Monthly Archives: November 2013

Bird Feed Guide

Selecting a bird feeder should be an easy task, however, there are an increasing number of choices of feeders, and many companies are designing feeders to “attract” a specific species. To complicate matters, an increasing variety of choices of bird feed are commercially available. Feeling the burden of too many choices? The two charts accessible […]

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Fruiting Shrubs Chart

There are several beneficial shrubs that provide fruit for migrating (or summer nesting) species. Many of these shrubs have another benefit in that the spring flowers attract insects, which in turn attract insect-eating birds. The chart accessed through the link below provides brief information about selected shrubs considered beneficial to bird species. Included in the […]

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Bird Migration dates

Before Spring has sprung its time to prepare for the arrival of waves of bird species that may visit your backyard, or rural environment. The link below opens a chart that lists migration dates for the most common species that may visit our yards and acreages, and what they may be looking for. Keep in […]

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Edgerton City Park

This is one of my all time favorite stop ins during spring migration, for it never fails that something interesting is lurking in the small spaces. Spotted Towhee, Blue-winged Warbler, and Lazuli Bunting to name a few in the last 20 years. Its a quick stop for a short walk, and even if the birds […]

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Lake Maria Lake Sarah

Here’s a couple Murray County lakes worth a visit in migration, and during nesting season. There’s not much to them, but they often seem to hold a surprise. In summer look for nesting Western Grebe, or perhaps Common Loon (seen with young in 2013). The diversion structure gives a vantage point at the busy area […]

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Big Slough WPA

This vast tract of wetland is a glimpse of what the prairie pothole region was all about. As such, the best way to explore this area is by canoe or kayak. To do so might reveal White-faced Ibis, or Trumpeter Swan, but will certainly take you smack in to the world of nesting rails, and […]

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Savannah Oaks Golf Course

This residential/golf course area has been a reliable location for Lark Sparrow, and have hosted nesting Blue Grosbeak a couple of the past few years. Check the undeveloped areas, and the area near the Marshall Sand & Gravel rock piles for Lark Sparrow. For Blue Grosbeak, please ask permission to bird watch from the paved […]

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County Highway Gravel Pit

Lark Sparrow has been a regular nesting species in two locations (at least) of Lyon County in recent year. Savannah Oaks Golf Course, and the area of the Lyon County Demolition Landfill and County Highway gravel pit. Persons are not permitted on the site without permission, but the species are often visible from the road. […]

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Kingbird Corner

Currently, this area of Lyon County is the most reliable in the area to find Western Kingbird as successful nesting has occurred for decades. Directions: The intersection of 250th Street (East-West) and 120th Avenue (North-South) is most easy to access by turning South from MN Hwy 19 onto 130th Avenue (paved road), then turning West […]

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Lake Stay

Lake Stay, near the community of Arco, MN (Lincoln County) is one of the more reliable locations to find Common Loon, and Red-breasted Merganser, in addition to being a great place for migrating terns.

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