Did some birding this afternoon. The Ottosen Potholes are open and active with numerous waterfowl, nothing really striking to report, mostly the normal spring migrants (Gaddies, Shoveler, RNDU, Scaup, Canvasback, Buffies, Hoodies, Common Mergs, etc), though some Am. Wigeons were on the main pothole this morning. There was also a Merlin at the potholes along with some Song Sparrows and Am. Tree Sparrows and a single Ring-billed Gull. The flooded forest area west of Bradgate had it's normal group of Buffleheads and Hoodeds and Wood Ducks. Had some Greater White-fronts on the Western potholes...
This afternoon at 'Lake' Nokomis in Humboldt had a HORNED GREBE (pretty straight bill and is far more likely than Eared) hanging out with a group of Pied-billed Grebes. If further documenting or verification is needed I can forward pictures at the beginning of the week. Another interesting sighting was that of an Eastern Phoebe also at Nokomis. Other than that nothing striking at any of the East Pocahontas County sites I checked (the T-swan pond west of Gilmore City and Moore recreation area nor at Pilot Creek) though they were all open and the Pilot Creek is experiencing flooding which could provide interesting viewing over the course of the Spring. And I should note that I have sited Great Blue Herons at Humboldt and Cerro Gordo Counties since two weeks ago. Though Rice Lake was still frozen as of mid-last week. Jacob Newton Ottosen, Humboldt Co, Iowa --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/membership.asp. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
