On Sunday we had a great trip along a state forest trail on the bottoms off the Cannon River. Weather was cooperative and conditions were excellent for birding. The mosquitoes were surprisingly docile. We found all of our target species. Everyone had great looks at Acadian Flycatchers, the most noticeable flycatcher on the trip. The Cerulean Warblers were less cooperative and we had brief looks at best at the several that we found. Wood Thrushes were absolutely quiet, but we called one in at the one spot we tried. Few Ovenbirds were heard, but one obliged us with obscured peeks. The big surprise of the trip were the noisy Sand Hill Cranes, which at times made it difficult to hear the quieter forest birds. One flew right over us. Ruby-throated Hummers put on quite the show, flashing their bright gorgets as three males vied for a prime tree. Keen-eyed Joe Conley found a hummer on her nest right over the trail. All of my trips this year have featured Yellow-billed Cuckoos and we had a pair that were clearly seen. At least one more was heard later. We also had excellant looks at a Prothonatary Warbler. Other birds included Indigo Bunting, Brown Thrasher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireos, Cedar Waxwings, and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. Many of these were seen only briefly or heard only.
Steve Weston on Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN [email protected] ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
