This morning at Rapids Lake MVNWR I estimated a total of 650 Tundra Swans flying over the refuge. I counted 470 in multiple flocks between 7:25 and 7:45 and another 180 in 2 flocks at around 8:30. There were also a couple hundred Canada Geese that flew over, 17 Cackling Geese(mixed calling with a small flock of Tundra), 20 Mallard, 6 Common Goldeneye(heading south), and 2 Trumpeter Swans. Otherwise there were a few hundred blackbirds flying over, may have had Rusty mixed in but I only made out Red-winged and Grackle. The Belted Kingfisher was still in the area, and a Flicker was still around as well. I only saw 1 Purple Finch, but I heard a few others. I saw my first Killdeer earlier in the week, but there was 1 at the refuge today as well. Also, I am pretty sure but not positive that I heard a Savannah Sparrow. A female Northern Harrier was hunting in the grassland near the visitor's center. I've been told that they have nested nearby in the past but saw no signs of it last year. Today she landed twice. Soon after she landed the 2nd time the smell of a skunk came my way. She never took off again, so she may have gotten a meal. _________________________________________________________________ The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_3 ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
