The red-winged blackbirds have staked out territory in the cattails, and were posted at intervals around the lake, singing vigorously. The latest recipients of the serenade were some pairs of hooded mergansers and bufflehead. On shore some of the audience erupted in a dispute: two pairs of cardinals were chasing each other. The song sparrows ignored the whole thing and made music of their own.
Meanwhile, over in the backwater west of the 35E bridge, a great blue heron was feeding--until I showed up. The brown creepers---one by the river path, and one on the north side of the big lake---seemed oblivious to the intrusion. So did the small flock of tree swallows, hunting over the river. Let's hope they don't experience a repeat of last spring's chill-down. Except for the chickadees, the rest of the regulars were very quiet and scarce, but the route home held a bit of drama: 3 crows were so intent on chasing off a young red-tailed hawk by Highland golf course, that they risked nearly grazing the car. Even the home-feeders were basically deserted, save for one pair of house finches. Perhaps the weather will drive them in tomorrow. Linda Whyte ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
