Spring migration is still thin. The warblers were mostly of the early wave with Yellow-rumps still the bulk of the small birds and Orange-crowns, Palms, Black & Whites, and Pines relatively well-represented. I was surprised by the higher numbers of Nashvilles and Waterthrush. The next wave dominated by Tennessees has definitely not arrived. Also the early Ruby-crowns were fairly common. But, still overall numbers of small birds were low. thrushes were not to be found and sparrows were for the most part light with small numbers of White-throated. Fox Sparrows were gone and Song and Chippers were important members of the thin chorus of on-territory birds.
Water levels are high along the Mississippi. Sand Point is inaccessable except by knee-high rubber boots, at least. Traditional shorebird spots are beneath water and I found only a Solitary Sandpiper in a farm lot. I did not see any shorebirds in the farm fields, but there is a lot of water for them to be dispersed to. A thank you to Dave Cahlander for his gratuity to me for participating on the field trip. Many of our field trip leaders volunteer their time and gasoline without expectations other than sharing their experience. With the high price of gasoline, I will be offering a token of my appreciation on future field trips I join. But, as a leader, I realize that many participants will also be battling the high price of gasoline, and I would be sadden if any of them saw the expectation of a tip as a barrier to participation. If a small percentage of us make an offering, it would be a significant impact. thanks. Steve Weston