Surprisingly was still present this AM at the Paynesville sewage ponds. First thing this AM it was in the river just to the west of the ponds (not visible from the road but the bird seen in flight from the river.) About 8:30 it flew over to the sewage ponds and settled with the large flock of Canada Geese on the back berm (furthest from Cty 33.)
It was easiest to see from Cty Road 16 with a scope or if it walks on the east side of the berm where it was not visible from the road it could be seen fairly close from the back side of the ponds. To get to the back side walk the road by the compost area and follow the fence all the way around to the area of the white building on the east side of the ponds. The road rises up higher here and the birds were quite visible. Directions to the ponds are on page 185 of Kim Eckerts book, "A Birder's Guide to Minnesota". Two miles east of Highway 55 on Highway 23 and .6 mile north on County Rd 33. Also present was a single white phase snow goose, and among a small flock of Common Redpolls there was a single Hoary Redpoll. Dennis and Barbara Martin dbmar...@skypoint.com