Hi -
We should not automatically assume there were no fish. Some fish, including
sticklebacks and juv. salmon and trout do readily move into temporarily flooded
areas (and often get stranded. So if the field had a clear connection (surface
flow to and/or from fish-bearing stream at the height of the flooding, there
could have been fish.
Wayne
From: "Lars Per Norgren" <larspernorgren@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "obol" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2016 6:27:04 PM
Subject: [obol] Re: Polk Today
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.
