[mou] Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Nicolett County

[rdunlap@gac.edu]

Today I birded Le Sueur, Nicolett, and Blue Earth counties with John Hockema and
Dave Bartkey. Our best find was undoubtedly both a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow
and a Le Conte's Sparrow in Nicolett County at the Swan Lake conservation club
access on the southeast side of the lake. The birds were foraging at the edge
of the inlet on the east side of the grassy point.  We had spectacular views of
the Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow; at one point the bird was no more than five
feet in front of us! Elsewhere, we found:

Le Sueur County:

-several flocks of Cackling Geese flying over Kasota Prairie
-at least two Le Conte's Sparrows while walking the Kasota Prairie
-Northern Harrier flying over Kasota Prairie

Nicolett County:

-Peregrine Falcon dive-bombing a Turkey Vulture at Fort Ridgely State Park
-both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets at Fort Ridgely SP

Blue Earth County:

-both Kinglets at Williams Nature Center

Good birding to all!

Bob Dunlap, Nicolett County