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<p>3/26/2017</p>
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<p>Here are some recent sightings from the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, at the Bass Ponds, which are located in Bloomington.</p>
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<p>Complete checklists are available on EBird.</p>
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<p>These birds were observed on my refuge walks:</p>
<p>20th</p>
<p>13 species of Waterfowl, including Trumpeter Swan, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Black Duck, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup and Common & Hooded Merganser.</p>
<p>Great Blue Heron</p>
<p>Sharp-shinned Hawk</p>
<p>Northern Harrier</p>
<p>Bald Eagle - Including the ones on the nest, on the South side of Long Meadow Lake.</p>
<p>Sandhill Cranes - Seen and heard</p>
<p>Mourning Dove</p>
<p>American Tree Sparrow</p>
<p>Dark-eyed Junco</p>
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<p>25th</p>
<p>16 species of Waterfowl, including flyover flocks of Snow & Ross's Geese and Tundra Swans, Wood Ducks, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Bufflehead and some Mergansers.</p>
<p>Pied-billed Grebe</p>
<p>Barred Owl</p>
<p>Cooper's Hawk - A pair is building a nest next to the road which leads from the parking area to the bottom of the hill.</p>
<p>Sandhill Cranes - Seen and heard</p>
<p>Tree Swallow - A single bird was briefly seen and then flew off.</p>
<p>Common Grackle</p>
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<p>I will be leading a number of walks at the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge, with the first one being tomorrow morning at 8:00am. Information on these and other walks can be found at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge web site.</p>
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<p>March 27 - Old Cedar Avenue Bridge</p>
<p>April 2 - Bass Ponds</p>
<p>April 3 - Old Cedar Avenue Bridge</p>
<p>April 10 - Old Cedar Avenue Bridge</p>
<p>April 11 - Rapids Lake Unit</p>
<p>April 15 - Old Cedar Avenue Bridge</p>
<p>All walks begin at 8:00 am and there is no fee for the walk</p>
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<p>Craig Mandel</p>
<p>Minnetonka, Hennepin County</p>
<p>EgretCMan@msn.com</p>
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