Begin forwarded message: > From: Laura Coble <[email protected]> > Date: October 22, 2010 6:16:46 AM CDT > To: MN listserv <[email protected]> > Subject: Snow Bunting, Dakota Cty; Rusty Blackbird, Goodhue Cty > > At about 4 pm yesterday I saw a small flock of Snow Buntings flying in the > Randolph Industrial Park, on 284th St., west of Hwy 56, in a cul-de-sac to > the north (right) from the first stop sign. 2 of the Snow Buntings landed on > a small gravel pile near the cul-de-sac, and I had some good views of them. > I saw them along the road in this area last year on 10/31, the first time I'd > seen them during migration at this location. > > Mallards, N. Shovelers and two female N. Pintail were in the pond behind the > church at the Industrial Park. I saw no birds on Lake Byllesby or on the mud > flats, which are more extensive now, but I'd forgotten to take my scope, so > there may have been some in the far distance. > > On 23rd Avenue Way, north of Scotia Trail, just south of Lake Byllesby in > Goodhue Cty, I saw enormous flocks of A. Robins, a few Cedar Waxwings, and > female Rusty Blackbirds, which first I thought were cowbirds, because of the > brownish heads. All were foraging silently (except for the robins) in a > partially flooded field ditch. > > However, when I looked at them more closely, they had a buffy supercilium > and dark patch near the eye, almost an eyeline, which showed up clearly when > the sun hit it. The eye was light-colored. They were buffy underneath with > dark primaries, a rusty color on the upper back and a gray rump. They walked > relatively slowly, turning over vegetation. I later checked my guide books, > and I'm pretty sure of the Rusty ID, but would welcome any experienced > opinions. There were also 1 male and a small number of female Red-winged > Blackbirds in the flock. > > Laura Coble
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