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Birding in
Southwestern Olmsted
County |
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by Bob Ekblad
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Zumbro Bike Path |
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| Directions: West from Hwy 63 on Hwy 14 to the Apache Mall area.
Continue straight onto Cty 25 / Cty 8 where Hwy 14 goes north.
Turn south on Cty 8 where Cty
25 goes straight. Park off the road just after the bridge (near
the
power station). |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Sparrows,
warblers, waterfowl |
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The bike/hike path runs along the Zumbro River from downtown
Rochester out to Mayowood. The area of the path west of town
(starting south
of 20th St. SE and continuing out to Mayowood Lake can be a nice walk
where
you may spot warblers and even see some waterfowl on the lake by the
Salem
Sound housing development. The lake often has a variety of waterfowl
during
migration including the usual "dippers and divers". Other species
include
Pied-billed and Horned Grebes and usually a Common Loon can be found
sometime
during migration. Be sure to watch the skies for Osprey.
There are several points of access to the path including 1)
just south of the bridge on County 8 (see directions above) 2) the
north end of Mayowood Lake, and 3) by the soccer fields on Mayowood
Road east of County 8. Don't be afraid to wander off the path
toward the river; you may find more birds (and less bikes).
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2
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Mayowood Lake |
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| Directions: West from Hwy 63 on Hwy 14 to the Apache Mall area.
Continue straight onto Cty 25 / Cty 8 where Hwy 14 goes north.
Continue straight where Cty 8
turns south and stay on Cty 25 where West Circle Drive heads north
(bear
to the left at the curve). Take the first left turn (after the
gravel
pit area) into the Mayowood area. Note that the bridge is no longer open
for use so the road dead-ends at that point. |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Waterfowl, owls |
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The Mayowood area is a good spot for those "deciduous"
species in
addition to the usual water birds on the lake. Be sure to check
out
the Osprey nesting platform that was erected by the island near the
road.
All three species of mergansers are often found here in the
spring.
Also look for Bald Eagles perching or soaring along the river,
especially
in the winter. A rare Little Blue Heron was spotted
along
the lake shore near the lake in 1985 and Long-eared Owls were found in
the
pines north of the lake in 1987 and again in 1994. |
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3
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Izaak Walton Wetlands & Old Valley Road |
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| Directions: West from Hwy 63 on Hwy 14 to the Apache Mall area.
Continue straight onto Cty 25 / Cty 8 where Hwy 14 goes north.
Continue straight where Cty 8
turns south and stay on Cty 25 where West Circle Drive heads north
(bear
to the left at the curve). Continue west for approximately 2
miles
to the point where you see evergreens on both sides of the road.
Park
off of the road near the Izaak Walton sign. The Old Valley Road is just a
short distance past the evergreens. |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Summer |
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| Fall |
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| Primary Species: Sparrows,
warblers, waterfowl |
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The Izaak Walton Wetlands on County 25 always seems to be a
productive place to find birds. On the north side of the road
there is a wetland marsh that is usually good for a Sora and possibly
Virginia Rail or a few water birds. The area to the south of the
road has a new raised trail on the west side and then circles the
trenched wetland (crosshatched waterways). The trail loops around and
comes back out through the pine plantation (good for Northern Saw-whet
Owl and other owls). The trail is good for warblers, thrushes and
sparrows during migration (spring and fall). There are also
additional trails to the south of the main loop trail that take you to
the Zumbro River. During peak warbler migration (approximately
May 5th
through May 15th), you may find waves of warblers while wandering
around in
this area. In 1989, a "big day" team found a White-eyed Vireo
down by
the river. Also, Red-shouldered Hawks are found in the area
to the west of the stream that flows from the wetland to the river. Listen for the call that sounds like
a
crow but is much more consistent and repetitive.
A portion of the Zumbro bottomlands upriver from Mayowood and
the Izaak Walton wetlands can be accessed via Old Valley Road just off
of County 25. Warbler watching can be good from the small stream
crossing to
the parking area near where the bridge used to be. Look for
Eastern
Phoebes and flycatchers perched in the snags.
