Wildlife observation opportunities abound at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. Whether you are a beginner searching for guided tours or a seasoned expert looking to experience the quiet and solitude on your own, you can find resources here to help you plan your outing.
Attached is a bird list. You can down load this list (pdf format) to aid you during your outing or pick up a printed flyer at one of the kiosks around the refuge or at the Refuge office on Hwy 9.
To learn more about scheduled Bird Tours, Butterfly Census events, or Moth outings please see the Events page.
List of birds identified the week of October 9, 2011 by roving interpreters along the Wildlife Drive. Birds identified with * were not seen the prior week.
Dark eyed Junco Red-bellied Woodpecker American Coot White Throated Sparrow Le Contes Sparrow Ring billed Gull Common Moorhen Fairly Common Pied-billed Grebe Trumpeter Swan Wood Duck Bald Eagle Northern Harrier American Kestrel Sandhill Crane Blue Jay American Crow Marsh Wren Eastern Bluebird Cedar Waxwing American Goldfinch
To view a list of birds seen earlier in 2011 by a weekly listing, click on this link:
One of the more difficult bird sightings in 2011 has been the Common Moorhens (new name is Common Gallinule). They were first viewed in 2009 as nesting visitors at the refuge and were frequently seen along Wildlife Drive near the water control structure at Big Bluestem pond. But this year they decided to nest further down the pond in a more remote area and have been seen only infrequently. Consider yourself lucky if you happen to spot these residents before they decide to leave for the year. As of the week of September 18 they were still being seen. Click on Marcia Johnsons photo to enlarge for better view.
TRAILS AND AUTO ROUTE
BLUE HILL HIKING TRAIL
The Blue Hill Trail offers mostly woodland habitat with some marsh area around Buck Lake. The observation deck at the top of Blue Hill spur trail offers viewing 200 feet above surrounding woods so you have a feeling of being in the tree tops. The observation deck along edge of Buck Lake has spotting scopes at both adult and child heights.
The loop trails offer lengths of 2 miles up to 4.5 miles in length. This is an unpaved but mowed grass and dirt trail. Access gained from parking lot along state highway 9. A primitive restroom is available at parking lot but no water or services along trail.
Top of Blue Hill Overlook
Spotting Scopes at Buck Lake Overlook
MAHNOMEN HIKING TRAIL
The Mahnomen Trail offers 3 loop trails ranging in length up to 3 miles. This trail provides views with some marsh to wooded habitat and is mowed grass and dirt trail surface. The trail is accessed along Highway 9 and has a primitive restroom at the parking lot.
Photo by Mary Carlson
WILDLIFE DRIVE
The Wildlife Drive is gravel road of 7.3 mile length. The drive is accessed off state highway 5 about 2 miles north of Orrock. About 1/4 mile from highway 5 entrance is a parking lot offering kiosk with information on recent sightings and bird lists. Also at this parking lot is access to short hiking trail, an Eagle nest display, and spur trail to observation deck with spotting scopes. There is a primitive bathroom at this parking lot.
The Drive has two short hiking trails which offer closer exposure to Prairie and Wooded habitats. Please be careful of the poison ivy which is along some edges of the trail. These trails are mowed grass and dirt surface.
The Drive also offers 3 addtional observation decks which have spotting scopes to view eagles nests and other wildlife in their habitat. Using your car as a blind as you drive along will give you views of the animals without disturbing them. The best advice to see a lot of birds and animals is to slow down. Plan on spending a minimum two to three hours along the drive to experience fully what each type of habitat will offer. The hiking trails and walk to observation decks will let you stretch your legs, but bring insect repellent along in summer.
Click on pictures above for to enlarge them. Descriptons: Sparrow welcomes visitors to Prairie Hiking Trail along wildlife drive, a Cedar Waxwing hides in the grass, a Double Crested Cormorrant drys it's wings, a Belted Kingfisher perched.
