There was a lot of activity on the lake at Montrose this morning, April 25, including good numbers of Caspian Terns, Double-crested Cormorants, and Red-breasted Mergansers. More exciting were the Bonaparte’s Gulls. In about 45 minutes I estimate I had about 200 moving north past the point, and I only stopped looking when the rain started coming down in earnest. Bonaparte’s Gulls have become rare at Montrose in the spring, so seeing this many was a pleasant surprise. I also had a single Common Loon and White-winged Scoter and flocks of Lesser Scaup. Migrant landbirds were scarce, as would be expected with northeast winds.
Author Archives: rhughes
Red-throated Loons, April, 19, 2015
I did a brief lakewatch from the end of the fishing pier at Montrose this morning, April 19. There weren’t many birds moving but I did have 2 basic type Red-throated Loons flying north not far offshore. I think it’s getting late for this species. I also had numbers of Horned Grebes and Red-breasted Mergansers on the lake. Landbirds were scarce.
White-winged Scoter, March 15, 2015
White-winged Scoter (click to see the larger version)
There are still a few White-winged Scoters around. I photographed this adult male at the mouth of the harbor on March 15. These birds have been feasting on Zebra/Quagga Mussels.
Sandhill Crane, March 13, 2015
Sandhill Crane (click to see the larger version)
The Sandhill Crane found standing on the ice inside Montrose Harbor yesterday was still there this morning, March 13. I’ve seen some strange things at Montrose but this has to rank near the top of the strangeness meter. Sandhill Cranes aren’t all that rare at Montrose but the ones we do see are always flying over. In all the years I’ve birded there I think I’ve seen them on the ground just once. Not so strange were the 4 or 5 White-winged Scoters at the harbor mouth.
Red-throated Loon, March 8, 2015
I had the adult Red-throated Loon at Montrose again this morning, March 8 in the lake just south of the concession stand. The bird dove once and I never saw it again, but I ran into Al Stokie and he informed that it was moving west very fast and the last time he saw the bird it was near the harbor mouth.
Red-throated Loon, March 7, 2015
Red-throated Loon (click to see a larger version)
I had an adult Red-throated Loon at Montrose this morning, March 7. The bird was in the lake just off the southeast corner of the point. I had been standing on the walkway scanning the lake when the loon appeared out of nowhere and in front of me. Red-throated Loons are uncommon but regular spring visitors to Montrose.