A Birder's Guide to Minnesota

 

Corrections and Additions (as of August 2007)

 

Kim R. Eckert

 

These updates to the 4th edition of A Birder's Guide to Minnesota (revised 2002), which will be included as needed here and in the M.O.U.'s newsletter Minnesota Birding, are to provide those who use this standard reference to Minnesota's birding locations with as accurate and up-to-date information as possible. Accordingly, please contact the author with corrections and additions as you find them so they can be passed on to other Minnesota birders. Either e-mail them to eckertkr@gmail.com, or send by U.S. mail to 1921 W. Kent Rd., Duluth, MN 55812. For additional information about A Birder's Guide to Minnesota, contact the author.

 

My thanks to Jim Barrett, William Brown, Cindy Butler, Cathy Clayton, Shawn Conrad, Herb Dingmann, Bob Dunlap, Bob Ekblad, Michael Evans, Janet Green, John Hockema, Allison Jensen, Doug Johnson, Jeanie Joppru, Chuck Krulas, Fred Lesher, Jim Lind, Molly Malacek, Craig Mandel, Bill Marengo, Barb and Denny Martin, Jim Mattsson, Scott Meyer, Warren Nelson, Cindy & Kim Risen, Bob Russell, Julian Sellers, Peder Svingen, Brian Smith, Tony Smith, Linda Sparling, Bill Stauffer, Jeff Stephenson, Shelley Steva, Steve Stucker, Dan and Sandy Thimgan, Ben Wieland, Steve Wilson, and Ned Winters who have contributed information for these updates.

 

Note: Boldface type indicates new information since the previous update (April 2007).

 

*          *          *          *          *

 

INTRODUCTION

 

References and Resources / Books (p.7)

 

The new address of the Minnesota Bookstore is 660 Olive St., St. Paul 55155; they now have a website on which orders can be placed: www.comm.media.state.mn.us/bookstore.

 

The new "Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail" booklet includes 17 loops to 132 birding areas in the vast Minnesota River watershed of western and south-central Minnesota. It is available for $2.00 from Audubon Minnesota, 2357 Ventura Dr., Suite 106, St. Paul 55125; you can also download the information at www.birdingtrail.org.

 

A Guide to Minnesota's Prairie Passage Route and Sites is a free booklet available from the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Office of Environmental Services (address on p. 7; telephone 651-284-3765). Includes historical, natural history, and other information on 38 sites along the so-called Prairie Passage Route, most of which are included in the West Region.

 

References and Resources / Maps (p. 7-8)

 

The DOT county highway maps are now available from the Minnesota Bookstore (see above).

 

A new and recommended atlas with detailed county maps is the Minnesota Highway and Recreational Atlas ($19.95; published by Cloud Cartographics in St. Cloud, telephone 800-731-8005, website www.ccimaps.com). Almost all back roads statewide are now signed as numbered streets and avenues, and this is currently the only complete set of maps with this information. Sold at many convenience stores and other retailers along side the DeLorme atlases.

 

The “Great River Birding Trail” maps of the Mississippi River Valley are now available online at <http://www.audubon.org/campaign/umr/birdmaps.html>; also available online are the Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail maps at <http://www.birdingtrail.org>.

 

References and Resources / Checklists (p. 8)

 

Bob Ekblad's website address  is now <birding-minnesota.com>. This website includes good information on birding locations (especially Olmsted County), contacts, and other resources (including these updates to A Birder's Guide to Minnesota).

 

References and Resources / Hotlines (p. 8)

 

The Duluth Birding Report telephone number has been changed to (218) 834-2858.

 

References and Resources / Bird Clubs (p. 8)

 

The MOU's new website address is moumn.org.

 

To subscribe to the MOU-net listserve (mou-net@moumn.org), see the instructions at <http://moumn.org/subscribe.html>.

 

References and Resources / Birding Tours (p. 8)

 

The new address of Minnesota Birding Weekends is c/o Kim Eckert, 1921 W. Kent Rd., Duluth 55812, e-mail <eckertkr@gmail.com>.

 

References and Resources / Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (p. 9)

 

Checks for memberships and other inquiries about Hawk Ridge should now be sent to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, which now manages Hawk Ridge (P. O. Box 3006, Duluth 55803; telephone 218-428-6209; website www.hawkridge.org).

