I received three sets of directions and several requests for information
from my earlier post regarding Eurasian-collared Doves in Farmington.
All three sets of directions would have gotten me there eventually but
combined I found it on my first try. Here's my version for everyone:
At the intersection of Oak and Division streets (across from the
dentists office) there is a white house with multiple feeders in the
back yard. These folks really like to prune their trees so just look for
the house with trees that have no branches! The best spot to park is in
the dentists parking lot. Division street intersects with _County _Road
50 (not to be confused with MN 50 which intersects with County 50 a mile
or so away) on the west end of Farmington a block east of the Vermilion
River. So CR 50 to Division, S on Division 1/2 block and park in the
dentists lot. A secondary spot is at the grain elevbators which are two
blocks east (take the alley).
The upshot of all of this is I've been to the site ten times or so and
had a pleasant conversation with a police officer (he likes birders and
has actually seen birds with black rings on their necks in the area!!),
a distant probably, maybe, ECD fly by while talking to the nice officer
(I though sprinting away to chase the bird might be considered rude and
get me tazered), and a malt. I've seen Mourning Doves, House Sparrows
and Starlings by the truck load (not to mention intimate behaviors by
Mourning Doves) but nary a verifiable ECD. I'll keep trying but I'd say
this in not a sure bet. However, despite my failures, you might want to
try. My schedule has taken me to this area generally in the early
afternoon. Not exactly prime-time for feeding birds. I'm guessing that
they are feeding in the morning/evening and spending the rest of the day
someplace else.
If anyone knows of a better place in Dakota Co, or has success in
Farmington, I'd like to know.
Thanks,
Bill
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