[mou] Polk Cty Burrowing Owl

[chetmeyers at visi.com]

Chet Meyers writes:

Friday evening (June 1)Becky and Jason Ekstein were driving the back country in
Glacial Ridge when Becky spotted a burrowing owl... possibly the same one
that was present last year.  Miriam and I happened by the Glacial Ridge Office
where Jason works and heard from them first hand on June 2.  We drove in and
Miriam first spotted the bird.  I hesitated initially to post this in order to
clear this with Jason.  If you visit please give this bird LOTS of room and do
not walk out into the field to take pictures. It may have a mate... we hope.

Here are directions:  From Crookston drive east on Highway 2 for about 9 miles. 
Turn right (South) on County Road 44.  Go two miles and turn left (East) on a
dirt road.  You can drive in a mile and a half and then a grassy two-track
continues straight head.  Park to walk another 3/4 mile or so on the two-track.
 The grass is extremely high and there are hidden mud puddles. A low clearance
vehicle would not make it. Even with a high clearance vehicle it
can give you an adrenaline rush.  Anyhow, as you follow the two-track straight
in from where the gravel road ends, in about 3/4 of a mile look on the left
side (North) of the two-track for a large field that has recently been done in
by herbicide.  Lots of dead vegetaion is evident. This field is at the top of a
small rise just past a nasty mudhole in the two track.  The bird is not far east
into the dead vegetation field and about 300-400 yards north on a small mound. 
Again, please be as little intrusive as you can.  If you choose to drive in on
the grassy two-track have a cell phone present... and don't call me. With all
the rain I have no idea what shape it is in.

Chet and Miriam Meyers