Think it would be interesting to put together a list of places & times that
more unusual birds (rarer regular and perhaps casual) might be found. For
example:
* Townsend's Solitaire, Ann Lake/Sand Dunes, Sherburne County, late November
through March
* Western Kingbird, Sherburne CR 8, 1/2 mile south of 10 (there are other
locations around 10), Sherburne County, May through early August.
Such a list/tool would require input from across the state, but could
simplify birders' searches for life, state or year birds.
Unless I'm missing something, most of our written information runs from
geography to birds, rather than the reverse.
I frequently, front or back channel, see requests for the following birds
(again, as examples, not a comprehensive list):
Regular
* Spruce & Sharp-tailed Grouse
* Red-throated and Pacific Loons
* Clark's Grebe
* Least Bittern
* Common Moorhen
* Whimbrel
* Both godwits
* All the northern owls
* Long-eared Owl (know this would be controversial)
* Boreal Chickadee
* Northern Mockingbird (has Park Point become predictable?)
* Various nesting warblers (Golden-winged and Connecticut frequently)
* Blue Grosbeak
Casual
* Ferruginous Hawk
* Gyrfalcon
* Sabine's Gull
* Arctic Tern
* Burrowing Owl
and there are certainly others.
I understand that this information could potentially be developed from the
MOU maps (depending upon birders' electronic sharing and users' abilities to
run queries); thinking more of a shortcut tool.
I would be happy to put together such a list if we get substantial input.
Many of us know predictable or possible locations for some of these, but
wouldn't it be great if a Minnesota or visiting birder could access the
information without having to develop years of experience and networking?
Thanks!
Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
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