Highlights this morning at Carver Park before the winds really picked up were
Eastern Kingbird, Swainson's Thrush, Blue-winged, Tennessee, Orange-crowned,
Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Palm Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Lincoln's Sparrow,
and Baltimore Oriole. I thought I heard the call of the
I probably could have pushed the total to 100 species(especially if I had gone
to Carver Park), but I needed a break after 7 hours...maybe later The many
highlights included:
2 Broad-winged Hawks (1 at the refuge and 1 near Assumption Lake)
Merlin (at Rapids Lake MVNWR flew over to Louisville
Combining yesterdays totals(ended up with 98 species) with todays at Carver
Park, I saw 110 species. Besides Yellow Warbler, residents, and sparrows, most
migrants were scattered and difficult to find this morning. Highlights:
Least, Great Crested Flycatcher, and Eastern Kingbird
The Le Conte's Sparrow was present this morning near the same location
previously mentioned. Initially he was chipping softly from the ground
obscured by grasses.Eventually he flew across the trail into a small bush
near a stand of trees. I did not hear or see a Henslow's Sparrow.
Select bird count at Rapids Lake MVNWR this morning with drizzle and an
occasionally shower ending, luckily being close to my car, when a thunderstorm
hit.
Lesser Scaup-1
Bald Eagle-2
Sharp-shinned Hawk-1
Least Flycatcher-2
Yellow-throated Vireo-3
Warbling Vireo-1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet-2
Veery-1
At last some other summer residents are becoming more numerous. There were 3
Red-eyed Vireos back on territory along a trail in Chaska, and 6 were back at
Carver Park this morning. Oddly they were all south of Cty. Rd. 11, and none
were in the wooded areas around the nature center. One
There was a little more variety at Carver Park this morning with Willow and
Alder flycatchers arriving(7 flycatcher species total). Some totals today
~125 Double-crested Cormorant-several flocks migrating north
7 Green Heron-I believe these were arriving this morning. 3 flew low
over the
After my last posting I went back to Carver Park to quickly check a couple
areas in better light. To my surprise I found another male Cerulean Warbler
away from his normal territory. He was along the tamarack trail at the
southeast end of the bog (along the grassy trail, not the boardwalk).
With migration pretty much over(only migrant this morning were several flocks
of Canada Geese heading north), the only new bird today around Rapids Lake was
a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I have not noticed the 2 Prothonotary Warbler that
had been on the west and southwest side of the lake since I
Some highlights this morning around Carver County
6 very young Pied-billed Grebe chicks at Chevalle wetlands
Red-necked Grebes on 2 nests and a 3rd pair still building their nest at
Assumption Lake
Prothonotary Warbler, Black-billed Cuckoo, Willow Flycatchers, and 7 Lark
Sparrow(these seem to
I saw my first southerly migrant this morning at Carver Park, a
Tennessee Warbler. Otherwise it was fairly quiet at the park. Most
of the Yellow Warbler have left(only 1 seen today). Some of the
Redstarts have departed as they weren't nearly as numerous. Also, I
didn't see a single male
An Acadian Flycatcher was at Chaska Lake MVNWR this afternoon. He was
in the wooded area near the Chaska Athletic Park where I have always
expected them to be(especially since Kim Eckert's book says that they
are there on occasion) but until today had not ever found any.
Initially, he was right
In a morning blitz on the county on Sunday, I managed 82 species.
Highlights include Blue-winged and Tennessee Warbler at Carver Park,
Grasshopper Sparrow at Rapids Lake MVNWR, half-grown cygnets on Maria
Lake, Bonaparte's Gull, and Caspian Tern on Rice Lake.
Rapids Lake MVNWR was fairly entertaining with a nice surge of Yellow
Warbler active again along the river this morning. I counted 12+. A
beautiful Prothonotary Warbler gave me the best look I have had of one
all year within 20 feet . He was hanging out with 2 Blue-winged
Warbler and a couple
Migrants this morning at Carver Park were 3 Tennessee, 2 Nashville, and 1
Golden-winged Warbler.
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Highlights this morning at Carver Park were Sharp-shinned Hawk, Yellow-bellied
Flycatcher, Tennessee, Nashville, and Black and White Warbler. Along 150th
St. there were 3 American Kestrel and a Peregrine Falcon in a 1/4 mile stretch.
With the recent heavy rains, there are now some flooded
Migrants this morning at Carver Park were Franklin's Gull, Olive-sided
Flycatcher, Golden-winged, Tennessee, and Canada Warbler.
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Migrants this morning at Carver Park were Golden-winged, Tennessee,
Magnolia, Wilson's Warbler, and Northern Waterthrush. There were also
3 Scarlet Tanagers in separate areas of the park.
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Discovering Salem Ave earlier this year has certainly paid off. There were 2
Buff-breasted Sandpiper at a small sod farm on the west side of Salem
Ave(apparently the farm has been around for over 50 years). For those that
remember the Cinnamon Teal location, this is a little to the north of
After further consideration, I did not see White-rumped Sandpiper but molting
adult Baird's Sandpiper.
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Even with the early activity we have been having this month, I consider today's
warbler movement the first significant wave to come through Carver Park. Its
interesting that yesterday I only saw 5 warbler species to today's 15. Later
in the morning I did a quick check at Chaska Lake.While
An American Bittern took off from a ditch on the north side of Hwy. 212 just
east of Norwood-Young America this morning.I found 1 Buff-breasted
Sandpiper along Salem Ave, but there may have been more. Other shorebirds in
that area were Greater, Lesser Yellowlegs, Least, Bairds, Pectoral,
Another day, more pretty good results. Starting at dawn along the
river in the thick fog at Rapids Lake MVNWR, I was able to find 9
warbler species. None except Yellowthroat and Redstart were numerous,
and even they weren't that numerous. Warbler count went as follows: 2
Chestnut-sided, 2
Warbler Count this morning at Carver Park and areas where they were seen.
(Trails accessed from nature center=N, King Blind=K, rec area=R)
Golden-winged Warbler 1 (N)
Tennessee 9+ (N,K)
Nashville 4 (N,K)
Yellow 1 (N)
Chestnut-sided 9 (N,K)
Magnolia 4 (N,K,R)
Blackburnian 1 (N, 2nd seen
There was still 1 Buff-breasted Sandpiper along Salem Ave late this morning.
He was on the south side of the sod farm walking in the mud picking at the base
of the sod. He was going back and forth coming closer to the road and then
walking away.The field that had many of the other
There was quite a bit of activity at Rapids Lake this morning before the wind
really picked up.I ended up finding decent numbers of 12 warbler species at
Rapids Lake and an additional 2 at Chaska Lake. The highlight was a Cerulean
Warbler that was intially in a low brushy area with a
There seemed to be the same consistent numbers at Carver Park this morning with
no significant change in birds(maybe a few less empids and a few more
Rose-breasted Grosbeaks).
Carver Park count
Yellow-throated Vireo 4
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo 7
Blue-winged Warbler 1 (probably a
Migrants this morning at Carver Park were Blue-headed Vireo, Swainson's Thrush,
2 Tennessee, 3 Nashville, Blackburnian, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll, and Wilson's
Warbler. A stop at the Carver end of Chaska Lake turned up a Blue-headed
Vireo and a male Golden-winged Warbler. In terms of other
There was a nice bit of activity this morning at Rapids Lake MVNWR including my
first migrant sparrows of the fall. Later I made a short stop at either end of
Chaska Lake turning up a Swainson's Thrush and an Ovenbird along with a few of
the regulars.
Rapids Lake count
Double-crested
Other than 1 wave of mainly robins which added 4 warbler species to the day,
obvious migrants took some time and patience to find at Carver Park today.
Cedar Waxwings were the most numerous bird of the day.
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Swainson's Thrush 3
Golden-winged Warbler 1
Tennessee Warbler 2
Select morning count at Carver Park(50 species total)
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Virginia Rail 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3
Eastern Phoebe 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 5 (4 together)
Blue-headed Vireo 4
Red-eyed Vireo 5
House Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
I'm enjoying it while it lasts, but we're running out of days like this.
Though, the surge of Yellow-rumped Warbler should be here soon. I regret
not getting to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum any last month, but I finally
made it there on Thursday. There were Tennessee, Nashville,
There is a reason I only post my observations. So before I get many more
responses, my comments are merely my opinion. I know the use of recordings
worldwide is commonplace. I
guess using the term cheating may be a bit harsh, but it was the
best analogy I could come up with.I
I squeezed in as much birding this past week as I could, since I will not have
the opportunity to bird the area this next week.Today's count at Carver Park
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Blue-headed Vireo 5
Warbling Vireo 1
Philadelphia Vireo
Back from my hiatus, there was scattered activity at Carver Park mainly with
what you would expect for late September. The most unusual bird of the day
was not at the park but at the edge of Assumption Lake, a Henslow's Sparrow.
There were still 2 Red-necked Grebes and a couple Gadwall on
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum was bustling with activity during and
especially after the rain this morning, but the best birds of the day were 2
American Golden-Plover along Salem Ave.
Arboretum count
Double-crested Cormorant 68
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown Creeper
I've never thought to bird corn fields, but today there 4 Nashville and a
Yellow-rumped Warbler with some sparrow(Song, Clay-colored, Swamp,
White-throated, and Junco that I saw) in an unharvested field along Salem Ave.
Carver Park count
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown
The arboretum was a bit more quiet this morning. Besides what I saw at the
arboretum there were 5 Palm Warbler and a few Savannah Sparrow at Chevalle
wetlands.
Arboretum count
Ring-billed Gull (many flying over)
Bonaparte's Gull ~55 in a flock that must have taken off from nearby(or were
There was a good amount of activity this morning of pretty much what
you would expect this time of year. Still not a lot of waterfowl
with some American Wigeon at Carver Park and a couple dozen Ruddy Duck
on Assumption Lake.
Carver Park count
Great Egret 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Lucky for me I was looking at my feet when this happened. Otherwise I may
have missed it.At the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum this morning, a Merlin
soared just above the ground right by me.His wing came a few inches from my
shoe. I haven't had that close of an encounter with a
Carver Park count this morning
Trumpeter Swan 14
Wood Duck 26
American Wigeon 8
Mallard 23
Northern Pintail 1
Lesser Scaup 58 (may have had a Redhead mixed in there but the lighting wasn't
so good)
Pied-billed Grebe 5
American White Pelican 1
Franklin's Gull ~35(at least this many, caught a
Yesterday's(Sat.) count at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Sedge Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 7
Hermit Thrush 6
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Cape May Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10
Clay-colored Sparrow 1
Fox Sparrow 8
Lincoln's Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 24
Today's count of 52 species total (Carver Park except where noted)
Canada Goose 223 (county total)
Trumpeter Swan 6 (county total)
Wood Duck 5
Gadwall 2
American Wigeon 23
Mallard 61 (county total)
Blue-winged Teal 2
Northern Shoveler19
Canvasback 3 (county total)
Redhead 21 (county total)
Morning count at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Brown Creeper 1
Winter Wren 1 (good fall for these)
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 10
Hermit Thrush 4
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 9
American Tree Sparrow 1
Fox Sparrow 9
Song
A Great-tailed Grackle(male) was with flock of ~200 Common Grackles in a field
on the west side of Cty. Rd. 151 in southern Carver County this morning.
Luckily for me he spent quite a bit of time just posing in one spot giving me
good size comparisons. His bright yellow eyes and iridescent
Since I have no past experience with Scoters, I'd like a bit of help on
identifying some Scoters I saw today. Whoever is willing I will send a couple
pictures.
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I'll post this now for anybody that may have a chance to get out this
afternoon. I saw 3 Scoters from Lake Waconia beach this morning. The
consensus right now is 1 female Black, 1 female Surf, and 1 mystery Scoter. I
initially thought it was a male Black with strange plumage, as it was
Thanks to everyone that took a look at the Scoter pictures today. A few
people went to Lake Waconia this evening and found the 3 Scoters along the road
west of the beach. They agreed that the 3rd bird was an oddly plumaged male
Black Scoter.
Both Black Scoters and the Surf Scoter were on Lake Waconia at sunrise this
morning. They were just east of the beach moving east and away from shore.
When I stopped back briefly at 9:30 they were back in their original position
east of the beach and closer to shore.Also on the lake
A Pacific Loon was seen at close range from Lake Waconia beach this morning.
He hung around that area for a bit until he began moving west and away from
shore. Eventually I lost him and never found him again, though I did check
along the shore in town. There may have been 2 other Pacific
While I was not confident to report 3 Pacific Loons, I am fairly sure there
were 2-3 on Lake Waconia. Although I saw the 2 from a distance, they
seemed too small to be Common Loons. Even from the distance the bills seemed
a bit too thin At one point they also both stood up in the water
The Surf Scoter may have been leaving Lake Waconia early this morning. I saw
her flying and gaining altitude. She was heading west so she may have circled
back and landed. The only other time I saw it fly the past few days, it flew
just above the water. There was a decline in the number
With the snow, birds were more congregated along the roadsides this morning.
I counted 52+ Horned Larks, 70+ Snow Buntings, and 1 Lapland Longspur. There
were probably more than this but birding from my car was proving to be
difficult. Waterfowl this morning in the area(though I didn't
Carver Park count
Canada Geese
Trumpeter Swan 2
Mallard 52
American Wigeon 42
Canvasback 54
Redhead 25
Ring-necked Duck 520
Bufflehead 28
Hooded Merganser 49
Bald Eagle 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 (pretty sure I heard the chip of another from the same
clump of cedar)
Lake
I finally forced myself out into the cold after a few week break yesterday and
today.
Birds at Mill Pond in Shakopee
Canada Goose (1 today)
Tundra Swan (resting and walking on the ice behind the pond only seen there
today)
Trumpeter Swan (today only)
Mallard
American Black
I spent a couple hours in the fog this morning in Carver County and then this
afternoon around Blue Lake and Mill Pond in Shakopee once it cleared up. I
didn't see too much exciting this morning with the most interesting birds being
Horned Larks(many more of these around compared to just this
Ever since I began spending a significant amount of time birding about 5
years ago, I have been curious about the differences in spring and fall
migration.Here are the percentage of warbler species I have seen from
2008-2010 during the spring and fall seasons excluding Yellow, Redstart,
Migrants this morning
Canada Goose 79 total(53 at Rapids Lake MVNWR, 49 of those heading
south, and 26 hanging out on the ice and snow at Chevalle neighborhood
wetlands in Chaska)
Trumpter Swan 2 at Rapids Lake heading south
America Kestrel rural SW Carver County
Northern Flicker 2 at
Migrants this morning in Carver County
Cackling Goose 4 at 150th St.
Canada Goose ~300, 143 Rapids Lake MVNWR, 70 150th St., 41 Chevalle wetlands,
~50 scattered migrants
Mallard 23, 12 150th St. and 11 Rapids Lake
Ring-necked Duck 2 at 150th St.
Common Goldeneye 5 at Rapids Lake
Common
Carver County migrants this morning
Rapids Lake MVNWR
Canada Gooose
Mallard
Wood Duck
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
Eastern Phoebe
Brown Creeper
Eastern Bluebird
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Cty. Rd. 52
Tundra Swan(71)
Salem
About 10 days later than last spring, the main Tundra Swan influx has begun.
I counted 680 in 4 fields (mainly frozen though more open water today vs
yesterday) in SW Carver County this morning, 375 along Cty. Rd. 52 near
Assumption, 202 along Salem Ave, 84 along 150th St, and 19 along Cty.
Tundra Swans are definitely back in force. This morning I counted ~1092
Tundra Swans in 7 flooded fields across SW Carver County: 365 150th St., 210
Salem Ave., 200 Cty. Rd. 52, 148 Cty. Rd. 51(just north of Hwy. 212), 137 182nd
St., 30 Cty. Rd. 151(had been more at this location but many
Today's Tundra Swan count turned up even more(again) than the past 2 days,
~1341.
330 150th St.(most 1/4-1/2 mile from
yesterday's main location), 278 Salem Ave, 225 Cty. Rd. 52(45 departing field
and 40 arriving to field), 180 Cty. Rd. 33(25 departing field), 175
Cty. Rd. 51, 153 182nd St.
The majority of the Tundra Swans departed Carver County last night. I counted
597 this morning, but 1/3 of those were migrating over: 300 Cty. Rd. 51, 156 in
4 flocks migrating over Rapids Lake(heard a 5th flock), 50 migrating over Lake
Waconia, 47 150th St., 26 Cty. Rd. 33, and 18 Salem Ave.
New birds for the spring this morning included American Wigeon, Northern
Pintail, Northern Shoveler, American Woodcock, Great Egret, and Herring Gull.
There was also an Eastern Meadowlark back singing at Chevalle wetlands in
Chaska. Tundra Swan numbers were down again this morning with 369,
New spring birds this morning were a pair of Western Meadowlark and a
Bonaparte's Gull.Tundra Swan numbers were similar along Cty. Rd. 51
but less elsewhere.
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Arrivals this morning were Ruddy Duck, Turkey Vulture, and Fox Sparrow. The
only Tundra Swans still around are along Cty. Rd. 51 north of Hwy. 212. There
weren't that many geese around either, but there were plenty of ducks. I
tried to do a more accurate count of duck totals yesterday
New migrants this morning included Blue-winged Teal, Common Loon, Greater
Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and
Yellow-rumped Warbler.
