I went down to check out the Kasota Prairie in Le Sueur county on 468th street
just south of Kasota on the morning of 6/26 and found a it to be very active.
There were a total of 4 Loggerhead Shrikes that were very fun to watch as they
fed each other and chased away a pesky Brown Thrasher that was bothering them.
They were easy to find as they would perch in prominent snags in the center of
the prairie were there were several cedars. There were many Grasshopper
Sparrows and Dickcissel around calling frequently. I also found many Bobolink,
Horned Lark, Eastern and Western Meadowlark and Field Sparrows. I heard
Sandhill Cranes and saw many Great Egrets flying overhead. I did not hear or
see any Clay-colored Sparrow at this location. I then headed to the southeast
in the same county and found many American White Pelican and DC Cormorant.
There was also a nice marsh that had Black Tern (including a juvenile),
Yellow-headed Blackbird, American Coot, and Pied-billed Grebe. I then headed
into the northwest corner of Waseca county and found more Bobolink, Sandhill
Crane, Yellow-headed Blackbird, American White Pelican, Sedge Wren, and a
flying Pileated Woodpecker. The best two birds were actually Black-billed
Cuckoos that were not being very shy and gave great roadside views up close and
personal. My car then broke down and I actually got stuck spending the night in
Mankato. In Blue Earth county I found Dickcissel in two locations near town
along with Eastern. Towhee, Sedge Wren, Common Nighthawk and Pileated
Woodpecker (all while walking). While I drove back this morning I saw what was
likely a Forster's Tern foraging in flooded fields in Nicollet county along
169. Overall great birding but terrible on my car, pocketbook and family.
Sometimes strange things can happen when you are birding in rural areas and you
do have to be prepared. I was lucky to have two separate kind people jump my
car and allow me to get into town to fix the alternator but I'm guessing if I
was in the middle of Sax-Zim in mid winter on one of the less traveled roads it
could have been a different story.Good birding, Jason CaddyMinneapolis
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