The 46th Salt Lake Birding Weekend will take place in Lac qui Parle County over the last weekend in April, with the main count day being Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Last year’s highlights included 67 White-faced Ibises in one location, Black-necked Stilt, Cattle Egret, American Goshawk, Short-eared Owl, and the Grand Slam of Grebes (five species together) on one wetland.
On the evening of Friday, April 26, beginning at 5:30 p.m. birders are invited to stop by Madison Mercantile for a potluck dinner and live music. It is a coffee shop/art gallery with a wine and beer selection.
Birders will meet at the American Legion in Marietta at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 27, with breakfast and coffee, available for a modest fee. They will assemble with guides into caravans for the day. While most of the birding is centered around Lac qui Parle County, they also make their way to sites in Big Stone or Yellow Medicine counties.
Maps and checklists will be provided. After returning to the legion at noon to buy lunch, birders will share their finds and then embark on the afternoon leg of the journey. At 7 p.m. they will meet at the Sons of Norway Lodge in Madison for supper and the final tally. Supper is roasted chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, and pie for $15. Reservations are necessary for dinner with prepayment preferred; please contact Bernice Oelien or Camey Maland, Sons of Norway Lodge, at oelmal@farmerstel.net, (507) 829-0676, or (320) 752-4757. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available upon request via RSVP. Payment at the door without a reservation will be $20 per dinner (limited meal availability).
The Salt Lake Birding Weekend is free and open to all, though advance registration is appreciated, to help us with the planning.
To register, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48A9AC2FA5FFCE9-47207084-salt#/
(Thanks to the Minnesota Ornithologists Union for this announcement.)