[mou] Around the Metro

[Steve Weston]

Only interesting bird of the week was a Sharp-shinned Hawk being chased by a 
much larger crow near I-35w in Bloomington.  Also interesting was the swarm 
of blackbirds that were harrying a Red-tailed Hawk.  About eight birds took 
turns diving at the hawk from behind, while an occasional bird decoyed in 
the front.

The other day as I was heading north on I-35e, I saw a young goose run at 
full speed into the road.  I doubt that kamakazi goose made it far.   One of 
our wood duck houses became a death trap as a predator was successful in 
pulling a hen out after a bloody struggle.  A witness ID'd the culprit as a 
raccoon.  I will have to modify the house or remove it.

I believe that we have had one brood of Woodies that have successfully 
reached the lake.  One of the other houses is occupied by a Hooded 
Merganser, who occassionally sits in the entrance.  Her two sisters are 
often watching nearby.

When we open our window in the evening, our noisy neighbors serenade us. 
Mostly it has been Copes gray treefrogs with a background chorus of American 
Toads, but lately I have been hearing one or two of the gray treefrogs 
joining in as featured soloists.  My experience has been that the two 
species don't sing  together.

Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN
sweston2 at comcast.net