The former rice paddies were alive with sparrows but very few warblers this morning. Nashville, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, and Palm were seen. The tundra swan previously report by Audrey Evers was still there. There were common yellowlegs, pectoral sandpipers, ring-necked ducks, lesser scaup, northern shovelers, green-winged teal and lots of blue-winged teal. Winter wrens and sedge wrens were singing on territories. The highlight was several singing LeConte's sparrows. The cliff swallows have returned to the bridge over the river.
Other news - some ravens are fledging and others near fledging. YSiskins are feeding young at bird feeders. Several people have just reported the first showing of hummingbirds claiming their feeders in past two days. Yesterday was the first eastern bluebirds seen around nest boxes in Ely. Thursday, a mockingbird was seen in Ely. The northern cardinal continues to be heard in the same area of Ely and it we are seeking a record of the cardinals nesting. Bill Tefft Parks and Recreation Instructor Vermilion Community College 1900 E. Camp Street Ely, MN 55731 Phone: 218-365-7241 Fax: 218-365-7207
