May 16 - 19, 2009
Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter
South Western Minnesota
Field Trip Report
140 - Species observe for the entire trip.
Just finished a trip to South Western Minnesota, with a group of birders from
MRVAC. The most unusual species we observed was an adult Mississippi Kite.
Here is a break down of the trip, with locations and some of the species we
observed. Please email me directly for further information on the trip or the
species we observed.
May 16 - Watonwan County - 63 species observed between 4:00 and 7:30 pm.
Fedji Lake - Small wave of Warblers here and an Osprey was observed near the
lake
Eagles nest County Park - Wood Thrush - 3 birds heard and observed in the main
parking area. Mix of Warblers and Sparrows also observed here.
Town of Butterfield Sewage Ponds - Snow Geese (19), Ross's Goose (1)
***Note that you may no longer enter these ponds, without permission. It may
be possible to arrange for permission through the city. But currently the
Mayor and County Sheriff have asked at least 4 groups of birders that I am
aware to leave the ponds. So while there are a number of interesting species
there, I would highly recommend that you do not enter the ponds. The Geese
were visible from the road on the 16th.
May 17 - Nobles County - 102 species observed between 4:45 am and 4:00 pm
Hawkeye County Park - Orchard Oriole
Worthington - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was observed in
the trees along Okabena lake.
Peterson WMA - Snow Goose - One White phase and one Blue phase Snow Goose were
observed in the marsh along Paul Avenue, just North of 320th St.
Flooded field, with 9 species of shorebirds - 220th St., 1/2 mile West of
Highway 256.
Fury Island County Park - 12 species of Warblers, 10 species of Sparrows
Hawkeye County Park - Orchard Oriole
May 17, 18, 19 - Rock County 111 species observed between 6:00 pm on the 17th
and 6:30 am on the 19th
Gravel Quarry ponds, NE of Luverne
***The owner of the quarry, stopped and spoke to me on the 18th and was very
nice. He has no problem with people birding from the road and understands the
importance of the area to birders and is interested in birds himself. But he
does not want anyone birding on his property. It is fine to bird from the side
of the road and one can observe all of the birds we did with out leaving the
side of the road. Also if you are birding there when the quarry is open,
please be considerate of the truck traffic there.
City of Luverne Sewage Ponds - Accessed through the Golden Plump Processing
Plant.
***Please follow the directions noted on the MOU web page, to access these
ponds. The people I spoke with were very friendly and helpful, but make a
note, it took me a week for the Chamber of Commerce to arrange for my access to
the ponds, as there was a new woman working there and was unfamiliar with the
process. So give yourself plenty of time before your visit to gain access.
The South East ponds had some great mud flats and about 200 shorebirds, with 12
different species observed there.
Common Loon - 2 winter plumage birds at the gravel quarry ponds on the evening
of the 17th.
Western Grebe - One Western Grebe was observed at the gravel quarry ponds on
the morning of the 18th.
Virginia Rail - Luverne Sewage ponds
Ruddy Turnstone - One Ruddy Turnstone was still present at the gravel quarry
ponds on the 17th & 18th.
Sanderling - Three Sanderling's were present on the 17th and 18th.
Eurasian Collared-Dove - This species was observed in several location in the
town of Luverne.
Blue Grosbeak - A single male Blue Grosbeak was observed at Blue Mounds State
Park on the 18th. The bird was observed in the trees to the north of the Dam.
May 19 - Pipestone County - 81 species observed, between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm.
Gray Partridge - Two birds were observed in the grassy area on the West of the
Pipestone sewage ponds.
Common Loon - Pipestone sewage ponds
***Mississippi Kite*** - An adult Mississippi Kite was observed in flight for 4
to 5 minutes at 1:45 pm, at the intersection of 61st street & 70th
Avenue.
Ruddy Turnstone - SW pond at the Pipestone sewage ponds
White-rumped Sandpiper - 100+ at the SW pond at the Pipestone sewage ponds
Red-necked Phalarope - 2, at the SW pond at the Pipestone sewage ponds
Orchard Oriole - 16 at 5 different locations in the county, including at least
9 at Split Rock Creek State park.
Craig Mandel
egretc...@msn.com<mailto:egretc...@msn.com>
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