[mou] Prairie Warbler - Dakota Co.
James Mattsson
mattjim@earthlink.net
Fri, 10 Jun 2005 12:39:18 -0500
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A male Prairie Warbler is occupying a well-defined territory at Ritter Farm Park, Lakeville, MN. This is a Casual species in Minnesota. I have been monitoring this bird since June 6 and have not posted due to possibility of nesting and thus, disturbance. There are no documented nesting records for Minnesota. PRAW nests from near ground level to about 10 ft in shrubs. After a combined total of 7 hours of observation, I have not seen a female, although the possibility still exists that he is mated and that a nest may exist. I have decided to post at this time becaue I am convinced that anyone can see (and hear) this bird without leaving the well defined trail and without the need of playing tapes. The bird sings frequently, moves around a well-described territory and visits the same perches in a rather predictable manner. It should easily be located within 5-10 minutes of arrival by either sight or sound. I intend to contiune monitoring for nesting so PLEASE DO NOT PLAY TAP
ES OR LEAVE THE TRAIL while in the birds territory. The main trail bisects his territory in half.
DIRECTIONS: Take I 35W to 185th Street exit. Take the service road south along the east side of I 35W for about a mile and then turn right (west) and go over freeway. Take first right at sign for Ritter Park and continue for 1/2 mile or so until you come to the main parking lot. Go thru the gate to the trailhead and you will see a map on a post. There are no maps available for the taking, so look closely at this one. Follow these instructions:
It takes about 12-15 mins. to walk from the parking lot to the bird's territory. Stay on the main trail and proceed north for a few hundred meters until you come to Shelter #4. Continue past shelter and stay to your right where the trail forks. Continue on this trail for a few hundred more meters until the trail parallels the north boundary fence. You will be walking west and there will be a row of evergreens on your left at this point. On your left you will soon see a small white sign that reads "Grant-in-Aid Trail". You are at the NE edge of PRAW territory and have probably heard him sing by now. Just ahead is a dead tree that hangs out over the trail. This is a frequently used perch so keep checking it. I obtained fairly good documentation photos here. Continue on the trail and it will soon turn sharply to the left. About 20 m west along the fence row from this point is a tall cherry (Prunus) tree and an elm tree on you right. The cherry is a favorite tree. Continue south
and you will see a post with a blue diamond on your left. From here you can see the bird's entire territory. Look to the SW about 30 m on the right side of trail and you will see a 20 ft box elder with a double trunk. This is probably the most frequented tree. From the post with the blue diamond you can see all of the main perches. A little patience and he should show up within minutes. Sort through the goldfinches and Yellow Warblers. Don't be confused (like me) by some of the oddball Field Sparrow songs in the area.
Of course, I would appreciate hearing if anyone sees a female or an adult carrying food. Use good judgement and everyone should be able to see this little guy.
Good luck and good birding,
Jim
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<DIV>A male Prairie Warbler is occupying a well-defined territory at Ritter Farm Park, Lakeville, MN. This is a Casual species in Minnesota. I have been monitoring this bird since June 6 and have not posted due to possibility of nesting and thus, disturbance. There are no documented nesting records for Minnesota. PRAW nests from near ground level to about 10 ft in shrubs. After a combined total of 7 hours of observation, I have not seen a female, although the possibility still exists that he is mated and that a nest may exist. I have decided to post at this time becaue <U>I am convinced that anyone can see (and hear) this bird without leaving the well defined trail and without the need of playing tapes</U>. The bird sings frequently, moves around a well-described territory and visits the same perches in a rather predictable manner. It should easily be located within 5-10 minutes of arrival by either sight or sound. I intend to contiune monitoring
for nesting so <STRONG>PLEASE DO NOT PLAY TAPES OR LEAVE THE TRAIL</STRONG> while in the birds territory. The main trail bisects his territory in half.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>DIRECTIONS: Take I 35W to 185th Street exit. Take the service road south along the east side of I 35W for about a mile and then turn right (west) and go over freeway. Take first right at sign for Ritter Park and continue for 1/2 mile or so until you come to the main parking lot. Go thru the gate to the trailhead and you will see a map on a post. There are no maps available for the taking, so look closely at this one. Follow these instructions:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>It takes about 12-15 mins. to walk from the parking lot to the bird's territory. Stay on the main trail and proceed north for a few hundred meters until you come to Shelter #4. Continue past shelter and stay to your right where the trail forks. Continue on this trail for a few hundred more meters until the trail parallels the north boundary fence. You will be walking west and there will be a row of evergreens on your left at this point. On your left you will soon see a small white sign that reads "Grant-in-Aid Trail". You are at the NE edge of PRAW territory and have probably heard him sing by now. Just ahead is a dead tree that hangs out over the trail. This is a frequently used perch so keep checking it. I obtained fairly good documentation photos here. Continue on the trail and it will soon turn sharply to the left. About 20 m west along the fence row from this point is a tall cherry (Prunus) tree and an elm tree on you right. The cherry is a favorite tree.
Continue south and you will see a post with a blue diamond on your left. From here you can see the bird's entire territory. Look to the SW about 30 m on the right side of trail and you will see a 20 ft box elder with a double trunk. This is probably the most frequented tree. From the post with the blue diamond you can see all of the main perches. A little patience and he should show up within minutes. Sort through the goldfinches and Yellow Warblers. Don't be confused (like me) by some of the oddball Field Sparrow songs in the area.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Of course, I would appreciate hearing if anyone sees a female or an adult carrying food. Use good judgement and everyone should be able to see this little guy.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Good luck and good birding,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Jim</DIV>
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