Did some more birding around Pope County early in the week - then moved to Douglas County.
Eurasion Collared-dove still calling until Tuesday at the 275th Ave/215th st location on the south side of Lake Minnewaska. Alder flycatcher at the 240th St location south of Glenwood, sharing negotiating a territory with a very loud, vocal Least. Same location as last year. Birded Glacial Lakes State Park with a very brief AM walk in the prairie section (45 min) on Tuesday. All resident sparrows in attendance - with Chipping and Clay-colored most numerous, Song close behind. Field, Swamp less numerous and Grasshopper least numerous (although I always have to add my disclaimer that I cannot hear them as well anymore) Birded Glacial Lakes SP forest/lake section with a family hike mid-day. Most expected forest species were there including: Ovenbirds Eastern Wood-Pewees Eastern Phoebes Great-crested FC Least FC Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos Yellow Warblers Am. Redstarts Very entertaining was a family of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Three nestlings were in the nest, jostling for position. The parents were outside the nest displayng with fluttering wings, flared tails, and general chattering. We speculated they might be trying to coax the nestling into fledging. I went back the next morning but the nest was empty, so we may have been correct. There were at least two House Wren families entering apparent nesting holes in trees. Lots of activity. Best bird of the day - a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in the trees behing the shelter at the group camp. There were many juvenile birds of many species around the area. Red-necked Grebe still at the pond northwest of Lowry. (along HWY 114). I saw a hen with young far away but could not ID if it was a grebe as the sun was backlighting and they quickly disappeared into the weeds. There are also ducks on the pond so there are several possibilities Lowry Sewage Ponds are going away, most likely this year. The new sewage ponds are to the southwest but I have not yet seen them. If the pattern holds, they will be rip-rapped. Have not had much time to bird in Douglas County (3 new family member under 2 to keep us busy). However, there were some Purple Martins at Lake Latoka this AM with young. Nice to see some healthy, active birds. Also on Lake Latoka, Loon pair with two chicks, already pretty big. Last year they had one. Sid Stivland Plymouth (and Pope County) ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