 

References and Resources / A Birder's Guide to Birders (p. 9-10)

 

Kim Eckert's new address is 1921 W. Kent Rd., Duluth 55812, e-mail <eckertkr@gmail.com>. There are also new e-mail addresses for: Craig Mandel (egretcman@msn.com); Dave Benson (bensodavid@gmail.com); Mike Hendrickson (smithville4@charter.net); and Jim Lind (jslind@frontiernet.net).

 

ANNOTATED LIST OF MINNESOTA BIRDS

 

As of 1 January 2007, the MOU Records Committee recognizes 432 species recorded in the state. Since the publication of this guide in 2002, Cackling Goose, Brown Pelican, Wood Stork,  Slaty-backed Gull, Costa's Hummingbird, and Green Violet-ear have been added, and Black Phoebe has been deleted. There are now 312 species classified as Regular, 35 Casual, 82 Accidental, 2 Extirpated, and 1 Extinct.

 

Additional identification reference books of note since the 2002 publication of this guide (see p. 15):

• The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern / Western North America (Eastern guide includes Minnesota; smaller and more portable than original Sibley Guide, but much material omitted)

• National Geographic Society Field Guide is now in its 5th edition (except for some range maps and a new section illustrating North American accidentals, little changed from 4th edition)

• Identify Yourself: The 50 Most Common Birding Identification Challenges by Thompson et al. (similar in concept to Kaufman's Advanced Birding guide, but newer and includes superior color illustrations and more species)

• Raptors of Eastern / Western North America by Wheeler (two large and expensive volumes greatly expand on material in the two Clark & Wheeler guides)

• Hawks from Every Angle; How to Identify Raptors in Flight by Liguori (new and recommended guide to 19 widespread North American species, with 370 photos)

• Shorebirds of North America: The Photographic Guide by Paulson (more inclusive and useful than Paulson's other shorebirds guide)

• The Shorebird Guide by O'Brien, Crossley, and Karlson (new and recommended photographic guide to all species ever recorded in North America; includes 870+ photos and extensive text)

• Shorebirds of North America, Europe, and Asia by Message and Taylor (illustrated with paintings, not photos; includes non-North American species)

• Gulls of North America, Europe, and Asia by Olsen & Larsson (printed in 2003 with many errors, withdrawn by publisher, corrected and republished in 2004; far more comprehensive than Grant's gulls guide)

• Gulls of the Americas by Howell and Dunn (as comprehensive as Olsen and Larsson’s 2004 gull reference, and this newer guide is more user-friendly)

• Sparrows of the United States and Canada: The Photographic Guide by Beadle and Rising (recommended supplement to Rising's other sparrows guide)

• Tanagers, Cardinals, and Finches of the United States and Canada by Beadle and Rising (a useful photographic guide similar in design to the sparrows guide by these same authors)

 

Additional ID references of note on specific birds published since 2002:

• White-faced Ibis (p. 17) / North American Birds 57:136-139

• Canada (& Cackling) Goose (p. 18) / The Loon 76:99-102

• Tundra Swan (p. 18) / The Loon 75:230-234 and The Loon 78:227-231

• Mississippi Kite (p. 21) / Birding 36:508-519 and The Loon 74:110-112

• gallinaceous birds (p. 23-24) / The Loon 77:175-180

• Short-billed Dowitcher (p. 28) / The Loon 78:48-52 (Note: not recommended is a recent article in Birding 38:34-42; see The Loon 78:172-175)

• Thayer’s Gull (p. 30) / The Loon 74:168-173

• Yellow-bellied (& Red-naped) Sapsucker (p. 34) / Birding 38:42-51

• swallows (p. 37-38) / The Loon 77:111-114

• longspurs (p. 46) / Birding 35:508-514

• Eastern Meadowlark (p. 47) / The Loon 78:111-114

 

Tundra Swan ID (p. 18)

 

Swan identification can be even more difficult than stated, with most differences between Tundras and Trumpeters difficult to see, variable, or even unreliable depending on age or season. Culmen shape, crown profile, shape of feathering above bill and by the gape, overall size, juvenile bill color, and juvenile plumage darkness must all be used with caution and only in combination with other field marks. None of the field guides, Geographic and Sibley included, adequately cover this; be sure to consult the two articles in The Loon cited above.

