A N. Waterthrush was feeding along the shore of 9-Mile Creek in Bloomington early this afternoon, directly across from mile-marker 1.9. Its yellow wash clearly visible as it bobbed its way across the mud and hopped into the low brush.
Further upstream my attention was drawn to a very small mouse with a very long tail, that hopped on back legs like a kangaroo, gathering food. Having stopped to watch the mouse, I finally noticed a group of 4 rather colorful, first-fall, male rose-breasted grosbeaks, along with a female BAOR. Among the usual summer residents, such as the kingfishers and various flycatchers, were a few raptors: a couple of TUVUs, a couple of juvenile COHAs, and a young RTHA. The jewelweed is plentiful, but no hummingbirds showed themselves. Linda Whyte
