I was in Lakeville this evening, so I took a quick spin over to the area
around Vermillion. The highlight was a 180th Street marsh packed with
birds. With ducks flying over constantly, blackbirds singing from the
reedbeds, and a cacophony of birds all around, I was able to see or hear
the following shorebirds as the light fell. They all appeared to be
settling in for the night.
24 Willet (tough to get an accurate count in the low light)
10 Lesser Yellowlegs
2 Greater Yellowlegs
1 Snipe
1 Wilson's Phalarope
1 Solitary Sandpiper
Ducks were abundant, with large numbers of Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked
Duck, and Mallard, and smaller numbers of Shoveler and Lesser Scaup.
Loads of coots as well, and calling Pied-billed Grebe. Over the din of
the Red-winged Blackbirds, I could hear a number of Yellow-headed
Blackbirds singing, but couldn't see any of them.
I was amazed by how active the marsh was, and wished I had more light
and time to look over the birds. The habitat there right now is
fantastic, and a daytime visit with a scope would probably yield greater
diversity.
Good birding,
Matt Dufort
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