Today I got to experience a spectacular sight with the volume cranked up to high at Lake Byllesby, Dakota County when I observed 1,000 Greater White-fronted Geese come in to the mudflats. They came from the south over Goodhue County circled around Lake Byllesby lazily and funneled in. I had fare warning as I could hear them as they approached in one large flock after the next. As they banked overhead I could see the speckled belly, and the conspicuous carrot orange legs and feet, and obvious white wide band in the tail pattern as they dropped down. This is how I counted them when they came down because once they got on the ground they were all lumped tightly. There were 52 Snow Geese that came in together as well as a good variety of ducks including a dozen American Wigeon, and 50 Northern Pintail.
It was like a busy interstate at Byllesby and very exciting to be able to experience, and when I left they were still all on the south side mudflats. A spotting scope would be necessary to see across the lake from the north side near the Lake Side Cemetery. Some of the GWFG did drop into the south shore openings behind the cattails. The strong flow of south winds may even bring even more birds before they switch over from the north tomorrow. Lake Byllesby >From Randolph and MN. State 56 turn east onto Dakota County 88 (292nd St.). >Lake Byllesby is on the south side of the highway and visible from the road. >In about .4 of a mile turn right into Lake Side Cemetery and walk the road to >the east to view the lake and mudflats. ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
