On Thursday, February 13, 2025, 6:14 PM, Ragupathy Kannan <0000013b0ad14faf-dmarc-request...> wrote:
We did another UAFS Ornithology field trip today to the same waterfowl rich area we visited last week. Sandy Berger was also with us.Â
Students were thrilled to see a pair of Hooded Mergansers by themselves swimming right out in the open.Â
Boy did we see clouds of Pintails! We methodically scanned the carpets of ducks and counted at least 300 Pintails! "eBird does not like this number", the student working the mobile app commented, and I said write as many notes as possible (he did). I also uploaded a lot of photos to hopefully satisfy eBird. Scattered among these ducks were Wigeons, Mallards, Shovelers, Redheads, Green-winged Teals, and Buffleheads. The woods and pastures around yielded some Rusty Blackbirds and a Greater Yellowlegs.  See: https://ebird.org/checklist/S213142296. Â
Earlier we briefly stopped at Alma wastewater and got over 150 Lesser Scaups and nearly 50 Shovelers. https://ebird.org/checklist/S213142297 It was clear, bright, and sunny. Temperature was nearly freezing but the lack of breeze made it tolerable. Great afternoon to be out. Sandy and I like to think we are making some lifelong birders.Â
KannanFt. Smith
