Found an immature Western KIngbird today in Minnetrista in Hennepin County at the corner of Hwy 7 and Oak Rd.
Yard birds on Quiggley Lake this weekend included: Belted Kingfisher, Solitary Sandpiper, and Pileated Woodpecker. One or more of the Barred Owls was whinning like an overgrown Screech Owl last night. We had a group of 12 female and immature Wood Ducks. If this was the hen and family that hatched out of one of my boxes, it appears that the whole brood fledged, which is an unusual success for our lake. We also had a Mallard with 8 that appeared to be only a week old. I spent a week at Scout Camp in Wisconsin recently, stopping at Crex Meadows on the way home. Perhaps the best bird of the week was a Raven at Crex Meadows. I know I haven't seen them there before. The best bird experience for the kids was probably the three Pileateds that visited our campsite. The calling loons and the half grown chick just off shore were with us the whole week and became common background. Heard birds included the ethereal Wood Thrushes and a passing Sand Hill Crane. The best bird experience for me was when an immature Eastern Kingbird begged by opening a bright red mouth. At night the loons were backed by a chorus of the plunking banjos of the Green Frogs join by an occasional Bull Frog. Steve Weston
