After 40 years in southern & central WI, including 10 years of birding, just completed my first year based in central MN. Wanted to share a few chronological & general observations - feel free to use the delete key if this is not your "cup of tea".
December 2003 - arrived 12/1, by 12/7 had two life birds (Great Gray Owl, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Aitkin CR 18 - neither bird very common in southern WI!). Nailed a female Harlequin on first try in Two Harbors (Agate Bay, 20 feet from shore) after six fruitless attempts on Lake Michigan trips. Pished in Boreal Chickadee in Sax-Zim (203) on first try - hey, beginning to like this state! (Didn't know how difficult they would be to find in 2004.) January 2004 - New Year's day included GGOW, Ravens, Pine Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Common Redpolls (CR 18 again), nice way to start the year. Only other highlight during January was first flock of Purple Finches (30+) after only seeing individuals in southern WI. February - highlight was 75 redpolls in yard, sharp contrast with total of two in WI in ten years. March - on/around 3/1, birding son claims sighting of Turkey Vulture from backyard window - mistaken, or same bird seen earlier little farther south? Next TV is not until April. Late March brings roost of 40+ Great Blue Herons across the street (Mille Lacs 12). April - in WI one chased Lark Sparrows, in Sherburne NWR they sing along trail heads and roadsides. 100+ Pelicans on Sherburne NWR foreshadows six months of intense local pelican activity. May - ahh, migration! Adding MN birds daily (80 in first three weeks). 23 warblers on 5/14 along Mahnomen Trail - 21 species in the morning, 21 again (with differences) in the evening. Slipped back to WI for casual Big Day with friends, 156 species including Black-necked Stilt and E. Collared Doves. 5/25 Western Grebe shows up one minute from my office (Sherburne HWY 2 ponds). 5/29 or slightly later, Upland Sandpipers seen along NWR Auto Tour. June - "discovered" YB Chat along Blue Hill Trail, Sherburne NWR; stayed at least two weeks. Noted two Least Bitterns along Auto Tour, only MN sighting for year. Dickcissel shows up in backyard mid-month, joining Grasshopper & Savannah Sparrows, Bobolinks & related grassland species - less likely during 2005, now in middle of development. July - intentionally chased Western Kingbirds along roads to St. Cloud (re: older Eckert guide) unsuccessfully - that is, until returning to Sherburne NWR area, noted one on power line over automotive dealership (not mentioned in Eckert). Second trip to WI (Fifield cabin/Chequamagon National Forest) yielded 17 warbler species (including only Black-throated Blue for year) and Evening Grosbeaks at feeders - also single Porcupine. Finally picked up House Finch in Mille Lacs County. August - quiet, dancing Upland Sandpiper along Auto Tour early in month only highlight. September - pelican flock increases to 320+. Pine Warbler responds to pishing along Blue Hill Trail (looks from 10 feet, best ever). Duluth MOU trip yield six MN (and one WI) birds, despite lack of "rarities". October - 10/1 Red-throated Loon on Mille Lacs Lake (first loon of day, seen during "gull stop"). Realize that I have not seen any WC Sparrows for year (therefore, in MN), bizarre but still true. November - early 11/04 trip yields life Northern Hawk Owl in Sax-Zim and Black-backed Woodpecker blowing along Agate Bay. 11/12 - mid-morning trip yields only 20 gulls (and dozens of joggers) on Lake Calhoun, but CA gull present anyway. 11/20, Pacific Loon one of two loons on Mille Lacs/Garrison fish stop. Late month, added Hoary Redpoll on Aitkin CR 18 trip ("Minnesconsin" # 300), although hunting & frolicing Great Grays also highlight. Few general observations - MN birding requires much more driving than Madison, WI based birding. Sherburne NWR is quite a gem, although could certainly wish for more access during peak periods. Shorebirds much tougher to find than in southern WI (still lacking many relatively common SB's), although the boreal specialties more than make up for it. Mille Lacs County list is going to take some time to build - need to spend more time at Kathio & ML Lake, perhaps Mille Lacs WMA; Sherburne list easier. Twin Cities & western MN birding are still the "undiscovered country". Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties