[mou] yellow-crowned night heron-Hennepin

[Diana Doyle]

This morning at 7:50 I saw a juvenile yellow-crowned night heron  
along Minnehaha Creek in Mpls. It was on a mud shore along the creek  
just east of the bridge at 31st Ave S. I watched it for a couple of  
minutes, noting the dark color and the precise neat rows of white  
triangle markings.

But the bird was extremely skittish, disturbed when a bike quietly  
passed on the distant path. I watched it fly up into an alder, then  
to another alder, then down the creek toward a group of willow/ 
maples. I could not relocate it when I passed by that area 30 minutes  
later. (I didn't not stalk it the first time, having already seen it  
up close in the open and not wanting to bother it any more.)

This location is further east than where a juvenile was seen last  
year. I will repost if I see it again at dusk or dawn, noting if it  
has settled down to a particular day-roost location.

Note that there are also several black-crowned night herons along  
this stretch of the creek. I counted 7 just a couple of days ago.

Diana Doyle
S. Minneapolis