This afternoon there were 13 Red-necked Phalaropes present at the Lake Lillian sewage ponds in southeastern Kandiyohi County. They were on the more easterly of the 2 ponds - water level in this pond is quite low, providing decent shorebird habitat. There were 12 species here today. Proximity to the birds here made for the best shorebird viewing of the various spots Jim Otto and I visited today. To get to this location drive one mile east of Lake Lillian on Hwy 7, take the unmarked gravel road north 1/2 mile or so.
There are still several hundred shorebirds present at the New Germany mudflats area in Carver County. The main pond between Yale and Yancy south of Hwy 30 has shrunk considerably and the birds here can only be viewed at a distance. The more westerly of the 2 ponds on the north side of 30 still held a good number of birds as well; an unsuccessful pass by a Peregrine Falcon provided some excitement. Doug Kieser Minneapolis =20