[obol] Fernhill Wetland

[Norgren Family]

      Best bird this afternoon was 6
DUNLIN in flooded wheat stubble across
the road from Eagle Perch Pond. I don't
believe I've seen any in Washington County
since last November.
     The plethora of Canvasbacks reported
yesterday by Blake were absent. I have seen
singles of this species on small bodies of
water north to Banks since the first of the
year. People wishing to see more Canvasbacks
might try Marsh Road, just west of the
Cornelius-Schefflin Roundabout. I haven't
checked this year, but there is a large
flood pool on the east side of this dead
end road that has hosted large numbers
in past winters.
     Water levels at the Fernhill Complex
are extremely high, considering that February
precipitation was below normal. I wonder
if the water will be low enough for shorebirds
by April. Eagle Perch Pond had a single pair
of Gadwall, Cattailless Pond was equally
deserted.
     The gull flock on the main pool was bathed
in dazzling afternoon sunlight, but by the time
I started scanning them clouds had put them in
shadow, so I wimped out. I second Blake's comment
on the GLAUCOUS GULL (which I didn't see today
due to lack of effort). It closely resembles the
dark extreme illustrated in Sibley of a juvenile
bird, but at the right angle the body looks much
paler. I had the good fortune to see it at close
range twice near Banks in January, but under
typical conditions, at my current level of larid
experience its ID would remain ambiguous.
     As an example of the extreme tricks lighting
can play dependant on angle of observation, I
have occasionally seen Ravens from a distance
that appeared all white. The result of their
very shiny feathers acting like a mirror. This
has probably always been on clear winter days
when the sun is low in the sky.  Lars Norgren