Hey everyone,

This afternoon I decided to check Mink Brook out quickly and see what waterfowl I came across. A decent variety of ducks for this time of year, with 6 species represented. The best was probably the female Blue-winged Teal, which gave some very nice looks. It was first perched on a log trying to sleep, with its bill buried in its back; then it entered the water and swam around some. 

Probably the most interesting bird though that I had was an apparent Lesser Yellowlegs. While observing the waterfowl I began to hear a single call note repeated infrequently from within the marsh. It was sort of high in pitch, and fairly loud too. I thought it sounded like a shorebird, but it wasn't until I listened to some calls (I had my iPod with me) that I came to the conclusion it was a Lesser Yellowlegs. And luckily the bird called a couple more times for me to double check and support this. To me this seems a little late in the year, and I've never had one here before. I'm not sure how common this species in the area, and I am certainly open to any suggestions as to what it might have been. But to me it sounds most like a Lesser Yellowlegs giving a single call note; in total it called probably 6 to 10 times. 

Below is the list of mostly waterfowl I saw. I wasn't focused on passerines, but I did hear a bunch of Song Sparrows.

- Canada Goose- 7

- Wood Duck- 4

- American Black Duck- 4

- Mallard- 40

- Blue-winged Teal- 1 female

- Common Merganser- 2 juveniles

- Ruddy Duck- 1

- Great Blue Heron- 1

- Lesser Yellowlegs- 1 heard

- Gray Catbird- 1 heard

Kyle Kittelberger

Dartmouth