An Ivory Gull Rises from the Dead in Duluth, MN

[Jared Del Rosso]

This is not a Colorado report -- so the long-story short is that there has been an Ivory Gull in Duluth, MN for most of 2016. This bird is quite a bit farther away from CO than the one that showed up in South Dakota in 2008. But perhaps there is a CO birder who will want to venture up to Duluth. You can also look for a Gyrfalcon across the way in Superior, WI (also seen since the New Year), Great Grays, Boreal Chickadee, Ruffed Grouse, and Black-backed Woodpecker at Sax-Zim Bog, and Redpoll and Bohemian Waxwing around the area towns. The drive to Duluth can be done in a day and a half (weather permitting) and accommodations in the area should be relatively inexpensive this time of year. It's a terrific city to visit, with great food, drink, and coffee options, and the birding in northern Minnesota this time of year is spectacular. If it gets cold, though, watch out.

I have not seen the Ivory Gull. I was in northern Minn when the bird was there, but had neither time nor transportation to get to it. My proximity to this very cooperative bird -- which was seen for extended periods of time by many birders right in the middle of things in Duluth -- coupled with my inability to be co-present with it has thrown me into a birding existential crisis. But I'm reporting it today because an interesting thing happened this morning: The bird was reported dead, then later seen again in Duluth. The story, clearly, is not so simple. The dead "Ivory Gull" (I don't know that it has been definitively confirmed as such) was found and photographed across the harbor in Superior, Wisconsin -- under a bridge, among fox or coyote tracks. The report -- and ensuing expressions of grief -- came out on Minnesota & Wisconsin birding lists and Facebook groups around 9:25 this morning. The photos and very brief narrative are here: http://blog.lauraerickson.com/2016/01/tragic-news-about-ivory-gull.html.

Forty minutes later, a post showed up on the MN birding email list. The subject line said it all: "Ivory Gull Still Alive." Birders have been watching the bird this morning in the Canal Park area of Duluth.

If you want more info about northern Minnesota, feel free to drop me an email. I'm by no means an expert, but I can get you pointed in the right direction.

Best,

Jared Del Rosso

Denver, CO

[Robert Parsons]

I was one of the lucky birders who was able to sit and watch the Ivory Gull yesterday morning in Duluth for several hours.  We also saw the Gyrfalcon, although that bird has not been quite as reliable.  We were lucky!  We also saw a flock of over 200 Bohemian Waxwings and another flock of 25 plus Evening Grosbeaks. 

 

Having been there just yesterday, when I saw the stories this morning about the dead Ivory Gull, it was quite meaningful.  Hard to believe, but there must have been two in the area.  Fortunately I was traveling across the country and so was able to stop in Minneapolis and make the three hour drive to Duluth.  It is a long ways, and expensive, but what an experience to see both of these birds.

 

Robert Parsons

Potomac, Maryland

(But often works in Denver)

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[David Suddjian]

Although this is an interesting bird item, being disconnected to CO it is not appropriate for the Colorado Birds list. Please continue any discussion off list. Thanks much.

David Suddjian 

COBirds list moderator

Littleton CO

Sent from my iPhone

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