Shorebird surveys in Big Stone and Lac Qui Parle counties Friday and Saturday (27-28 July) recorded a total of 4,253 individuals of 19 species. HIghlights on Saturday included a Ruff at the Ruby Red Peninsula, Big Stone NWR, and a single flock of 53 Buff-breasted Sandpipers along 366th St, just E of 141st Ave, Lac Qui Parle County. The Ruff was observed by Dale Yerger and myself for 45 minutes late Saturday afternoon, before it suddenly took off and departed towards the northwest; it could not be refound either at Ruby Red or nearby areas. Directions to Ruby Red Peninsula are shown below. The flock of Buff-breasted Sandpipers flew about 0.5 mile NW and landed in a recently cut hayfield along CR 72, just W of 141st Ave.
The Low Flow Area at Big Stone NWR had nearly 500 shorebirds. Lighting is best here in the early morning. Shorebird habitat outside of Big Stone NWR continues to be poor with only a few areas currently productive. In Lac Qui Parle County, there are still some flooded fields along CR 7, with the best areas just south of CR 36. Salt Lake still has relatively high water levels for this time of year, but did have 484 shorebirds (12 species) on Saturday. The only areas specifically worth noting in Big Stone County are the Munnwyler Lake area along CR 64, about one mile E of US 75 near Ortonville; along CR 25, 0.3 miles S of CR 10 near Artichoke Lake; and along CR 67, 2.0 miles NE of CR 21. Kim Eckert checked the Giese WPA northwest of Donnelly, Stevens County, and found water levels quite low with fewer birds compared to the numbers reported there in mid July; however, Buff-breasted Sandpipers were seen there by the MBW group today. As previously posted by Sara Vacek, to see a map of Giese WPA go to http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Morris and follow the maps link. -- Peder H. Svingen Duluth, MN ---Directions to Ruby Red Peninsula from a 15 July 2007 posting by Phil Chu--- "To reach the Ruby Red Peninsula access road - which you cannot drive, but can walk - head south from the Big Stone NWR headquarters. The road you're heading south on will be Big Stone CR 19, which becomes Lac qui Parle CR 15 as soon as you cross the Minnesota River, i.e., as soon as you cross into Lac qui Parle Co. Heading south from the Big Stone NWR headquarters on Big Stone CR 19/Lac qui Parle CR 15, look for the second gated road on the left. This is the Ruby Red Peninsula access road. Walk down the gravel access road until you come to a fork. The left side of the fork is gravel and heads straight for the quarry, whereas the right side of the fork is a mowed two-track and leads to the tip of the peninsula. Take the right side of the fork to the tip of the peninsula. I'm not sure about the length of this walk, but suspect it to be close to a mile."
