[mou] Sherburne NWR & area

[Pastor Al Schirmacher]

Update from the Sherburne Wildlife Refuge & general area:

* Summer Tanager - has been seen & heard on both sides of the Blue Hill 
Trail area.  Take 169 to Sherburne CR 9, 9 west to Blue Hill Trail.  If you 
hit the CR 5 T intersection, you've gone too far, come back about a mile. 
Dennis Martin's post provides excellent directions, but it's generally been 
within 5-10 minutes of the entrance.  I have only heard it (two occasions, 
generally clear partial songs), but a number have seen it.  Please note that 
there are many Scarlets also on the trail.

* Red-headed Woodpeckers - occasionally one can see an individual or 
portions of a family on the corner of CR 9 & 42, most frequently on the 
poles on the north side.

* Yellow-billed Cuckoos - present on both Blue Hill & Mahnomen Trails 
(Mahnomen is also on CR 9, not as far west as Blue Hill).

* Ten species of sparrows are still verbalizing or being seen, best is a 
Lark Sparrow on the trailhead of Mahnomen.  However, the Henslow's on the 
trailhead of Blue Hill (east side) has been quiet (or absent) for over a 
week.

* Trumpeter Swans are still visible on the Prairie Wildlife Auto Tour (take 
9 west to 5, 5 south a couple of miles, tour is on the left) and the back 
side of Blue Hill Trails' first loop.

* Eleven species of shorebirds seen in the area, including Wilson's 
Phalaropes and a Dowitcher (tempted to call it a Short-billed, but could not 
testify to same in a court of law).

* Great Horned Owls have been active in the daytime on Blue Hill and 
Mahnomen Trails.

* Warblers have been quiet, still occasionally hear & see the Mournings on 
Blue Hill, but only had five species for the week.

96 species this week (not bad for time & heat).  OK, so it's not as 
spectacular right now as Big Stone/Lac Qui Parle, but for many, it's much 
closer!

Good birding to all.

Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties