WADDELL RANCH

We have arranged access to one of the largest continuous tracts of original northern tallgrass prairie left in North America. We will be special guests of the owner who has never before allowed groups of any size to visit this unique habitat. The views over the prairie are magnificent and the feeling of being one of the first explorers is overwhelming. We expect that the bird life and specifically sparrows will not disappoint us. This high ground is also one of the best locations in eastern SD and western MN for fall raptor migration.

COTEAU DES PRAIRIE EDGE

If we find Longspurs - Chestnut-collared, Lapland, and Smith's - it will most likely be here. This private ranch is rolling rock strewn hill land interspersed with small wetlands that is heavily grazed by cattle. It is located on the eastern edge of the Coteau des Prairie hills, which form a natural corridor for fall hawk migration. As an added bonus, we expect Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks, but there is also a chance for Prairie Falcon, Swainson's Hawk and Ferruginous Hawk. Sharp-tailed Grouse and Gray Partridge are also present in small numbers in this whole area.

BIG STONE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE UPLANDS

If anyone knows the bird life of this refuge, it is Bob Janssen. Bob has spent many days spread over many years doing breeding bird surveys for the USF&WS on the refuge. His experience with sparrows in particular is long and extensive. If LeConte's Sparrow is one of your goals Bob is the man to follow and this is the place to be. He has seen the species in every county in Minnesota and we expect to see it here. We also have a small chance to find Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow as well as at least a dozen other sparrow species on the refuge. White-crowned, Harris's, and Lincoln's in the difficult fall plumage should be easily seen. An introduced population of Greater Prairie-Chicken lives on or near the refuge so we could find this species as well as possibly Gray Partridge.

FLYNN PRAIRIE NATURE TRAIL

Located a stone's throw from our base at the Super 8 motel; the Flynn Nature Trail is a mile and a half long walking path through a reconstructed tallgrass prairie. The trail goes through both uplands as well as a number of wetlands and some wooded areas. The area was farmland, has recently been sown, and will be managed to be one of the most authentic tall grass prairie reconstruction projects in North America. You will get a chance to see this unique area. The bird life should be abundant and varied. This is our best area to find Rusty Blackbird and American Pipit. (During every year's workshop we have found several dozen LeConte's Sparrow in this location.)