I was looking for an excuse to take a break from studying for finals...and the Louisiana Waterthrush was the perfect excuse. I arrived this afternoon to the Waterthrush spot, but I couldn't see any birds from the road. I drove around a little while and came back. Again I scanned the water edges for any waterthrushes, nothing. I gave up and was driving off when I heard a Waterthrush chip come from about 30 feet south of where I was looking from the road. I followed the chip into the woods and found I had a better view of the water from inside the woods there. I followed the chip and finally saw a Waterthrush....although it was a Northern. A few seconds later a Solitary Sandpiper across the water caught my eye, and as I looked at it, I noticed a smaller bird foraging near it. I looked at it and realized it was the Louisiana Waterthrush! It was drastically different than the Northern foraging to the right of me. It was really neat looking at all the differences Bob O'Connor noted. I even heard it chip once when the Solitary got too close to it, I agree with Bob that it was not as hard as a Northern's. Anyway, it was a great day, although really windy. Where the Waterthrush was, there was no wind, so as long as it's this windy, I think the Waterthrush might stay put. I believe this is a first county record.
Ben Fritchman Fargo for the next 2 days, then back to Long Prairie.
