040620 Spring Migrants and More at Boomer Lake

032920                                                     Abatement Team

I had seen small orange flags on metal wires in the ground at Goose Island over the years, but never knew that it was for egg addling by licensed abatement teams.  Having observed what appeared to be biologists banding Canada Geese, I never gave it a second thought, as there were usual several large families of Canada Geese in some instances.  This is how we keep birds from getting too overpopulated, since these geese are residents.  Canada Geese are known as pest birds in many communities, and there are federally licensed abatement teams that perform this service.  The geese are uninjured, while their eggs are no longer fertile.  The geese try to hatch dead eggs and nobody is killed.

033020                                                       Ruddy Ducks

The lead bird is a beautifully fully plumaged duck.  Note his bright coloration and bright blue bill.  This animal is a show stopper in breeding plumage.  The rest of the birds are female.  They should be heading north to breed soon.

040220                                                       Lesser Scaup

The Lesser Scaup winters in the southern part of the country as well as in the west.  Some of them are already in their way to the boreal forest and northern parts of the US to breed.  This is a lovely example of the adult male.  The species favors fresh water and smaller lakes, and is a common and widespread duck.

                                                                  Ditto, View 2

040520                                                     Baird's Sandpiper

This High Boreal breeder has long, tapered wings making it well adapted for lengthy flights.  They usually complete their migration from Tierra del Fuego to the High Arctic in as little as five weeks!  Known as the "grasspiper," they forage in drier, more vegetated habitats than most other sandpipers.

                                                                   Lesser Yellowlegs

This thin, long-legged shorebird is unable to hide those bright legs, which is its namesake.  It will run after prey on land, usually found walking in shallow water picking up food either at or just below the surface.

040620                                             American Avocets in Flight

One of the most beautiful of birds, the American Avocet is sometimes involved as a brood parasite, laying their eggs even in the nests of other species.  Other shorebirds will sometimes to the same to the avocet.  They often place their nests on the ground with nothing to provide shade.  However, they will dip the bellies in water in water during incubation.

                                                          American Avocet, View 2

                                                          American Avocet, Detail

                                                                   Northern Cardinal

Isn't she lovely?