March 25/26/2007 Have been leading a trip for my the Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter to SW Minnesota for the last couple days. On the evening of the 25th, we spent 3 hours searching the lakes and fields around Worthington and the only Geese observed in the area were about 100 Canada Geese. With many of those being birds on territories. Today we had a little better luck, but still only a small number of Geese. The lakes are open in the area and did have lots of Ducks. We observed more Canvasback Ducks (1000s), on Round Lake in Jackson county than I can ever remember seeing in one location. Here are some of the species we did get to see.
Greater White-fronted Goose - Nobles County - CR 4 & Ulrich Road - 30 birds were observed in a partially flooded field from 7:15 to 7:45 am, we returned past this location at 4:00 pm and there were no Geese left in the area. Snow Goose - Nobles County - several 100, same location as the Greater White-fronted Geese. Jackson County - small flocks were observed on Round and Illinois Lakes during the morning and afternoon. Ross's Goose - Nobles County - 27 were observed at the CR 4 location and 3 were observed in Jackson County on Round Lake. Cackling Goose - Jackson County - We observed 6 Cackling Geese at the Summer's WMA, located along Hyw. 86, just South of I 90. Trumpeter Swan - Jackson County - Two Trumpeter Swans were observed at Summer's WMA, one had a Red neck band with the label P66 on it. The other Swan was untagged. For Ducks we observed 19 species, with a small number of Greater Scaup on Round Lake in Jackson county being the most unusual ones. American Woodcock - Nobles county - Hawkeye county park - 4 or 5 birds were heard at sunset on the 25th. Franklin's Gull - Nobles county - only one was observed in a field along CR 3, South of the town of Round Lake. Bonaparte's Gull - These were observed in a number of locations, in both Nobles and Jackson County. Eastern Screech Owl - Nobles county - Two Gray phased birds were observed at Hawkeye County Park in Nobles county at sunset on the 25th. Vesper Sparrow - Nobles county - a single bird was observed along 335th St. Fox Sparrow - Jackson County - A small flock of Fox Sparrows were observed at Robertson County Park. Rusty Blackbird - a small number of these were observed in both counties. Species not seen Great-tailed Grackle - We did not see this species, but did spend time in the morning and afternoon at there usual locations. So they may not be back yet. Craig Mandel, Minnetonka, MN [email protected]
