[mou] LB Dowitchers/W Phalaropes/Hud Godwits/Otter Tail Co

[Dan & Sandy Thimgan]

As part of International Migratory Bird Day, we saw some excellent  
shorebirds in Western Township/Otter Tail County today.

Long-billed Dowitchers (12 in a flooded ditch alongside CR 15 south  
of Fergus Falls; differentiated from Short-billed by vocalization: we  
were clearly able to hear their persistent conversation while feeding  
and the single sharp flight note)
Hudsonian Godwits (8 in both male/female breeding plumages; same ditch)
Wilson's Phalaropes (4 here, plus another 6 at the Battle Lake  
Treatment Ponds)

In the same general area were a mix of Least, Stilt, Solitary, and  
Pectoral Sandpipers.

This made up for the weather.  It started out cool (48 degrees) and  
got colder (38 degrees) and windier, and it persuasively rained all  
day long except when it snowed briefly in the afternoon.  There's a  
certain something about using a scope and simultaneously holding a  
wind-whipped umbrella that loses it fascination after a while.

The nesting colonies in Fergus Falls are wall-to-wall with birds.   
Great Egrets and Double-crested Cormorants on the islands in Lake  
Alice; Great Egrets and Black-crowned Night-herons on Grotto Lake.

Another special treat:  a raft of 75 Ruddy Ducks on Rush Lake WPA  
(pretty high cute quotient!).

Dan & Sandy Thimgan
Battle Lake MN
Otter Tail County

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