A pair of Bluebirds were checking out a house this morning, as usual I don't have the nest cam set up yet, and won't for a few days given the weather. They're not likely to stay or nest yet anyway. We've been able to watch and tape a pair of Bluebirds followed by a pair of Tree Swallows build nest,lay, hatch feed and fledge 8-10 of each the past two years. Fascinating. It always seems that the last to leave the nest has the needs the most coaxing. This mornings trip to Mapleton took me by Perch Lake and while there far fewer gulls, a hundred or more White Pelicans, most on the lee shore. More ducks on the small potholes, including the first Green- Wing Teal I've identified here. Was able to follow a 10 Pintails sail in and lite. What a beautiful sight. Also I was able to follow a Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk) in flight for a few minutes. I enjoy using the local,common, colloquial names for some of the birds, because it brings back memories past (and they are often far more colorful). I learned ducks from my Dad in the 50s when Wood Ducks were so rare they were illegal to hunt. At Swan Lake,near Nicollet Snow Geese and Blue Geese (the latter considered a separate species at that time, while Canada Geese were rare.
John Nelson Near Beauford