Fall Colors Still Attractive

Cooler temperatures common now along with occasional gray skies and rain don't diminish the rich colors of late fall. Come out to the refuge now to see the migration in full swing. Along with cranes in number, Hooded Mergansers also can be spotted in the pools.

**http://www.exploresherburne.org/

Memorial Outlook pictures of good hunting

This eagle found good hunting near Memorial Outlook. The drawdown this spring and summer apparently keeps this falls ducks and geese in good food stores. This is the pond to check out this fall.

Thanks to Mary Carlson for the pictures.

http://www.exploresherburne.org/

BIG SIT results from October 10 event

Big Sit Results, October 10, 2010
Sunny, 75 degrees.
17 counters over the course of the day (6:30 am-6:30 pm)
43 species counted


Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Wood Duck
American Widgeon
Mallard
Blue-Winged Teal
Ring-Necked Duck
Ring-Neck Pheasant
Wild Turkey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied, Downy, Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-Breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Golden and Ruby-crowned Kinglets
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Plam Warbler
Vesper, Fox, Song, Lincoln's, Swamp and White Throated Sparrows.
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
American Goldfinch

This count of birds happens from observation point within 17 foot diameter circle and this year was located along the Wildlife Drive.

http://www.exploresherburne.org/

October Colors along Wildlife Drive

Fall colors are waning but still impressive.

http://www.exploresherburne.org/

Wildlife Festival pictures

The campfire (with sing along music) provides opportunity to roast a marshmallow and the Hospitality tent was busy with lunch activities including the Birthday cake celebrating 45th year the refuge has existed. Also in Hospitality Tent was silent auction items donated generously by local supporters of the refuge.

Petting the horses at end of the ride or posing for pictures with Major and Mika are always popular activities.

The Friends gift shop and Face Painting activity are always busy during the festival.

Puddles was seen all around the Festival sight and was found to be very interesting by Duke and Spike, two of the horses pulling a wagon for rides. Word has it that Puddles did not take a wagon ride this year.

The Raptor Center presentation was overflowing as usual.

The last Horse drawn wagon ride of the Festival happened just after a very brief rainfall (just sprinkles really). It didn't dampen anyones spirits but did provide for beautiful rainbow over the refuge at the end of the day.

Horse drawn wagon ride was as popular as ever. Over 600 people took rides this year. Major and Mika did the work pulling on this wagon as Mel drives the team. Friends volunteer interpretors ride along and answer questions and talk of refuge history, events and activities, and the mission of the refuge staff to ensure the future of the refuge.

Geocaching was a new activity for this years festival. Kind of a high tech scavenger hunt the participants were able to borrow a GPS unit and go around within walking distance to find caches. This activity is not allowed on federal lands on normal basis so special thanks go to Anne Sittauer, refuge manager to approve this one day event only.

Fall Colors in Late September

Fall colors along trails and roadways of the Sherburne Nationals Wildlife Refuge