[mou] Mille Lacs & Sherburne

[Pastor Al Schirmacher]

Birded southern Mille Lacs & northern Sherburne Counties this week before 
work, during lunches and after work briefly.  Interestingly (despite 
migration's cessation & a few misses), still had 106 species along the 30 
mile stretch of 169 from Milaca to Sherburne Refuge.  Highlights included:

* Henslow's Sparrows (two just east of Blue Hill Trail)
* Franklin's Gull (CR 2 ponds, absent since Wednesday)
* Mourning Warblers (three along Blue Hill, all singing this morning)
* Trumpeter Swans (nesting here)
* Yellow-billed Cuckoos (surprisingly, two in Mille Lacs County - Kunkel WMA 
& Pioneer Park)
* Lark Sparrows (number of nesters here)
* Alder & Willow Flycatchers (Kunkel WMA has been most dependable)
* Golden-crowned Kinglets (Blue Hill, evergreen section)
* Golden-winged & Blue-winged Warblers (number nesting here)
* Dickcissels (everywhere, counted 18 one morning in two locations)
* White-rumped Sandpipers (CR 2)

"Misses" that have been present the last couple of weeks:

* American (little farther north at Kathio State Park) & Least Bitterns
* Cooper's Hawk
* Caspian Tern
* Yellow-throated Vireo (nest here)
* Common Raven (not heard at Ann Lake this week, typically present)
* Brewer's Blackbird
* Orchard Oriole (not consistent, seen on occasion)
* Red-shouldered Hawk
* "Mystery gull" along Mille Lacs Lake - Glaucous (not expected in summer 
season), albinistic/leucistic Herring, or...?

I will be happy to provide further details or locations - although will be 
away from this computer after 4:00 today and all day Saturday.

Good birding to all!

Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties