Waterfowl seen yesterday: Tundra Swans, Canada Geese, Am Wigeons, Gadwalls, Wood Ducks, Pintails. Ring Necked Ducks, Green Winged Teal and Mallards. Also, Sandhill Cranes, Kestrels, Northern Shrikes, Rough Legged Hawks, Tree Sparrows, and the usual.
1.) From the stop sign in Aitkin go approx 3 miles north and turn right on Aitkin Cty Rd 1 for approx 5 miles and turn left on 430th ave for approx 100 yards. Rice paddies on north of road are loaded with Tundra Swans (one needs a scope). I am thinking approx 2,000 swans and I am sure many more. Then continue on Aitkin Cty Rd 1 for approx 5 miles and turn right (east) on 450th st for approx 1.5 miles rice paddies on south are loaded with above mentioned birds. 2.) After having lunch at the Palisade Cafe go south on Aitkin Cty Rd 5 for approx 1 mile turn right on 470th st and go west for 1 mile then turn left on 310 ave for approx 1/2 mile and on the left side of road in a stand of ash trees is an active Black Billed Magpie nest. Yesterday I saw 5 BBMP around the nest. When driving on Aitkin Cty Road 1, one will not believe the number of Swans and Ducks on the move. Also, on the Cedar Brook road which is Cty Rd 15 east of Aitkin, turn left at the bridge. There I saw a pair of Trumpeter Swans on Cedar Brook, one was banded 4M7. Also, from the stoplight in Aitkin, go north on State Hwy 169 for approx 5 miles and turn right on Aitkin Cty Rd 56 (east) for 2 miles. Then turn right (south) on 350th ave for approx 1/2 mile and on east side of road it is loaded with Tundra Swans and the above mentioned waterfowl. Two days ago I had an American Bittern on 56 which was a nice treat. Hopefully my directions are correct; I am not really good at posting. I used to bird with Warren Nelson and he always posted. My cell number is: 218-851-3318 if there are any questions. Good Birding, Butch Ukura ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
