Duluth Area
Our biggest concern today was rain as the forecast was for thunderstorms and scattered thunderstorms. We headed northeast along the lakeshore to Two Harbors, then cut inland.
Our first stop was along the Stony River Forest Road in Superior National Forest. We hoped for owls which had been recently reported there, but had no luck finding them. We did find some warblers, including Wilson's, Magnolia, and Chestnut-sided Warblers. Some of us also got a brief look at a Nashville Warbler (several were present, but hidden in the trees and shrubs). Wind seemed to be keeping the birds down. One or two of the group also glimpsed a Moose.
Next was the White Pine Picnic Area. A short trail gave us good looks at several Blackburnian Warblers and Blue-headed Vireos.
We worked our way up to Ely. Highlights included another Chestnut-sided Warbler, Least Flycatcher, and Bald Eagle. By then we were at Ely and it was time for lunch.
After lunch, a short excursion near town added Belted Kingfisher. Then we headed back. We were birding on Spruce Road when the rain appeared. It dogged us most of the rest of the day. It wasn't until we were approaching Two Harbors that it let up for an extended period. Some roadside birding yielded a couple of Eastern Phoebes.
The vans got separated by traffic in Two Harbors. Since we were headed back to the motel, we separately continued back, arriving within minutes of each other via different routes. We hope the rain will finish passing through tonight.
Our current totals are 94 bird species and 11 mammal species.
Day's Inn, Duluth, MN