Gully Rice
Paddies/
Gully Fen Scientific and Natural Area
 Habitat: Rice paddies, fields, pastures, shrubby
grasslands, woodland edges, calcareous fens, conifer and
hardwood seepage swamps.
Features: Gully Fen SNA, a
1,610 acre natural area managed by the Minnesota DNR, includes a
calcareous seepage fen and a lowland tamarack swamp. Birds
associated with lowland conifer such as the White-Throated Sparrow
are common here. The privately owned rice paddies nearby, when
water-covered, are great places to view waterfowl and shorebirds,
especially in migration. At times, hundreds of swans can be seen
here.
Best Times to Visit: March through May.
 Birds To Look For:
Waterfowl, including Snow Goose and Tundra Swan; Rough-legged Hawk;
Peregrine Falcon; Marbled Godwit and other early shorebirds; Snowy
and Short-eared Owls. Watch for Ross’s Geese mixed with Snow Geese.
Notes For Birding The Area:
Excellent area to visit in early spring. As migration proceeds,
migrant songbirds are common in the area also. Paddies are privately
owned so please stay on main roads. Interesting and rare plant
communities and beautiful wildflowers. Waterproof footgear is
recommended.
Contact: Supervisor, DNR
Scientific and Natural Areas Program, 500 Lafayette Rd.,
St. Paul, MN 55l55, 651-297-2357.
www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas/sna01084
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