[mou] First year of MN birding

[Pastor Al]

After 40 years in southern & central WI, including 10 years of birding, just
completed my first year based in central MN.  Wanted to share a few
chronological & general observations - feel free to use the delete key if
this is not your "cup of tea".

December 2003 - arrived 12/1, by 12/7 had two life birds (Great Gray Owl,
Sharp-tailed Grouse, Aitkin CR 18 - neither bird very common in southern
WI!).  Nailed a female Harlequin on first try in Two Harbors (Agate Bay, 20
feet from shore) after six fruitless attempts on Lake Michigan trips.
Pished in Boreal Chickadee in Sax-Zim (203) on first try - hey, beginning to
like this state!  (Didn't know how difficult they would be to find in 2004.)

January 2004 - New Year's day included GGOW, Ravens, Pine Grosbeak, Purple
Finch, Common Redpolls (CR 18 again), nice way to start the year.  Only
other highlight during January was first flock of Purple Finches (30+) after
only seeing individuals in southern WI.

February - highlight was 75 redpolls in yard, sharp contrast with total of
two in WI in ten years.

March - on/around 3/1, birding son claims sighting of Turkey Vulture from
backyard window - mistaken, or same bird seen earlier little farther south?
Next TV is not until April.  Late March brings roost of 40+ Great Blue
Herons across the street (Mille Lacs 12).

April - in WI one chased Lark Sparrows, in Sherburne NWR they sing along
trail heads and roadsides.  100+ Pelicans on Sherburne NWR foreshadows six
months of intense local pelican activity.

May - ahh, migration!  Adding MN birds daily (80 in first three weeks).  23
warblers on 5/14 along Mahnomen Trail - 21 species in the morning, 21 again
(with differences) in the evening.  Slipped back to WI for casual Big Day
with friends, 156 species including Black-necked Stilt and E.  Collared
Doves.  5/25 Western Grebe shows up one minute from my office (Sherburne HWY
2 ponds).  5/29 or slightly later, Upland Sandpipers seen along NWR Auto
Tour.

June - "discovered" YB Chat along Blue Hill Trail, Sherburne NWR; stayed at
least two weeks.  Noted two Least Bitterns along Auto Tour, only MN sighting
for year.  Dickcissel shows up in backyard mid-month, joining Grasshopper &
Savannah Sparrows, Bobolinks & related grassland species - less likely
during 2005, now in middle of development.

July - intentionally chased Western Kingbirds along roads to St. Cloud (re:
older Eckert guide) unsuccessfully - that is, until returning to Sherburne
NWR area, noted one on power line over automotive dealership (not mentioned
in Eckert).  Second trip to WI (Fifield cabin/Chequamagon National Forest)
yielded 17 warbler species (including only Black-throated Blue for year) and
Evening Grosbeaks at feeders - also single Porcupine.  Finally picked up
House Finch in Mille Lacs County.

August - quiet, dancing Upland Sandpiper along Auto Tour early in month only
highlight.

September - pelican flock increases to 320+.  Pine Warbler responds to
pishing along Blue Hill Trail (looks from 10 feet, best ever).  Duluth MOU
trip yield six MN (and one WI) birds, despite lack of "rarities".

October - 10/1 Red-throated Loon on Mille Lacs Lake (first loon of day, seen
during "gull stop").  Realize that I have not seen any WC Sparrows for year
(therefore, in MN), bizarre but still true.

November - early 11/04 trip yields life Northern Hawk Owl in Sax-Zim and
Black-backed Woodpecker blowing along Agate Bay.  11/12 - mid-morning trip
yields only 20 gulls (and dozens of joggers) on Lake Calhoun, but CA gull
present anyway.  11/20, Pacific Loon one of two loons on Mille Lacs/Garrison
fish stop.  Late month, added Hoary Redpoll on Aitkin CR 18 trip
("Minnesconsin" # 300), although hunting & frolicing Great Grays also
highlight.

Few general observations - MN birding requires much more driving than
Madison, WI based birding.  Sherburne NWR is quite a gem, although could
certainly wish for more access during peak periods.  Shorebirds much tougher
to find than in southern WI (still lacking many relatively common SB's),
although the boreal specialties more than make up for it.  Mille Lacs County
list is going to take some time to build - need to spend more time at Kathio
& ML Lake, perhaps Mille Lacs WMA;  Sherburne list easier.  Twin Cities &
western MN birding are still the "undiscovered country".

Good birding to all!

Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties