Stomach flu & speaking engagements had taken me out of the birding loop for a week or so; did spend a few hours Saturday morning in northern Mille Lacs County. Highlights (mild) were:
* 10 Pine Grosbeaks, CR 142 (mile or so to the right of where it T's with a residential street, near number 40636) - probably the same flock that Herb Dingmann had a couple of weeks back, although did not see any Evenings on this occasion. * Two Northern Shrikes, one just outside of Mille Lacs WMA, along the residential road that extends off CR 23; also along CR 12 in southern Mille Lacs. * 15 Snow Buntings in Kathio State Park, end of the Primitive Campground Road. Also drove Sherburne Refuge's Prairie Wildlife Drive over lunch today, only a Rough-legged worth reporting (very frozen, windy, quiet, desolate, depressing). Very little open water left up here. Good birding to all & sundry. Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
