[mou] Four Day MN tour

[Pastor Al Schirmacher]

Took four vacation days to target needed birds and enjoy different environs 
in Minnesota, traveled Wednesday through Saturday (latter on the MOU trip). 
181 species seen and heard, including 29 year and five state birds. 
Highlights included:

* 24 warbler species.  Highlights were Kentucky (Williams Nature Center), 
Black-throated Blue (Wood Lake & Stoney Point, north of Duluth), Louisiana 
Waterthrush (Minneopa), four Hooded and three Cerulean (Murphy Hanrahan). 
Also interesting were the misses:  Orange-crowned, Northern Waterthrush, 
Connecticut, Bay-breasted and Blackpoll (latter three have not been 
personally seen or heard all spring).

* 23 shorebird species.  Enjoyed 13 Hudsonian Godwits, 4-6 Marbled Godwits 
and 12 American Avocets in Lac Qui Parle, Big Stone and adjoining counties; 
Ruddy Turnstones (Purgatory Creek & Mille Lacs Lake) and Sanderlings (also 
lakefront), Red-necked & Wilson's Phalaropes (Lac Qui Parle).  Missed 
Solitary Sandpiper all week; had no shorebirds in Duluth, Two Harbors and 
along 61.

* 15 waterfowl, nothing unusual.

* Five grebes - thought the mix of two Eared, one Western and one Red-necked 
was unique on Park Point.  Nice but distant looks at the Clark's on Thielke 
(Big Stone).

* Nine hawks - far & away the highlight was the Ferruginous in Big Stone 
Refuge.

* Eight flycatchers, only the Olive-sided (Sherburne NWR) was of interest. 
Missed Western Kingbird in Lac Qui Parle & Big Stone, Acadian in Murphy 
Hanrahan.

* Four vireos, including Philadelphia at Murphy.

* 12 sparrows, including Lark at Sherburne NWR.

* 10 blackbirds - the Bobolinks, Yellow-headed and Western Meadowlarks are 
incredibly numerous in Lac Qui Parle and Big Stone.

* Probable Neotropic Cormorant at Diamond Lake.  Not questioning the 
posting, rather, my own abilities to discern.

Happy to share locations on any specific birds or species.  However, Bill 
Unzen may be a better source for the western portion of the trip.  Thanks to 
Mark Junghans, Bill Unzen, Nathan and all those who helped or accompanied.

Back to "reality".

Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties