Awesome early Spring day today (Saturday), topped off by a Carolina Wren in Reno, MN.
>From Hwy 26, take Hillside Road in Reno. On your left, look for fire marker # 16878. There are feeders on the north side of this residence which were hopping. I never saw the wren come to the feeder, but I presume it does. It hung out in a brush pile near the feeders, and foraged at the base of a tree nearby. Also in the yard and at the feeders were: Tufted Titmouse (at least two) Red-breasted Nuthatch (one) Purple Finch (numerous) I did not speak to the homeowner, but the feeders and awesome backyard habitat were easily visible from the road. This location is probably only about a mile from where Fred Lesher posted Carolina Wren observations last summer/fall. Also in Houston County today: Eastern Bluebird (several flocks) Red-winged Blackbird (several around Brownsville) Green-winged Teal (Wildcat Landing south of Brownsville) Wood Duck (Wildcat Landing) Song Sparrow (Wildcat Landing) Winter Wren (Beaver Creek S.P.) - 1st stream crossing (not including swinging bridge) I did not see any snipe or Killdeer at Wildcat Landing, nor any Golden Eagles along CR 10. Winona County additions: Peregrine Falcon (Queen's Bluff) - I drive this every day for my commute, and today was the first day there has been a falcon here since last fall. Mile Marker 13 along Hwy 61. Redhead (Lake Winona) - an impressive 15 birds. Dedrick Benz Winona, MN