Thank you, Holly!
About a month or so ago I was surprised to see a posting on the MOU Listservice by Holly Peirson about near-by Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Other than one sighting at Springbrook more than a year ago, I hadn't seen any of these colorful birds in the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities.
Here are directions:
First, find the new Washington County Service Center & Library, just off Highway 61, on the West side about a mile south of Scandia Trail (#97). Here is a link to a map.
If you go directly West from the Service Center/Library, you will find ponds and fields on both sides of the road for about 3/4 of a mile (after which you will come upon a housing development). It is within this 3/4 mile stretch that you will find Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Bobolinks, and much more!
According to Holly, even more of this small piece of land will be developed soon, perhaps causing many of these birds to find other grounds. This would be very sad since it is wonderful to find such a concentration of interesting birds in the metro area.
Below are some photos from a week ago.
My friend, Les, and I revisited the site today; I'll be posting those photos in the next few days.
Here are directions:
First, find the new Washington County Service Center & Library, just off Highway 61, on the West side about a mile south of Scandia Trail (#97). Here is a link to a map.
If you go directly West from the Service Center/Library, you will find ponds and fields on both sides of the road for about 3/4 of a mile (after which you will come upon a housing development). It is within this 3/4 mile stretch that you will find Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Bobolinks, and much more!
According to Holly, even more of this small piece of land will be developed soon, perhaps causing many of these birds to find other grounds. This would be very sad since it is wonderful to find such a concentration of interesting birds in the metro area.
Below are some photos from a week ago.
My friend, Les, and I revisited the site today; I'll be posting those photos in the next few days.
Upon arriving at the above-described location, I came upon the "Great Egret tree." Immediately to the left of the top-most Egret is a Yellow-headed Blackbird.
Some of the Egrets were successfully fishing.
There are a number Killdeer here as well. I didn't find any Bobolinks on this first trip, with the exception of one "possible" fly-by.
Now for some shots of my main quarry.
Thank you again, Holly!(click on pictures to enlarge)
