Forster's Terns - 26 Apr 2018

This post was supposed to be about a Pacific Loon that was found this morning by Andy Dettling. I spent the evening at Lake Erie Metropark (south end), Pt. Mouillee HQ, and the North Causeway looking for the bird without luck. After reporting it NOT seen during my 7 mile bike trek I came home to find out it was relocated at the boat launch where Hawk Watch is conducted. Rats.

I did find 12 Common Loons during my travels, so that was a very enjoyable experience. The majority were out in Lake Erie just within scoping distance, but four birds were in the Huron River near the mouth of Lake Erie and closer for viewing.  Three dozen Horned Grebes were a nice treat, as well.

A good mix of waterfowl were found along the way, as well. Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Ruddy Duck, and even a pair of Northern Pintail were seen.  A pair of Common Gallinules were a first for the year, as well.

My best photo opps came when Forster's Terns were flying along the north causeway shoreline toward me. One bird landed on a log and provided a few minutes of digiscoping happiness, as well.

Winds were atrocious again this evening. The Vermet Unit almost had whitecaps, while Lake Erie was churning. But, the SW corner of the Vermet was calm enough that 11 American White Pelicans were able to enjoy the brief moments of late afternoon sun.

Pte. Mouillee SGA (permit required Sep 1-Dec 15), Monroe, Michigan, US
Apr 26, 2018 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Protocol: Traveling
8.0 mile(s)
Checklist Comments:     Chasing a Pacific Loon found by Andy Dettling today
21 species

Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors)  12
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)  7
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)  2
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)  6
Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)  30
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)  36
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)  24
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus)  34
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)  2
Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia)  2
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis)  6
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)  3
Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri)  6
Common Loon (Gavia immer)  12
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)  11
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  2
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)  6
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)  6
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  2
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  12
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)  12

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S152072247

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (https://ebird.org/home)