A challenging day to be a migratory bird stroking north across Iowa! At
Cone Marsh, Louisa County, late this afternoon, our first of the season
sighting of several hundred white pelicans. On the south end of the
public area (220th), we were able to see pelicans pond-hopping in a low,
undulating, follow-the-leader flight across the road. Near the stream on
220th, we caught a brief sighting of a kingfisher. Also a pair of Wilson
snipe were probing in the marshbottom, the water is very low right now.
Ducks observed were Northern shovelers, blue-winged teals and ring-necks.
On the caboose side there was a male pheasant that preferred walking
across the road instead of cussing the wind. In a cornfield north of the
marsh we were lucky to watch a solitary sandhill crane feeding with a
group of geese. It seemed unconcerned about our surveillance, probably
famished after a long day. Also at our feeders this week, there have been
several purple finches, male and female, hobnobbing with the house
finches.
Julie Horak, Iowa City
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Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use:
Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0
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