Nasty day but a good one for birding. Cold and wind made for watering
eyes and kept me in the truck. In spite of that I got my closest look
at several birds.
20 Wild Turkeys in a field on the east edge of Good Thunder.
Frequently see turkeys there, never that many.
At Maple R. WMA:
4 Trumpeter Swans in flight- first this year
A flock of White-Fronted Geese with 5 W. phase Snow Geese 30
yards from the road. Got some decent photos and counted 23 WFs. Then
they all took off and to my amazement there were well over a 100. They
wheeled around severl times circling the marsh vocalizing loudly.
A Northern Harrier made a pass by the marsh and I got a long look
at it soaring through the tall grass.
From the south parking area while scanning the area with my scope
a pair of Green-Winged Teal came into view and I was able to follow
them to the water. Just after they lit 8 drake Shovelers filed past
them and as they dabbled along they passed a drake Wood Duck. Very
pretty,
but would have been spectacular if the sun had been out.
Another spring moment as 10 drake Shovelers followed a lone
female round and round the pond.
Enroute to Perch L. south of Mapleton saw many Killdeer and a few
Cowbirds along the road.
At Perch L.
100s of Canvasbacks I have never seen so many in one place
Many Ring-Necks
4 Ruddy Ducks- first this year
Pond east of Beauford on 586 Ave north of CR 10
200 or more Canvasbacks
Many Ring-necks
4 Buffleheads among the above
Several Blue-Wing Teal
Canada Geese
Mallards
At Home (between Beauford and Good Thunder)
No Red Polls since last Friday though reports of 3 at feeders
south of Mapleton and one at a feeder in upper No. Mankato
Since the Red Polls have vacated I'm getting Goldfinches for the
first time in two months, also House Finches
First Mourning Dove since last fall. I know they are not an
unusual winter bird for many, but rare for us and another sign of
spring ( in spite of the snow this morning).
John Nelson Good Thunder MN
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