CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS TO FIRST PRINTING
(Note: these updates are included in the Second Printing)
INTRODUCTION
p. ii – A better website than birdnerdz.net for sales of this guide is thephotonaturalist.com/shop.
p. 16 (W, SE & NE Regions) – Besides Minnesota’s three major biomes, Tallgrass Aspen Parkland represents a fourth (and relatively minor) biome. It is limited to parts of Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, and Polk counties, and has relatively little ornithological significance.
p. 18 – Avenza Maps is no longer recommended for storing maps in the book's QRs. This app is unable read the primary QR codes of several of the counties, and it is not needed to scan and store the contents of any of the QRs – you can download and save them in the same way as other files with no need for Avenza or any other app.
p. 19 – Another term used by birders should be included on this page since its definition is often misunderstood: • Boreal = Northern (e.g., as in boreal forest); note that it is not synonymous with coniferous, since boreal forests can consist of deciduous trees.
p. 20-23 – County Birding Contacts:
Add the following to the list of contacts –
• Kittson: Ezra Hosch <emh328@outlook.com>
• Douglas: Ben Eckhoff <benjamin.eckhoff@state.mn.us>
• Freeborn: Ezra Hosch <emh328@outlook.com>
• Fillmore: Todd Mitchell <tamitchell66@gmail.com>
• Meeker: Koni & Paul Fank <condor_puffins@yahoo.com>
Change contact method from e-mail to texting –
• Jeanie Joppru (Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk counties): 218 280 3977
• Mike Hendrickson (St. Louis County): 218 348 5124
ANNOTATED LIST OF MINNESOTA BIRDS
p. 27 – The MOU Records Committee had recognized a total of 447 species recorded in the state through the spring of 2022, and through December 2022 the total reached 451 species. The four additions have been Broad-billed Hummingbird, Brown Booby, Phainopepla, and Abert’s Towhee.
p. 80 – In the Yellow-throated Warbler paragraph (as mentioned on p. 233), it should be added that Hillside Road just north of Reno Recreation Area Campground in Houston County [site 8] is currently the most consistent location for this species, with annual sightings from 2018 through 2023.
p. 82 – With the addition of Broad-billed Hummingbird, Phainopepla, and Swainson’s Warbler to the state list, these species are no longer on the list of 20 possible future additions to the Minnesota checklist.
WEST REGION
Brown County
p. 190 – Among the US Highway 14 wetlands west of New Ulm [site 7], the best one recently has been Somsen WMA on the north side of US 14: turn north off 14 on CR 12, 0.9 mi. west of the Walmart.
Watonwan County
p. 192 – The water levels at the 320th Street Wetland [site 1] were managed and became too low in 2022, and the birding was not as productive as in previous years; hopefully, though, this situation is only temporary.
p. 193 – Meadowlark Prairies Outdoor Lab (33672 733rd Ave.) is a mostly wooded area just northeast of St. James with edge habitats to attract migrant passerines, and with potential as well for breeding species and winter visitants. From downtown St. James, go east on 1st Ave. S to 11th St. S / CR 54, then 0.5 mi. north, 0.2 mi. east, and 0.3 mi. north to the sign and main trailhead.
Nobles County
p. 209 – One of the best wetlands in southeastern Nobles Co. is along Quine Avenue: e.g., Cinnamon Teal, Black-necked Stilt, and White-faced Ibis were all found here on one day in May 2022! From the CR 57 access to Ocheda Lake [site 8], continue 1 mi. south, 0.5 mi. east to Quine Ave., and another 0.2 mi. south. Or, coming from the south: go east from US 59 on 320th St. / CR 4 for 3 mi., then 1.8 mi. north on Quine.
p. 210 – The number to call for vehicle access to the Adrian sewage ponds has changed: contact Kendall at (507) 841 3574.
Jackson County
p. 213 – In the Sioux Valley area [site 11], better access/birding for Skunk Lake is at the WMA on the south side of the lake. From Sioux Valley, go 2.5 mi. east on CR 4, then zigzag south-east-south-west on 410th Ave. for 2 mi., then back north to the lake on the two-track road through the WMA’s mixed habitats.
SOUTHEAST REGION
Wabasha County
p. 241-242 – There are additional accesses to the woods and wetlands along the Mississippi River backwaters between Weaver and Kellogg, which are shown on Upper Mississippi River NWR maps:
• Two of these are along 622nd St., which turns east off CR 84, just north of the McCarthy Lake WMA sign [site 4]: i.e., West Newton Chute and Halfmoon Lake landings (see fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Pool5%20%28Front%29.pdf).
