At Quiggley Lake on Tuesday I had a first-of-year Green Heron. I had to repair a Wood Duck house, so I checked the five houses that I have in my yard. Two were empty and one still had squirrels. One had 12 eggs, but not much down. I rousted a Hooded Merganser from the last. This was a surprise. The box which had been used by squirrels had about nine egg shells on the ground or on top of the house. I suspect a raccoon had gotten them out. I was surprised that the hen was still on the eggs. Because she was incubating, I was hesitant on removing the leaves left behind by the former tenants to lower the nest in the box and afford her more space.
Today (Wednesday) I checked out Purgatory Creek, the marsh behind the Flagship Athletic Club in Eden Prairie. I found two Bonapartes Gulls and two Caspian Terns, both FOY. Steve Weston
