In part 2 of my “Grouse to Goose” birding and bird photography trip in western Minnesota, I head south to the west central part of the state to find at least ONE Greater White-fronted Goose. But along the way, and despite the spring snow, I encounter multiple cool birds—Lapland Longspurs in near breeding plumage, dancing Sandhill Cranes, a “Gray Ghost,” and the World’s Largest Greater Prairie-Chicken!
Excited to finally get to one of Minnesota’s best birding sites, North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County, my day is nearly ruined as I get mired in mud while pursuing a daytime-hunting Short-eared Owl.
But then a massive flock of Greater White-fronted Geese arises in the distance…3,000?, 5,000? Quite a sight, and success in my search!
It was just like the old-timers talk about….Flocks of geese everywhere! I hit it right again this year (thanks to eBird reports, the Minnesota Birding Facebook Group and intel from my birding buddies, Kim Risen and Steve Millard. Thanks guys!
Definitely got my much-needed dose of mega-goose migration on the prairie. The cacophony of goose cackles and swan honks is definitely worth the 8 hour round trip. The 25-35 mph winds made video and sound recording challenging but I did my best.
North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County, Minnesota was the hot spot. Five species of geese including tens of thousands of Snow Geese, thousands of Greater White-fronted Geese, and lesser amounts of Ross’s Geese, Canada Geese and Cackling Geese. But back roads in Grant and Ottertail and Traverse counties held numerous flocks. I’d see a smudge on the horizon, throw up my binoculars and the smudge would come to life as a massive flock of geese.
Tundra Swans were also moving in impressive numbers.
I also searched for Short-eared Owls in prairie areas (SNAs, WPAs, WMAs) and did flush one but did not see any hunting.
Three Ross’s Geese (note greenish base of the stubby bill that separates them from Snow Geese) [North Ottawa Impoundment; Grant County, Minnesota]Snow Geese coming in to North Ottawa Impoundment, Grant County, MinnesotaSnow Geese and waxing moon [North Ottawa Impoundment; Grant County, Minnesota]Goose flock, silo, setting sun [Ottertail County, Minnesota]Greater White-fronted Goose [North Ottawa Impoundment; Grant County, Minnesota]Northern Pintails [North Ottawa Impoundment; Grant County, Minnesota]Snow Goose flock [North Ottawa Impoundment; Grant County, Minnesota]Snow Geese and waxing moon [North Ottawa Impoundment; Grant County, Minnesota]Ducks and rising sun [North Ottawa Impoundment; Grant County, Minnesota]Greater White-fronted Geese [North Ottawa Impoundment; Grant County, Minnesota]
All photos and video shot with Canon R5 and Canon 100-500mm lens. Additional video shot with Panasonic GH5 and Sigma 50-500mm lens (“toy” miniature time lapse), and iPhone 7+
April 25, 2025
Sparky Stensaas
thesparkygroup@gmail.com
