[mou] Freeborn County - May 9, 2008

[CRAIG MANDEL]

May 9, 2008
7:30am - 3:30pm

Enjoyed a very nice day, birdwatching in Freeborn county today with Phyllis 
Bofferding, Linda Felker and Kathy Kinghorn.  We observed over 120 species 
in the county, with large numbers of Yellow-rumped and Yellow Warblers 
present.  There were also many White-throated Sparrows, especially at the 
group camp at Myre-Big Island State Park.  We also had a large variety of 
birds along the West side of Geneva Lake.  Including 14 species of waterfowl 
present on the lake.  Here are some notes on some of the species we observed 
today.


Sora - 5 birds were heard calling from a small wet grassy area, just east of 
the group camp in Myre-Big Island State Park.
Blue-headed Vireo - Several were observed at Myre-Big Island State Park.
Purple Martin - There were two Martin houses with Martins in them at the 
North East corner of the town of Geneva.
Swallow's - all five species of Swallows were observed at Geneva Lake, with 
Tree and Barn Swallow being very abundant.
Red-breasted Nuthatch - A single bird was heard near the group camp at 
Myre-Big Island State Park.
Sedge Wren - heard in 3 or 4 areas around the county.
Marsh Wren - Heard and seen along the West side of Geneva Lake.
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Observed a few along the West shore of Geneva Lake.
Veery - Observed and heard at Myre-Big Island State Park.
Gray-cheeked Thrush - Seen at several locations in Myre-Big Island State 
Park.
Swainson's Thrush - Observed at several locations in the county.
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher - Heard and observed in 5 or 6 locations in the county.
Warbler's - 16 species observed, with Yellow-rumped and Yellow being very 
common.  Others observed include, Tennessee, Orange-crowned, Nashville, 
Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Palm, Blackpoll, 
Black-and-White, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush (15+), 
Common Yellowthroat and Wilson's.
Sparrows were very abundant, with nice looks at many White-throated Sparrows 
and some of the other Sparrows observed included, Vesper, Lincoln's, Swamp, 
Harris's and White-crowned.
Bobolink - Several were observed at Myre-Big Island State Park.
Purple Finch - A female Purple Finch was observed near the upper campground 
at Myre-Big Island State Park.

Craig Mandel
EgretCMan at msn.com
Hennepin County, MN