T. Solitaire seen both Saturday and today (Jan. 28-29) at the Litchfield Nature Center about 3 miles south of Litchfield. Park in the small pulloff area, take the first trail to the right (going east) thru the woods for about 150 yards until you exit the trees and enter onto an open area with scattered sumac and cedars. Continue on trail going northeast toward the tall pine tree area, about 170-180 yds. The Solitaire was seen both days between 10-11 am, feeding and roosting in the cedars and pines at the south end entrance to the pine area. About 10:50 this morning ( as well as Saturday morning!) it flew up and away from the cedars and over the tops of the pines to the east. Patience needed--the Solitaire (true to its name?) was very secretive and quiet and not easy to spot in the shadows. This morning it was feeding with a Cardinal pair.
Addendum: Later this morning (Sunday 1/29), Susie Maki looked but did not refind the Solitaire. She did see some Comm. Redpolls and 3 Am. Robins, among other expected birds in the area. The Litchfield Nature Ctr. is 1.8 miles south of the Lake Ripley parking lot (South Ripley Rd., just off MN Hwy. 22 on the south end of Litch) on what turns into 615th Ave. going straight south, then go west on 230th St. for 1.4 miles to the Nature Ctr. pulloff area alongside the road. It was gorgeous out there this morning. Pete Hoeger, Hutchinson ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
