I've seen Common Mergansers in flooded fields this time of year. Maybe they're
pusuing worms. Ditto Hooded Mergs. I've seen those kind of Yellowleg numbers at
East Coyote Unit of Fern RIdge WMA in winter, but never more than three in
Washington County. Lars
On Jan 28, 2016, at 3:20 PM, Bill Tice wrote:
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.
