July 8 - 10, 2007 Enjoyed the last three days, leading a trip to Clay county for the Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter. The group observed 102 species of birds in Clay county and we added a few more species in Becker county for a total of 111 species for the trip. Most of the birds we observed were still singing and many were observed carrying food, or feeding young. In addition to seeing a lot of wonderful birds, the Prairie's have a large variety of wildflowers in bloom. Which just added to the enjoyment for the group. Here were some of the birds we observed:
Clay County Greater Prairie Chicken - 7/9 - 8:30 pm - MN, Highway 9, 120th Ave N - A single bird was observed in flight, just South of 12th Av N - 7/10 - 7:30 am - 28th Ave N - 3 birds were observed sitting in the field next to the fence line on the North side of 28th Ave N, 3/4 of a mile East of MN Highway 9. American Bittern - 7/9 - 7:00 pm - MN Highway 32, just South of 73rd Ave N Shorebirds - 10 species - observed at a number of locations. Most of the birds were observed in flooded portions of fields. Loggerhead Shrike - 7/10 - 8:45 am - 12 Ave S, 3/4 of a mile West of CR 23. Le Conte's Sparrow - CR 113, 27, 33, Buffalo River state park, across from the entrance station and several other locations in the Eastern half of the county. We tried several times unsuccessfully for the previously posted Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Becker County Hamden Slough NWR - pool near the visitor center Trumpeter Swan Short-billed Dowitcher Franklin's Gull Craig Mandel, Minnetonka, MN EgretCMan at msn.com
