Elizabeth and I completed the Chandler BBS route in southwest Minnesota on June 15. We went west of Slayton on Hwy 30, then one mile west of Lake Wilson to Murray CR-26, then south four miles to our start point, which was a bit over a mile west of Chandler, not too far from the location of previously reported Blue Grosbeaks this year. Most of the 25-mile route was cultivated and pastured, The only habitat breaks were the road ditches, fence lines, farmstead groves, and green water swales. Our "best" bird was a male Blue Grosbeak singing from a cottonwood tree at our second stop. 43°55.229' & 95°59.033'. Some pleasant observations: There were many more Ring-necked Pheasants than expected and more Western Meadowlarks, Common Yellowthroats were frequent and heard from some very small patches of suitable habitat, We had Cliff Swallows at several bridges and Gray Partridge at 2 stops, We saw one Upland Sandpiper at stop #23 (43°48.256' & 95°59.033). We saw only one raptor, a Swainson's Hawk, and saw Bobolinks at only one stop, We had Orchard Oriole and Red-headed Woodpecker at one stop, We saw Dickcissels at four stops.
