3/31/13 Minnesota River Valley Audubon ChapterField Trip Report3/27, 28, 29, 30/13 Enjoyed a fun trip to SW Minnesota. We spent time birding in Rock, Pipestone and Nobles county. There was a strong migration of Geese on the 28th and lots of Blackbirds and Grackles moving through on the 29th. Here are some of the species observed on the trip. Greater White-fronted Goose - There migration is going strong. With a large number on lake Okabena in Nobles county and at the Gravel ponds NE of Luverne. On the 28th, there were large flocks observed flying North West over Rock and Pipestone counties. With several flocks of over 500 birds observed.Snow Goose - There were large flocks of Snow Geese observed in flight over Rock county on the 28th.Cackling Goose - Numbers of this species were down from the previous week. But were still observed at the Gravel Pit ponds in Rock county and at Lake Okabena in Worthington.We observed 19 species of Ducks, mainly at the Gravel pit ponds in Rock county and at Lake Okabena in Worthington. But there were more small wetlands opening up in Nobles county on the 29th.Eared Grebe - Several were observed on Lake Okabena, in Worthington.Double-crested CormorantTurkey VultureNorthern ShrikeBrown Creeper - This species was observed at both Split Rock Creek and Blue Mounds State Parks.Eastern BluebirdLapland Longspur -Heard, in flight over Blue Mounds State Park.Harris's Sparrow - Three were observed at the Southern parking lot at Blue Mounds State Park.Western Meadowlark - Nine were observed and heard near the Gravel Pit ponds in Rock county.Common RedpollPine Siskin ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
