[mou] Policy change in St. Peter

[Chad Heins]

Hey birders,

I just wanted to alert the larger birding community that the city of St. Peter is no longer granting access to the old sewage ponds on the north side of Hwy 99 (Le Sueur side of river).  I received word this morning from my contacts in the Public Works that this change is effective immediately.  When I followed up on this change in policy, my contact indicated that it was something handed down to him and that I may be able to get more information from the city administrator.  I intend to do so and will report back in the near future.

This is really one of the best locations for birding in the Mankato area.  I have seen close to 150 species of birds there over the years and a fieldtrip on October 11th netted 63 species--most of which were at this location.  It has adjacent woodlands, cattail marsh, oxbow lakes, adjacent CRP grasslands, brush piles, and some shorebird habitat.  It is located in the migratory corridor for raptors as well and on good days you can see hundreds streaming by.  One of the first Minnesota River Birding Days started there with Merlins chasing 6 species of swallows and a mixture of Sharp-shinned Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and American Kestrels perched on various dead cottonwoods around the ponds (yes, at the same time).  I've found nesting Prothonotary Warblers there on and off as well.  It would be a real shame to lose this site!

Chad Heins
Mankato, MN