While taking a short walk through the Fens Unit of the MN Valley NWR, on Cliff Road in Burnsville, just east of I-35W,I saw or heard Yellow Warbler, Common Yelowthroat, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Goldfinch, Catbird, rd-tailed Hawk and right where the line of shrubs and trees starts after you pass the first power line stanchion, I heard the Bell's Vireo. As Linda Whyte mentioned on the Birding LIst, it is about where the Yellow-breasted Chat was seen and heard a few years ago. Earlier in the year I noticed the white orchids on the south side of the trail, about 100 paces past the end of the trees after the first powerline stanchion.

I certainly hope this area is not inundated with birders who cannot stay on the taril, but who feel they have to walk off the trail in order to see the bird. This tramnples a lot of delicate vegetation.Please stay on the trails.

If you wait long enough, the bird will show itself.

This holds true for birds and and animlas on all State and National "Wildlife Areas", please stay on the trails so you do not damge the fragile habitat. it is the rule, and do not take your dog off the leash, or leave it home. Please do not leave behind any trash, and pick up any trash you see.

Several Bobolinks can be viewed south of Lakeville, by taking I- 35W to 260th Street, taking the first leffr onto Irving Street, and following it south to the second curve, where you will see grasssy areas to your left and right. The birds often sit on the barbed wire fence on the west side fo the road. Soras and Grasshoppee Sparrow may be heard in the marshes, and Wild Turkey, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawks, Common Yellowthroat, Bluebirds and Western Meadowlarks may be seen or heard. About 3/4of a mile south you will find a Nature Area, where several species of birds can be seen.

If you get off I-35W at 210th Street, and take an immediate left, it will take you to Ritter Farm Park , where numerous birds species, including nesting Bald Eagles on the first lake, can be seen on the park's groomed trails, such as Scarlet Tanager, Cerulean Warbler and Towhee.