[mou] Weekend Travels

[Cindy Risen]

HI
Kim and I spent the weekend visiting potential stores for NatureScape News 
and doing a little birding, too. We found a Black-headed Gull in a small 
pond north of Spirit Lake in Jackson Co. There were a few Bonaparte's 
Gulls, 9 species of shorebirds - highlight 17 American Golden Plovers in 
Jackson Co. A very cool sighting of a partial albino robin. White back with 
pale orange belly. It was very striking. We even got a few photos that 
we'll post to our website when I get to work.

Spring seems to be coming to Aitkin County, but we still have Evening 
Grosbeaks at the feeder each day and Kim saw a Snowy Owl south of Palisade 
on Friday. This morning though, the Eastern Phoebe sings constantly from 
the backyard and a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers performed their 
version of dueling drumbeats. (The one using the top of the Wood Duck house 
won.)

Cindy Risen
Tamarack, Eastern Aitkin County
www.naturescapenews.com