February 6 Winterfest Event had record turnout of 1250 people. This included US Senator Amy Klobuchar, MN Senator Lisa Fobbe, and US Fish and Wildlife Region 3 Director Tom Melius. The Senator toured the many activities including Snowshoe Hike and Bird Seed Cone making along with attending the afternoon Raptor presentation on Owls.

A beautiful winters day with occasional winds kept all in attendance moving to get to each activity. The serving of the cake celebrating the Refuges 45th Birthday was received well with lunch and silent auction in the Hospitality Tent.

Photos courtesy of Ken Brennan
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Friends Annual Meeting January 12, 2010

The 2010 Annual Meeting of Friends was held at the Old Schoolhouse January 12 at 7 pm. Well attended meeting included financial and activities report from 2009, as well as expected budget for 2010. The transition for Sherburne Friends group from that of efforts to help finance the building of Discovery Center (pre-financial fall) to that of focus on "Discovery Center without Walls" (post financial fall) to better encourage environmental education was covered by Susan Hix. The significant efforts in reaching out to communities and schools in the area have seen results. Very ambitious and exciting plans to develop educational programs and integrate them locally are well supported by the election of 5 new board members during this meeting.
Volunteers are welcome to join in the rewarding and learning process of meeting our future goals in support of the Sherburne Wildlife Refuge mission.

President Lee Johnson discussed the variety of activities carried out by Friends members and the list of regional supporters, both individual and corporate.

Sue Hix described the change in emphasis this past year to harness our Friends group strengths in reaching out to Schools, Businesses and Chambers of Commerce in the area.

Refuge Manager Anne Sittauer addresses the group, expressing thanks for the many ways the Friends activities contribute to the Sherburne Wildlife Refuge mission.

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Women's Nature's Circles

The first Sunday of each month has brought together a group of women interested in exploring more about the refuge and nature in general. This activity is open to all interested women and meets at the schoolhouse. Check out the flyer at Whats Happening at the Refuge Now page on the Friends of Sherburne website (exploresherburne.org) for more information.
The pictures below are from the January 3, 2010 meeting which included a snowshoe adventure. Temperatures near zero didn't cool the spirits of this group!

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XC SKIING AT BLUE HILL TRAIL JANUARY 3, 2010

Not much wildlife was out on such a cold day. Just scenery to view in scopes.

The Enchanted Forest is our favorite section of this trail. A few pine needles in the ski tracks but not a problem for skiing through easily.

When visiting during winter it is suggested you dress in layers and bring extra wind protection as much of this trail is in the open. As you can see we had to remove some layers as although temperatures on January 3 were sub-zero, there was no wind and we were overheating some.

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MAHNOMEN HIKING TRAIL

Mahnomen Trail pictures from January 2, 2010. Temperatures near end of day were zero F.

Mahnomen Trail is recommended for foot travel in winter. The trail has been walked in by foot traffic and offers stunning winter landscapes and some great exercise during the sub zero weather.

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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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