Jim Williams and I birded the Prairie Wildlife Auto Tour portion of Sherburne Refuge this morning.
Birding was initially slow (perhaps due to the excellence of the conversation - we've emailed for years but this was our first time in the field together), then picked up some with eight warbler species (including a Blackpoll that gave us fits; Nashvilles were very common this morning), 60+ American White Pelicans (first of fall), 16 Great Egrets (also first of fall for me in the refuge) and various commoners. For those who have signed up for the Saturday, September 1st Mille Lacs trip - remember to meet at Kathio State Park at 7:30 AM - and to either have your state sticker already or be prepared to pay $5.00 for a self registration day sticker (even if you're parking in the lot and carpooling - I checked with staff today). Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
