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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Prairie Coteau Loop

The Prairie Coteau Loop of the Minnesota River Birding Trail includes Lincoln and Lyon Counties; covering a prairie landscape highlighted with diverse wetlands and wooded rivers. This versatile loop can be split in two fro a weekend adventure, can be the source of a “Big Day”, or you could spend an entire day combing Camden […]

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Lake Shaokotan WMA

Lake Shaokotan WMA, and the County park on the south end of the lake offer additional large water birding, combined with woodland and wetlands. This is a prime spot for peak migration if you miss species elsewhere – especially flying insect eating migrants. Camping is available at the County Park.

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Lake Benton

Located on US Highway 14 Lake Benton is the one of the largest lakes in Southwest Minnesota. The Lake can be scanned from many areas, but probably the best are on the South side of the lake. At the far Southeastern corner of the lake is a small Lincoln County Park called Stony Point. This […]

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Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie

The Nature Conservancy manages this beautiful native prairie tract called Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie. DIRECTIONS: From the City of Lake Benton, you can drive south of the town on Highway 75 about 2 miles to Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie on the West side of the road. This Nature Conservancy tract in the rolling valley atop the Prairie Coteau gives one […]

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Hole-in-the-Mountain Park

Another gem of the remnant landscape is Hole-in-the-Mountain Park in the city of Lake Benton. This City Park nestled in the coulee of a small creek is covered with age-old ash, oak, and elm. DIRECTIONS: West of the town of Lake Benton on US Highway 14 The trails can be extremely muddy after a rain, but […]

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Gislason Lake NWR

On the Lincoln-Lyon County Border, Gislason Lake National Wildlife Refuge Area, and the surrounding upland acres has was designates a National Wildlife Refuge in 2010. This land is a most welcome addition to Southwest Minnesota. Combined with Sioux Prairie WMA to the Southeast, birders could spend an entire day searching this complex for nesting species […]

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Curtis-Herschberger WMA

The Curtis-Herschberger Wildlife Management Area is the perfect example of how prairie pothole restoration can work. This moderately sized WMA complex offers scattered patches of dense scrub in a rolling prairie grass covered hill setting between two diverse wetlands. Throw in a sizeable grove of mature trees and you’ve got on-stop birding in almost any […]

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Chen Bay WMA

Located to the North of Lake Benton is the Chen Bay Wildlife Management Area After leaving Norwegian Creek County Park, go back to US Highway 75 and turn North for 1 mile, turn East and follow the curving Lincoln County Road for about 3 miles. The basin to the North is a great place to […]

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Ash Lake WMA

Ash Lake Wildlife Management Area is as bit difficult to reach, but worth a quick stop. DIRECTIONS: Traveling north to Lincoln County Road 16, then turn west and travel 1 mile to County Road 104. Travel North for one more mile, then go East again for 1.3 mile. All this back-tracking will get you to the […]

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