Either more Robins are on the move, or the more secretive ones that overwintered in river valleys have come out of seclusion to feed. My husband was stunned at the number of Robins he observed on Summit Avenue this morning. I was equally surprised at the size of a flock in the SE corner of Highland park this afternoon. They were clearly targeting Hackberry and Crabapple trees in both areas, as well as taking advantage of the softening ground.
Bass Ponds had huge numbers of N. Shovelers and Teal (Blue-winged and a few Green-winged but alas, no Cinnamon) as well as Wood Duck and Mergansers, both Common and Hooded. The Great Blue Herons have been joined by a few Egrets at last. Raptors were well-represented, with Bald Eagle, 2 Red-tailed Hawks (one being harassed by a crow), a Kestrel, 2 N. Harriers, and a Cooper's Hawk on the nest. The Belted Kingfisher was fishing on the large pond that empties into the river, and the air above that water was thick with hunting Tree and Barn Swallows. At the shoreline, a couple of E. Phoebe and at least one Yellow-rumped Warbler, vied for insects, nearly colliding with me at one point. The Hermit Thrushes in the woods by the stream were no less intent on food---I hope everyone had sufficient success to withstand tomorrow's challenge. Linda Whyte ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
