Hodge-podge in the park

by John Karrigan

Dark eyed Junco

Last month I wrote that we probably would not see any more Canada Geese or Ring-billed Gulls until spring. I was more or less right about that. The next day, after I wrote that (Dec. 1), the remaining ducks I mentioned last month, the 20 or so Mallards and one female Wood Duck, were still in the tiny area of open water around the dock. That was the last day for ducks on the lake. However, I did see a Ring-billed Gull that day, inspecting the lake from a high altitude. From a distance, I saw a group of large birds on the ice. At first, I thought I was wrong about no more geese, but all the large birds on the ice were Crows. A day after that, I saw one male Mallard and then a few minutes later, three male Mallards. All the ducks were flying over for inspections; all circled above the lake and then left. Somewhat later, on Dec. 18, about 30 Canada Geese came on an inspection trip. They came from the north-northeast, circled over the lake at a fairly high altitude and left going north-northwest. So I guess I was right, water birds might come to inspect, but that will be all for some time.

A Bald Eagle was coming through the neighborhood from the east on Dec. 5, probably for another lake inspection.

Crows continue to pass over in widely varying numbers and with widely varyingly noise levels. Sometimes they are going by in complete silence with none stopping in the park. Of course I have no idea why their noise, numbers and timing vary so much.

One day early in the month, there were hundreds, maybe more than a thousand crows on the ice. They suddenly rose in one massive liftoff and joined thousands that were coming over the lake from the south at a very low altitude. I was on the south shore, looking north at the Crows on the ice and had no idea the large flock was coming from behind me until the liftoff had occurred and the black mass came over me.

Now back to less numerous birds—which is all the rest of them. The only small birds I am seeing in the park are Juncos and Downy Woodpeckers, and sometimes I see no birds, large or small. I did get a good look at a beautiful Red-tailed Hawk over the park on Christmas Eve.

One thing I have seen a lot of in the park lately is litter. The sometimes very strong winds have stirred up and carried lots of paper, plastic and foam litter, which of course has no snow to hold it (the litter) down or cover it up. I pick up some and will try to pick up more, but help from anyone who gets a chance would be appreciated by the neighbors, the birds and the animals. And then there is all the debris I see kids throwing on the ice, but aside from one beer bottle, most of the debris is rocks, branches, etc. Again, these things would normally be covered up this time of year and kids wouldn’t have much to throw.

I don’t have any answers yet about repairing the park paths, but people are thinking about it and talking about it lately. Thanks to the people and park board members who are working on this.

I have seen a couple of people skating and a few kids walking on the ice, usually near the shore—a bad idea in my view. Various ice accidents are happening in various parts of the state and I don’t want any happening at Powderhorn. I don’t want to lose any neighbors, even if they don’t have any common sense. I have fallen through the ice twice in my misspent life, once as a youth on a creek in the middle of nowhere in South Dakota, and once as a supposed grownup while working on Lake Minnetonka. Both times, I got myself out and ended up only very wet, cold and scared but OK. I really don’t want to do it again or go after someone else who has done it.

Back to more normal things. While not seeing many species of birds at Powderhorn in December, I sometimes see many people. The most at any one time is when the South High Nordic Ski team is practicing. Of course, they use no skis but often use their ski poles, and once in a while, I see some pretending they are actually skiing on snow. A few days ago, I saw a young child using a skateboard, not a snowboard, in December.

Not much new in the back yard, just the winter usuals: Goldfinches, House Finches, English Sparrows, Cardinals, Chickadees, Juncos, White-breasted Nuthatches, and once in a while, Crows.

There have been a lot of Snowy Owl reports in Minnesota so far this “winter” in many parts of the state. I have not seen any but I tried to find one reported near Interstate 394 and the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden. A long time ago when I lived near the Eloise Butler garden, I used to see them fairly regularly, along with Red-headed Woodpeckers. Now experts say both species are declining and in trouble. I haven’t seen either one for some time, but I will keep trying.

On to another subject I have mentioned for the last three or four months. There is another special election for our area on Jan. 10, for state representative for District 61B. Not many people voted in last month’s primary. I hope more voters will turn out this time. Both candidates are Powderhorn people with great intentions and lots of knowledge and ability. There is a candidate forum at the park building at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 4, six days before the election.

On to still another subject (or two subjects actually). The South High Jazz Ensemble hosts the South Singer Showcase on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. with a dinner at 5 p.m. that raises money for the South High Foundation. This is always a great event that helps people see the value and variety that South High provides to us and our youth. Those who follow my writing closely and worship every word I write will remember that my first story for Southside Pride, many years ago, was about the South High Jazz Band, directed then and still by Scott Carter, and their outstanding performance at a winter jazz festival.

Another January event, the 5th Annual Art Sled Rally, takes place in the park on Jan. 28. If there is no snow by then, I am sure the innovative art community will come up with something else.

Comments and observations are always welcome. Send them to me, in care of Southside Pride. Thank you.