[mou] LOW White Winged Crossbills

[Brad Bolduan]

Just returned from a non-birding trip to Northern MN - including Red Lake
Bog.  We spent three days in Red Lake Bog.  No birds of note were seen
during the first two days.  The final morning - last Tuesday - White-winged
Crossbills were the most conspicious birds observed.  Several flocks were
seen along the Faunce Road between the Butterfield Forest Road and Oaks
Corner.

It was quite a sight.  Adult males seemed to be the most abundant with adult
females and other plumages also present.  The birds most observed spent
little time working cones, but spent a fair amount of time apparently
consuming minerals in bare soil areas.  It was quite different to see this
species surrounded by open water and green vegetation.  At least three
flocks of ~10+ birds were seen miles apart.


Brad Bolduan
Windom, MN