This morning there was a Willet and both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs at Chaska Lake. This lake has been drawn down as part of a shorebird study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Currently, habitat is great for shorebirds, with extensive mudflats present around standing water. The habitat should remain favorable for shorebirds through August.
Directions: In Chaska, go south on Hwy. 41 past Hwy. 212 to 1st Street. Go west on 1st Street to the Chaska Ballfields. There has been sporadic construction all along 1st Street, so you may have to take the road before or after 1st Street. As long as you go west from Hwy. 41, you should be able to get back onto 1st Street within a few blocks. There is a large gravel parking lot at the ballfields. >From here you can take the main trail south of the parking lot past the locked gate. This trail parallels the east side of Chaska Lake. Eventually the trail will wind around to the south end of the lake, and you should have decent viewing conditions. ****Somewhat of a hike is required to view the lake. I don't recommend hiking back there this weekend due to the very high daily temperatures in the forecast. I'll give updates as more shorebirds arrive. Bob Dunlap, Carver County
