Eric Matteson photographs a bird while his father Neal looks with binoculars and Kit Ferber listens during the tour for experienced birders at the International Migratory Bird Day event at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge on May 10, 2008. Photo by Al Ferber.

Nicole and Cali Luna view waterfowl from the vantage point of a water control structure on the Wildlife Drive during a birding tour for beginners at the International Migratory Bird Day event at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge on May 10, 2008. Photo by Al Ferber.

Carol VanHeel (right), Friends of Sherburne member, assists Kit Ferber in making a selection at the Friends of Sherburne Plant Sale on May 10, 2008. Photo by Al Ferber.

Marv Ziner, Friends member and coordinator for the Friends Plant Sale on May 10, 2008, prepares the plants for the sale. Photo by Al Ferber.

  International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) was celebrated at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, May 10 with 52 birders observing a total 94 species of birds.  At 7:00 a.m. 23 experienced and intermediate birders broke into two groups for the “Songbird Search,” hiking the Blue Hill Trail to look for warblers and vireos before heading to the Wildlife Drive for grassland and wetland species. These groups were led by Jay Hamernick, retired refuge manager, and Lyle Bradley, retired teacher. At 8:30 a.m. 29 beginning birders and families gathered for the “Birds In the Wetlands” tour. Five refuge volunteers experienced in birding each took a small group to the Wildlife Drive.  Three young birders and their parents were repeat visitors from last year. This year’s theme, Tundra to Tropics, focused on how birds choose and then use habitats during their migration journey. Outreach efforts for International Migratory Bird Day included the distribution of IMBD posters to 38 schools in five school districts located within a 25 mile radius of the refuge and to libraries in five communities. The Friends of Sherburne held a Plant Sale in conjunction with IMBD which brought an additional 82 people to the refuge.