I have seen many FOY duck species, Sandhill Cranes, 2 Greater Yellowlegs, 1Pied-Billed Grebe, and other migrants on the Dakota side of Lake Byllesby during the last several days. Thanks to all who posted!
Today I decided I to check out the Goodhue side for a second time, at about 3 pm. The water was calm at the boat landing, with constant, mostly soft sounds of hundreds of waterfowl beginning to rest on partly open water. This part of the lake still has a lot of ice. The light was perfect for viewing through the scope. There is a short, partly wet path to your left (west), through a woody area, where the other side of this point can be accessed, and I saw most of the waterfowl there. To get to the boat landing, take 56 south from Randolph, turn left (east) on Scotia Trail, and follow the signs. Besides 15 species of ducks, many coots, and Canada Geese, I also saw: 21 A. White Pelicans 5 Common Loons in breeding plumage FOY Eastern Phoebes ( 7 at the beach) FOY Cedar Waxwings 1 Song Sparrow 2 N. Flickers I had hoped to see Snow Geese and/or White-fronted Geese, too. As I was packing up my scope, due to a quick drop in the temperature, I heard the sounds of Snow Geese flying over, making their excited high-pitched calls before landing on the lake. I saw at least 23--nothing like last year--but it still was a splendid sight and sound! Western and Eastern Meadowlarks are singing and can be seen at the Great Western Industrial Park now, north of Randolph, just past the church, west of hwy 56, and there were ducks in both ponds today. I've seen Northern Harriers and American Kestrels recently, too, and met some birders recently who had also seen Lapland Longspurs. Horned Larks have been going through for several weeks. As reported in a recent post, there is to be future construction in the park which will probably mean the end of the park as a birding spot for grassland, field and migrant birds. Interstate Mills, using Progressive Rail, is building an agricultural transport system which will cover 78 acres. They haven't begun work on the east side yet, north of the south pond, but they hope to be finished by harvest time. It will transport local farmers' grain (corn and soy beans) from truck to train, which will save them a lot of money. It's too bad we can't let the birds know this, so they can hopefully find other suitable habitat; and it is difficult to accept the inevitable. This area is originally to have been an industrial park, but due to very slow growth, it also became a prime birding spot, enjoyed by many. Laura Coble Cannon Falls ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
