Stromboli's Rolling Log: Looks like this one is better!

Visit to Sherbourne NWR , MN

After a very cold night at 43 F here in Northern MN, the sun came out and got us started to this NWR which if we had planned more closely , would have been closer to where we camped. As it was it was a 50 mile trip to the site. We went directly to the Wildlife Drive , which is a 7.5 mile loop around the ponds and prairies of the Reserve. This area of North Central Mn is the dividing line between the forests of the east and the Prairies of the west especially the Dakotas which come next.

Birding from the moving blind

One of the best ways to see, hear and identify birds and wildlife in these Refuges is to stay in the car and actually use the car as a blind.That doesn’t eliminate getting out now and then to pursue an elusive warbler or two, but it disturbs the wildlife the least. So we started off viewing for the next fur hours on this pond filled and vast 30,000 acre NWR.

Originally the Refuge was prairie before it was cultivated and many acres drained. Today it is returning with 22 restored wetlands and pools being raised and lowered to allow the wildlife to use the ponds and grasses to live and thrive. The two main type of habitat are Oak Savannah and Wetland . Many birds were seen and our total reached 50 this day. Our new bird n our list was the Lark S[arrow , which we had not seen before. The many Sandhill Cranes feeding and teaching their young ones to forage was a highlight.

The day ended with a trip to two good State Parks here both of which have good birding and time was much shorter than the 4 hours spent on Sherbourne. W did see Orioles, Flycatchers and a pair of Alder Flycatchers ended the day. The temp never got above 65 , but that was fine. Tomorrow it should be 10 degrees warmer.