Observed 116 species today, mostly in Stearns County while leading walks on the St. Johns University campus in the morning and while participating on an MOU trip to the Albany Sewage Ponds in the afternoon. The group as a whole observed 110+ species on the St. Johns campus alone. Interesting finds on the campus included 3 Sora in the wetland near I-94, several Am. Woodcock displaying in the same general vicinity, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Gray-cheeked Thrush, several Wood Thrush, Golden-winged Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Pine Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, and Pine Siskin. Albany Sewage Ponds had 6 species of ducks (no Cinnamon Teal), 20+ Wilson's Phalarope, 20+ Black Tern, and 1 Am. Pipit, but only 2 other kinds of shorebirds. In a wetland about 0.5 miles south of the sewage pond, however, there were 20+ Least Sandpiper, 10+ dowitcher, 1 Dunlin, and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs. To access this wetland, turn right out of the sewage ponds, go up a steep hill, and park on the east side of the road (ample room for 1+ cars). A telescope is very helpful here. South of the boat access on the north side of Pearl Lake in Stearns County, I saw a Red-necked Grebe (thanks to Bob Russell). There was also an Olive-sided Flycatcher along the road that borders the west side of the lake.
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