 

Red-shouldered Hawk ID (p. 22)

 

Juveniles can show a pattern of "wavy" or "zig-zag" tail bands, reminiscent of the Northern Goshawk's; Red-shouldered's pale tail bands are normally narrower than the dark bands (goshawk's pale bands wider than dark bands).

 

WEST REGION

 

Kittson County (p. 54-55)

 

The Wallace C. Dayton area, part of The Nature Conservancy's Tallgrass Aspen Parkland Project, now has Sharp-tailed Grouse observation blinds; call (218) 498-2679 for information.

 

Amended directions to the Hallock sewage ponds: from Highway 175, go 2.1 miles south on Highway 75, then 1 mile west and 0.2 mile north.

 

Roseau County (p. 55-59)

 

The habitat along the back roads south and west of Roseau River Wildlife Management Area (inset B), including the sedge marshes along County Road 7 (4), is not as productive as before. The remaining grasslands and marshes are now fragmented by brushlands, aspen stands, and agriculture.

 

The north-south road through the meadows on inset C (C5) is now signed 360th Avenue. To reach this area from Roseau, it is best to go west 3 miles on Highway 11 to County Road 123 and then north 4 miles. This area can be reached by going north 4 miles from Roseau on Highway 310 and then west 3 miles, but this east-west road may be impassable in wet weather.

 

Pennington County (p. 62-63)

 

As of May 2005, the north-south road past the west side of Goose Lake (see inset A) was in good condition and passable its entire length. The mixed habitats of marshes, thickets, and grasslands are still intact here and, except for prairie-chickens, remain potentially good for the species mentioned.

 

Red Lake County (p. 63)

 

The productive cemetery for birding is Oak Grove Cemetery on County Road 1, located 1.5 miles east of Highway 32. (The cemetery a mile east of 32 has little or no birding potential.)

 

The Red Lake Falls sewage ponds have been enlarged and are definitely worth checking. Amended directions are: from downtown, take Third Street west to its end at the edge of town, then go 0.5 mile north and 0.2 mile west.

 

The smaller Plummer sewage ponds are on Central Avenue (not Main Street), 0.2 mile west of the river.

 

Polk County (p. 64-67)

 

Amended directions to the McIntosh sewage ponds: 0.7 mile east on Highway 2 to 370th Street, north 0.1 mile to the T, then continue north on the dirt track 0.2 mile.

 

The east-west road to the Wetlands, Pines, and Prairie Audubon Sanctuary (1) is now signed 190th Street.

 

The so-called Melo water impoundment near the Wetlands, Pines, and Prairie Audubon Center (1) can attract a variety of water birds in wet years during summer or migration (in dry years, this location has been plowed up and planted): from the Audubon Center on 190th Street, go 1.5 miles east, 2 miles south, 2 miles east, and 1 mile south. 

 

 Note the county road numbers in this area have been renumbered and can be confusing: 

• County Road 23 goes east from Angus for 5.3 miles, then 3 miles north, and now continues 4 miles east to the Pennington County line (where it becomes County Road 8). 

 • At the corner where County 23 turns east, County Road 69 goes west 1 mile, north 1 mile, then west 6 miles to Highway 75. 

 • And where County 69 turns west, County Road 68 goes north 2.4 miles to the Marshall County line (where it becomes County Road 36 to Highway 1).

 

The Malmberg Prairie west of Crookston (see p. 65) was wet enough in 2005 to attract Yellow Rails; accordingly, Le Conte's and possibly Nelson's Sharp-tailed sparrows should also occur here during summer or migration.

 

There are now prairie-chicken observation blinds at The Nature Conservancy's Glacial Ridge Project / National Wildlife Refuge (see p. 66); call (218) 637-2146 for information. Glacial Ridge N.W.R. (see inset C) now has a headquarters building on Highway 32, 3 miles south of Highway 2. This refuge, which includes portions of the former Crookston Cattle Company (C5) and other nearby areas, has created some water impoundments along County Road 45 west of Highway 32.

 

The county landfill east of Crookston often attracts good numbers of gulls during migration. On Highway 2, go 6 miles west from Highway 32 (or 8 miles east from Highway 9) to County Road 44, then 1 mile north and 0.3 mile east.

 

Crookston’s municipal sewage ponds (9) have recently become off-limits to birders, although efforts are underway to restore access. For more information, contact Pat Kelly at the city’s Water Department: (218) 281-5711.

