Common Eider in St. Louis County
2015-01-03

'Accidental' in Minnesota - Five or fewer records in St. Louis County for the Winter season

One of the two "Pacific" Common Eiders first found by Karl Bardon at Brighton Beach on 10 November 2014, continues to entertain birders and tourists alike at Canal Park, where it's been seen almost daily for the past two weeks. We have seen it feeding on zebra mussels along the lakefront and in the shipping canal at Canal Park, but this was the first time I've been able to photo-document its dietary preference. A short video clip of the eider preening and bathing at Canal Park has been uploaded at http://youtu.be/0hJPa-8ZNOk

Peder H. Svingen