Yesterday Liz Stanley found a late American Golden-Plover on Blue Lake at the
Wilkie Unit of the Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Shakopee.
This morning it was seen by a couple folks, and it’s my understanding that it
was gone for a period of time in the afternoon until I relocated it at 3:15pm.
Here are my approximate coordinates of where I observed it today: 44.8007561,
-93.4294101. Here is where Liz originally found it yesterday: 44.8010379,
-93.4244798. And for what it’s worth, here is where the parking is located
(right off of Highway 101, but there’s no obvious sign for it): 44.7959801,
-93.4252818.
There is only one other winter record, a bird in Dakota County from December
7-8 2012. If this bird hangs around two more days, it will be the latest record
of American Golden-Plover in the state. While I observed it, it was actively
foraging and spent some time resting and preening. So it seems to be doing well
so far.
The sewage ponds hosted a smattering of ducks, with highlights including Ruddy
Duck, Redhead, Gadwall, and Northern Shoveler. A juvenile Great Blue Heron
looked miserable on Blue Lake.
Good birding,
Alyssa DeRubeis
Golden Valley, Hennepin Co.
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