In the small amount of open water at Gray's Lake today, there were three male and one female Hooded Merganser, and around eight male and three or so female Common Goldeneyes.
Other winged ones included a few Ring-Billed Gulls, Mallards of both sexes, and American Crows. SIDE NOTE: There was a Belted Kingfisher yesterday (3/2/13) in the lower part of Prairie Creek at Dolliver Memorial Park, but not much bird activity in the afternoon. ANOTHER SIDE NOTE: Our feeders have attracted Cooper's Hawks from the area woods (Des Moines Water Works and Ashworth and Greenwood Parks). This morning a Sharp-Shinned Hawk stayed around for quite a while, with some good views of it perched and, once, going after small birds in an evergreen shrub. Its hunting strategies looked awkward compared to the Coopers. From all appearances it was an adult bird. LAST SIDE NOTE: In the last few days we've had an American Tree Sparrow and two Song Sparrows under the feeders. Not unusual in general, but unusual for our feeders. The presence of both suggests stocking up before, during, or after migration, what with a good snow cover and more on its way. Lee Searles --- 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]
