[mou] Boreal Owl, Townsend's Soiltaire (Aitkin & Sherburne)

[Pastor Al]

Birded Aitkin & Sherburne Counties the last two days.  Within Aitkin covered
18 (dead quiet in the morning), 5, 210 (side highways as well) and 65
including Tamarack and Rice Lake NWR (latter two for the first time).

Highlight was a Boreal Owl along Aitkin CR 31, north of Tamarack.  Also of
interest were numerous Great Gray & Northern Hawk Owls, Ruffed Grouse, Pine
Grosbeaks, Gray Jay and, bizarrely, only a single Rough-legged Hawk and
Raven.

On Friday the Townsend's Solitaire was still present along the Ann Lake
Campground road.

Feeders were strangely quiet (generally just Redpolls); missed my two
targets (Evening Grosbeak and Sharp-tailed Grouse - where have the latter
moved in Aitkin County now?).  However, the Boreal obviously made the day.

Good birding to all!

Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties