[mou] Dakota Co. shorebird report

[Steve Weston]

Checked out shorebird locations in Dakota County in the last couple of days. 
All of the shorebirds found were on Sunday.  Apparantly the shorebirds 
realize that I rarely can bird during the week, other than fast looks 
usually without slowing down.  Revisiting most of the locations on Monday, I 
found nothing (except Killdeer, which do not count).

Lake Byllesby:  Water is relatively high, but there are sandy shores and 
shallows on the west end.  We found a flock of Lesser Yellowlegs and a 
Spotted Sandpiper.  This is probably the best habitat in the county.  (from 
Hwy 56 & CR88 just east of Randolph, go east to first private railroad 
crossing on right and walk in)

180th Street Marsh:  About 20 birds in six species:  Both Yellowlegs, Least 
Sandpipers, a Semi-palmated Sandpiper, and a pair of courting Spotted 
Sandpipers (cool!).   (from Hwy 52 go east 4 or 5 miles).

140th Street Marsh:  Did not visit.  Heard from others.  No habitat. 
Virtually no marsh.

Castle Rock sod farms:  Some damp spots, but no shorebirds.

Empire Sod farms:  same as Castle Rock

Visited several other vernal wet spots that are usually farmed, but attract 
shorebirds.  Damp spots had no shorebirds.

Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN
sweston2 at comcast.net