>From 8 to noon on International Migratory Bird Day we explored what will be called the Darwin Meyers Wildlife Management Area in Embarrass once the paperwork is finalized. This area was a commercial wild rice operation in the early 80's and provides lots of wetlands, forest and grasslands along the Embarrass River.
We observed 46 species during the morning before hot chili at the Four Corners Cafe including: Many sparrows - savannah, song, swamp, white-throated, white-crowned, chipping and clay-colored with the first 3 species and sedge wrens singing on territories Greater and lesser yellowlegs; several A. bitterns calling and flying about; several northern harriers; a variety of ducks; the first yellow-headed blackbirds seen there this year; a wave of yellow-rumped, palm and yellow warblers; a trumpeter swan, plenty of tree and cliff swallows plus a few barn swallows; the first soras were heard this year on May 7. We don't know how the Governor was doing on Lake Vermilion, but we were happy with our "stringer" of bird sightings. Bill Tefft Parks and Recreation Instructor Vermilion Community College 1900 E. Camp Street Ely, MN 55731 Phone: 218-365-7241 Fax: 218-365-7207
