October 10, 2006 Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter McLeod/Sibley Counties Bird Day Field Trip Report
8 - participants 74 - species observed Spent the day birding in McLeod and Sibley counties today, with limited success. We observed 15 species of waterfowl, but many species were represented by single birds or very few at best. We did encounter a large number of American Coots at Washington Lake in Sibley county and some small waves of Yellow-rumped Warblers in several locatios. Franklin's Gulls and Common Nighthawks were also observed throughout the area during our return drive. I observed over 200 Common Nighthawks on my drive from Belle Plain to Minnetonka. Here were some of the species observed by the group: Snow Goose - McLeod County - Observed in flight at Lake Marion County Park. Horned Grebe - Sibley County - Washington Lake - several birds were observed from the South side of the lake along Highway 25. Black-crowned Night-Heron - Sibley County - Highway 19 and CR 53 North - This wetland also had a nice mix of waterfowl and is easily viewed from Highway 19. Swainson's Hawk - McLeod County - We observed an adult Light morph bird in flight along Highway 38, just east of CR 65. Common Nighthawk - Sibley, Scott and Hennepin Counties. Red-headed Woodpecker - McLeod County - an immature bird was observed at Lake Marion County Park. Sedge Wren - McLeod County - a single bird was observed near the entrance to Schaefer Prairie. Fox & White-throated Sparrows were observed at Buffalo Creek County Park in McLeod County. Craig Mandel, Minnetonka, MN [email protected]
