|
Web Links
| |
|
Birding in
Southeastern Olmsted County |
|
by Bob Ekblad
|
|
1
|
Bear Creek Park (and Bike Path) |
Go To
Top
|
|
| Directions: From Hwy
63 travel east on Hwy 14. Turn right on Hwy 36 (old Hwy 52) after you cross
the river (Bear Creek) and then turn right into the park. |
Seasonal Ratings:
| Spring |
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
| Fall |
|
|
| Winter |
|
|
-- |
| Primary Species: Sparrows, warblers,
waterfowl, osprey |
|
|
|
Bear Creek Park has a nice paved bike/hike path that runs adjacent
to the creek. Although often busy with people, the area is good for warblers
and thrushes. You can park in the lots near the picnic shelter or at the
ball fields either across Highway 14 from Cub Foods or you can continue
south on County 36 (Marion Road) down to Longfellow Grade School and park
in the ball field parking lots behind the school. The path runs from
the entrance near Highway 14 all the way down (and across the river) to
Pinewood Road (right at Pinewood School). |
|
2
|
9th Ave SE |
Go To Top
|
|
| Directions: South from
downtown Rochester on Hwy 63. Turn left on 20th St. SE and then right on
9th Ave SE. Proceed south a couple of blocks to the area of 23rd St.
SE . |
Seasonal Ratings:
| Spring |
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
| Fall |
|
|
| Winter |
|
|
-- |
| Primary Species: Purple Martin |
. |
|
|
This residential area has one of the few reliable Purple Martin
colonies in the county. It is probably best to look for the birds
in flight in order to find them. The bird houses they seem to use
are on the east side of 9th Ave SE. While these birds used to be more
abundant, they are becoming harder to find in the county. Sometimes
they are found flying over the reservoirs, especially in the spring, but
this location is probably the most reliable. |
|
3
|
Hwy 63 & 52 Area |
Go To Top
|
|
| Directions: South from
downtown Rochester on Hwy 63. Turn left at the stoplight on 28th St. SE towards
Shopko (before crossing under Hwy 52). |
Seasonal Ratings:
| Spring |
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
| Fall |
|
|
| Winter |
|
|
-- |
| Primary Species: Sparrows, warblers,
waterfowl |
. |
|
|
The area at the end of the road behind Shopko South is sometimes
good for warblers, shorebirds, waterfowl, and waders. This is probably the
one of the most reliable locations for Bank Swallow, since this species nests
high in the banks above the active quarry at the back of the (private) property
on the south of the road. The grassy area directly behind Shopko can
be good for shorebirds in the fall since this area is used by the local
canning factory to disperse the liquids left over after the canning process.
Hop back on Hwy 63 South, go under Hwy 52 and turn left at the stoplights
(opposite Fleet Farm) into the Wood Lake Industrial Park. The pond
to the east of the buildings is usually productive for waterfowl in the
spring. You may also find snipe, Virginia and Sora Rails, or Sedge or Marsh
Wrens in the surrounding area. It is also a good place to listen to both
Eastern and Western Meadowlarks singing!
|
|
4
|
Chester Woods County Park & Reservoir |
Go To Top
|
|
| Directions: East
from Rochester on Hwy 14. Turn right into the park less than 2 miles
after passing through Chester. |
Seasonal Ratings:
| Spring |
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
| Fall |
|
|
| Winter |
|
|
-- |
| Primary Species: Sparrows, warblers,
waterfowl |
|
|
|
Chester Woods area has plenty of good habitat that makes this area
good for many species. The main portion of the park is accessed via
Hwy 14. After you pass by the entrance station to the park (fee) check
the small pond and backwater areas for sparrows, herons and egrets.
There is a hiking trail that takes off from the first parking area (boat
launch) and crosses over one of the many arms of water extending out from
the main body of water held back by the dam. Viewing access of the
lake is a bit restricted because of trees so it can be a good plan to use
a canoe to check out the lake.
The undeveloped west side of the park is accessed via County 19 (south
from Chester). Turn east on County 131 and continue on to the end and
park where you do not block the gates. You can enter the park here
and take advantage of the many trails. If you proceed east for a half
mile or so you will find good birds along the fence line that include Bob-o-link,
Savannah, Grasshopper and Field Sparrows. If you continue on until
you are about 100 yards short of the turn in the trail you will be in the
area where a rare Henslow's Sparrow was found in the spring of 1998.
If you backtrack to the west from the "parking gate" you will find
some sandy soil areas that are not often found in the rest of the county.
Some luck people have even found Lark Sparrow (very rare in the county)
in this area. There are also Ruffed Grouse in this area as well.
|
|
If you are headed east from the park you may want to
take Cty 143 (past Cty 11) and drive by the former Boy Scout Camp (Camp Kahler)
and listen for the Rufous-sided Towhee that always seems to be found there
each spring (usually on the opposite side of the road from the park). You
may also find a Great Horned Owl, Goshawk, Cooper's Hawk, or Broad-winged
Hawk in or around the camp. |
.
|
|
5
|
Hwy 52 Pond (Bull
Pond) & Cty 123 Pond |
Go To Top
|
|
| Directions: South
from Rochester on Hwy 63 to Hwy 52. Take the Hwy 52 entrance eastbound
toward Preston. Watch carefully for the pond approximately 2 miles
after passing the Cty 1 exit. Pull off of the roadway onto the grass
(if the grass is not too soft) just after crossing over the small stream. |
Seasonal Ratings:
| Spring |
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
| Fall |
|
|
| Winter |
|
|
-- |
| Primary Species: Shorebirds, waterfowl |
. |
|
|
The Hwy 52 Pond (aka bull pond) on the south side of Highway 52
just west of the Marion exit is good for waterfowl, waders, and shorebirds.
This pond is only viewable from the eastbound lane of Hwy 52.
Although there is still some water in the pond, the dam has washed out
in recent years. The area is still good for shorebirds but the quantity
of waterfowl that used to use the pond is less now. In 1985, a Scissor-tailed
Flycatcher was seen on the fence near the pond.
County 101, which cuts around behind the pond can also be quite productive.
It is reached via the Cty 36 exit off of Highway 52 (the first exit after
the Hwy 52 Pond. Turn south at the exit and then turn to the right on County
101. Watch for Savannah and Vesper Sparrow, Eastern and Western Meadowlark
and Dickcissel in the fields along the first section of road. Shrikes have
also been seen along this road (but don't expect them). The road is especially
good because it passes by three farm ponds (somewhat hidden from view) and
is a feeding spot for migratory birds moving through the area. The road eventually
comes out on the back side of the hill behind the pond.
Another small pond is in the same general area that can also be quite
good for shorebirds is located on a dead end road just off of Cty 123 on
the north side of I90 and Hwy 52. To get to the Cty 123 Pond, go north
from the Cty 36 exit on Hwy 52 (cross over Hwy 52) and make the first right
turn onto Cty 123. Continue straight onto the dead end road where Cty
123 turns north. The pond is ahead on the left.
|
|
6
|
Boy Scout Camp & Reservoir |
Go To Top
|
|
| Directions: South from
Rochester on Hwy 63 to Hwy 52. Take the Hwy 52 entrance eastbound toward
Chatfield. Take the Cty 1 exit (1 mile) and turn south (right) on
Cty 1. Proceed south approximately 2 miles to the camp. |
Seasonal Ratings:
| Spring |
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
| Fall |
|
|
| Winter |
|
|
-- |
| Primary Species: Sparrows, warblers,
waterfowl |
. |
|
|
The main feature at this location is one of the flood control reservoirs.
Access to view the reservoir is not possible without entering private land.
This reservoir is not birded much, and when it has been, not much of interest
has been found. |
|
7
|
Simpson |
Go To Top
|
|
| Directions: South from
Rochester on Hwy 63 to Hwy 52. Take the Hwy 52 entrance eastbound toward
Chatfield. Take the Cty 1 exit (1 mile) and turn south (right) on
Cty 1. Proceed south approximately 3,5 miles to 60th St. SE, about
a half mile north of Simpson. |
Seasonal Ratings:
| Spring |
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
| Fall |
|
|
| Winter |
|
|
-- |
| Primary Species: Sparrows, swallows |
. |
|
|
The dead end 60th St. is sometimes called "sparrow road".
The brushy roadside is quite good for sparrows and Bobolink, all the way
up to the end of the road. In the winter you can also check the area
for Lapland Longspur or Snow Bunting.
Just south of Simpson, County 1 ducks under Interstate 90 and crosses
over a small stream. The cement culvert at the stream is a reliable spot
to find Cliff Swallows. Since the birds like to build their nests on the
walls of the culvert, they can usually be found flying in and out of the
culvert and over and around the water. There is no access via I90.
