Exercise/Birding at Grass L. Nature Reserve, Snail L. Park, Ramsey County today:
While there were no species seen that haven't already been reported, some bird behavior drew interest. The Osprey pair seem to have staked claim on the platform nest, making forays elsewhere, and then returning to a tree nearby, More surprising, though was the behavior of two Common Loons. The Loons at first appeared to be merely fishing. Their diving form varied from the usual, but it was assumed that was due to the more shallow nature of this lake, compared to what they normally occupy. Soon, though, they seemed to engage in what was a very elaborate bathing/grooming procedure. They did lots of shallow head-dipping while propelling forward, low in the water. There was some of the usual standing upright and out-stretching of wings, but they also repeatedly "rowed" themselves across the water surface, using their wings like oars. Most surprising of the moves was a flip onto the back and an actual back-stroke through the water. Eventually this activity segued into regular oiling and preening of feathers. At no time was there vocalization between the two birds, and only one of them stood and curled its neck into an s to touch its beak to its breast; there seemed to be neither attraction nor aggression so it was presumed the activity was tandem feather maintenance---nonetheless fascinating to watch. On the west shore of the lake, near the parking lot, there WAS some bonding behavior: paired Cedar Waxwings, males feeding females. Other "summer" residents present: Song, Savannah and Swamp Sparrows; Tree Swallows, Kildeer, Brown Thrasher, E. Bluebird, Red-tailed and Cooper's Hawks, Wood Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, N. Flicker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Yellow-rumped Warbler Linda Whyte St. Paul ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
