I am looking for a pic or two of a killdeer I might submit with my weekly Nature Nut column. I decided to write on them the morning following the last big snowstorm we had in March, about 10 inches. Before all roads had been cleared, I traveled from Rochester to the Weaver backwaters and was once again amazed at all the birds that gather on roads and roadsides following big snowstorms.
Three years ago I made the same trip following an early May 14 inch storm and probably saw more than 100 Killdeer on the snow covered 42 mile drive. This years drive probably yielded at least fifty. Although there were many other species seen, Killdeer,and robins were the most surprising. Besides hoping to get a pic or two to use, possibly one standing and one flying, I am wondering what theories are out there about birds, even Killdeer, gathering on roads after snowstorms. I have my own ideas, but will appreciate thoughts any of you might have. Thanks in advance for any hi res picture submittals or shared theories. Any pic(s) used will be credited appropriately. Greg Munson PS Watched at least 6 or 7 Bald Eagles harassing a raft of five to ten thousand coot in the Weaver Bottoms today. Although I didn't see it myself, grainy photos from my camera showed two of the birds with coot in talons Nature Nut Rochester, MN (507) 285-9246 ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