Please stay along the road right-of-way and do not enter the woods to
the east from the stream crossing down to the turnaround. The
owner is sensitive to recent dumping and has asked for no entry.
In the spring also check out the flooded fields to the west of
the wetland for anything from shorebirds to Tundra Swans. The
field by the
"long driveway" can be very productive in the years when it is flooded.
To the east of the wetlands is the areas is the area known to local
birders as the "Historical Society pond" that was actually a flooded
field mud-flat on County 25 just west of the Historical Society.
This was one of the best spots in
the county in the spring for shorebirds but, alas, now is housing
development and a church. The church has added three fairly good sized
ponds (not just runoff containment) near the road and left the center of
the "flooded field" area as a shallow wetland. Unfortunately,
water tends to drain out of that area (and into one of the front ponds)
so it ends up being overgrown with grasses and is not as attractive to
shorebirds as it once was. Hopefully something will be done in the
future to improve the water retention to bring birds back into the area.
Memories include sightings of Western Kingbird, Northern Mockingbird,
and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, all very rare in the county.
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4
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Meadow Crossing Road |
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| Directions: West from Hwy 63 on Hwy 14 to the Apache Mall area.
Continue straight onto Cty 25 / Cty 8 where Hwy 14 goes north.
Turn south on Cty 8 where Cty
25 goes straight. Continue south past the school and turn right
onto
Meadow Crossing Road ( the second right turn) |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Sparrows,
Wood Thrush, Rufous-sided Towhee, Scarlet Tanager. |
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Meadow Crossing Road will take you to the upriver portion of
Mayowood. Vesper and Savannah Sparrows and Eastern Bluebirds can
be found along the upper "meadow". As the road winds down the
hill into the valley, look for Scarlet Tanager in summer or warblers in
migration. Also, Whip-poor-will have been heard calling here or
further down in the valley during early morning or at dusk during
migration. The road is blocked off a short distance before the
river, but the closed stretch of the old road is a good place to
find migrating sparrows and warblers. Look for Eastern Phoebes
near the bridge and flycatchers perched in the snags near the now
missing bridge (the opposite side is Old Valley Road). The path
to the east runs parallel to the river and passes a good warbler area
near a stand of pines. This
is a good area to find (or at least hear) Ovenbird. A rare
Worm-eating Warbler was located in this area way back in 1985 (and none
has been reported in the county since). |
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5
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Cty 104 |
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| Directions: West from Hwy 63 on Hwy 14 to the Apache Mall area.
Continue straight onto Cty 25 / Cty 8 where Hwy 14 goes north.
Continue straight where Cty 8 turns south and stay on Cty 25 where West
Circle Drive heads north (bear to the left at the curve).
Continue west past the Izaak Walton Wetland to Cty 104. You can
also access 104 further north where it crosses
Hwy 14 west of Rochester. |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Sparrows,
warblers, Screech Owl |
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County 104 north of County 25 (up to County 34) has been a
good birding road. Swainson's and Red- tailed Hawks, Eastern
Bluebirds, and a rare Western Kingbird have been seen here.
During the winter months Screech Owls have also been found calling here
early in the morning. The best spots to listen for the owls are
1/2 mile north of Cty 25 and 1 mile north of Cty 25.
County 104 south of County 25 down to County 117 is also an
interesting road. The small bridge over the Zumbro River is a
good spot to find nesting Eastern Phoebe. There are also some
fields in the area that flood in the spring and attract
shorebirds. Northern Shrike as well as Rough-legged Hawk have
been found in the winter along County 117 to the east.
