[mou] BBWoodpeckers/N.Goshawk/Eared, Horned Grebes/B.Scoters Cook Cnty

[JELLISBIRD at aol.com]

    Had single Eared Grebe (breeding plumage) with two C. Loons and two 
RNGrebes at Cascade River State Park Wayside on 8/4/07. Also had 5 (probably) Black 
Scoters off of the rock island at Good Harbor Bay on 8/4 ("probaby" because 
they were far enough out that I could not see facial markings and could not see 
any white on their wings as they flipped their wings diving and stretched 
their wings while preening-I also could not see white gular patch on Cormorants 
at about the same distance-but they were definitely Scoters). Seems early.
    Two Black-Backed Woodpeckers were drumming (male) and foraging (both male 
and female) on burnt (White?) Spruce just .2 miles east from Cook 81 on the 
Gunflint Trail (near the end of the trail), also on Saturday 8/4. Saw waves of 
warblers also. Had a Gray Jay on Sag Lake Trail and later in the PM had 
White-Winged Crossbills on a flyover on the north side of Oberg Mtn.
    Monday 8/6/07 had a N. Goshawk (adult) sitting on a snag along the 
Sawbill Trail approximately 3 or so miles north of 6 mile creek about 6:30 AM. Had 
one Horned Grebe (VERY WORN breeding plumage) at Five Mile Rock and two more 
off of Cobblestone Cabins a few miles north of Tofte later that AM.

    John Ellis-St. Paul<BR><BR><BR>**************************************<BR> 
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