[mou] unidentified eider on Leech Lake

[Eckert K R]

Ben Wieland just called to report that he and Dale Yerger found a 
female-plumaged eider today on Shingobee Bay on Leech Lake in Cass Co. 
The location was along MN Hwy 200/371 a few miles south of Walker, 
about 1 or 2 mi N of the jct of Hwys 200 and 371, which Ben said is the 
first place you can see the bay as you drive north. Ben said they 
parked next to a large log building which is under construction on the 
right (east) side of the highway, and the eider was to the east of 
there.

So far, Ben and Dale are unsure whether it's a King or Common Eider, 
but they took photos of it ~11:30, and Ben and Andrew Birch are on 
their way back to try to get a better look and more photos. Ben 
e-mailed me some of his first photos which were taken in poor light 
conditions and at a fair distance, and in my opinion it is indeed an 
eider but I cannot tell which species from the photos.

Stand by for an update from Ben later today, and hopefully a positive 
ID and better photos will be forthcoming.  - Kim Eckert