were, as they were in the same field of view as other larger gulls. After a time, they each started flying again – although at different times – and once again showed off the striking pattern in their wings.
Then, around 9:50, another 8 SABINE’S GULLS came flying in as a loose group, and once again gave us some decent (although somewhat distant) views of their flashy wing pattern. Also giving nice views that morning was a small flock of COMMON TERNS, and the juvenile LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL again made an appearance right in front of us.
COMMON TERNS - PHOTO BY TOM SCHULTZ
By 10:00 AM, most of the Jaegerfest birders were already hitting the road, heading back home. Altogether, it had been a very successful weekend of birding on Wisconsin Point, even though it was mostly “jaeger-less,” with only very distant views. The bird total for the weekend was close to 90 species (including at least 16 warblers). Everyone who attended (roughly 100 birders, as best we could determine) seemed to have a great time – birding and socializing together – and we look forward to another great event Sept. 19-21, 2025!
Tom Schultz, WSO Field Trip Committee
