On Sunday (6/22) I led a MRVAC field trip to Miesville Ravine with eight participants. The best birds included a couple of Acadian Flycatchers and a surprising Brewster's Warbler (Blue-winged x Golden-winged). Also heard were Wood Thrushes, Ovenbirds, and a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Redstarts were everywhere and we also found a couple of Scarlet Tanagers. Eastern Wood Pewees and baltimore Orioles were unexpectedly uncommon. Most of the activity was early in the morning. After finishing at Miesville, some of us continued on to a couple of other sites further downstream. We found lots of mosquitos, but few birds of interest. I was the only one who caught a glimpse of a Ruffed Grouse dust bathing in the trail.
Yesterday (6/26) I spied a Hooded Merganser hen sitting on a log with a line of eleven one to three day old chicks, all sleeping in a row. They probably had just come down from one of my boxes. the evenings continue to be quite noisy with Copes Gray Treefrogs. This year the wild strawberrys are especially sweet, plump, and plentiful. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN sweston2 at comcast.net
