[mou] MRVAC - Western Minnesota - Field Trip Report - 3/30 - 4/1, 2008

[CRAIG MANDEL]

March 30 - April 1, 2008

Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter
Field Trip Report

Western Minnesota
Swift, Lac Qui Parle, Big Stone & Chippewa Counties

I just returned from a trip to Western Minnesota and while we encountered 
some snowy weather, we also found large numbers of Waterfowl.  We observed a 
total of 27 different species of Geese, Swans and Ducks.  With 10s of 
thousands of Geese being observed.  Some of the best locations were in Swift 
county, along Highway 119 at the North West end of Lac Qui Parle Lake and 
also on the South East end of Marsh Lake.  In Lac Qui Parle County we spent 
a lot of time along CR 34 and CR 38, near the town of Louisburg looking at 
Geese and Ducks.  There was also a large group of Geese along Highway 119, 
2.25 miles South of CR 34.

Sunday evening, there was a constant flight of Geese landing at the Highway 
119 location from 6:45 pm until dark.  With 100s of the flocks being Greater 
White-fronted Geese.  On Monday there were still a large number of birds 
observed here in the morning.  Then we headed over to the Louisburg area, 
were we observed large numbers of Geese in several fields and a very large 
flock that settled in near the Plover Prairie near dark.  We also found 
several large flocks of Geese in Big Stone county that day, as well along CR 
64.  Other birds of interest that day included 7 Eurasian Collared-Doves in 
the town of Milan.  For those interested in looking for them, note that we 
also observed at least one Ringed Turtle Dove in with the group of Eurasian 
Collared-Doves.

We started the day today, watching Greater Prairie Chickens and Sharp-tailed 
Grouse dancing, on a lek side by side.

Our group was based out of Appleton and stayed at the Prairie Waters Inn.

Here are some of the species we observed during the trip:

Greater White-fronted Geese - 10s of Thousands in numerous locations.
Snow Geese - 10s of Thousands in numerous locations.
Ross's Geese - small numbers were observed in Swift, Lac Qui Parle counties 
and one was observed on the South end of Lac Qui Parle Lake, in Chippewa 
County.  I also counted 86 birds on the 1st, in flight with large flocks of 
Snow Geese as they flew over our group along CR 51 in Swift county.  Late 
this morning, I counted 43 more in a large flock of Geese along Highway 119, 
several miles South of CR 34.
Cackling Geese - These were observed in small numbers in all 4 counties.
American Black Duck - A single Male American Black Duck was observed in Lac 
Qui Parle County along CR 38 about 3 miles West of Louisburg.
Sharp-tailed Grouse - 2 males were observed on a lek along 90th St., about 
1/2 mile West of 250th Avenue.  They were easily observed from the vehicle, 
at this location.
Greater Prairie Chicken - A total of 4 birds were observed a the same 
location as the Sharp-tailed Grouse.
Eurasian Collared-Dove - 7 Eurasian Collared-Doves were observed just North 
of the American Legion in the town of Milan.  3 Were observed in a tree next 
to Highway 7 and 4 were observed on the power lines on the West side of the 
road, about a half a block North of the American Legion.  This was also the 
location where the Ringed Turtle Dove was observed.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Chippewa county, CR 32, just North of CR 13.
Rusty Blackbird - small numbers were observed along CR 51 in Swift county.

Craig Mandel
EgretCMan at msn.com