 

Clay County (p. 72-74)

 

Among the gulls attracted recently to the county landfill have been California Gulls on two occasions. On Highway 10, go 4 miles west from Hawley (or 2.2 miles east from Buffalo River State Park) to County Road 23, then 2.5 miles south. 

 

Wilkin County (p. 74-76)

 

The roads in the Rothsay area (inset A) and elsewhere in the county are now numbered on street signs: the east-west road by the prairie-chicken lek (A1) is 190th Street; the parallel road a mile to the south is 200th Street; and the north-south road at the east end of 190th and 200th is 300th Avenue.

 

There are small sewage ponds in Rothsay on Third Avenue N.W., just south of the giant prairie-chicken!

 

Otter Tail County (p. 76-79)

 

The sewage ponds in Perham just south of Highway 10 and east of Highway 78 are along Minnesota Street (not 425th Street). The Underwood sewage ponds are 0.5 mile east (not west) from County Road 35.

 

There are new sewage ponds in Henning and Urbank: from the junction of Highways 108 and 210 in Henning, go 0.8 mile northeast on 210 to County Road 67, then 0.1 mile west and 0.6 mile north on 67; the small Urbank ponds are 0.2 mile west on County Road 38.

 

Battle Lake now has sewage ponds: from Highway 210, go north 0.4 mile on Highway 78 to County Road 83, then west 1.2 miles.

 

Douglas County (p. 79-80)

 

Amended directions to the Osakis sewage ponds: on Highway 27, go west 1 block from the County Road 3 junction, then south 1 mile on Clifford Lake Road.

 

There are new sewage ponds at Kensington, located 1.8 miles southeast on Highway 55.

 

Grant County (p. 80-82)

 

Black-crowned Night-Herons apparently no longer nest at Egret Island (B2). However, Cattle Egrets are still there, and they still favor the pasture on the south side of Pelican Lake, along the dead-end road north off County Road 54, a mile west of the county line (see inset B).

 

There are sewage ponds at Elbow Lake located on County Road 25, 1.5 miles west of Highway 54 (see inset A).

 

Amended directions to the Hoffman sewage ponds: 0.3 mile south from Highway 27 on 7th Street N., then 0.3 mile east on Carolina Avenue.

 

Traverse County (p. 83-84)

 

Amended directions to Miller Prairie West: south on County Road 15 for 2 miles from Highway 27, then west 1 mile to the 320-acre tract's northeast corner; turn south for 0.5 mile along the tract's east side, and/or continue west for 1 mile along the north side.

 

A third area worth birding in the Mud Lake vicinity (see inset A) is White Lake Wildlife Management Area, 2 miles north of the lake on County Road 10 just east of the Red River. There are thickets and planted conifers for migrants, and in dry periods the river's mudflats can attract herons/egrets and shorebirds.

 

There are new sewage ponds in Dumont: from the junction of Highway 75 and County Road 6, go 1.2 miles north on 75, then 0.2 mile east.

 

Stevens County (p. 84-85)

 

There are new sewage ponds in Hancock: from downtown, take the first street west of the railroad tracks (Pacific Avenue / Old Highway 9) and go 1.3 miles southeast.

 

Pope County (p. 85)

 

There are new small sewage ponds at Cyrus, located 1 mile east on Highway 28.

 

Kandiyohi County (p. 87-88)

 

There are new sewage ponds in Raymond: from Highway 23, go north 0.5 mile on County Road 7, then west 0.5 mile.

 

Lac Qui Parle County (p. 93-96)

 

The Nature Conservancy tract west of Appleton along Swift County Road 51 (see inset A) no longer exists.

 

The road which turns northwest off Highway 119 towards the Marsh Lake dam is now numbered 115th Street S.W. (see inset A); the road which goes southwest and dead-ends at the dam is now numbered 100th Street S.W.

 

Renville County (p. 99-102)

 

Amended directions to the area along the Minnesota River northwest of Granite Falls (see inset C): turn north off Highway 212 on 15th Street (the first street west of the railroad viaduct), go 3 blocks to a T, jog east 1 block to 14th Street, and follow 14th as it turns west onto 306th Avenue along the river; 306th comes out on Highway 212, about 4 miles west of town.

 

Yellow Medicine County (p. 102-103)

 

There are now large sewage ponds at Canby: from downtown, go 0.9 miles northeast on Highway 75 to County Road 3, then east 1.1 miles. 

