Waterfowl, swans, geese and ducks, are our earliest arriving migrants, typically arriving as our oxbow lakes open up and snow melt exposes corn and other forage. Waterfowl did not have to wait for the snow melt this year, and the hardier species, such as Canada Goose and Mallard, were able to feed all winter long. New arrivals, such as American Wigeon, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, Redhead, Canvasback, Common and Hooded Merganser, began to appear early in the month. Numbers of these will grow and additional species will arrive as March wears on.

Loess Hills Audubon will host an outing, open to the public, to view these and other water birds on Saturday, March 19. The outing will be led by local legend Jerry Von Ehwegen who has many years’ experience with this Springtime spectacle. Plans call for visiting local oxbows, Brown’s Lake, Snyders Bend, Sandhill Lake, Badger Lake and Blue Lake, as well as Owego Wetlands near Sloan. Water levels are extremely low this spring so actual stops will depend on available water at each of these locations. Possible uncommon or rare species may include Greater Scaup, Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Loons, Horned Grebes, Great Egrets and Sandhill Cranes.

Gather at the Singing Hills Walmart parking lot (NW corner) at 7:00 AM to join the group. A car caravan, with appropriate car-pooling, will proceed to these sites where viewing from the car or roadside/parking lot is the norm. Spotting scopes on tripods will be available for close-up views of the waterfowl, Bald Eagles and other birds.