134 species seen & heard in Sherburne, Mille Lacs & Benton Counties this week - primarily at Sherburne NWR:
* 20 warblers - highlight unexpected Louisiana Waterthrush - Canada and Mourning new the last couple of days. Still no Blackburnian, Wilson's, Cape May, Bay-breasted, Blackpoll or Connecticut (although two of these have been seen by others). Preponderance of Yellow-rumpeds and Palms suggests that we have at least another strong week remaining, which would be good for Saturday's MOU trip. * 13 sparrows - Harris' and White-crowned just recently - resident Lark & Grasshopper singing away (as was the Harris' this morning). * Only 10 shorebirds - highlight Hudsonian Godwit - some good habitat recently created on the refuge auto tour. * Caspian, Common, Forster's Terns all in along lake - have not seen Black yet. * Swainson's, Grey-cheeked, Veery, Wood Thrush all in. * The "color barons" - Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, Baltimore Oriole and related - are in. Still checking out Tanager-like song along Blue Hill Trail that has no "hoarseness" - in same spot as last year's Summers were seen. Haven't seen an Orchard yet along the Auto Tour, but imagine they're here. One change: only a single Yellow-headed Blackbird has been seen in the refuge (personally) this spring. * Nathan mentioned a probable Black-crowned Night Heron flying out of CR 2 ponds on Wednesday evening - this would be our first in the county - used to nest here. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties PS Responses to yesterday's post/request would be greatly helpful (Big Stone/Lac Qui Parle & Duluth suggestions for next week's day trips - surprisingly, only two received so far).