Blue Earth River Region East Loop
Even though this region is located in an area of intense farming, it is an exciting area for birding. The region’s most interesting site is Minnesota Lake, which sits on the Faribault-Blue Earth county line. This is an excellent lake for viewing migrating water birds and shorebirds and is one of only two places in southern Minnesota where American White Pelican nest. Western and Clark’s Grebe breed in the marshes on the western end of the lake, while Cattle Egret and other heron species are found in and around the lake. When the water levels are low, this lake attracts large concentrations of migrating shorebirds. A recent draw down of the lake attracted over 10,000 shorebirds during July and August. Walnut Lake Wildlife Management Area is another good spot for viewing migrating waterfowl and other water birds. Marsh birds, including herons and egrets, concentrate in the area, especially in late summer and early fall. Nearby are Pihls County Park, Daly County Park and Schimek County Park. All provide first-rate habitat for songbirds during the migration season. Wooded Pihls County Park is a good place to search for warblers, especially in the spring, because of its close proximity to Rice Lake. Numerous migrating sparrows, particularly Harrris’s and White-crowned, are seen here in the fall. The wooded Blue Earth River Valley, which runs from the Iowa border to Mankato, is a prime area for migrating raptors and passerines.

Blue Earth River Region West Loop
This part of Martin County is filled with lakes surrounded by woodlands and thickets in the midst of intensive agricultural development. The chain of lakes running from Truman and Trimont south to the Iowa border provides prime habitat for migrating birds. Some of these lakes include marshland suitable for waterfowl and other marsh birds. The north-south orientation of the lakes and parks provides corridors for migrating birds in both spring and fall. Starting in the north, Perch Lake Park offers good waterfowl and marsh bird habitat on the lake’s north end. Another area with good birding potential just north of Perch Lake is Perch Creek Wildlife Management Area. Timberlane and Klessig County Parks provide heavily wooded habitats along the shore of Iowa Lake, a great environment for migrating birds such as warblers, vireos, flycatchers and sparrows. Cedar Creek Park, located on the southwest edge of the City of Fairmont, contains dense stands of Red Cedar which create roosting habitat for winter birds and a ready food supply for migrating waxwings, robins and other songbirds. Cedar Lake Park near Trimont offers woodland, marshes, and water habitat that attract a wide-range of migratory and resident birds. Fox Lake, along I-90 between Welcome and Sherburn, is good for migrating waterfowl, especially geese, ducks, gulls and terns. A portion of the lake is open all year, providing a wintering area for numerous geese and ducks.