I headed over to the Deer Creek Reservoir this afternoon to have a look around. In general it was pretty quiet, especially in regards to waterfowl. There were some blinds around there, so hunters probably flush out anything that lands quickly. Birds noted there today included :

6 American Black Ducks
102 Mallards
1 Gadwall
42 Hooded Mergansers
1 Ruddy Duck
1 Great Blue Heron
2 Merlins
187 Sandhill Cranes
~400 Ring-billed Gulls
~10 Herring Gulls

The cranes came in to roost at the marina in the late afternoon. More might have arrived after I left around sunset. The gate to the marina is now locked, but you can park at the gate and walk to the dikes for a better view. The area can also be scoped out from the boat ramp. One of the Merlins was conspicuous all afternoon at the boat ramp area, probably the same individual that wintered there last year. The other Merlin was on the S side of the reservoir. Unfortunately the road in the state park that runs along the south side of the reservoir is closed half way down this year which limits the number of good places to scope out the south end. 

Bob Royse


Robert Royse
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www.roysephotos.com


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