 

There are new small sewage ponds in St. Leo: 0.5 mile north on County Road 11, then 0.2 mile east.

 

Lyon County (p. 106-108)

 

The Lincoln-Lyon county line shown on inset B should be located 1 mile to the east.

 

The Lyon County landfill just north of Black Rush Lake is 1 mile west of Highway 23 on County Road 59 and 0.5 mile north; confirmed records here include California Gull.

 

There are sewage ponds at Russell: west 1.1 miles from Highway 23 on County Road 59, then 0.5 mile south.

 

Brown County (p. 109-110)

 

The correct spelling of the brewery in New Ulm is Schell.

 

The sewage ponds in Sleepy Eye on 9th Avenue S.W. are owned by Del Monte and are off-limits to birders. The municipal ponds on Highway 4 are better for birding and open to walk-in access.

 

Cottonwood County (p. 111-113)

 

Another name for Regier Slough (see inset A) is Regehr Wildlife Management Area.

 

Great-tailed Grackles appear to have nested at Bat Lake in 2002 and 2003: the west side of the lake is 0.5 mile south, 0.5 mile east, and 0.5 mile south from Delft.

 

Pipestone County (p. 116-117)

 

As they did several summers ago near Cazenovia, Chestnut-collared Longspurs may still breed in northwestern Pipestone County: some were found in 2006 in an Altona Township pasture north of Cazenovia. Because the site is on private land, the exact location was not given, but the best potential habitat may be in the 3 x 3 mile area bounded on the east by Highway 75, on the north by the Lincoln County line, on the west by County Road 15, and on the south by County Road 10.   

 

Rock County (p. 117-119)

 

As of May 2007, it was possible to arrange birding access to the sewage ponds in Luverne (B3) at the Gold ‘N Plump plant: the contact person was David Smith at the Luverne Chamber of Commerce, telephone (888) 283-4061 or e-mail <luvernechamb@iw.net>. (However, do not attempt to enter the site without advance permission.)

 

Nobles County (p. 119-120)

 

Sunrise Prairie is no longer a county park and is too small an area for birding.

 

In the recreation area at the south side of Lake Bella (see inset A), be sure to check the extensive stands of planted conifers during migration/winter for roosting owls, crossbills, etc.

 

Alternate directions to the county park at Indian Lake: from the south side of Lake Bella, go 0.5 mile east, 2 miles north, 5 miles east, and 1.5 miles south. Be sure to check the heavily wooded south end of Indian Lake for migrants: follow the road east through the county park until it ends.

 

The power plant in Worthington has shut down and been dismantled; therefore, Okabena Lake (inset A) is no longer a potential site for wintering waterfowl.

 

Amended directions to the Worthington sewage ponds from the north (see inset A): from Interstate 90, go 2 miles northeast on Highway 60 to County Road 36, then east on 36 across the tracks, and south 0.5 mile on Sundberg Avenue to the ponds (visibility limited).

 

Jackson County (p. 121-123)

 

Amended directions to the mudflats in the Heron Lake Outlet stream (shown but not labeled on inset A): from Highway 60, go 1.3 miles south and east on County Road 24 to the junction with a north-south road; from here, one view of the Outlet is 0.4 mile east, and the other is 0.3 mile south.

 

The point for birding in Sandy Point County Park (see inset A) is accessed next to the observation tower, before you reach the end of the park road. There is now access to another good point just north of the park: follow the dead-end road which turns north by the park entrance.

 

The wooded road along the Des Moines River just northwest of Jackson is now numbered 530th Avenue (see inset C).

 

The town of Round Lake in southeastern Nobles County has its sewage ponds in Jackson County: from downtown, go south on Main Street to 6th Avenue, turn east on 6th (or County Road 51) for 1/2 mile, and where it curves south continue east on the dirt road to the gated ponds on the Jackson side of the county line.

 

SOUTHEAST REGION

 

Principal Birding Locations (p. 125)

 

On the Migration map, "s" is Mille Lacs Lake; on the Summer/Breeding map, "s" is St. John's University, "t" is Lake Osakis, and "u" is Crane Meadows NWR.

 

Faribault County (p. 126)

 

The sewage ponds at Winnebago and the ponds off County Road 29 at Wells no longer exist.