Further south, the bridge at the bottom of the hill can be a good place to
stop and look for warblers, sparrows and thrushes.
|
|
8
|
County 19 |
Go To Top
|
|
| Directions: South from
Rochester on Hwy 63 to Hwy 52. Take the Hwy 52 entrance eastbound toward
Chatfield. Go past the "Hwy 52 Pond" and continue under I90 and through Marion.
Turn right onto Cty 19 approximately 1 mile after Marion. |
Seasonal Ratings:
| Spring |
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
| Fall |
|
|
| Winter |
|
|
-- |
| Primary Species: Tufted Titmouse, Wild
Turkey, Bald Eagle, warblers, sparrows, thrushes, hawks |
. |
|
|
County 19 has been the most reliable spot in the county for finding
Tufted Titmouse. People in the area (at the second bend in the road south
of Highway 52) feed the birds. Don't just look for the shy titmouse; listen
for its "peter-peter-peter" call. If you are lucky, you may spot the turkeys
walking through the woods. Although these birds are big, they are not easy
to find (sometimes they camouflage themselves as boulders or tree stumps).
They are more often heard in the spring - just over the ridge and out of
sight. The Kinney Creek valley is also one of the best places for finding
Blue-winged and Cerulean Warblers and Louisiana Waterthrush have even been
found there. County 19 continues south and crosses the Root River where
you may find Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle and hawks taking advantage of updrafts. |
|
9
|
Spring Rd Farm Pond |
Go To Top
|
|
| Directions: South from
Rochester on Hwy 63 to Hwy 52. Take the Hwy 52 entrance eastbound toward
Chatfield. Go past the "Hwy 52 Pond" and continue under I90 and through Marion.
Turn right on Cty 7 as you descend down the hill and then make the first
left onto Spring Rd. The pond is approximately 1/2 mile down the road. |
Seasonal Ratings:
| Spring |
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
| Fall |
|
|
| Winter |
|
|
-- |
| Primary Species: Rails, waterfowl, sparrows,
warblers |
. |
|
|
The farm pond found along this gravel road connecting County 7 with
Highway 52 often plays host to waterfowl as well as other birds that like
to hang around water - including Yellow-headed Blackbird and Great Blue
Heron. Orchard Orioles (rare in the county) had previously nested in
the shrubs on the hillside east of the pond up to and around the farm driveway.
While you are in the area, take the short trip down to Chatfield on Hwy
52 to the Savanna Spring Nature Area which is located NW of the Chosen
Valley High School across the highway from the implement dealer. Make a
quick left turn into the nature area parking lot just after turning in
toward the school. The area has upland, pine and prairie habitats that
should support many different species of birds. There is also a spring
right near the beginning of the paved trail that should attract birds as
well.
|
|
10
|
Dover |
Go To Top
|
|
| Directions: East from
Rochester on Hwy 14. Right (south) on Cty 32 for one mile. Left (east)
on 40th St SE. Left on 160th Ave. Right on 7th St SW. |
Seasonal Ratings:
| Spring |
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
| Fall |
|
|
| Winter |
|
|
-- |
| Primary Species: Sparrows |
. |
|
|
This short road has lots of good habitat all along the road edge
that is good for attracting sparrows and other song birds. It may not
be a primary destination, but it should be checked periodically, especially
during migration. Also watch along 40th St to the west for migrating or
wandering Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings . |
|
11
|
Vermilya WMA |
Go To Top
|
|
| Directions: Southeast
from Rochester on Hwy 52 to I90. East on I90 to Cty 10 exit south of Dover.
Exit onto Cty 10 and proceed to your right (south). Left on Cty 30 and
immediately turn left on 60th St. Right (south) on 195th Ave. The
parking area for the WMA is one mile down the road. |
Seasonal Ratings:
| Spring |
|
|
| Summer |
|
|
| Fall |
|
|
| Winter |
|
|
-- |
| Primary Species: Sparrows, warblers,
waterfowl |
. |
|
|
This relatively new Wildlife Management Area looks like it has great
potential, especially due to the diverse habitat consisting of prairie,
woods and a nice sized pond.
Also be sure to check out the dead end road (60th St) that goes behind
the WMA. The birding along the roadside should be good for sparrows
(and maybe some Common Redpolls) since the area doesn't seem to be pastured
and lots of weeds produce lots of seeds for the birds. The area should
be good for warblers in the spring as well.
In addition, be sure to scrutinize the junipers on the hillsides
south of the WMA on 195th Ave all the way down to Cty 30. This area
looks like it has good potential for a second county record Townsend's Solitaire.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BOC
Home |
BOC
NW |
BOC
SW |
BOC
Roch |
BOC
NE |
GoTo
Top |
|
