Waterfowl migration was very evident today at Lake Byllesby. When I arrived at 11:00 am, there were 2 Greater White-Fronted Geese on the mudflats, with another 120 overhead. Flocks continued to arrive over the next 2 hours, when I left at 1:15 there were nearly 400 on the mudflats. Shortly after leaving Jim Otto called to tell me 3 Ross's Geese had just flown in, so I returned. 6 Snow Geese were also present for comparison, the Ross's stubby bluish-based bill lacking a grinning patch was easily observed. In this short time another 100 Greater-White Fronted Geese arrived, pushing their total to well over 400. Also present were 25 Cackling Geese, and several hundred Canada Geese. 3 flocks of Snow Geese totalling 300 birds flew over without joining the party. Ducks present included Greater and Lesser Scaup, Ring-Necked Duck, Redhead, Canvasback, Mallard, American Black Duck, Green-Winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead. Other new arrivals included Killdeer, Song Sparrow.
Doug Kieser Minneapolis=20
