[mou] Nobles & Jackson Counties 3/25-26/2007

[CRAIG MANDEL]

March 25/26/2007

Have been leading a trip for my the Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter 
to SW Minnesota for the last couple days.  On the evening of the 25th, we 
spent 3 hours searching the lakes and fields around Worthington and the only 
Geese observed in the area were about 100 Canada Geese.  With many of those 
being birds on territories.  Today we had a little better luck, but still 
only a small number of Geese.  The lakes are open in the area and did have 
lots of Ducks.  We observed more Canvasback Ducks (1000s), on Round Lake in 
Jackson county than I can ever remember seeing in one location.  Here are 
some of the species we did get to see.

Greater White-fronted Goose - Nobles County - CR 4 & Ulrich Road - 30 birds 
were observed in a partially flooded field from 7:15 to 7:45 am, we returned 
past this location at 4:00 pm and there were no Geese left in the area.
Snow Goose - Nobles County - several 100, same location as the Greater 
White-fronted Geese.  Jackson County - small flocks were observed on Round 
and Illinois Lakes during the morning and afternoon.
Ross's Goose - Nobles County - 27 were observed at the CR 4 location and 3 
were observed in Jackson County on Round Lake.
Cackling Goose - Jackson County - We observed 6 Cackling Geese at the 
Summer's WMA, located along Hyw. 86, just South of I 90.
Trumpeter Swan - Jackson County - Two Trumpeter Swans were observed at 
Summer's WMA, one had a Red neck band with the label P66 on it.  The other 
Swan was untagged.
For Ducks we observed 19 species, with a small number of Greater Scaup on 
Round Lake in Jackson county being the most unusual ones.
American Woodcock - Nobles county - Hawkeye county park - 4 or 5 birds were 
heard at sunset on the 25th.
Franklin's Gull - Nobles county - only one was observed in a field along CR 
3, South of the town of Round Lake.
Bonaparte's Gull - These were observed in a number of locations, in both 
Nobles and Jackson County.
Eastern Screech Owl - Nobles county - Two Gray phased birds were observed at 
Hawkeye County Park in Nobles county at sunset on the 25th.
Vesper Sparrow - Nobles county - a single bird was observed along 335th St.
Fox Sparrow - Jackson County - A small flock of Fox Sparrows were observed 
at Robertson County Park.
Rusty Blackbird - a small number of these were observed in both counties.

Species not seen
Great-tailed Grackle - We did not see this species, but did spend time in 
the morning and afternoon at there usual locations.  So they may not be back 
yet.

Craig Mandel, Minnetonka, MN
EgretCMan@msn.com