With the south winds of the last couple of days bringing spring warmth, the migrants are invading the area. Red-wing Blackbirds are on territory everywhere. Grackles are on the tops of trees. Killdeer are calling overhead. And diverse waterfowl are here arriving in numbers despite most lakes still being frozen. This morning (Friday) we had a pair of Wood Ducks swimming in the recent open water along the shore of Lake Quiggley. Tomorrow I have to finish the repairs on a wood duck house and get it hung.
Later in the morning, still in Eagan, I saw a V or Canada Geese flying low. The last eight were Cackling Geese. About noon, I was checking out the small ponds east of Buffalo. Most of the geese from a few days ago were gone, along with the Ross' Goose. The Killdeer were still there as were a few Gadwell and Green-winged Teal. Nearby was a Kestrel. Near Pelican Lake I found a Northen Shoveler, Hooded Mergansers and Ring-necked Ducks. Overhead a V of Tundra Swan included more than a hundred swans. Back in town I found a Great Egret. Tomorrow looks promising. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN [email protected]
