Hey birders!
A number of people requested directions to the Cobb River WPA. This WPA is
relatively large (836 acres) and boasts a list of 183 species since I've been
keeping track (Aug-2006).
>From Mankato take Hwy 22 south to Beauford. Beauford is where CR10 intersects
>with Hwy 22.
Go east on CR10.
If you turn south off of CR10 on 586th Avenue (about 1 mile east from Hwy 22),
you will come to the western portion which consists of grasslands and wetlands
(Bobolinks, Sedge Wrens, American Bitterns, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, LeConte's
and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows during migration). The grassland/wetland
complex extends east to the Cobb River and the floodplain forest at the center
of the WPA. The forest is relatively inaccessible from the west side (unless
you have good balance and like crossing muddy rivers over fallen trees).
If you turn south off of CR10 on CR16 (a little east from 586th Ave), you will
come to the eastern portion which consists of wetlands and restored tallgrass
prairie. The eastern portion is broken into a couple of pieces which
maycomplicate my directions a little bit.
Two parcels are located on the west side of CR16. One has a small parking lot.
This is the best access point in order to get to the woodland which can be
spectacular during migration for passerine migration. Just follow the trail(s)
and you'll find your way. The other smaller parcel is north of here and was
just recently added. Essentially there is a pig farm and a field separating
these two. I haven't explored this parcel much yet and know little about its
possibilities.
Another parcel is east of the above parcel and extends from CR16 to Perch Lake.
This is where the shorebirding should be spectacular this spring. This has
been or will be replanted to prairie by the USFWS. Right now it is wetlands
with mud and abandoned soybean fields. This area can also be accessed from
597th Lane which extends north from CR4. Take CR16 south to CR4 and go east.
Where CR52 intersects and goes south, 597th Lane goes north. This is a narrow
gravel road and there is no turnaround per se. It has been very muddy this
spring.
Finally, the outlet for Perch Lake was just added to the WPA and this lies at
the junction of CR16 and CR168. Both this wetland and the cropland to the
north and south (of the wetland) are now part of the WPA. This area is pretty
good for waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds in fall. I'm not sure what type of
restoration will occur here but I'm assuming it will be restored to
grassland/prairie of some sort.
Incidently, if you are in the area you should also check out a significant CREP
area to the northeast. Take CR168 east from CR16 to its junction with CR169.
Before you reach this intersection you will see the lands to the north. The
area can be viewed from both CR168 and CR169.
Another CREP area can be found by taking CR16 north from CR10 and going west
about a mile. This area is normally good for waterfowl, Northern Harrier, and
Western Meadowlark.
I hope that this is help to out-of-towners. If you do visit the WPA, please
share your sightings with me. I am tracking bird sightings from this WPA and
sharing my data with the USFWS to help with management of those lands. Any
sightings are valuable. Thanks!
Happy birding!
Chad Heins
Mankato, MN
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