Our WSO group gathered at the lower beach parking lot at Harrington Beach State Park at 8:00 AM. It was a chilly morning – starting at about 34 degrees – but the sky was clear. The wind was out of the west at about 10-15 mph, so we were optimistic about seeing a hawk migration – although this was now the 3rd day since the cold front first passed through Wisconsin, with north winds on the previous days, so that may have worked against us.
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET PHOTO BY - TOM SCHULTZ
There was a fair amount of bird activity around the nearby grassy lawn area, so we spent some time there. In the trees we spotted RUBY-CROWNED and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, both WHITE-BREASTED and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, a BROWN CREEPER, and an EASTERN BLUEBIRD, but the pleasant surprise was the number of HERMIT THRUSHES that were around – with at least 6 or 7 individuals present in that area!
Other species observed were RED-BELLIED and DOWNY WOODPECKERS, and a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, BLUE JAY and AMERICAN CROW flew over, and an EASTERN TOWHEE was heard calling, but it never showed. A nice surprise in the trees was a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, and a PALM WARBLER was also spotted.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW PHOTO BY - TOM SCHULTZ
Hopping in the grass were a number of sparrows – mostly DARK-EYED JUNCOS, but also WHITE-CROWNED and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. A big flock of RING-BILLED GULLS appeared to be flying from off Lake Michigan, as well as a group of CANADA GEESE. Unfortunately, no hawks were spotted from that location.
HERMIT THRUSH PHOTO BY - TOM SCHULTZ
Around 9:20 we took a short hike to the south, to see what else we might find. Along the way we spotted more KINGLETS (both species), along with a few BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES. More HERMIT THRUSHES were also seen, so we were now probably over a dozen for the morning.
HARRINGTON BEACH PHOTO BY - TOM SCHULTZ
We walked to a vantage point near the Lake Michigan beach and glassed the water. Offshore we spotted three HORNED GREBES that were swimming and diving, and a few ducks were flew by – including a small group of GREEN-WINGED TEAL and about 15 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS. More RING-BILLED and a few HERRING GULLS were also present, but the lake was pretty quiet. On the rocks off the little point, we spotted a few YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS that were hopping about catching lake flies, along with a lone PALM WARBLER.
A BELTED KINGFISHER flew across the nearby quarry lake, but we couldn’t see any ducks there. Then, on the way back to the parking lot a WINTER WREN was briefly spotted, but unfortunately it disappeared before most could get a look at it.
At 10:30 some in the group drove south to the Forest Beach Migratory Preserve, spotting a few TURKEY VULTURES along the way. After parking, an EASTERN PHOEBE was observed, catching insects near the former clubhouse.
The temperature had risen to 50-53 degrees, the sky was clear, and the west wind had increased to 15-30 mph – which seemed conducive for a good raptor flight. Several RED-TAILED HAWKS were observed shortly after our arrival, flying together, which were the first hawks we had seen this day.
We hiked over to the hawk watch platform, and joined the group that was at the site doing a “Big Sit” Big Day count. During the 90 minutes or so that we were there, we were able to spot several MERLINS (perhaps 7 or 8) that were migrating south past the tower. A few more TURKEY VULTURES were gliding about, along with a couple RED-TAILED HAWKS and a NORTHERN HARRIER. We also had nice looks at a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK that winged its way past us.
Smaller birds included RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, PALM WARBLER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, along with a few AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES and BLUE JAYS. A NORTHER FLICKER called in the distance, and a few DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS flew by.
Unfortunately, the morning didn’t produce the hawk migration that we were hoping for, but it was really fun seeing the ones that we did—especially getting nice looks at several migrating MERLINS at Forest Beach. Thanks to the 14 birders who participated in this field trip!
Tom Schultz, WSO Field Trips Committee
