The Otter Tail County Moorhens reported earlier in the week proved elusive for us on 8/15. We spend about 1.5 hours in the area, and only one of us had brief looks at one chick and later two chicks. We never did see the adults.
At one point, we did hear fervent vocalizing, presumably by the adult(s). Shortly thereafter, we heard and saw rustling in the roadside grass. Ultimately, a mink emerged, ran half-way across the highway, gave us a look, then continued on. There was additional chatter, then two chicks were briefly seen scampering across a mudflat in the back part of the wetland. Sandhill Cranes were also heard in the vicinity. Repeated directions from Jeanie Joppru's earlier post (unfortunately, we ran out of the "patience" she mentioned): In Otter Tail County, the COMMON MOORHEN family was relocated on Sunday, August 6 by Steve and Diane Millard and others in the slough along the portion of CR 67/CR 8 where they run together in northeastern Otter Tail County north of New York Mills. This is only a very short stretch, and this slough south of a farmstead on the east side of the road is easy to find; no better viewing is possible, but the birds are easy to see from the county road if they are out in the open. Patience is required as there are many cattails to hide in. One adult and three chicks were seen on Sunday. -- Dan & Sandy Thimgan Otter Tail County Battle Lake MN
