Saturday April 11 was a glorious day and we decided to return to Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. This time we were hiking the Carver Creek Loop Trail. From that trail we were going to hike back to where we left off last time we were here a few weeks ago.

The first species we encountered were Dark-eyed Juncos, Black-capped Chickadee, and American Robins. Then our trail became flooded so we turned back and headed out the other way around the loop, hoping we would be able to make it to where we were heading to. Then we saw a Great Horned Owl, Downy Woodpecker, Garter Snake, Bald Eagle, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Common Mergansers, Hooded Mergansers, Wood Ducks, a female Red-winged Blackbird, Spinyleg Willowfly, Scaups, Canadian Geese, an unidentified Dragonfly (first of the year), an unidentified Butterfly (second of the year), Mourning Dove, and we heard many Wood Frog calls.

We also came across a group of about 10 garter snakes huddled together under a branch and leaf litter. They must have been trying to keep each other warm since it dipped below freezing last night. Now it is in the upper 60s with bright sunshine and they are about to go their separate ways. Often times while watching this tangle of snakes one or two heads would emerge and look right at me. It was very cool to see this.

Looking forward to our return to this Wildlife Refuge.