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6
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Salem Corners |
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| Directions: West from Rochester on Hwy 14. South on Cty 3 to Salem
Corners. |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Sparrows,
Lapland Longspurs, Snow Buntings |
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The gravel roads north from County 25 and west to County 3
are often good in the winter for Horned Lark, Lapland Longspur, and
Snow Bunting. These roads are often called the Salem Corners
bypass by local birders since they can be used to bypass the "big city"
traffic. In some winters in the past there have been Short-eared
Owls found actively hunting at dusk at the intersection of these roads.
Another area north of the "big city" on County 3 (about halfway
between County 34 and County 25) is a relatively flat area just north
of a small
bridge. This spot is usually a good location to find Horned Lark,
Lapland
Longspur, and Snow Bunting in the winter and very early spring.
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7
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Willow Creek Reservoir |
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Top |
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| Directions: South from Rochester on Hwy 63. Continue south of the
stoplight located south of
Fleet Farm. Right on 40th St. SW and then left on Cty 147 (before the
golf
course). Turn right on Lone Pine Drive and proceed past the
houses to
the parking lot. |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Sparrows,
waterfowl,
shorebirds, herons |
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The Willow Creek impoundment created as part of the Rochester
flood control project has open access to the reservoir as a place for
fishing
(including handicap access), complete with fishing pier. Park in
the
lot at the top of the hill and scan the lake for migrating
waterfowl
Be sure to walk down to the lake (or make a quick drive down to the
lower
parking area) so you can check the dead trees on the west side of the
lake
for cormorants and terns. In 1993 an Oldsquaw (now called
Long-tailed
Duck) hung around here for several weeks in May.
The west side of the lake is accessible from the west via the
dead end County 148. Cty 148 heads east from County 8 through
areas good for Horned Larks or, if you are lucky, Common Redpolls, in
the winter. The area near the intersection at County 8 is also
good for Bobolink, especially in early spring. You may also find
Grasshopper and Savannah Sparrow in the area as well. Further up
the road past the farmhouse and small gravel pit is a brushy area
(complete with an overgrown pond) that is good for warblers and
flycatchers in early May. During the spring migration of 1985
there was a Yellow-breasted Chat in the area on the south side of
County 148.
Continue east on County 148. After you pass through the
intersection stop at the small pond, called the "Rusty Pond" by local
birders.
This pond may host Green Heron or a few shorebirds in the spring.
It
was named for the fact that, for several years, Rusty Blackbirds were
found
here or in the trees to the east during spring migration.
From the pond, continue east a bit further on County 148 to
get to
the Willow Creek Reservoir property. Although you may be a bit
intimidated by the gate, you can climb over it and walk in on the road. Be sure to park
away from the gate and not in the farmer's driveway. The trees
along the old road are good for warblers and other migrating
species. Be sure to look for Orchard
Oriole as they have been seen here in the past. The road takes
you
right up to the water where shorebirds can be found in the spring
(along
with most regular waterfowl species, including Common Loon).
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8
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Keller WMA (Cty 15) |
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| Directions: West from Rochester on County 25. Turn south (left) on
Cty 15 for approximately 4 miles. The parking area is on the left. |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Sparrows,
warblers |
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This Wildlife Management Area on is a large and diverse
area. There is a parking area at the top of the hill (note the
sign). From here you can head out on foot and check out the
trails and the bird life
- but not during deer hunting season. Birds reported from this
area
include Yellow-billed Cuckoo (the less common cuckoo), American Woodcock and
Whip-poor-will.
People in the nearby houses feed the birds and enjoy quite a wide
variety
of winter birds (as well as a Northern Goshawk early in 1998). |
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Rock Dell |
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| Directions: West from Rochester on Hwy 14. South on Cty 3
approximately 9 miles to Rock Dell. |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Sparrows,
warblers |
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Route 26 east from Rock Dell can be good for warblers in the
spring in the trees and shrubs along the river as it runs parallel to
the road. A Prairie Warbler was found right near the small bridge
in 1996. Look for Northern Shrike in the winter and Loggerhead
Shrike in the summer anywhere along the road, particularly at the
corner on 80th Ave. Also check for
Dickcissels on the power lines in early summer on 90th Ave, south of
Cty
126.
