20+ birders gathered at Rice Lake Refuge for the annual Aitkin County trip.
We covered Rice Lake, Soo Line Trail connection on 65, CR's 5 & 18; then,
after a late lunch at Subway, CR's 3, 1 & 15.
Birding was a bit slow, only 95 species overall. Warblers were solid (16-17
species) but generally invisible. A few got life looks at a Mourning, and
life listens to Connecticut and Canada (all on 18). Shorebirds had moved
on, both unfortunately (from our perspective) and fortunately (from theirs).
Early morning visits by 2-3 on the trip netted Yellow Rail and Nelson's
Sparrows, although none were active upon the trip's arrival (not
unexpectedly). LeContes were difficult finds this year.
Interestingly, besides a fleeting glance at a single Gray Jay by one tour
member, no winter boreal species were seen.
A puzzling warbler was heard and briefly seen (fly away) at our last stop,
Kathio State Park in Mille Lacs County. Originally ID'd as a Parula, the
song was much closer to a Cerulean upon further IBird and other listens.
Last year a Cerulean was heard but not seen in Kathio.
The weather was glorious.
Good birding to all!
Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
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