[mou] MOU Field Trip to Mille Lacs Lake

[Cindy Butler Risen]

Hello All,

Yesterday Cindy and I enjoyed an incredible day of birding as we spent most
of the day showing a group of birders some of our favorite birding areas
around Mille Lacs Lake on a MOU Fieldtrip. Braving the weather forecast
were Has Koch, Mary Alyce & Duane Krohnke, Jerry Wozniak, Jerry & Darla
'from Baxter'!, MOU vice-president Bill George, and Kim & Cindy Risen.

Cindy and I began our birding day at our house in NE Atikin County. We took
the back roads to Isle, where the MOU trip began, and with the group we
covered the southern and western shores of Mille Lacs Lake visiting Father
Hennepin State Park, Mille Lacs-Kathio State Park, and several
waysides/overlooks along the shoreline. After the group departed for home
Cindy and I spent some more time along the shore looking for migrants
trying to relocate one of our 'goodies' from the trip. Migration was quite
evident, but not overwhelming. We saw many large flocks of Blue Jays, good
numbers & variety of moving raptors, a few flocks of blackbirds & sparrows
along the shore, and a few small groups of migrating warblers both on the
shore and along woodland trails in Father Hennepin State Park.

Cindy and I tallied a few species before and after the MOU Fieldtrip but
I'll mention those at the end of this report.

Highlights from the MOU Fieldtrip:

81 species total including nine species of warblers
American White Pelican seen on Mille Lacs from Father Hennepin State Park
(FHSP)
Osprey and Bald Eagles on nests
Red-shouldered Hawk at FHSP
seven species of raptors total
Sandhill Crane
Caspian, Common & Forster's Terns
Red-headed Woodpecker (uncommon here)
Large flocks of Blue Jays, one was at least 75 birds, migrating along the
shore 
Captivating, close views of Purple Martins
**Two different Blue-gray Gnatcatchers (considering they are not regular in
this part of MN, one at FHSP and one along the shore just south of Grand
Casino were a BIG surprise)
American Redstart, Black-and-white, Nashville, N. Parula, Yellow,
Yellow-rumped, Pine, Palm, and a beautiful male Bay-breasted Warbler
**Lark Sparrow along the west shore of Mille Lacs Lake about two miles
south of Grand Casino (VERY RARE in this location--Cindy and I wished it
had been slightly further north in Aitkin County!)
But a couple of gulls really stole the show. 

Tops on the list was a first Mille Lacs Lake (and Mille Lacs County) record
Lesser Black-backed Gull. As reported by Tom Auer and Tony Hertzel
yesterday (thanks for posting it guys!), the Lesser Black-backed Gull was
loafing on a rock jetty/breakwater on the west shore of Mille Lacs Lake at
the intersections of Highway 169 & Mille Lacs County Road 25. This gull is
in an interesting transition plumage from second winter to third year.
Exciting to see and fun to study. Thanks to our cell phones, Steve & Jo
Blanich of Deerwood, Ken & Pam Perry of Brainerd, and Warren Nelson of
Aitkin were all able to enjoy the Lesser Black-backed Gull before it
disappeared.

After the MOU group had disbanded, Cindy and I decided to try and relocate
the Lesser Black-backed Gull (hopefully in Crow Wing or Aitkin County). As
we examined a flock of 300-400 Bonaparte's Gulls behind the Harbor Inn &
Marina just north of Garrison, we found a Black-legged Kittiwake. This is a
second Mille Lacs Lake record (first living bird?) and the second records
for both Mille Lacs and Aitkin Counties. Cindy and I spent the next wind
and rain-soaked half hour trying to get better looks at it. It disappeared
before we could get it in our scope. We made the requisite cellphone calls
to Blanichs & Warren even though the gulls had all left the area. Later in
the evening Steve & Jo, Ken & Pam, and Warren refound the Black-legged
Kittiwake and it put on quite a show for them. Very cooperatively flying
from Crow Wing to Aitkin County on several occasions. Unfortunately,
Warren's camera was in his car when the kittiwake flew directly over their
heads!

Birds of interest that Cindy and I saw before/after the MOU Fieldtrip:

Sharp-tailed Grouse - at least nine birds dancing away in the early morning
light on a lek near Tamarack
Great Gray Owl - STILL making news in Aitkin County! This was one of what
we are hoping is at least three nesting pairs near our house
Evening Grosbeaks - paired up now, we have a couple of pair visiting our
feeders on a daily basis. We hope that may be nesting in our yard once
again this summer.

We'll keep you updated. Until then...Good Birding!

Kim & Cindy Risen
Tamarack, MN
Eastern Aitkin County