[mou] Evening, Pine, possible Spruce Grouse

[Pastor Al Schirmacher]

Nathan and I were able to venture into the wilds of Aitkin yesterday - had 
Evening Grosbeaks (off Kestrel Avenue, north of Tamarack), Pine Grosbeaks 
(169, couple miles north of CR 18) and a possible Spruce Grouse (snowmobile 
trail on 18).

Possible Spruce:  very unique alarm call as we flushed it (woo-woo-woo or 
tooting, female?), spread tail with no tail band, fled into the conifers - 
unlike any Ruffed or Sharp-tailed we'd ever seen or heard.  However, 
encounter was very brief.

Boreal Chickadees remain Nathan's jinx bird - missed them both at Rabey Tree 
Farm and on 18's snowmobile trail.

Thanks to Kim Risen, Jo Blanich and others who shared Aitkin birding sites & 
ideas.

Good birding to all.

Al & Nathan Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties