Hi All,I spent a little time this morning birding locally. It turned out to
be a pretty nice day as well. First stop was along the Airlie Road where the
swans hang out. There were 17 trumpeters and 1 tundra. I next went to the
Wendall Krider Reservoir where there were a number of ring-necked ducks, lesser
scaup, green winged teal, bufflehead, ruddy ducks, mallards, and one black
phoebe. I drove through Buena Vista , then along Wigrich Rd, and came to a
flooded field where there were some 20+ common mergansers. I thought this
strange for a fish eating duck knowing there were no fish there. The scope
revealed there were a few greater yellowlegs as well. I got sidetracked by 2
savannah sparrows, and then started hearing yellowlegs. When I looked back
toward the water, there were some 45 or so greater yellowlegs flying, along
with one dowitcher in the mix. They flew right over me, heading south. Wow!
This is by far the largest congregation of yellowlegs in January in the valley
I am aware of. Any thoughts? As Bob Dylan would say, "The times they are a
changin." My next stop was the farm pond south of Monmouth on Talmidge Rd.
As I pulled in a merlin flew across the road. In the wigeon flock was one
eurasian. Next stop was MSP where there were 3 greater scaup. Otherwise, the
expected ruddy ducks, bufflehead, ring-necks, shovelers, gadwall, wigeon.
Next stop was BSNWR where I planned to look for 3 snow geese found there
yesterday, but they were not in the geese flocks. I did find on Peregrine, and
realized it was now a 3 falcon day, but decided not to try for the least
expected prairie falcon.
I heard a number of song sparrows after the sun came out, which was definitely
refreshing. At MSP there was one starling calling just like a pewee. I had
to do a double take, knowing I have heard that tune before.
Bill Tice: Birding - The best excuse for getting outdoors, and avoiding chores.
