Birded Aitkin & Sherburne Counties the last two days. Within Aitkin covered 18 (dead quiet in the morning), 5, 210 (side highways as well) and 65 including Tamarack and Rice Lake NWR (latter two for the first time).
Highlight was a Boreal Owl along Aitkin CR 31, north of Tamarack. Also of interest were numerous Great Gray & Northern Hawk Owls, Ruffed Grouse, Pine Grosbeaks, Gray Jay and, bizarrely, only a single Rough-legged Hawk and Raven. On Friday the Townsend's Solitaire was still present along the Ann Lake Campground road. Feeders were strangely quiet (generally just Redpolls); missed my two targets (Evening Grosbeak and Sharp-tailed Grouse - where have the latter moved in Aitkin County now?). However, the Boreal obviously made the day. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
