Hey birders,
I was caught off guard yesterday while at Minneopa State Park campground when I heard Common Redpolls singing in the trees over my head. It turned out to be two birds. They had come in to investigate a group of jays that were mobbing a *subarcticus* Great Horned Owl. Winter finches have been largely absent from the southern part of the state with only scattered reports of Purple Finches and even fewer reports of Pine Siskins. Species diversity and abundance has been low in Blue Earth County this winter and I am personally growing tired of empty searches for overwintering owls and other winter birds. Bring on the waterfowl! Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato
