Pursuant to Ken LaFond's Carlos Avery post, checked our area sewage ponds this morning (Princeton, Milaca, Gilman, Foley) - migration has certainly begun, seven species seen (nothing distinctive, many SP Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs).
Also walked the entire Blue Hill Trail in Sherburne (4+ miles, usually only do the front loop - back area is breathtaking) and drove through the Auto Tour (latter yesterday AM) - while singing and sighted species numbers are still good, they are gradually diminishing (eg, no Golden-winged or Blue-winged heard, although Mourning still actively singing). Did have a Broad-winged (perhaps two) near Milaca ponds, have just frequent enough sightings/hearings there that one wonders about nesting. Have a blessed Fourth! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties PS With significant assistance from Julian Sellers and others, have concluded that I simply ran into a rather dark/seemingly large Lincoln's Sparrow in Aitkin County last Saturday (visual angle is everything) - thanks for all the help (you're a great group!) - although a percentage of my heart would still love the bird to have been a female LABU.
