The highway department has been busy mowing the edges of roads. This includes dirt roads in Sax-Zim Bog and Two Harbors Highlands. In fact, Stoney River Forest Road has  now reopened. Given the Minnesota grouse hunting season does not open till September 19th, it is an excellent time to take a birding excursion into rural America. It is likely you will have dirt roads all to yourself for the next 30 days. The mowing means it is easier to find/spot these “grass foraging birds”.

Such was the case a bit south of Meadowlands. I spied the male Ring-Necked Pheasant well in advance, and patience was rewarded when after five minutes, his lady love came up to join him in a morning forage for breakfast. Right now it appears the wildflowers, black-eyed susans, are everywhere! Enjoy.