Barrow's Goldeneye in St. Louis County
2012-12-26

'Rare Regular' in Minnesota

This composite image incorporates four distant shots of an adult male Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) at the Superior Entry, St. Louis County, Minnesota, 26 December 2012. The lower left image shows the Barrow's displaying towards a disinterested female Common Goldeneye. The Barrow's was found at this location the previous afternoon by Karl J. Bardon. Thus far, it has only been observed on the Minnesota side of the Superior Entry, but undoubtedly wanders into Wisconsin waters from time to time. It is best seen from the Wisconsin side of the Entry in the morning, when the lighting is more favorable, by taking Moccasin Mike Road to the tip of Wisconsin Point. Karl and I both believe that this is the same adult Barrow's returning to the Twin Ports for the fifth consecutive winter, since its plumage appears to be identical when compared to images from previous years -- especially its distinctive shoulder spur, which looks truncated and blunt-tipped. Previous arrival dates of this drake were 1 November 2008, 17 November 2009, 12 November 2010, and 19 November 2011. We suspect that it probably arrived in November again this year, but remained undiscovered among the unusually high numbers of Common Goldeneyes in the Duluth area this fall and winter. The Superior Entry will probably freeze up with the arrival of colder weather and cessation of shipping in early January; the Barrow's can then be looked for at Canal Park (until the shipping channel there freezes up) and along the Duluth lakefront between Leif Erikson Park and 21st Ave East.

Peder H. Svingen