Sabine's Gulls and Parasitic Jaegers highlighted the September 15 Lake Erie pelagic trip
By Bruce Glick
September 18, 2012
389
Sabine's Gulls and Parasitic Jaegers highlighted the September 15 Lake Erie pelagic trip
Columnist Bruce Glick summarizes happenings in the local birding world. This week's topic is Lake Erie birding. Find out more in the "Gone Birding" column.
To most birders, a pelagic trip refers to a boating trip to explore the Atlantic or Pacific for seabirds. Only recently has the term been applied to boat trips on Lake Erie, but the goal is the same, to find birds that tend to stay far from shore. So far the results have been encouraging. Jen Brumfield is the birder who has planned and led the fall trips on Lake Erie. Jen is an amazing birder, with lots of skill and enthusiasm. All four of the trips planned for this fall filled up quickly, with people on the waiting list.
The two September trips are new this year, with the goal of finding some of the birds that are more likely to be seen earlier in the fall. November is the traditional time for finding the largest variety of birds on Lake Erie. Last year I joined one of those trips and we did see a lot of birds, including two species of jaegers.
The weather for our trip last week was excellent, although the waves were higher than expected, especially in the morning. One of the first birds seen was a Black Tern. Some of the birders also had quick looks at a distant Red-necked Phalarope, but it never came close to the boat.
The excitement began when a Parasitic Jaeger was sighted. As usual, it was interacting with gulls. Most of us had good looks at this one, although later in the day another Parasitic put on quite a show. It eventually soared higher and higher, looking like one of the migrant hawks that pass over Ohio this time of year.
Lake Erie looks really big when you are eight miles from the Ohio shoreline. Just as birders looking for fall warblers may have long periods with no birds, the same was true on this boat trip. Just about the time my eyes were getting heavy, with only common gulls to be seen, Jen yelled "Sabine's Gull"! Sure enough, a small gull with a startling black and white wing pattern flashed by. All too soon it was gone. A few minutes later, the bird was back, and then a second Sabine's joined it. As our boat captain followed the birds we realized there were three of the rare gulls. They stayed around long enough for everyone to see them well and take plenty of photos. That made the day for all of us.
Sabine's gulls are rare finds in Ohio, usually seen along Lake Erie, although at times one or two show up briefly on inland lakes. Three at one time is very rare, although on September 15, 1984, eight Sabine's Gulls were seen at Huron.
We didn't find any Long-tailed Jaegers on this trip. Most of us have never seen this smallest of the jaegers, but September is probably the best time to see one. My guess is that future trips will eventually encounter a Long-tailed. I hope to be on the boat that day!
Everyone was delighted with the trip and thankful to Jen Brumfield for making it happen. If you are interested in knowing more about pelagic trips on Lake Erie, check out Jen's website: www.jenbrumfield.com. You'll also find lots of other interesting birding information that Jen shares from her Cleveland base.
Meanwhile, here in Holmes and Wayne, warblers have been getting most of the attention. This is a good time to get out in the woods, or walk/bike the rails-to-trails in our communities. Enjoy this beautiful time of year.
Good birding!
Bruce Glick
birderbruce@yahoo.com
330-317-7798
