A Drive Through Emiquon

by Jane Garrison Ward

Observation Date: March 20, 2013
Location: Emiquon NWR, Globe Tract, Co. 9 Road
Weather: Partly cloudy, Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph, 29 degrees F

I drove through the valley this afternoon and did not see any snow geese. Several eagles were hanging around the edge of Thompson Lake, as well as a couple of hawks and two Northern Harriers. There were many different species of waterfowl, both diving and dabbling ducks, many Canada geese, a dozen or so American White Pelicans, and a more than a dozen swans, either tundra or trumpeter were grazing in the flooded fields of the Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge.

Snow Geese may still be around the area, but I didn't see them yesterday or today. This is an exciting time at Emiquon.  The water in the lake is rising along with the water in the Illinois river, and with the cold up north, the Snow Geese may show up again before heading on to breeding grounds.

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Jane Ward
Lewistown, Illinois
http://walkwithmepart2.blogspot.com/