[mou] Carolina Wren@Old Cedar/ Strange Duck/Others

[JELLISBIRD@aol.com]

    Saw the Carolina Wren seen earlier this year near the driveway to the 
nursery going down the hill to the Old Cedar Bridge. The bird started near the 
top of the hill near the apartments (with feeders), then worked its way down to 
the street, flew across into one of the shrubs at the nursery and then flew 
down past the home at the nursery and away. I watched it from 11:40-11:55 today. 
Saw Rough legged Hawk(s?) hunting over the MN River Valley near Black Dog.
    Saw an unusual duck at Dangerfield's Restaurant in Shakopee in the open 
pond. The duck was mallard sized and shaped and had tail curls (3-4) like a 
mallard. The plumage was as follows: head was metallic green, which continued 
down the breast and highlighted the wings. The flanks were dark chestnut, the 
bill was shiny black (towards a very dark grey). There is a shiny purple speculum 
on the wing. The tail continues the metallic green color (similar to the 
head) but is tipped in black. The back is brown/chestnut with darker flecking. The 
bird was in the front of the pond toward the park on the east and was close 
to the bridge. 
    Another unusual (obviously mallard) duck had a white belly with chestnut 
on the flanks and had white and chestnut highlights on the wings.
    Also present was a Trumpeter, three drake H. Mergansers and at least one 
Am. Black Duck.

John P.Ellis, St. Paul