Today (Friday) we had a new arrival at the feeders: Pine Siskins. A glance from a distance gave me a preliminary ID. I ran downstairs to get a second pair of binocs, so I didn't have to approach the window and scare off the birds. When I got back up, I was disappointed to see a house finch, but it was soon joined by a smaller Siskin. I saw three. Surprisingly none were on the Niger seed feeder, but were feasting on sunflowers.
I have been seeing legions of Red-tails along the highways. I have several times seen them dropping into the weeds, a couple of times coming up with mice or voles. I awoke on Tuesday to find Quiggley Lake completely frozen, but by yesterday it was only half covered. The ice on Tuesday really concentrated the ducks on Long Meadow Lake (Minnesota River by I-494), but I had no time to linger for a good look. I did recognize at 70mph a nice flock of Hooded Mergansers with hoods flaired. Roadkill: I found a Grey Fox at Foley near Hwy 10 in Coon Rapids. First Grey Fox I have ever seen in the road. I have seen a number of Opposums, the woodsman's compass. (Lost in the woods? Find a Possum and it will lead you to the nearest road.) What I haven't seen this year: Mink are usually well represented. It must be an off year for them. -- Steve Weston On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN swest...@comcast.net ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
