The colonial nesting islands on two lakes in residential Fergus Falls
(Otter Tail Co) are back in business.
Lake Alice, the bigger lake in the north part of town, has two
islands. The bigger of the islands is now primarily the nesting
island for Double-crested Cormorants with nesting Great Egrets
occupying a smaller portion in a lower section. As the bigger trees
have died off, the Egrets have switched to the smaller island in the
northeast corner of the Lake Alice. For birders, this is actually a
boon because the birds may be viewed so closely, it's almost
voyeuristic. We spotted no Black-crowned Night-herons at Lake Alice.
In past years, there always seemed to be a handful there.
The other lake, Grotto Lake, is in the southeastern part of town. The
entrance to Adams Park is kitty-corner from the Dairy Queen. Its tiny
island, again in close proximity to the shore, was brimming with
Great Egrets. Two adult Black-crowned Night-herons were also seen,
not on the island, but tucked into the mature conifer trees right on
the shore. Some of them successfully nested in these trees last year.
Among other birds at Lake Alice: Loon, Mallard, Redhead, Wood Duck,
Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Canada Geese, five Cackling Geese, Ring-
billed Gulls, and an early Spotted Sandpiper feeding and bobbing its
way along the edge of ice remaining on the lake. Grotto Lake had
about a half-dozen Pied-billed Grebes, also.
--Dan & Sandy
--
Thimgans
Battle Lake MN
Otter Tail County
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