I stopped by these wetlands this afternoon and had a decent outing amidst the rain squalls.  I stopped first at Ellis Pond, which had very little; then I hiked the Meadowlark Trail, which was bustling with activity.  I finished up at the Wood Duck observation area just as the rains intensified.  Notables included:

Great Blue Herons - there are still 3-4 nests being repaired in the old colony at Ellis Pond, but most of the birds appear to have moved operations over to the Teal Pond and Arrowhead Marsh areas.

Dabbling Ducks - surprisingly scant, though the recent rains may have offered them other puddles than the formal wetlands.  Best were 2 Gadwall & 4 Shovelers at Wood Duck pond.

Diving Ducks - the waterfowl du jour, with 160+ Ring necked Ducks scattered between Teal & Wood Duck ponds.  There were also about 10 Redhead, 10 Lesser Scaup, and a few Ruddies.

SWans,Geese- 2 Mute Swans at Teal POnd could be ominous at this time of year.  Geese were scarce; most of the big flocks may have been off foraging in nearby farm fields.

Raptors - only a few Red-tails on this bleary rainy afternoon

Phoebe - 1 calling & foraging along the Meadowlark Trail

Tree Swallows - 5-6 foraging over Teal Pond & Arrowhead Marsh, my FOS

Tree Sparrows - 2 were still lingering around the Ellis Pond overlook

Fox Sparrows - 1 was along the Meadowlark Trail, while another 2 were around the Wood Duck observation area

Blackbirds - good #s of Redwings and grackles at both areas, but nothing more unusual

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