Here are some observations on different species: Waterfowl: Canada Geese, Mallards, Blue-winged Teal were quite widespred. I found a total of 14 species. More common than I expected were Redheads, Wood Ducks, and Ruddy Ducks. I expect that if I had visited the area in July, I would been able to confirm breeding Redheads and Ruddies. Many cattail rimmed ponds that were full of ducks in late May and early June, were totally shielded by tall cattails in late June.
Ring-neck Pheasants were not as visible as I expected, although I found several hens with babies. The most startling was a little chick that had to have been fresh from the nest. I flushed a Turkey Vulture from a small shed on an abandoned farmstead. I was unable to locate any eggs or young in the building, but still was sure they were there. I did not find any Common Nighthawks! Red-headed Woodpeckers were the most common woodpeckers I found, followed by Flickers. I remember that Sedge Wrens are (or were) a species of concern (in Minnesota), but they were one of the most common birds I found. Robins were everywhere, but there were very few Bluebirds. Flycatchers were all uncommon. Willow Flycatchers were almost always found around willows. Horned Larks, which were found in almost all blocks last summer, were only found in five of the thirty that I surveyed this year. Are their numbers crashing? With the exception of the eastern edge of Murray County, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were uncommon. Dickcissels were everywhere, to the point, that it was difficult often to find other species. Western Meadowlarks were largely absent from Murray County, except on the western edge of the county. This often was noted by farmers and other non-birders. Brewer's Blackbirds were not found, but Red-wings were everywhere, including very dry locations. -- 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
