Ventured north to Aitkin County yesterday (2/10) - Tamarack, CR 5/Palisade, CR 18, CR 3 & 1.
Tamarack - Nine Sharp-tailed Grouse present, eight 1/2 mile south of town, one under the second set of feeders on Kestrel Avenue. Pine Grosbeaks & a single Shrike also present. CR 5/Palisade - Surprisingly, found a Grackle hanging with a Pine Siskin/Purple Finch (two of the latter) flock. Very expressive in negative degree temperatures! Had Pine Grosbeaks both in town and on four parts of CR 5. CR 18 - rather quiet, flock of Redpolls (tough for me to find since 1/1) east of CR 5 intersection, four Gray Jays along "Pietz" Road. CR 3 & 1 - very quiet, did not find Black-backed/Three-toed at customary location five miles past the CR 1 intersection. Single Shrike is all I can report (both on the day were close to feeders). Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties PS Of course, no Red Crossbills present.
