Sunday, March 23, 2008 - Lake Manawa Trip

Hello Everyone, I just got home from a trip to Lake Manawa in Council Bluffs, IA today. When I was there I saw my first ever Glaucous Gull. I saw him up close (20 ft) and I got great looks at the first year plumaged bird. He spent his time mostly in the water or flying around but he did on a couple occasions come and land on a jetty. I also saw my first Red-breasted Mergansers. They were out in the middle of the lake in with the rest of the ducks. On the way there I saw a Turkey Vulture which was the first one I saw this year. Many other ducks and gulls were there along with the soaring eagles overhead. After I s done birding I had put my life list up to 251 species and my year list up to 89. Overall it was a fun and rewarding trip.