 

Fillmore County (p. 129-131)

 

The two best areas for woods birds (e.g., Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Blue-winged Wabler, Louisiana Waterthrush) at Forestville State Park (A1) are along Forestville Creek (near the park's west entrance and contact station) and Canfield Creek (immediately east of the contact station, turn south on the road which dead-ends at the group campground, and hike south on Big Spring Trail).

 

Henslow's Sparrows have been found in recent summers in the weedy field at Hvoslef Wildlife Management Area (see directions, p. 131).

 

There are also two good heavily wooded areas just north of Hvoslef WMA, To reach the first, return to County Rd 23, go north 2.6 miles to County Road 12, then east on 12 for 2.3 miles, bear left on the gravel road where 12 curves south, and 1 mile north is the Cabbage Rock / Shattuck Creek area.

 

To reach the second area, return to County Road 12, go left or southeast 0.5 mile, and turn right or south on a minimum maintenance road which leads downhill about 2 miles to the Root River.

 

Another good area for woods birds is Good Earth Village, a religious retreat near Spring Valley which is open to birders. From the junction of Highways 16 and 63 in Spring Valley (see inset C), go north 2 blocks on County Road 1 to Farmer Street / County Road 8, turn east on 8 past the fish hatchery ponds, and continue another 4.3 miles northeast on County 8 to the Good Earth sign. Follow the driveway to the main lodge where trail maps are available; the best areas are along the south end of the Fish Trail and the north end of the Clover Trail.

 

Houston County (p. 132-136)

 

The area in southern Houston County for Northern Bobwhites (A2) can no longer be recommended. After thorough research, it has been determined that the species has been essentially extirpated from Minnesota as a "wild" bird, with any bobwhites sighted at present or in recent years all presumed to have originated from local game farm releases.

 

On inset B, County Road 29 leading north out of La Crescent and continuing northwest as Winona County Road 1 is the Apple Blossom Scenic Drive. It is not only scenic, but this road also has places to scan for raptors and other migrants above the Mississippi River, and it passes thickets and fields with potential for such rarities as Bell's Vireo and Henslow's Sparrow. The main stoplight intersection in La Crescent is where Highway 16 / 14 / 61 turns east towards La Crosse. From this intersection, take the frontage road on the west side of the highway (Walnut Street) 1 block north to Third Street, then go 2 blocks west to Elm Street, and then north on Elm which becomes the Scenic Drive.

 

The marshy wetlands at Mound Prairie (B5) appeared drier than normal in spring 2004 and were unproductive for water birds. However, a large nearby wetland appeared to be potentially as good as Mound Prairie used to be: it is located along the north side of Highway 16, 3.4 miles west of the Highway 44 junction in Hokah.

 

In the Reno area (C6), Tundra Swans have been congregating along the Mississippi River by the thousands in recent Novembers, their numbers normally much greater than in the Weaver area of Wabasha/Winona counties. Estimates of the swan numbers here have been as high as 20,000. The best places to scan for them and other waterfowl are between mile markers 9 and 12 along Highway 26, or about 1-3 miles north of Reno.

 

The road out of Reno to the recreation area campground (C6) is now named Hillside Road. It is worth following this road north for about another 4 miles to another recreation area campground where Tufted Titmouse and Cerulean Warbler have been found. (Farther north, in about another 4 miles, Hillside Road comes out on County Road 3, a mile west of Brownsville (see inset B).

 

Winona County (p. 137-141)

 

The wooded trail at Donehower at mile marker 13 on Highway 61 (C1) was posted as closed to public entry as of spring 2006.

 

Waseca County (p. 147)

 

Moonan Marsh is said to be the best wetland in the county, as evidenced by two Common Moorhen broods here in 2006 and Sandhill Cranes recently nesting in the area. From downtown Waseca, go 1.5 miles east on Highway 14 to County Road 4, then about 4 miles northeast to the site with the best visibility on the east side of 4.

 

One of the county’s best sites for migrant woods birds is Courthouse County Park: from downtown Waseca, go 3.5 miles south on Highway 13, then 0.7 mile west to County Road 4, then 0.5 mile south to County Road 75, and 0.5 mile west. The other wooded site is Maplewood Park just east of Waseca on County Road 4, on the southeast side of Clear Lake.

 

Bell’s Vireos were still present in 2006 at the Senn-Rich Wildlife Management Area on the west side of Highway 13, about 6 miles south of Waseca. Look especially in the southeast corner of the WMA and west of the county’s brush/compost site just north of the WMA. 

