Al, We searched for the Townsend's Solitaire today per your instructions. We were surprised that there was a PAIR of Townsend's Solitaires. It seems from your posts that you were talking about a single bird. They were warbling and chasing each other around. We tried to locate it last season, but were unsuccessful. Thanks for your posts. We had never seen one in Minnesota before.
We parked at the entrance of the unplowed road that goes to the Ann Lake campground and walked up to where the cross country ski trail crossed this road. The pair was on this trail just about 100' north of the road. Joel and Lisa Swanstrom -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Pastor Al Schirmacher Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 10:02 AM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Cc: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: [mou] Sherburne NWR, Ann Lake (Solitaire present) Walked portions of Blue Hill Trail and the Ann Lake snowmobile trail this morning, also toured the Wildlife Drive. Highlight was the Townsend's Solitaire at Ann Lake, also a Northern Shrike scattering a flock of waxwings. An Eastern Screech Owl called twice before dawn on Blue Hill; single Redpoll flew over. The Wildlife Drive continues very quiet (where are the Rough-leggeds this winter?). For those interested in seeing the Solitaire, best strategy seems to be take the access road off of Sherburne CR 5 (near CR 4), drive in about a mile to the small parking lot on the right, then walk the southern snowmobile trail while scanning the tops of the trees. I've found it as close as 10-20 feet from the trail, and as far as 150 yards. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties _______________________________________________ mou-net mailing list [email protected] http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net
