There were 8 American Avocets on the west side of Long Meadow Lake (Bass Ponds in Bloomington) from 4 and up until I left at 5:30.
The FWS has been drawing down Long Meadow Lake for a while, and it is looking awesome for shorebirds. Other shorebird species seen include: -150+ Lesser Yellowlegs -Greater Yellowlegs -Solitary Sandpiper -Wilson's Phalarope -Killdeer I would not be surprised if there were more species, (I would actually expect it), but the majority of them were on the south side, and the heat waves didn't help much. Nonetheless, it's a good idea to keep an eye on it. Strangely, there were only 3 warbler species (didn't relocate Bruce Baer's Cape May.) There were 6 species of dabbling ducks as well. Other FOYs include Warbling Vireo, Great-crested Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, and Gray Catbird. A Barred Owl started calling to the north of the parking lot as I was leaving. And of course, all other expected species were seen. On a belated note, apparently a Yellow-headed Blackbird was seen at the MVR Visitor Center feeder (Bloomington) on May 2nd. I didn't see any while I was at Bass Ponds though. But I hear they are somewhat numerous at the Rapids Lake NWR Visitor Center (in Carver, Carver Co.) Good birding! Alyssa DeRubeis Golden Valley, Hennepin Co. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
