[mou] Central MN Birding; Hudsonian Godwit; scope is history

[Nathan Schirmacher]

Pardon the lateness of this email, office computer has been down for 1.5 weeks.  Authoring this from Nathan's system, hope to be back up by middle of next week.* Saturday, May 5th (Sherburne Refuge, Mille Lacs Lake/Hennepin, Benton CR 25 & Gilman Ponds)89 species, including Hudsonian Godwit (ponds on Benton CR 25, two miles south of Foley) - MN bird #300 since relocating here 12/03 - Nathan's #297, breathing down my neck! - eight species of warblers, including Golden-winged & Pine (latter awfully late first of year) - full six pack of swallows (only one martin along the lake!) - Caspian, Common & Forster's Terns on the lake - nine shorebirds (primarily on Benton 25), including two Long-billed Dowitchers, first day we've really had shorebirds to speak of - Black-billed Cuckoo calling at Gilman ponds - other expected first of years - and an unexpected theft of our scope from the vehicle at Blue Hill Trail (nine years of great service), which made shorebirding more of a challenge.If anyone's selling a used reasonable scope, let us know.* Monday April 30th through Friday, May 4thRuby-throated Humminbird (5/2), Blue-Headed Vireo (5/1), House Wren (5/1, finally!), six new warblers (including an unexpected Blue-winged in Mille Lacs County, and a rather late first of year Palm on 5/4) all joined the hit parade.* Saturday, April 28th + -Western Day (no, not the Salt Lake trip) - Western Tanager at Thomas Maiello's (thanks to both of you for hosting both this bird and interested birders, including those who arrive a bit early), Western Grebe in Sherburne County (Lake Fremont, Zimmerman area).  Bit earlier - Lark, Grasshopper, Clay-colored Sparrows all in, particularly at Sherburne NWR.  Six Lark Sparrows this morning on Mahnomen Trail.  Still awaiting White-crowned & Harris' Sparrows, Sora (bizarre!) - and have only seen/heard one Yellow-headed Blackbird to date!Having enjoyed an excellent day, but mourning the old/duct-taped scope,Al & Nathan SchirmacherPrinceton, MNMille Lacs & Sherburne Counties(Happy to share more detailed locations upon request - but make sure you write Nathan at this address!)
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