Many Mallards

I went out to St. Clair NWA this evening and the way home I saw a few Mallards.  About 800 in one small field! Seemed odd to have that many in a field this time of year.  I did see one Black Duck amongst them.  The local resident came along on his ATV and thought it was rather interesting as well.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo at St. Clair NWA

I used to go to St. Clair all the time.  Things have changed there as it has closed in much more and there is not as much to see.  Yellow-headed Blackbirds used to breed there and were always the highlight.

On the way there, I went down Angler Line.  I heard one Yellow-headed Blackbird but could not see it due to all the phragmites.  That stuff is ruining everything. Stewart Wetland edges are choked with it and all along the Snye around Walpole that is all you can see.  It used to be a nice run in the boat down the Snye and Johnston Channel, but it like going down a corridor of phragmites.

White-tailed Deer in a "corridor"

Saw a few Great Egrets along or near Angler Line as well.  The marsh at the end of the road on the right side is getting choked as well.  It used to be quite open.  I occasionally see a Common Gallinule there.  A few were at St. Clair also.

St. Clair is one of the better places to see or at least hear Least Bitterns.  Last time I was there I heard about 7 from the parking lot to the tower.  I heard 3 or 4 today.
The only other interesting bird was a male Canvasback.  They occasionally breed in the Lake St. Clair area though.

SNAKE!!

I took at walk up at McKeough CA Wednesday eve.  Euro Skippers are now out in force.