[Mnbird] MNVWR - Bass Ponds & Rapids Lake Unit - 10/19 & 20/2019 - Field Trip Report

[CRAIG MANDEL]

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
October 19, 20, 2019

Bass Ponds Trailhead - Hennepin County
Rapids Lake Unit - Carver County

Combined Field Trip Report

Thanks to the help of Kathrynne & Paul Baumtrog and Bart Anderson and the 50 + plus participants, we were able to complete 4 field trips to the Refuge last Weekend.

65 species of birds were observed on the two Refuge Units, with 16 of those species being Waterfowl.  With high water on Long Meadow Lake Waterfowl should continue at this location throughout the fall season in good numbers and variety.

Here are a few of the highlights observed over the weekend:

Waterfowl - Most of these birds were observed on Long Meadow Lake at the Bass Ponds
Trumpeter Swan, Wood Duck, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal and 7 species of diving Ducks were observed.

American Coot - An estimated 2000 American Coots were observed on Long Meadow Lake.

Great Blue Heron

Great Egret

Cooper's Hawk

Belted Kingfisher

Merlin - An immature Merlin was observed at the Rapids Lake Visitor Center on the 19th, but was not present on the 20th.

Eastern Phoebe

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Hermit Thrush

10 species of Sparrows were observed:
Chipping, Field, Fox, American Tree, White-crowned, White-throated, Song, Lincoln's and Swamp Sparrows were observed and there were lots of Dark-eyed Junco's visiting the feeders at the Rapids Lake Unit.

Tennessee Warbler - Bass Ponds on Saturday

Nashville Warbler - 3 were observed at the Bass Ponds on Saturday

Thanks again to those who helped me lead field trips this weekend and those of you who joined the groups.

Upcoming Field Trips:

MRVAC
Anoka County Birding Day
October 24

MVNWR
Rapids Lake Unit
October 26

Please contact me for further details on either of these field trips.

Craig Mandel
EgretCMan at msn.com
952-240-7647
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