Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail

Pomme de Terre Region Overview


The five counties in this region — Pope, Stevens, Douglas, Grant and Otter Tail — are in the transition zone between woodlands and prairie. Places where ecological regions overlap are fertile areas for birds because of the variety of habitats. This region is studded with prairie and wooded lakes, many marshes, potholes, streams, and hilly grasslands. Wildlife management areas and waterfowl production areas are scattered throughout the area and offer the birder many opportunities for excellent birding. The best time to bird is during spring and fall migration periods, especially in March and April when waterfowl migration is at its peak, and again in October. This is also an excellent area for summer breeding species, including flycatchers, woodpeckers, vireos, several species of warbler and grassland sparrows. Lake Minnewaska between the Cities of Glenwood and Starbuck is an excellent waterfowl lake, particularly for diving ducks and grebes. Over 50,000 American Coot gather here in the fall. A drive around the lake in any season should result in a good list of species. The Glacial Ridge Trail winds its way through part of this region and a drive along it provides both wonderful views and numerous avian sightings. This region contains so many remote fields, woods, streams, lakes, marshes and valleys that the birder can return over and over again, each time finding both new birds to see and new areas to explore.

Pomme de Terre Region North Loop
Lake Christina, located in the wooded and hilly country along the Douglas and Otter Tail County line, is one of the best known waterfowl lakes in Minnesota. It is a gathering place for large flocks of Canvasback and other waterfowl, including grebes and coots. Adjoining the lake is the Seven Sisters Prairie Preserve, a group of hills that contains virgin prairie, making it an ideal spot to search for open country birds, especially grassland birds. Lark Sparrow nest in this area. Just to the east of Seven Sisters is Inspiration Peak State Scenic Wayside Park. This is another hilly and heavily wooded site, which makes it an excellent area for thrushes, warblers, vireos and sparrows. Scarlet Tanager, American Redstart, Red-eyed and Yellow-throated Vireo, and Ovenbird are often found here during the summer months. The dense stands of Red Cedar in Grant County’s Tipsinah Park are excellent roosting spots for owls. Red-shouldered Hawk have also been observed in this park. Redhead Slough Waterfowl Production Area, Pomme de Terre Waterfowl Production Area and Ten Mile Waterfowl Production Area all lie along the Pomme De Terre River north of Tipsinah Park and offer birders a wide variety of birding venues. Many species of waterfowl and marsh, woodland and grassland birds abound in this landscape filled with lakes, marshes and woods. This is an excellent place to bird in every season, but is especially rich in birding opportunities during the summer.

Pomme de Terre Region South Loop
Glacial Lakes State Park, south of the City of Starbuck, has rolling hills and deep valleys that were carved by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. Ponds, marshes and several large lakes are scattered among grassland hills in this 1,880 acre park. Its range of habitats offers the birder everything from ducks, geese and swans to Willow Flycatcher, Nashville Warbler and LeConte’s Sparrow. One hundred and ten species were recorded in this park during a recent fall bird inventory, including 13 species of warbler and vireo and 14 species of sparrow. Franklin’s Gull are especially common in and around the park and flocks of Tundra Swan have been seen in late October. Contained within the Morris Wetland Management District, the Edwards Waterfowl Production Area offers auto tour routes that wander through prairie potholes and grassland habitats, offering good views of waterfowl, other water birds, and a wide variety of prairie species, especially Grasshopper, Savannah and Vesper Sparrow. Runestone County Park has woods, grasslands and marshy wetlands -- typical Douglas County habitat. A wide variety of migrant and resident birds are found within its borders. North of Morris, the Pomme de Terre River valley contains the Wente and Pomme de Terre Waterfowl Production Areas. The river valley is a natural corridor for migrating raptors, vultures, ducks and geese. Add that to its marshy and grassland habitats and you have a great place to look for birds.

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