After unsuccessful owling, stopped at Ann Lake/Sand Dunes, just south of
Sherburne Refuge this morning.
Northern explosion.
Eight minutes walk north of the parking lot, while watching a roost of 200+
crows, a Red Crossbill sang from conifers, then flew over head.
Returning to the parking lot, a Common Redpoll flew over.
Walking south of the parking lot on the trail, a Bohemian Waxwing also flew
over, and 19 more were roosting in one of the large deciduous trees on the
west side.
Feeling blessed, I checked some pecking/noise in the conifers, about five
minutes walk from the parking lot: Black-backed Woodpecker (just off the
trail). Took some blurry i-phone photos.
Mind you, this is central Minnesota, less than an hour from the cities.
Felt like I was birding in Aitkin or Sax-Zim.
(And, if I was a betting man, this would have been a good morning to play
the lottery. But I'm not.)
Good birding to all!
Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
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