[Mnbird] Carver Park Reserve - Aspen Trail

[Roberta Gitchel]

Carver Park Reserve - Lowry Nature Center, Aspen Trail - Sun, 5/7/2023, 6:30 a.m.

Early bird did not necessarily get the worm today - fog just lifting, chilly, heavy dew forming - birds seemed to be sleeping in.  However, as air warmed a bit, some interesting characters made their presence known:

	* Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker 
	* Northern Waterthrush - seemed to “walking on water,” tail bobbing, as foraged the semi-submerged vegetation on the marsh edge
	* Yellow Warbler - dazzling yellow breeding plumage
	* Yellow Rumps - flocks foraging in the emerging leaf buds high up in the trees (“warbler neck” f’r sure!)
	* Multiple Great Blue Herons - Many observed across the marsh near the boardwalk, roosting in trees — don’t think it’s a rookery, but don’t know for sure - quite distant, no scope, but did not appear to be nests.
	*.Trumpeter Swans, Wood Ducks, Canada Geese (of course)
	* Eastern Blue Birds & Tree Swallows contending for real estate.
	* Double-crested Cormorants flying over
	* Sandhill Cranes - heard only - may nest closer to Grimm Farm
	* Osprey nests - no one t'home on the nesting poles either at the Lowry Center or Grimm Farm (however, clearly visible on nests at both sites  two weeks ago).

Kudos to Three Rivers Park District - Carver Park Reserve is a very nice, accessible slice of nature right on the edge of the Metro.  Just down the road from the Arb, and unlike the Arb free, no reservations required.