There is also a good area for flycatchers and warblers one
mile west
of Rock Dell and then 1.3 miles south on 110th Ave. Willow and
Least
Flycatchers should be around spring and summer. You may also find
Alder
Flycatcher if you are lucky. Although Alder Flycatchers are quite
uncommon
in the county, they have been found here as they
migrate through to points further north - even as late as the second
week
in June.
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Nelson Fen WMA |
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Top |
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| Directions: South from Rochester on Hwy 63. Right on Hwy 30.
The parking lot is approximately 2.5 miles west of Cty 15 (before you
get to Cty 3). |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Sparrows,
warblers, cuckoos, flycatchers |
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The Nelson Fen is a fairly good sized DNR preserve with open
brush, grassland and mixture of deciduous trees. Hike the old
road north
from the parking lot along the east border of the property. Watch
anywhere
along the way for warblers and sparrows, especially during the
spring.
Willow and Least Flycatcher should be in the shrubs along the way in
spring
and summer. Alder Flycatcher have been found here also during
migration. Be sure to watch for Green Heron hanging around the
small pond by the big pines. A little further north, where the
shrubs thin out and give
way to a more grassy area, you should be able to find Vesper and
Clay-colored Sparrows. (in the open field area to the back). In
the shrub area in the west part of the preserve, Black-billed Cuckoo
and Gray Catbird can usually be found in the summer. A
Yellow-breasted Chat was found here in 1996 (second county
record). Also, a pair of Bell's Vireos was found here in the
summer of 1994, possibly attempting to nest.
Another location near the fen that you may want to check is
the area
around the intersection of 80th St and 80th Ave. The habitat
along the small stream that runs parallel to 80th Ave should have good
birds in it. An Orchard Oriole was found here in the spring of
1999.
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Cty 3 & Cty 6 |
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| Directions: South from Rochester on Hwy 63. Right on Hwy 30.
Left on Cty 3. Proceed south to Cty 6. |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Upland
Sandpiper |
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The area to the north and west of the intersection (up near
the curve sign by the bridge) has been a good place in the past several
years to find Upland Sandpiper. Although the pair were not
located in 1998, probably due to crop rotation, it still is the most
reliable location to find the Upland
Sandpiper in the county.
While in the area, be sure to check out the grassland area to
the west of the County 3 and Cty 148 area for Dickcissel, Bobolink and
Sedge Wren.
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12
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High Forest WMA |
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| Directions: South from Rochester on Hwy 63. West on I90.
Exit I90 at High Forest (Cty 6) and turn west on Cty 6. Right on
Cty 8. Bear left onto 55th Ave after one mile. |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Sparrows,
Northern Harrier |
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The Wildlife Area north of High Forest is usually wet and is
therefore good for Common Snipe, Sora and Virginia Rails, Swamp
Sparrow, Willow Flycatcher, and Sedge Wren. You may also see a
Northern Harrier flying low over the open grasslands. |
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Stewartville & Bear Cave Park |
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| Directions: South from Rochester
on Hwy 63 to Stewartville. |
Seasonal Ratings:
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| Primary Species: Sparrows, warblers,
waterfowl |
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County 6 runs west from Hwy 63 on the south edge of town
where it
crosses the south edge of the former Lake Florence (the dam washed out
and
the lake no longer exists). The area by the bridge may be
productive
for terns or shorebirds (Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral and
other
sandpipers) during migration. You can also check the grassy area
to
the east of the bridge as well where Willets, Black-bellied Plovers and
American
Golden-Plovers have been seen in the past. You may also find the
habitat
on the south side of the road productive and find shorebirds, a few
ducks,
and maybe even a rail.
Bear Cave Park, located north and west of on County 35
Stewartville, has several types of habitat including wooded, open
grassy areas, and access to the river so you can expect to find a
variety of species from warblers to ducks. The entrance to the
park is on the south, just beyond a
cemetery.
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