 

Blue Earth County (p. 148-149)

 

Kentucky Warblers were also found at Williams Nature Center (A1) in 2001 and were still present in 2007. The Mankato vicinity (including Seven Mile Creek County Park in Nicollet County in the 1990s) has been the only reliable area for this rare-Regular warbler in recent years.

 

Louisiana Waterthrush can also be found in Minneopa State Park (also A1) along Minneopa Creek.

 

The extensive tracts of junipers, rock outcroppings, and grasslands on the Le Sueur County portion of inset A just north and south of Kasota Prairie Scientific and Natural Area (A2) look just as good as (or even better than) the SNA for birding. Also check for Prothonotary Warblers along the creeks and Minnesota River backwaters in this vicinity, especially just north of the Le Sueur/Blue Earth county line.

 

Sibley County (p.151-152)

 

The only sewage ponds at Gibbon are the ones along Highway 19 east of town. The other "Gibbon" sewage ponds (on County Road 67, 0.6 mile east of Highway 22) are actually in Gaylord, and these are the best ones in the county. Also, the smaller and less productive sewage pond in Gaylord is on Tower (not Town) Street.

 

Le Sueur County (p. 152-153)

 

The Elysian sewage ponds on County Road 14 are located 0.7 mile east (not west) of County Road 11.

 

Goodhue County (p. 154-157)

 

Amended directions to Colville Park in Red Wing (A2): going southeast from Red Wing on Highway 61, turn right at the signs for Highway 262 and "City Park", take an immediate right and turn right again at the Colville Park sign, and turn at the bottom of the hill into the park.

 

There are some heavily wooded spots for warblers and other migrants in Red Wing along the road past Barn Bluff. Follow the street off Highway 61 (E. 7th Street) leading to the turn-off for Colville Park (A2), continue west past Colville to Centennial Street, at the Barn Bluff signs turn right to 5th Street, and then right again past Barn Bluff until the road dead-ends by the river beyond the power plant.

 

There are sewage ponds at Cannon Falls: 1 mile north on Highway 20, then 0.4 mile west on County Road 17.

 

Dakota County (p. 157-159)

 

A reliable spot for Prothonotary Warblers has been on the east side of the Vermillion River, adjacent to the public access area on County Road 68 (see inset C).

 

Amended directions to birding access points around Lake Byllesby (2):

•  To reach the south side in Goodhue Co., about a mile south of Randolph, follow the public access signs east from Hwy 56, which lead you on Scotia Trail and 23rd Avenue for 1.3 miles to a parking area.

•  On the north side along County Road 88 / 292nd Street, hike south past the county park sign and gate, 0.2 mile east of Highway 56. Also, 0.3 mile farther east, turn south into the cemetery and follow the track back to the right.

•  To reach the east side, turn south off County Road 88 on Gerlach Way, 2.2 miles east of Highway 56, which leads to Lake Byllesby Regional Park, which has some good-looking stands of conifers. (Or from the east, go north 1 mile from Cannon Falls on Highway 20, then west on Goodhue County Road 17 / Dakota County Road 88 for 1.5 miles to the park sign.)

 

Water levels in a wetland along 180th Street just north of Vermillion are often low and attractive to herons/egrets, shorebirds, and marsh birds. From Highway 52 / 56, go 2.7 miles east on 180th Street; or from Goodwin Avenue / County Road 85, go 0.5 mile west on 180th.

 

The sod farms along Blaine Avenue are the Jirik Sod Farms. Amended directions to the Castle Rock Sod Farms: along the west side of Highway 3, just south of County Road 86 / 280th Street.

 

Carver County (p. 162-163)

 

One of the best areas of woodlands along the Minnesota River in the county is around Chaska Lake, where Acadian Flycatcher and Prothonotary Warbler sometimes summer. From Highway 41 in Chaska, take W. First Street to the west edge of town, turn south just before the railroad tracks to the ballfields, and follow the hiking trail behind the ballfields south to the lake and eventually west into the town of Carver.

 

South of Carver, Orchard Orioles and the local Lark Sparrow can be found in summer. Just west of town, turn south off County Road 40 on County Road 45, and listen for the orioles in semi-open areas between 45 and the river. The best place for Lark Sparrows is beyond the gated east end of Carver Highlands Drive, which turns east at the junction of County Roads 45 and 50.