Hey birders! I heard of the impending freeze-up so decided to make one last stab at finding a scoter in Blue Earth County this fall. The conditions were quite less than ideal with on-and-off misting and fog-enshrouded lakes. Waterfowl was hard to come by and the fall theme of few birds continued. I do have some highlights:
Eurasian Collared-Dove--Mapleton: I found what appears to be the true epicenter for EC Doves in Mapleton. A total of 31 birds was perched in a backyard at the corner of Lincoln and 1st Streets. This is just east of the blue watertower. Two weeks ago I saw 30 birds fly in here from a farm to the west of Mapleton along Hwy 30. Snow Buntings: Some small flocks along CR4 south of Perch WPA, CR28 south of St. Clair, and a large flock (150+) along CR28 north of St. Clair. Dark-phase Harlan's Hawk: Found perched at the edge of a wetland between Alice and Indian Lakes southwest of Lake's Mill. The bird was along CR23. Eastern Meadowlark: 625 Ave north of Hwy 14 northwest of Smith's Mill--a very cooperative bird feeding roadside. Northern Shrike: near the southeast boat launch for Madison Lake Ducks: Lesser Scaup (1 on Madison Lake), Hooded Merganser (flock on Duck Lake), Common Merganser (flock on Madison Lake), Canvasback (flock on Eagle Lake--north side), Northern Shoveler (Eagle Lake--with Canvasbacks). Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
