Hey birders, I wasn't organized enough to get in on the Minnesota birdathon this year, but that didn't keep me from getting out. Tom Dahlen and I explored the MN River valley in the Mankato area and found 146 species. Time: 2AM-8PM. A synopsis appears below:
10 ducks 4 grebes 5 herons 6 hawks 14 shorebirds 6 woodpeckers 5 flycatchers 6 thrushes 23 warblers 11 sparrows 9 blackbirds This was the quietest BIG day I've ever done in terms of warblers. While we saw 23 species, most were represented by 3 or less individuals. Most warblers seen were Tennessee (90%). Of note: Hooded Warbler along Trail 1 at 7-mile Creek County Park in Nicollet County (west side of 169 south of St. Peter), Prothonotary Warbler at St. Peter Sewage Lagoons (call and gain permission or you risk a visit with a police officer), Louisiana Waterthrush at Minneopa State Park (below the falls). Due to a lack of time, Williams Nature Park in Blue Earth County was not visited (though Tom informed me this morning that the Kentucky Warbler has returned). Most shorebirds were picked up in two flooded fields. One is located on the north side of Eagle Lake (the body of water, not the city). Go east from the boat launch about 0.25 miles; it is on the south side (6 species on Saturday). The other site was thanks to Tom's scouting and I'm not exactly sure where I was...rough directions. Go east from Madison Lake on Hwy 60. Turn right on 541st lane/street). Go south for 0.5 miles, the pond will be on your right at the bottom of the hill. Species: Hudsonian Godwit, Dunlin, Wilson's Phalarope, both yellowlegs, Least, Semipalmated, Spotted. One other site that produced some nice species: CR 62 in Nicollet County. Go south from the town of Nicollet on Hwy 23. Turn right on CR 62 which is near the bottom of the bluff. We had large waves of warblers along here and great looks at Clay-colored and Lark Sparrows. Also of note: Cerulean Warbler at 7-mile Creek. Park at the 2nd pullout; the birds are normally calling from the cottonwoods to the south. Ruddy Turnstone at Swan Lake--flyover. I hope everyone else had a great day. I'll try and get my act together for next year's Minnesota Birdathon! Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
