Hey everyone- Sorry for this late report but the last few days have been very busy birdwise. On Friday 5/30, I had my class out doing a "mini-big day" for the last day of class and while I was at the Black Dog Fen area (just east of Cliff Road and 35W) looking for Bell's Vireo (which I missed) I saw a very late Harris' Sparrow in the hedgerow just behind the playground. Talk about surprised! I also had a Black & White Warbler at the Minnesota River Valley NWR headquarters on the trail that goes down the hill to the left of the center. It was in the same area as a beautiful Scarlet Tanager.
On Saturday Mark Newstrom and I were banding at Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville when we netted a Northern Waterthrush and a male Mourning Warbler. We wouldn't have expected either of those. We also found a Black-billed Cuckoo in the old orchard area where one was located last summer. In spite of the fact that most of the migrants have moved on, it might pay to take one more look in your favorite spot for the odd straggler or two. Roger Everhart Apple Valley, MN http://minnesotabirdnerd.blogspot.com
