I spent about an hour early this afternoon at Maffitt Res. in SW Polk County and it reminded me of a late February thaw. There was a pretty good sized piece of open water. I ended up with 14 species of waterfowl plus Am. Coot, although technically the Hooded Mergansers were just a ways away at the Hallett Quarry. Thirty-five (give or take a couple) Trumpeter Swans were quite a sight and the many non-migrant Canadas were joined by a few of what I judged to be parvipes. Mallards were fairly numerous but there was also a smattering of other species strung around the lake. These included both Greater and Lesser Scaup, Green-winged Teal, Am. Wigeon, N. Pintail, Redhead, Canvasback (5), Ruddy, Common Merganser, and Common Goldeneye.
Alas, no Snowy Owls down this way! Ann Johnson Norwalk, IA 50211 --- 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/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
