On the way home from dropping son Jonas off at the U, we did a little birding in West Central Minnesota. On Sunday, between Olivia and Danube, we followed and had great looks at a Eurasian Collared-Dove that was flying along the railroad track parallel to Hwy 212. We lost track of it in Danube, so we don't know if it stopped there.
Also, today we found a great shorebird spot in Raymond, MN (ten miles SW of Willmar). From Hwy 23, go 0.5 mile north on Cty Rd 7; At this point (across the street from the golf course) there is a large ditch flanked by two roads. The two-track road on the right leads to the sewage ponds, which were deserted. On the right of the ditch, there are a couple of parking spots, and then a wide, grassy path along the ditch. A half-mile off Cty Rd 7, there is a large slough which can be scanned from one end. There were hundreds of shorebirds there and almost as many ducks. We (without a scope, sadly) were able to id the following: Red-necked Phalarope Wilson's Phalarope Willet Lesser Yellowlegs Greater Yellowlegs Dowitcher sp. Solitary Sandpiper Semi-palmated Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Killdeer Wilson's Snipe Dunliin but there were many more birds farther out. Dave Benson Duluth
