Conny Brunell's post inspired a return trip to Randolph Industrial Park where we enjoyed close looks at the many Greater White-Fronted Geese on the north pond. Numerous others passed overhead going to and from L. Byllesby. Also productive were the farm fields with low-lying wet area,s where snow-melt has formed large ponds. Some of these were NE of Hampton, on the west side of CR 47 (Northfield Blvd.) While they had fewer White-fronteds, they had a nice mix of waterfowl including N. Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, and Canvasback. The best variety was in the fields on the west side of Fahey Ave. at hwy 55, just above upper Spring Lake Park Reserve. There the mix included not only Greater White-fronteds, but also Snow Geese, Wood Ducks, Pintails, Shovelers, Gadwall, and Redheads. Between locations there were plentiful raptors : several Bald Eagles; kiting Red-tails; a Harrier; Cooper's, Sharp-shinned, and Rough-legged Hawks; and a Turkey Vulture over the Park. The weather may be turning a bit foul, but the birding certainly isn't.
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
