Craig Mandel and I visited the two previously-described shorebird hotspots this morning. (Unfortunately I cannot find directions for the McLeod County site at the moment...all I remember is that it was along MN Hwy 7.)
The McLeod County shorebird spot had poor diversity (5 species) of 100-ish individuals, with the only highlight being 2 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS. The Wright County site was a bit more productive, containing several hundred birds of 7 species. The highlights include GREATER YELLOWLEGS and DOWITCHER SP. (we assume Short-billed Dowitcher). One of the biggest highlights of the whole trip was getting excellent views of 11 SORAS out in the open. It was likely the same family group that Pete Hoeger observed a few days ago. We got some good looks at the secretive adult COMMON GALLINULE as well. Other birds heard/seen include a singing Swamp Sparrow and Marsh Wren, Franklin's Gulls, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. Trumpeter Swans were also observed in Wright and Hennepin Counties. Good birding! Alyssa DeRubeis Golden Valley, Hennepin Co. ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
