FYI The bridge at the west entrance to Agassiz NWR is going to be replaced. Detour signs on CR 7 are already up, closure signs , equipment, and materials are already at the site. For anyone who plans a trip soon to Agassiz and is not familiar with the area, here is the best way to get into Agassiz from Thief River Falls until this project is completed. >From Thief River Falls, go east on MN 1 to Pennington CR 20( becomes Marshall CR 12 in a few miles), take a left on CR 20 and go approx. 8.8 miles to Marshall CR 120, where you take a right. The road is gravel and in good shape this morning. At the first corner ( where the Long-tailed Jaeger was found for those of you who saw it), take a left ( N) and follow to the first opportunity for a choice. That will be the corner before Farmes Pool. Take a left there and go north to CR 7 coming out within the refuge. At CR 7 you can take a right and proceed as usual to headquarters. Please note that MN 32 will only get you to the closure, and you will then have to go south a few miles on CR 12 to CR 120 so that is not recommended. Also at Farmes Pool, there is no way to get into the refuge proper, so you will have to return to the last corner to get into Agassiz. I have no idea when the project will start, but I think soon based on what I observed this morning. I also have no idea where the detour signs will take you, but think it may rejoin CR 7 way east of the refuge, or maybe not at all. The detour I outlined above is not significantly longer from TRF and the road is usually good. Conditions inside the refuge this morning: Headquarters Pool completely ice covered still. Some open water on South Pool where there were geese, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Mergansers, Mallards, and a few other duck species. At Headquarters I found two Fox Sparrows in the woods there. Otherwise, birding was about what I find in our yard here. Auto tour route is not open yet of course.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
