[mou] Shorebird update from Nicollet County

[rdunlap at gustavus.edu]

The shorebird ponds at the WMA 1 mile north of Hwy. 99 on the east  
side of Hwy. 111 in Nicollet County are currently much less productive  
than they have been the past couple of weeks. This morning the first  
pond you come to on the dirt trail was completely dry; not even a  
Killdeer was present there. The second pond still has lots of water  
and mudlfats, but for some reason it doesn't seem to be attracting a  
big variety of shorebirds. This morning in this pond there were the  
usual Lesser Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers, Semipalmated Sandpipers,  
Pectoral Sandpipers, Killdeer, and Semipalmated Plovers. Of course,  
things could change overnight, and if this area gets any significant  
amount of rain then the first pond might again have habitat.

Interesting was a Least Bittern calling "kak-kak-kak" in the cattail  
marsh surrounding the small lake to the east of these ponds. There was  
also a family of Red-necked Grebes actively foraging on the lake.

Bob Dunlap, Nicollet County
bobthebirdman.blogspot.com