It has come to my attention that the comment I made a week ago ab All: It has come to my attention that the comment I made a week ago about the lack of communication regarding bird sightings during the Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds was uncalled for. I apologize for that, and hope that it didn't paint a negative picture of the event or the quality of birding in that part of the state.
The Detroit Lakes festival has evolved to be one of the best, and is highly regarded by birders who attend from all over the country. Kudos to the organizers. The list of species found on field trips during that event is impressive, largely due to the excellent field trip leaders who are knowledgeable about the many birding destinations visited and birds expected to be seen. That area of NW Minnesota is where northern hardwood forest, pine forest and tallgrass prairie converge, providing some of the best birding in Minnesota, and it's where you will find many of Minnesota's most sought-after species. Of course, you have to visit in more than one season! In addition, the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail, which is now an "International" birding trail, highlights excellent sites to see birds. I can say this with confidence, because I've visited them - some many, many times. I encourage you all to attend this excellent festival, and take time to drive the birding trail as well. I'm sure you'll be glad you did. For information on the trail and birding in NW Minnesota, start your trip planning here: http://www.mnbirdtrail.com/ Betsy Beneke ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
