Yesterday, I participated in a St. Paul Audubon trip to Wabasha primarily to see wintering eagles along the Mississippi River. The morning started out in a deep fog and Red Wing’s Coville Park was socked in so that even the docks were barely visible. Our small group proceeded further south towards Wabasha checking the overlook pullouts along Hwy 61. Several eagles were seen, but the river was still blanketed in fog and mist. As we approached Wabasha, the fog lifted and the skies cleared as we entered the National Eagle Center.
From the viewing deck at the Eagle Center, we counted 51 eagles perched or fishing along the river. We also saw several ducks including Common Mergansers and several Trumpeter Swans. After lunch we headed north again stopping at Reeds Landing. Here we counted over 60 eagles, more swans, mallards, mergansers and a fly by of a Pileated Woodpecker. Chase and I made one last stop in St. Paul to view the Pigs Eye discharge and added 2 pair of Hooded Mergansers to the days list. Thanks Chase for a fun day.
