[mou] Arctic Tern, Lac qui Parle Co., 14 July: still more directions, and an update

[Chu, Philip]

Regarding the Arctic Tern, as mentioned previously the bird was seen from the end of Ruby Red Peninsula, so known because it's the site of the Ruby Red Quarry.

To reach the Ruby Red Peninsula access road - which you cannot drive, but can walk - head south from the Big Stone NWR headquarters.  The road you're heading south on will be Big Stone CR 19, which becomes Lac qui Parle CR 15 as soon as you cross the Minnesota River, i.e., as soon as you cross into Lac qui Parle Co.

Heading south from the Big Stone NWR headquarters on Big Stone CR 19/Lac qui Parle CR 15, look for the second gated road on the left.  This is the Ruby Red Peninsula access road.

Walk down the gravel access road until you come to a fork.  The left side of the fork is gravel and heads straight for the quarry, whereas the right side of the fork is a mowed two-track and leads to the tip of the peninsula.  Take the right side of the fork to the tip of the peninsula.  I'm not sure about the length of this walk, but suspect it to be close to a mile.

Barb and Denny Martin walked out to the tip of the peninsula on the afternoon of the 14th, but did not see the tern.

Incidentally, although Peder and I saw no white terns at Big Stone NWR except for the Arctic, the Martins saw something like eight Forster's, and Bill Unzen has seen roughly 30 Forster's at the refuge within the past week.

Phil Chu
Department of Biology
St. John's University
Collegeville, MN 56321