As MOU Field Trip Coordinator I would like to inform you of some upcoming events: =09 SALT LAKE BIRDING WEEKEND - April 28-29 - Lac Qui Parle and southern Big Stone Counties. This is a great event with a rich history dating back to 1975. As shown in the most recent issue of MN Birding this area is one of the best in the state for finding rarities in the spring. Last year 148 species were counted including Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, White-faced Ibis, Hudsonian Godwit and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow. =20 Saturday morning birders meet for breakfast at 7am at the Marietta American Legion located one block west of Co. Rd. 7 on Hwy 4. They form into groups and head out for the morning. At noon they stop back for lunch and sharing of info. That night there is a chicken dinner at 7:30pm at the Sons of Norway Hall on Hwy 75 in Madison, eleven miles east of Marietta. Reservations are required for the dinner and can be made with Becky Skallerud at 320-598-3797 or beckab...@yahoo.com. The dinner is $10. Lodging is available in Madison, Montevideo, Dawson or Appleton. Camping is available at Prairie Marsh Farm, 1770 151st Ave., Marietta, located 7 miles west of US 75 and 1.5 miles south of US 212. Contact Ken Larson at prairiemarshf...@comcast.net for more information. Sunday birding is on your own.
CAMP RIPLEY FIELD TRIP - May 12 - Morrison County This is a rare opportunity to explore portions of Camp Ripley with Bill Brown, Natural Resource Specialist. Birders will meet at 9am at a location to be determined near the camp and proceed through the security gate with Bill. This trip will be limited to 20 people so contact me if you wish to sign up. =20 DEEP PORTAGE LEARNING CENTER - June 8-10 - Cass County The details, including the cost, are still being worked out on this, but it will include 2 nights and meals at the Deep Portage Learning Center in Hackensack. This event will feature 2 sessions of night birding focused on Yellow Rails and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows as well as day birding in Cass County with Ben Wieland, Dale Yerger and Molly Malecek. This trip will also be limited to 20 people so contact me if you are interested. These trips are open to members and non-members alike. I am still looking for opportunities in other parts of the state for field trips. If any of you would like to lead a trip this year, please let me know and I will help you to coordinate it. I can best be reached at my office 612-728-2232 or by e-mail at bxwilli...@cbburnet.com Bob Williams, Bloomington=20 =20