Hello: I would like to report a small flock of 4 Harlequin Ducks on the St.Mary's River Rapids yesterday Nov.27th AM. They were viewed from the south side of Whitefish Island and were present during my entire visit. I have made numerous visits to the SSM landfill on 5th Line over the last month. On Friday there was at least 7 Glaucous Gulls with all age groups being represented including a 3rd year bird, 2 Great Black-Backed Gull including 1 adult and 1 first year bird and 1 or 2 first year Thayer's Gulls. On other occasions I have seen "Kumlien's" Iceland Gull including first and second year birds. At times 1000's of gulls are present more than any other sites in the region that I have found. I have been generally disappointed with the numbers of gulls along the St.Mary's River although there has been a few GBB and Glaucous Gulls as reported earlier by Mitch. The dump is also good for raptors especially Bald Eagles with 5 or 6 being present on most visits. Red -Tails are usually present but no Short-Tailed Hawks yet. Unfortunately the landfill is closed on weekends. This is my first post of hopefully many. I have been in the Sault for 7years but have just recently become reactivated from a birding perspective. I was a keen birder as a young adult but have been involved in numerous other interests of late that have occupied all my spare time. After some birding with my Dad on Manitoulin Island this summer and a couple of trips(9 according to my wife's count) to Whitefish Point this fall I have officially switched obsessions( evidenced by the change in subject matter of the multiple books strewn around the house- Fred Case's Trillium Book has now been replaced by Olsen & Larrson's Gulls of North America etc.) The Sault would seem to be a great birding spot in all seasons with great potential. It is certainly underbirded as compared to adjacent areas of the UP in Michigan which get well covered with regular findings of rarities(ie Short-Tailed Hawk, Tropical Kingbird).Other than Mitch and John I haven't really run into anyone else actively birding this side of the river. If anyone is visiting the area I would be happy to hear from you and assist in any way possible. Kirk Zufelt Kirk Zufelt Sault Ste. Marie,Ontario Canada
