The Long-tailed Duck reported by Connie and Leslie earlier today is still at the 180th St. Marsh - at least as of 5:45 pm. He's still in the 2nd pool heading east on 180th, south side of the road. He was towards the back of the water, looking alertly at the nearby Bald Eagles. In spite of the rain, I was able to get nice scoped looks at this beauty nearing full breeding plumage. He shows a little mottling still. I also saw Tree, Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows over the marsh. Two Savannah and one Vesper Sparrow in the fields at the inter section of Fischer and 180th rounded out a nice wet outing.
For the rest of this post, anyone looking for sightings can delete. Where, o where were my brethren birders??!! Has everyone seen a near-breeding plumaged diving duck in a southern tier MN county marsh? I hoped to see others there - especially as I locked myself out of my car. The nice farm family let me join in their birthday celebration - gave me ice cream cake! If I hadn't walked up that hill, I would have missed the sparrows. Still and all - where was everyone!? Linda Sparling Still damp behind the ears Hennepin County (or as the farm folk were thinking, a clueless city slicker)
