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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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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Wayside Park

“Good birding in 30 minutes or less.” should be the slogan for this park. Wayside park offers good birding for those who are visiting Marshall, but who do not have enough time for a trip away from city limits. There is suitable woodland here to trap migrants, and play host to nesting Eastern Screech Owl, […]

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Sioux Prairie Wildlife Management Area

Sioux Prairie Wildlife Management Area is another reminder of what life was like long ago. You may first want to scan the Gislason Lake area in Lincoln County for water birds, herons, and egrets, or listen for rails and wrens. Tundra Swans use this lake during migration while mergansers congregate in the spring when the […]

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Garvin County Park

Garvin County Park is the heart of the Cottonwood River in Lyon County. Almost 1000 acres of riparian woodland nestled into the remnant prairie landscape offer deep valleys for species like Spotted Towhee. The only Lyon County Park, Garvin Park’s habitat is similar to that of Camden State Park; a rich riparian area along the […]

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Twin Lakes County Park

East and West Twin Lakes will be the new home of Lyon County’s second County Park thanks to the initiative of local resident, Carmen Christiansen. The camping area is in development as of 2013, yet, the lakes in this area seems to be along the flight path of a migration route for waterfowl. DIRECTIONS: From the […]

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Cottonwood Lakes Area

There’s something almost magical about the Cottonwood Lakes area. Whether its the accumulated Karma from local birders, or the effect of a rich diversity in close proximity, these lakes turn up rare birds. DIRECTIONS: Cottonwood Lake is at the City of Cottonwood on the West side of MN Hwy 23. To the south of Cottonwood on […]

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Coon Creek WMA

The Coon Creek Wildlife Management Area is along the Lincoln-Lyon County line and benefits from recently restored Waterfowl Production Area in Lincoln County. This complex is host to a heron-egret rookery, and has been the site of many rarities due to its size – including a Brandt in 2001, Snowy Egret multiple years, and a […]

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