Bernice and Earl Hall got a call from a friend in rural McLeod Cty. to report
an unusual large blackbird making strange clicking and clacking and clucking noises.
We identified it as a Great-tailed Grackle. The calls and sound effects were diagnostic,
and it was much bigger than the Common Grackles nearby. There might also have been
a female there, seen only briefly. If so, maybe they are sticking around?
We believe this would be a 1st McLeod Cty. record.
The homeowners said they have been hearing and seeing this bird since Sunday (4/28).
This site is about 5 miles west of Hutchinson near the Renville Cty. line.
Bernice and Earl Hall also found a Cattle Egret today on the west side of Hutchinson,
again in McLeod Cty.
A nice daily double for such a dreary chilly May day!
Pete Hoeger, Hutchinson
----
Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net
Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html