Have been enjoying the mixed flocks of Lapland Longspurs, Horned Larks & Snow Buntings in the area over the last week.
This morning I stopped along Sherburne CR 5 near the Auto Tour to look through a flock along the side of the road. Mixed in with the flock was a longspur with a very red nape and yellow on the side of the face. I refuse to rush to rash conclusions. Do Laplands sometimes occur with significant yellow on the face, perhaps prior to "blacking up"? As much as office time allows, have done some due diligence today, without success. Earliest occurence of a Chesnut-collared in MN that I've found is April 7th - and there have been virtually no occurences in central MN (unless one includes Aitkin). Welcome input! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
