Update from the Sherburne Wildlife Refuge & general area: * Summer Tanager - has been seen & heard on both sides of the Blue Hill Trail area. Take 169 to Sherburne CR 9, 9 west to Blue Hill Trail. If you hit the CR 5 T intersection, you've gone too far, come back about a mile. Dennis Martin's post provides excellent directions, but it's generally been within 5-10 minutes of the entrance. I have only heard it (two occasions, generally clear partial songs), but a number have seen it. Please note that there are many Scarlets also on the trail.
* Red-headed Woodpeckers - occasionally one can see an individual or portions of a family on the corner of CR 9 & 42, most frequently on the poles on the north side. * Yellow-billed Cuckoos - present on both Blue Hill & Mahnomen Trails (Mahnomen is also on CR 9, not as far west as Blue Hill). * Ten species of sparrows are still verbalizing or being seen, best is a Lark Sparrow on the trailhead of Mahnomen. However, the Henslow's on the trailhead of Blue Hill (east side) has been quiet (or absent) for over a week. * Trumpeter Swans are still visible on the Prairie Wildlife Auto Tour (take 9 west to 5, 5 south a couple of miles, tour is on the left) and the back side of Blue Hill Trails' first loop. * Eleven species of shorebirds seen in the area, including Wilson's Phalaropes and a Dowitcher (tempted to call it a Short-billed, but could not testify to same in a court of law). * Great Horned Owls have been active in the daytime on Blue Hill and Mahnomen Trails. * Warblers have been quiet, still occasionally hear & see the Mournings on Blue Hill, but only had five species for the week. 96 species this week (not bad for time & heat). OK, so it's not as spectacular right now as Big Stone/Lac Qui Parle, but for many, it's much closer! Good birding to all. Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
