A quick check of the river areas at the end of Randolph Ave. revealed that
the Bell's Vireo(s) have returned to the south edge of the Xcel energy
plant property. There was vigorous, persistent song from the small trees
beneath the line of cottonwoods just inside the fence. One of them finally
showed itself clearly, as I viewed the area from the rise on the adjacent
property. (Also present were a few Spotted Sandpipers, using the newly
formed wet ponds at the back of the new office/industrial buildings there.)

On the nearby peninsula with the abandoned former power plant, there was
plenty of birdsong, especially from other vireos and empids, but the
dominant sound was from Osprey. There did seem to be someone hunkered down
on/in the nesting platform, as seen from across the road. However, the
calls were coming from no less than 4 Osprey on the wing above the
peninsula, cruising round and round each other. One of them alighted on a
power stanchion, but the calling was continuous.

Other raptors were also present, though moving upriver: a mature Bald
Eagle, and a Red-tailed hawk. Both were at much higher elevation, whereas
the Osprey were staying low, directly over the peninsula.  Only a Merlin
seemed to be active on the peninsula; it sped directly over the main
driveway there, and into the woods, where everything grew suddenly quiet.

Nothing was observed of the Peregrines at the time; still awaiting word of
the young female picked up there and brought to the Raptor Center yesterday
morning. According to banding records, she appears to have been from N.
Dakota.

Linda Whyte

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