On Friday work sent me to Hastings (with time to drive via 180th) and then out to New Ulm, which was too close not to check out Sleepy Eye. Luckily the snow was not a problem where I drove. Many of the small ponds and lakes were open and hosting waterfowl including diving ducks. The most interesting ducks were the two or three Red-breasted Mergansers one block from home on Carlson Lake. They were there still this afternoon. The greatest variety was on 180th Street marsh in Dakota County. Out west the most common ducks were Ring-neck, scaup (mostly Lesser, but many Greater), and Canvassbacks (36 on one small pond south of LaFayette in Nicolet Co.). The most interesting bird on the trip were the four Snow Buntings on 180th about 2 mile east of the marsh.
Today I found a couple of Hermit Thrushes out my window. My next door neighbor reported six. I also had a Song Sparrow and Fox Sparrow. When I returned home after dark, my garage door closing roused a Phoebe from his roost in the garage. I left him in the garage for the night and will release him in the morning. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN sweston2 at comcast.net