Three Sisters , the central islands that hosted several Great Blue this week hosted today a flock of 6 GREAT EGRETS and 2 BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERONS. The Egrets flew off into the stiff winds and perched low on the back shore of Duck Island. The night herons were more hidden ,deep within the tangles but seen best with a scope. Two GREAT BLUES were seen,one on Three Sisters and the other at Duck Island. A nice pickup for me was the BELTED KINGFISHER alighting on a perch by the Great Blue in the middle strait.
Out on the lake,swallows went by.TREE SWALLOWS hovered around the Peninsula cove; a first of season BARN SWALLOW was reported on Dennis Hrehowsik's Spring series walk starting today.
Ducks were regulars with best a single drake COMMON MERGANSERS.No sign seen of yesterday's one day wonder GoldenEye.NORTHERN SHOVELERS are hanging around, and 4 RINGNECKED DUCKS as well,though one drake decided to hang out with the West Island Ruddy duck flock.
A lone raptor spotted at the lake and this was an OSPREY, perched on a Duck Island snag. It was battered mercilessly by the high winds that also kept me off balance from gusts,so back home I went...
There was a report of EASTERN BLUEBIRD over at Greenwood Cemetery.
