MOU Aitkin trip participants enjoyed 103 species yesterday, including: * Carolina Wren, Rice Lake Refuge. Earlier in the week a Breeding Bird Survey team had noted a titmouse like song - our group had excellent listens but nearly non-existent looks. Unusual to have a five wren day this far north!
* 13 warblers - however, could not find a singing Connecticut in Rice Lake or on CR 5 & 18. A Northern Waterthrush was very active, we thought it was a bit south of normal breeding areas. * Franklin's & Bonaparte Gulls + a Caspian Tern at Garrison (fish turn off) - interesting mix for late June. A Caspian and 15 Pelicans were also noted along 169 at the southern edge of Aitkin County. * Gray Jays on 18, including a spectacular immature. * Yellow-headed Blackbird at Rice Lake. * Singing LeContes on 18, although could not find them in their normal spot at Rice Lake. Somehow we missed Yellow-bellied Flycatchers. All of the Least-like Flycatchers sounded, well, like Leasts. Team synergy was excellent; n fact, we may have enjoyed each others' company too much - didn't get to all the places we had planned:). Many thanks to the refuge volunteers who came in at 7:00 AM to greet & provide coffee, and to each trip participant. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties