Kasota Region Overview

If you fly over the Minnesota River Valley from Jordan south through Belle Plaine and St. Peter to just north of Mankato, you would be struck by the wide variety of landscapes in this broad, expansive river valley. The valley is surrounded by some of the most intensely farmed country in Minnesota. The green corridor produced by this river valley and its value to bird and wildlife is obvious. The Minnesota River winds its serpentine way through the valley amidst steep bluffs, heavily wooded hillsides, and deep valleys carved by its tributaries. These tributary valleys enter the Minnesota River Valley on both sides of the river and provide “fingers” of green that extend from the upland farm fields into the valley. Rush River, Fry Creek, Seven Mile Creek, High Island Creek and many other smaller streams are examples of such waterways. These “fingers” of green provide resting and nesting places for migrating and resident songbirds. Interspersed among the fields are grassy bluffs with a few intact tracts of native prairie, such as Ottawa and Kasota Prairies. Away from the river, there are numerous lakes surrounded by marshes and grassy wetlands that furnish suitable breeding and resting areas for marsh and water birds. Lakes, such as Washington, Oakleaf, Middle and Swan, provide havens for a wide range of bird species.

Kasota Region North Loop
This region is filled with good birding sites. One of the best, the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, is a state park divided into four separate units: Lawrence, Kelly Lake, Blakeley and Rush River. Each unit contains a wide variety of habitats, creating many wonderful opportunities for birding. Nearly 200 species of birds have been recorded in these units. The Lawrence Unit is primarily river-bottom habitat composed of lowland woods and adjoining areas of grassland and oak savanna. The wetlands are filled with large numbers of waterfowl, especially during spring and fall migration. The brushy marshes along the wetlands are good areas for sparrows and other wetland birds. Blue-winged Warbler, Indigo Bunting and Eastern Towhee can be found in the oak savanna during the breeding season. Eastern Meadowlark are common in the grasslands along with Vesper, Clay-colored, Savannah and an occasional Henslow’s Sparrow. The Kelly Lake Unit is a wild and remote area that lies on the western side of the Minnesota River in Carver County. One of its trails winds down to the river through a beautiful lowland woods. Kelly Lake Unit is one of the few remaining areas near the Twin Cities where Whip-poor-will can be heard in late April and early May. Further upriver is the Blakeley Unit, which is not as well known to birders, but definitely warrants exploration. The Rush River Unit in Sibley County contains steep wooded hills and valleys that are perfect for birding during spring and fall migration. Just south of the Blakeley unit, the Ney Environmental Learning Center contains over 400 acres of prime bird habitat. This property was donated to the county as a wildlife refuge by its farsighted owners. The learning center itself is a fine meeting facility and provides visitors with information and history on the area. Trails wind through the various grasslands, woods and thickets, giving birders access to many excellent birding spots. The feeding stations at the learning center provide a place for more relaxed bird watching after completing a walking tour of the area.

Kasota Region South Loop
The Kasota Prairie and adjoining Kasota Prairie Scientific and Natural Area are expanses of native grasslands being restored by the Unimin Corporation. Fifty-two avian species were recorded at this site during a recent two-day census in June. From spring to fall, both sites are excellent for grassland birds. Grasshopper, Chipping, Clay-colored and Field Sparrow are common, as well as occasional sightings of Henslow’s Sparrow. Dickcissel, Eastern and Western Meadowlark, Eastern Bluebird, and Upland Sandpiper are seen throughout the prairie. Five species of swallow are regularly seen feeding over the grass, while Orchard Oriole can be found in the scrubby woodlands surrounding the grasslands. Swan Lake, which includes Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area and Nicollet Conservation Club, is one of the best large, shallow, marshy lakes for birds in the state. Western, Red-necked, Pied-billed and Eared Grebe are present both as migrants and nesting species. Be sure to look for a Clark’s Grebe among the Western Grebe. Waterfowl, especially puddle ducks, are common migrants, but some remain to nest in the cattail marshes surrounding the lake. Both Ruddy Duck and Redhead nest at Swan Lake. Marsh Wren, Least Bittern, rails, coots and hundreds of Yellow-headed Blackbird can also be seen in the cattails. A pair of Great-tailed Grackles, thought to be breeding, were recently seen in the cattails on the lake’s south side. Seven Mile Creek County Park, a birding gem, often produces exciting sightings to add to bird lists. Just off a busy highway, the park offers a pristine forest filled with migrant songbirds and breeding species during June and July. Wild Turkey are common; Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, Veery, Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Acadian Flycatcher and Winter Wren are found in good numbers. Kentucky Warbler, a rare bird in Minnesota, has occasionally been sighted in this park.