Enjoyed a four day birding vacation here in Minnesota from 5/14 to 5/17, including the MOU Sherburne trip on Saturday: 183 species, 46 year birds, 27 warblers, 24 shorebirds, one state bird (Say's Phoebe). Few highlights & details:
* Saturday 5/17 MOU Field Trip, Sherburne Refuge Group of 23 took a relaxed approach to this year's trip, covering Mahnomen/Blue Hill Trails and the Auto Tour from 7:00-3:00. Highlights were outstanding looks (trees not yet leafed out) at 22 warbler species (including a male Bay Breasted that was breathtaking, numerous Cape Mays & Northern Parulas, Blackburnian and Black-throated Greens, among others) - nice views of an Olive-sided Flycatcher - Lark Sparrows - "flame on" Scarlet Tanager - among 88 species. Auto Tour was surprisingly quiet, although wind & rain didn't help. Group dynamics were excellent - MOU has some good people! * Friday 5/16 Aitkin Trip Covered Rice Lake Refuge, CR 5/Palisade, CR 18, 1 & 15, northern Mille Lacs Lake. 110 species, including 18 warblers, 9 shorebirds, 7 county birds. Highlights included Hudsonian Godwit, Long-billed Dowitcher, Pine Warbler (only one in four days, in fact, only one this year to date), Black-billed Magpie, Red-headed Woodpecker, Philadelphia Vireo, and LeConte's Sparrow (only one on Rice Lake drive). * Thursday 5/15 Sherburne & Mille Lacs Trip Covered the refuge, Mille Lacs WMA, the lake, Kathio State Park and Mille Lacs Hiking trails. 124 species, 23 warblers, only 6 shorebirds. Highlights were a Connecticut Warbler (only one in the four days), single Great Egret (first one of year up here), and Common Nighthawk. Good numbers of commons; 20 warblers on Mahnomen Trail. * Wednesday 5/14, Big Stone & Lac Qui Parle Trip Most details have already been shared, but 132 species, including 23 shorebirds & 17 warblers made this trip very worthwhile. Say's Phoebe, Nathan's Ferruginous Hawk, multiple Least Bitterns, Swainson's Hawks, Western Grebe, heard Common Moorhen, American Avocet, numerous Hudsonian & Marbled Godwits and both dowitchers made this the top day of the trip. 900 miles of driving, $205 in expenses made this a reasonable vacation experience. Further details available upon request (not demand:). Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
