[mou] Barn Swallows, Northern Rough-winged in Dakota Co.

[connyb]

This morning I decided to go to Lake Byllesby and see what the storm brought in.  While I was studying the fine details of a Greater Scaup almost to close for the scope Tree and Barn Swallows, and a Purple Martin flew through.  That long forked tail, and orange undersides really stood out, as well as the band of white across the tail when the Barn Swallows turned.  

At Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville the hillside fields were full of the rapid trills of singing Field Sparrows, and I got to enjoy one of my favorite sparrow songs repeatedly.  I saw a couple of Swamp Sparrows in the marshy areas, and a Chipping Sparrow.  There were Northern Rough-winged, Barn, and Tree Swallows skimming over the water really close, and lots of Ruby-crowned Kinglets.

On Black Dog Lake on my way out to the viewing platform I saw a Savannah Sparrow, and a Chipping Sparrow.  From the platform the Barn and Tree Swallows, Belted Kingfisher, and Song Sparrows singing up a storm everywhere.  

Conny Brunell
Richfield, Hennepin Cty
connyb@mycidco.com