Today Dave Bartkey, John and Chris Hockema, and I birded Waseca, Steele, and Dodge counties. Bird activity was good throughout the day, and we had some notable sightings, including:
-Mudflats with shorebirds on south side of CR 10 north of Rice Lake in Waseca County, the best shorebird being Long-billed Dowitcher. -Warbler wave at Maplewood County Park on east side of Clear Lake. Mostly Yellow-rumpeds, but also a late Chestnut-sided and a Blue-headed Vireo. At least two Winter Wrens here as well. -3 Eurasian Collared-Doves in the town of Ellendale in Steele County. -Mudflats with shorebirds at the Straight River Marsh on east side of CR 45 south of Owatonna in Steele County. The best find was a Black-bellied Plover foraging in the grassy area behind the mudflats. -Warbler wave (including a late Magnolia) and two more Winter Wrens at Rice Lake State Park in Steele County. Also an early Hermit Thrush here. -Merlin at Claremont sewage ponds in Dodge County. It appears, however, that these ponds are being drained, possibly for good. -Osprey, Winter Wren, early Dark-eyed Juncos, and late Bay-breasted Warbler at Naylor Woods WMA in Dodge County We also had Cackling Geese and American Pipits in all three counties. Bob Dunlap, Nicollet County bobthebirdman.blogspot.com
