[mou] Loons (5) on Lake Phalen, St Paul]

[lnygren@pol.net]

There were 5 adult common loons in breeding plumage near the east shore
of Lake Phalen (in northeastern St Paul) as of noon today. Since the ice
is only about half gone, they are a bit closer to shore than might be
usual later in the spring migration. This is the most I have personally
seen on the lake, and the earliest by a few days, although one or two at
a time regularly visit during April. Today is the first day I have been
down to Phalen this spring.

Also the red breasted mergansers seemed particularly lovely today. I saw
about 12 males apparently competing for the attention of two females,
near the southwest shore.

Linda Nygren
St Paul