At around 3 this afternoon, there were at least 2 and possibly 3, Horned Grebes on the back reaches of Gun Club Lake, where it curls around Quarry Island. We had first spotted what seemed to be a Grebe in the waters just north of the 494 bridge, but it was too fleeting a glimpse from too far, for ID. Hiking out to the north tip of Quarry Island, we looked toward the railroad tracks and quickly found a pair of recognizable Grebes diving in the open waters back there. These birds were smaller than the Hooded Mergansers nearby, with extensive white on their long, slender throats. However it was the shape of the head and position of the bill that suggested they were Horned Grebes. If anyone else has seen them there this week, we would appreciate confirmation.
Also present were a N. Harrier, N. Shovelers, Green and Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, Bufflehead, Scaup, Wood Ducks, Trumpeter Swans, many Song sparrows, Tree Sparrows, RW Blackbirds, and the usual residents. Enroute to Gun Club Lake, we made a stop at Acacia Cemetery to search for the resident Merlins, who were indeed present, doing a (relatively) silent sentry and patrol duty just next to last year's nest locale. Staff confirmed that the pair over-wintered again, and 3 Merlins have been spotted there this year. Linda Whyte St. Paul ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
