It's been a while since the New Germany/Crane Creek area had water levels that appealed to fall shorebirds. Conditions are about ideal right now. I counted over 1,100 shorebirds this afternoon in about two hours of scanning. As is typical for this time of year the vast majority were Pectoral and Least Sandpipers along with Lesser Yellowlegs. Also present were small numbers of Semipalmated, Solitary and Stilt Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers and singles of both Wilson's and Red-necked Phalarope. I was unable to find any Baird's or Buff-breasted Sandpipers.
The water levels appear to be dropping quickly, so any visits should be made in the next couple of weeks. Directions: From the town if New Germany, go south on CR 33. In less than half a mile turn west on CR 30. Drive about one mile to Yale Ave and turn south to view the mudflats from the east. Or continue on about another quarter mile and turn south on Yancy Ave to view from the west. Regards,,, William Marengo Chaska/Victoria/Waconia ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
