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.

Rover View1
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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

Rover View 1

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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.

RoverView1

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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.



















RoverView1

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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

RoverView1

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New Observation Deck on Buck Lake

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

RoverView1

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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.

RoverView1
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Special Visitors

On September 4th the refuge had two special visitors, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Assistant Secretary of Interior Lyle Laverty. They were at the refuge to view plans for the Discovery Center and to meet with members of the Friends of Sherburne. What an exciting day. Thanks to Ron Cleveland for sharing these photos!

You can view all the photos from Ron here... http://ronc.zenfolio.com/p73744582/

Were you there for the visit? Post a comment and tell us all about it!

Bethany

http://www.exploresherburne.org/

photos from Ron

Ron Cleveland visited the refuge this week and send me these beautiful photos. Thanks Ron!


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photos from DeeAnn

Thank you to DeeAnn Larson for sending in these great photos!

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photos from Dean

These are seven signets that were seen at the refuge. They are sticking close to their parents and learning how to eat grass seed. Thanks to Dean Kleinhans for sharing the photos!

http://www.exploresherburne.org/

My flowers are alive!

We went to the wildlife drive today and I was sooo excited to see these flowers. They are called Showy Penstemon. Last summer my family volunteered to be wildflower gardeners for a plot of prairie flowers on the wildlife drive. We had a newborn in the house and it was a HOT summer (that meant it was quite a challenge to keep the new plants alive). They were looking pretty scraggly by the end of growing season and I wasn't sure they'd even come back up this year. Evidently they had been putting down some good roots that first year because look at them now. So fun!
Robin Delong did the planting (since we had just had our son) and gave them water the week we were gone on vacation so she gets kuddos as well. :)


I just love it when the lupine is in bloom...
We saw this snake slithering across the wildlife drive. This is the first time I have seen a snake at the refuge. I don't know my types of snakes, can someone help me out and tell me what kind it is? Click on comments at the end of this post, I'm sure others are curious as well. Thanks!

Bethany

http://www.exploresherburne.org/

Lupine

The lupine is in bloom at the refuge. A big thank you to David Berger for sharing this photo...

http://www.exploresherburne.org/