Fall Walk along Blue Hill Trail

Fall hikes along Blue Hill Trail are pleasant with no flies or mosquitos and the temperatures allow comfortable hiking. The colors are muted this year but the views from the top of Blue Hill observation platform are still stunning.

Along the way around the short trail we passed through the Enchanted Forest and then found 8 Trumpeter swans leisurely feeding in Buck Lake. The observation platform added at the edge of the lake makes for a very comfortable stopping point. The viewing scopes brought the swans and some ducks into clear view.

If you have not been on the Blue Hill hiking trail yet, try it sometime for a refreshing and fun hike. There are three loop trail options from 2 miles to just over 4 miles in length.

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WILDLIFE FESTIVAL OCTOBER 10, 2009

Snowy conditions greeted early morning festival attendees as they went with Refuge staff to a special place on the refuge to watch the Sandhill Cranes awake and fly off to their morning feeding areas. The snow and such cold is unusual for this time of year but the clear skies, sunrise and sights and sounds of hundreds of cranes flying easily warmed the spirits.



Puddles was on-location to greet Refuge visitors later in the morning.

Refuge firefighters present information on fire safety and practices used on the Refuge.

Many booths provide information on how to view and sustain the birds and animals we all enjoy around the refuge region.

Several hands-on activities stands offered an opportunity to learn about archery, fishing, air rifle marksmanship, and viewing wildlife using binoculars.

Face painting table is always a popular activity within the Old Schoolhouse.

Raptors of the Midwest presentation put on by the UM-Raptor Center staff is always interesting and well attended.

Who can take a horse drawn hay wagon ride without wanting to pet the horses Major and Minnie Pearl. This is always a well attended activity and this year there were two wagons in use so festival goers did not have to wait so long in the cold.

The festival offered many more activities from a performance by musician and storyteller Doug Wood to nature hikes around the immediate area and bus tours of the Wildlife Drive. Other display stations provided information on wildflowers seeds, animal pelts, bones and feathers, along with live reptiles on display. After taking in all this, lunch was available and a free piece of Refuge Anniversary cake celebrating Sherburne Refuges 44th year.

Another fine Wildlife Festival and even though it was colder than many years, there were still over 800 attendees for the day long festivities. If you were not able to make it this year, plan ahead for nexts falls event.

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Notes from Fall Bird Tour at Sherburne Nat'l Wildlife Refuge September 5, 2009

An eager group met at the School House to go in search of birds along Blue Hill trail and the Wildlife Drive. Refuge volunteer Doug Stucki led the group along with help of volunteers Marsha and Dean.
In general we did not find the diversity of bird species that we thought might be passing through on fall migration, but we did spot Lincolns Sparrow, Black and White Warbler, Nashville Warbler, and the Red Headed Woodpecker. Also some great viewings of Eagles, White Pelicans, Sandhill Cranes and Cedar Waxwings. Many more of usual residents.

We also visited the newest display on the Wildlife Drive. The Eagle Nest Discovery Area is finished which offers interpretive display boards and an opportunity to walk inside a full size eagle nest (adapted for human use). This is located at the first parking lot near main kiosk on the Wildlife Drive.

It was an enjoyable 3 hours out looking at the refuge habitat and the visitors. If you have not taken advantage yet of the guided events such as Spring and Fall bird tours, it is highly recommended for learning how to better identify and recognize not only migratory birds you will only see on the refuge, but also those common visitors to your back yard. There is another opportunity to join such a group the morning of the Wildlife Festival October 10, 2009. See the Friends of Sherburne website (www.exploresherburne.org) for complete information.

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Summer Views of Refuge

Rovers Linda and Bob recently passed on some pictures from visits they have made to Sherburne Refuge. These are current views along the Wildlife Drive in July.

Marsh Wren

Thanks Linda and Bob for sharing your visits to the Refuge

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Wildlife Drive Residents

Driving with care along Wildlife Drive recently some common residents were also using the roadway. One gets special care to make sure the nest is protected.

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July 4 brings the end of early season burning program and rebirth in many of the refuge plants. Visitors now see plants in full lush bloom that is dramatic after the fire operations clear away the dead foliage. Many animals are raising young or considering another brood. Opportunities abound to view feeding of young and the amazing growth of those newborns that were so cute a month ago.

Can you find the babies in the above pictures?


Using the spotting scopes can sometimes take a little practice. But if you are persistant you can see unexpected treasure as we did in June.


























White Pelicans do not stay long on their travels through in spring, but we should be seeing them come through again in fall travels back south.



Right now with the weather getting hot and the bugs out in impressive numbers, it is nice to visit the Wildlife Drive and surrounding roadways of the refuge in the cool of the evenings. Some memorable moonrises are available for visitors this time of year.



















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It is always a special time of year when the Lupines start to bloom. Memorial Day weekend brought on quite a show. Best viewing right near the Prairie Trail parking area, but there are scattered colonies of the short lived blooms all around the Wildlife Drive.

Hoary Puccoon is also appearing in bloom

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New Observation Deck on Buck Lake

Winter 2008 brings new Observation Deck along Buck Lake hiking trail.

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Pasque Flowers at the Refuge April 2009

One of the first signs of spring are Pasque Flowers in bloom. Ron Cleveland shares his photos of recent sightings. Seek out other new arrivals starting this Saturday as the Wildlife Drive opens Saturday April 18.

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