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New migrants this morning at Rapids Lake MVNWR were Tree Swallow, Hermit
Thrush, and Pine Siskin(assume this is a migrant since I didn't see any Siskins
all winter). Other highlights at Rapids Lake MVNWR were 4 Common Loons, 3
Eastern Phoebe, Yellow-rumped Warbler, a higher number of Fox
Highlights this morning at Carver Park were Green-winged Teal, 4 Osprey,
Sandhill Crane, 4 Eastern Phoebe, Tree Swallows, Golden-crowned, and
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Elsewhere, waterfowl numbers dropped significantly
overnight. There is still basically the same variety, though. Lesser Scaup
Highlights yesterday on a quiet dreary morning were 18 Common Loons on Rapids
Lake(1 additional at Chevalle wetlands), 1 each of Golden-crowned Kinglet,
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Field Sparrow at Rapids Lake MVNWR, 49 Bonaparte's Gull,
and 17 Franklin's Gull in rural Carver County.
Highlights
Select count this morning at Carver Park
Brown Creeper 3
Winter Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 5
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 26
Hermit Thrush 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 8
The only new bird for the spring this morning were a couple of Vesper Sparrow
along 150th St.There were still some Rusty Blackbird
Select birds this morning
Carver Park
Blue-winged Teal 7
Common Loon 1
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Great Blue Heron 3
Osprey 3
Bald Eagle 1
Barred Owl 1
Northern Flicker 6
Eastern Phoebe 1
Brown Creeper 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 25
Chipping Sparrow 1
There wasn't anything new to Rapids Lake MVNWR today. Migrants this morning
were Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet(4), Ruby-crowned Kinglet(8), Hermit
Thrush(4), and Yellow-rumped Warbler(42).
Rural Carver County turned up 18 waterfowl species(including around 30
Red-breasted Merganser),
Today's select count
Carver Park
Common Merganser 5
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Eastern Phoebe 4
Veery 2 (2 weeks early)
Hermit Thrush 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 16
American Tree Sparrow 4
Chipping Sparrow 8
Field Sparrow 10
Swamp Sparrow 9
White-throated Sparrow 1
Lake Waconia
Common
Back this morning at Rapids Lake MVNWR were 2 Lark Sparrows. Otherwise, there
was pretty much the same variety as there has been recently. There were more
Chipping Sparrows though. Yesterday at the Landscape Arboretum I saw a Pine
Warbler and heard the repeated distinct call of a Yellow
Select count this morning
Carver Park
Common Merganser 8
Common Loon 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Brown Creeper 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5
Hermit Thrush 12 (best spring by far I've had seeing these)
Yellow-rumped Warbler 20 (10 male, 10 female)
American Tree Sparrow 3
Lake Waconia
Red-breasted
After yesterdays slow day(squeezed in both Carver Park (5 Ruby-crowned Kinglets
and Winter Wren) and Rapids Lake MVNWR (1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Thrasher,
and 7 Yellow-rumped Warbler) in the morning, the rain this morning almost kept
me in for the day. Luckily I decided to push through
Deciding to go against my rule of no mid-afternoon birding(except during peak
migration) since the sun came out, I went to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
This past Wednesday there was very little activity(no migrants and very few
residents seen). Today was the complete opposite.
Select
With one last taste of winter this morning with a few flakes of snow falling
and the gusty winds, birds at Carver Park were around but in clumps in more
protected areas or feeding along roadsides(sparrows). I also saw a Mink
dragging a roadkill Opossum off a road at the park. Morning count:
Finally, a nice morning to bird. The cold this morning kept birds generally
low and on the ground.
Select Count
Carver Park
Common Loon 1
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 2
Barred Owl 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
House Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12
Hermit Thrush 3
What has become the best early May birding I have experienced, activity was
high again at Rapids Lake MVNWR. I should also mention that the trail going
north from the visitors center along the river at Rapids Lake is still flooded
and likely will be for much of May.
Visitors center area
There was a nice variety this morning at Rapids Lake MVNWR
Select count
Visitors center area
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 5
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Gray Catbird 4
Brown Thrasher 2
Nashville Warbler 4
Yellow Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 4
Lark Sparrow 3
Lincoln's Sparrow 1
At Carver Park this morning where migrants were scattered
Common Loon 1
Sandhill Crane 2
Chimney Swift 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Least Flycatcher 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 10
Swainson's Thrush 1
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Tennessee Warbler 1
Good variety(20 species) and numbers of warblers were pretty much everywhere I
stopped at Carver Park. A short stop at Rapids Lake(just visitors center and
1/2 mile loop trail) turned up 11 warbler species with one of those not seen at
Carver Park. Yesterday at King Blind(Carver Park) there
I decided to squeeze in some mid-afternoon birding from the north lot at Rapids
Lake MVNWR. I had planned to stop there this morning, but with hunters out I
decided to just bird the closed area. Despite the heat and humidity this
afternoon birds were plentiful including some out in the open
There were 22 warbler species this morning at Carver Park. 5 of those species
were in the largest wave of the morning at the rec area. That area is hit and
miss, and when I got there it was pretty quiet. After hiking away from the rec
area for about 20 minutes I returned and realized that
My plan was to cover two areas of Carver Park, that I didn't this morning.
The largest single warbler wave yet this spring changed those plans, and I only
birded a small area near King Blind. For those that don't know Carver Park is
a 3700 acre park near the town of Victoria. It has a wide
Activity once again was quite good at both Rapids Lake and the Minnesota
Landscape Arboretum. Highlights included 2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers making an
odd attempt to harass a Great Horned Owl and 2 Mourning Warblers feeding within
10 feet of each other on the ground below a Golden-winged Warbler
This morning at Carver Park there was an adult Ferruginous Hawk that landed on
a tree along a horse trail that runs east/west from the dirt road north of King
Blind all the way to Grimm Rd. The Ferruginous landed about a mile west of
the King Blind road. He stayed briefly and then flew NW
This morning there were 18 warbler species at Carver Park. Besides the
residents, warblers were scattered and in no distinct wave.
Select count
Broad-winged Hawk 1
Sandhill Crane 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher 2
Least Flycatcher 4
Great Crested Flycatcher 8
Eastern Kingbird 2
Yellow-throated Vireo
Another dreary rainy morning, another good day of migration. Beginning at
Rapids Lake(vistors center/river) the weather cooperated but migrants were
scattered.I wasn't sure how birding would be at the Minnesota Landscape
Arboretum. On Wednesday afternoon, I birded for an hour and only
Select count this morning at Carver Park
Common Loon 1
Sandhill Crane 1
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Eastern Wood-Pewee 6
Willow Flycatcher 2
Alder/Willow Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 5
Eastern Phoebe 2
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 4
Yellow-throated Vireo 1
Warbler Vireo 1
Red-eyed Vireo
Select morning count at Carver Park
Eastern Wood-Pewee 4
Willow Flycatcher 1
Least Flycatcher 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 5
Eastern Kingbird 1
Yellow-throated Vireo 3
Warbling Vireo 2
Philadelphia Vireo 2
Red-eyed Vireo 10
Gray-cheeked Thrush 1
Swainson's Thrush 1
Blue-winged Warbler 1
Tennessee
Last weeks rain really helped provide shorebird habitat with several fields
with flooded sections(not good news for farmers). Fields were significantly
drier today vs. Tuesday, so unless we get more rain, shorebirds will likely be
harder to come by.Like last summer, Chaska Lake and
There were at least 2 Buff-breasted Sandpiper in the muddy field just north of
the Salem Ave sod farm with mainly Killdeer and at least 1 other peep species.
The sod farm itself has been planted with 2/3 corn this year and only has a
small corner of sod viewable with the rest blocked from
Nearly 2 weeks later than last fall's first migrant warbler, the first couple
migrants were back in the area this morning. A Northern Waterthrush was at
Carver Park, and a Nashville Warbler was at Rapids Lake MVNWR.
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Slowly migrants continue to make their way into the area. On Wednesday there
were 5 Tennessee Warbler at Carver Park including a male still in breeding
plumage.While there weren't any migrants on Thursday, there were 2
Black-crowned Night-Heron in the marsh on the north side of hwy. 5 just
In past years I have never made it to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in
August, waiting until September and October to visit.This year I am making
it a point to make several August trips to the arboretum beginning today.
Yesterday's front brought with it the first significant wave of
There were 15 species of warbler at Carver Park this morning. The majority
were in 5 different waves of migrants.In between the waves, it was fairly
quiet with only scattered birds. I've been asked before about locations
within the park, and my best advice is to walk as many trails as
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