• Three others are north of Lock & Dam #4 [site 6]: i.e., 0.4 mi. north of the dam at the corner of 657th St. and 140th Ave. (not labeled on the NWR map, but probably the best of these three), and Peterson Lake and Wilcox landings (see map at fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Pool4%20%28Back%29.pdf).
p. 242 – To reach Reads Landing [site 7], turn down to the river off US 61 at the inconspicuous CR 77 sign, 3 mi. northwest of MN 60.
Sibley County
p. 263 – The former Le Sueur sewage ponds [site 1] can still be scanned from the side road to the public access immediately west of the river or from the shoulder of southbound US 169, but there is no longer easy access a half mile west of the river off 169.
p 264 – While Sand Lake [site 8] is visible from the public access on MN 15, 3 mi. south of Winthrop, there are better views from 310th St., west of MN 15, on the north side of the lake.
Rice County
p. 269 – Among the county's lakes of secondary interest is Circle Lake, which has two sites of note. One is its county park: from I-35 at exit #66, go 2.4 mi. west on CR 1, then 0.8 mi. southwest on Circle Lake Tr. The other is Canby Pond, adjacent to the east end of Circle L. (often attractive to waders and sometimes shorebirds): from I-35, go 1.4 mi. west on CR 1 to Canby Ave. / CR 60, 1.0 mi. south to 120th Court, then west and north along the west side of the pond.
p. 269 – The best place recently to look for Acadian Flycatchers and other specialties at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park [site 3] has been along the Hidden Falls Trail loop to the falls.
p. 270 – At Koester Prairie [site 9], Bell's Vireos were present in 2022 about 1/4 mi. east of the trailhead and WMA sign on Lamb Ave., 0.9 mi. south of CR 31.
Goodhue County
p. 272 – From Red Wing, the easiest way to Colville Park [site 5] is via US 61: turn right (south) at the first MN 292 sign, 1 mi. east of the stoplight at US 63.
p. 274 – In the Prairie Island area, the road to the casino (Sturgeon Lake Rd.) is marked by a relatively inconspicuous sign on CR 18 that is easily missed. This road brings you first to the casino, then turn left at the sign for the marina on Sturgeon Lake [site 13]. Next, return to Sturgeon Lake Rd., continue to the curve going right, and jog left to another public access at the backwaters.Then return to the main road which becomes Wakonade Rd. and leads through more backwaters to the lock & dam [site 14].
Dakota County
p. 276 – The trail on top of the levee in the Lake Rebecca area [site 3] extends west from the dam past the north end of Lake Rebecca, and eventually to CR 42. Also be sure check the Washington County side of the river north of the US 61 bridge – a Roseate Spoonbill stood on the flats here a few years back.
p. 277 – Fortunately, the 140th Street Marsh [site 5] has mostly recovered from the impact of the extension of the adjacent landfill in 2020. In addition to the Willet, White-faced Ibis, and Bell’s Vireo seen here in 2021, during 2022 there were reports of 24 shorebirds (including avocet), another Bell’s Vireo, Lark and Henslow’s sparrows, and Blue Grosbeak.
Carver County
p. 287 – The gated trail a half mile from the Sibley Co. line on CR 40 [site 1] is overgrown and no longer passable.
p. 287 – The trails in Minnesota Valley NWR [site 2] on Rapids Lake Rd. west of the Visitor Center and from the North Hunter Lot on CR 11 mostly pass through grasslands before coming to the riparian woodlands: look for Henslow Sparrow and other species partial to such open terrain.
Wright County
p. 297 – Amended directions to the public access on the north side of Pelican Lake [site 6] at Fallon Avenue: from CR 37, go 100 yards south on Fallon Ave. (not to the end of Fallon), then east at the public access sign for Holker’s Landing.
Anoka County
p. 319 – If birding Centerville Lake in summer [site 13], be aware of the Acadian Flycatchers found in at least the past two years about a mile west of Centerville L. Find your way up to I-35W, take the Lake Dr. / CR 23 exit (#36), go 1.2 mi. south to Aqua Lane, then turn 0.6 mi. east, and listen especially to the south of the road.
Sherburne County
p. 328 – The parking lot on the Sherburne side of the Mississippi opposite Monticello [site 3] no longer has a church but still provides a view of the river. When traveling northwest from MN 25 on CR 11, however, you cannot turn left to access this lot: accordingly, go 0.3 mi. northwest from 25 on CR 11, turn around at the driveway on the right, then return southeast to 187th Ave. and turn right.
p. 330 – Amended directions to the Zimmerman sewage ponds: From CR 4 / Fremont Ave., go 0.8 mi. south on 2nd St. E through town and past the disc golf course, then turn right at the gate to the city compost site, and continue another 0.2 mi. south.
NORTHEAST REGION
Pine County
p. 355 – The directions to Gandy Dancer Forest Road [site 6] should include going north on CR 31 to Cloverton (as shown on the county map) – not Cloverdale.
Beltrami County
p. 386 – The best views of Lower Red Lake from the Ponemah Road [site 10] are 3.5 - 4.5 north of MN 1. To reach the point between Lower and Upper Red lakes, take the right fork on the loop road 5.5 mi. beyond Ponemah, then continue 0.6 mi. and turn right to a boat landing for your only real view of Upper Red L. However, the birding on both lakes (when you can see them) tends to be on the slow side, the woods along Ponemah Rd. are deciduous and disappointing as well (except for that point between the lakes), and this route takes you miles out of your way with little to show for it if no migration is going on.
p. 387 – If heading next for the eastern half of Upper Red L., turn north at the unmarked paved road immediately west of the Ponemah community center, go 10.5 mi. north and east to the reservation border, where the road becomes CR 108, continues 3.8 mi. east to Shotley, and eventually to MN 72 via CR 23. From west to east on 108 and 23: you can scan the lake at the WMA public access (turn north, 0.8 mi. east of the reservation boundary) [site 12]; also 1.8 mi. north of Shotley at the corner where CR 23 turns east; and 1.5 mi. farther east at Rogers Rd. [also site 12].
p. 387 – Waskish Road / CR 112 [site 15] is also numbered as CR 40 on some maps.
p. 389 – Amended directions to Ponemah sewage ponds: 0.4 mi. north on unsigned road immediately east of the community center.
Lake of the Woods County
p. 391 – Nesting Piping Plovers have now been reported in four of the five most recent years (including 2022) at Morris Point [site 3]. However, foot access to the SNA is still difficult/impossible in recent years: high lake water levels preclude walking the now-nonexistent beach, and bushwhacking east through the now-overgrown woods no longer appears possible.
Koochiching County
p. 398 – Despite construction of a wide power line corridor and continued logging, the habitat on County Road 13 [site 10] was still productive in summer 2022, with records of both sought-after woodpeckers, Canada Jay, Boreal Chickadee, and other coniferous specialties.
Itasca County
p. 402 – Delete Sunset View [site 6], which is now a private residential area with a gated entrance road and no public lake access.
p. 402– Amended directions to Bowen Lodge [site 6]: from the junction of CR 9 and MN 46, go 3.8 mi. north to CR 148 / Williams Narrows Rd., then 0.5 mi. west to the fork, and left on Bowens Rd. for 3 mi. to the lodge.
St. Louis County
p. 409-411 – Due to a long-term construction project, there will be times with closures and detours related to I-535 and the Blatnik Bridge in Duluth during the next few years. This may impact access to the Port Terminal [site 7], Interstate Island [site 8], and Superior, WI. Currently, the only access to I-535 is via Garfield Ave. – from either Superior St. at 16th Ave. W, or from the west end of Railroad St.
p. 416 – Probably the best place to park and scan Lake Superior at the mouth of the Lester River [site 23] is behind the University of MN limnology building at 6008 London Rd.: turn in at the driveway off London Rd., either immediately west of the river or at the 60th Ave. E intersection.
p. 421 – The Sharp-tailed Grouse lek [site 32] may no longer be active. Only 2 displaying males were still present into spring 2022, and none has been reported there since then as of December 2022. Sharp-taileds can still occur randomly at other sites in Sax-Zim, with probably the best place to look along CR 7, 1-2 mi. south of Sax.
p. 423 – After virtually no documented reports ever in the heavily birded Sax-Zim Bog, a handful of confirmed Spruce Grouse records (some photographed) occurred at various sites there in 2022 and early 2023. These had been since the wildfire in fall 2021 along Lake CR 2, an area where Spruce Grouse have consistently occurred for decades (see p. 437-438). There is speculation that some of these grouse were displaced by the fire and accordingly turned up at Sax-Zim (although there is no evidence to support this hypothesis).
Lake County
p. 430 – East Stanley Road in Two Harbors has again become a private residential road with little or no public birding access.
Cook County
p. 443 – Upper Cliff House Rd. at Lutsen Resort [site 8] is worth birding for sparrows and other migrants partial to open areas. From the main entrance road to the resort, turn west at the sign immediately south of MN 61, and check the fields and edges along this 1/4-mile-long road.