10/24 and 10/25/07. Yesterday morning found several downy and hairy woodpeckers, 2 yellow bellied sapsuckers, and one male threetoed woodpecker at lighthouse point in Two Harbors. Also found one pilleated woodpecker, and one female blackbacked woodpecker at Stony Point. This AM I found a male black backed woodpecker on Minnesota Point by the airport. Interestingly, both the three toed male and the black backed male foraged only on birch trees when I observed them, (look to the birches). A remarkable experience with the male black backed this AM. While observing and photographing the bird a Merlin flew in and attempted to prey upon the black backed. The woodpecker saw him coming and let out a piercing vocalization that rattled and squawked, the merlin pulled up and swiped at the woodpecker but missed, both flew off with the Merlin in hot pursuit. This took place while I stood 15feet away watching, WOW. Other notable birds in the last two days included a fox sparrow, and a flock of 30 pine siskins at light house point. Several bald eagles in several locations. 10 Black Bellied Plovers on Minnesota Point. The snow buntings are increasing in numbers with a flock of 100 plus found on Minnesota Point. On a side note, I returned to Minnesot Point this evening and watched an amazing full moon rise over Lake Superior. I enjoyed this spectacle near a sleeping blackbellied and american golden plover. I made a small fire. When the moon had risen a ways the plovers awoke, moved to the shoreline, vocalized to each other briefly, then took to the air, I assume, to not return. As far as a day to enjoy the spectacle of migration, this was a 10 of 10. Happy Birding. Shawn Zierman
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