The fourth annual MOU Sherburne Refuge trip is Saturday, May 17th at 7:00. Please meet at Mahnomen Trail parking lot. Take 169 north to Sherburne CR 9, 9 west into the refuge, the trail will be on your left (perhaps a mile from the refuge sign).
We will (probably) cover Mahnomen Trail, Blue Hill Trail and the Auto Tour in the morning - break for lunch - then decide on locations for the optional afternoon portion (could be local ponds for shorebirds, or alternate roads for morning "misses" - one year we traveled north to Kathio State Park & Mille Lacs Lake for migrating warblers & shorebirds). Bring good walking shoes, boots if recent rain. Mornings can be cool. Feel free to call me on my cell (763-257-9121) if inclement weather threatens the trip. 25 people are currently registered, which is our normal maximum. If you've registered and cannot make it, please advise as soon as possible - so that we can contact those on the waiting list. If you would like to come but have not registered, drop me a note and I will add you to the waiting list - since a few registrants do tend to have schedule changes. Our day list has run from 80-106 species - including Lark & Grasshopper Sparrows (among ten species, sometimes a Henslow's) - Golden-winged and Blue-winged Warblers (occasionally a Hooded will slip in with the 9-10 regulars) - Scarlet Tanagers & Indigo Buntings - Ruffed Grouse - etc. Please let me know if you have a target species in mind, we'll keep our eyes open for you. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
