Paynesville: WTP's are still frozen - open only a little around the edges. Most of the wetlands along Hwy. 23 are as well, but there are some open spots - all have Canada Geese and mallards in them. No other waterfowl species...yet. Also saw a male northern harrier west of the WTP's.
Lake Henry/Crow River: Found a yellow-bellied sapsucker, at the intersection of Greencrest Rd and 240th St. Also juncos and American tree sparrows. Although the river is completely open north of Stearns CR 19, the only waterfowl in the area were Canada geese. Hwy. 4/Greenwald/Padua/Melrose/Albany: Mostly just Canada geese with a few mallards. No other waterfowl species seen. Sauk River is still mostly frozen, although the skies were filled with geese in and around Melrose. Only open water was in the temporary wetlands. Albany WTP's - only birds were Canada geese. Open around the edges for 10-20 feet this morning. I was HOPING for a killdeer, eastern bluebird, or other waterfowl species - no luck! So much for birding on Friday the 13th! Betsy Beneke St. Cloud, Benton County ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
