Please only register yourself and those in your group you know are coming. You will be required to make a comment in a text field, asking for the name of any other attendees you’re registering for on their behalf, and whether you want to be assigned the same bus as them or any other attendees.
We also have a website created for the event, including great info about Salt Lake itself and historic information, about lodging/camping list, as well as the registration link and event schedule. Please visit the site here: https://sites.google.com/umn.edu/salt-lake-birding-weekend/home
Please reach out to me with questions or concerns.
Date: 3/31/25 4:48 pm From: Trey Weaver <trweaver89...> Subject: [mou-net] Salt Lake Weekend 2025, Registration opening on April 1st
Minnesota’s largest birding festival, Salt Lake Weekend returns for its 47th annual event in 2025! Join 125 other bird enthusiasts on the morning of May 3rd at the Lac Qui Parle State Park Visitor Center for registration. We will then tour around the area in coach buses (including Salt Lake itself, of course) for the morning. After the guided birding aboard assigned buses in the morning, attendees will gather for lunch at the Marietta American Legion hall. After lunch, attendees will be encouraged to visit local businesses and engage in self-guided birding for the afternoon hours. We will then meet at 6PM at the Madison VFW hall for the compilation dinner, where we will share our stories and bird sightings for the day, tallying a composite species list for the day. Registration will be opened on April 1st and will close on April 25th. A registration link will be shared here tomorrow, April 1st at 9AM.
Date: 3/31/25 8:26 am From: Jim Williams <woodduck38...> Subject: [mou-net] Jude Williams
Judith Ann Hughes-Williams, Jude to friends and and family, died March 29. Cause of death was congestive heart failure. She was a beautiful woman of a certain age. She had two recent surgeries attempting to repair failed heart valves. She was offered a third try, but refused. She had had enough. She went home to die.
Jude first was a journalist, working for weekly newspapers in the Lake Minnetonka area, then partner for 20 years with her husband, Jim Williams, in a company they formed to produce marketing materials for the beauty-supply industry. After sale of that company she and Jim moved to their lake home in Wisconsin where she became a Realtor. They returned to the Lake Minnetonka area six years later.
Jude liked cars and horses and houses. She designed remodeling for the five homes she and Jim shared during their marriage of 47 years. They were a couple for 54 years. She liked cats and dogs and birds, becoming an accomplished birder, joining Jim and friends on birding trips throughout the country. Jude liked travel, well-polished fingernails, a cold Chardonnay, and dinner with friends.
She suffered a hemorrhagic stroke 22 years ago. It left her with partial paralysis on her right side and expressive aphasia. She regained most of her speech through hard work with therapists. The stroke erased all of her writing skills — vocabulary, spelling, punctuation. She recovered them because she was willing to do the work. She eventually regained her driver’s license, a day of celebration.
Jude would not be denied.
She is survived by her husband, two sons (Frank and Dean and their families), four step-children (Jill Varty, Jim L. Williams, Ann Ciardelli, and Elizabeth Mefford and their families, including their 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild), four brothers (Sidney, George, Keith, and Douglas Hughes and their families) and many friends.
Jude had been a member of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, and was active in Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now, an organization offering programs and support for people living with aphasia.
Date: 3/31/25 8:12 am From: Jeanne Baumann <jbaumann-msd...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] St Paul Bird Alliance newsletter APR-MAY 2025
Thank you, Gordon for so regularly forwarding this. Since the St. Paul Audubon Society doesn't mail things anymore, you're the only way I - as a member by virtue of my national donation - hear any news from the local group.
On 3/31/2025 9:52 AM, Gordon Andersson wrote: > Monthly meetings and presentation; Mothers' Day Warbler Weekend at Hok-Si-La; many Birding Walks and Hikes; bird events in MSP area.... > Cardinal-final-April-May-2025-SPBA-1.pdf<https://saintpaulbirdalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Cardinal-final-April-May-2025-SPBA-1.pdf> > > GAndersson > St Paul > > ---- > General information and guidelines for posting:https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Hi Paul
I take binoculars to Honduras - for example - as long as they are in good working condition; meaning they can be used today as is without any repair (not a lot of options in Honduras to repair binos)
below is my email address to get directly in contact with me - I've taken binos in the past - and keep partnership with a great youth organization there to organized birding hikes whenever I go visit family in Honduras
thanks for considering donated your binos
________________________________
From: Minnesota Birds <MOU-NET...> on behalf of MOU <mou...>
Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2025 11:19 AM
To: <MOU-NET...> <MOU-NET...>
Subject: [mou-net] Binocular donation
(Posted by Paul Shapiro <pshapiromn...> via moumn.org)
I heard you donate binoculars to kids.
I have a couple of binoculars that I don't use
Would you like them.
thanks
Paul
Date: 3/29/25 7:28 am From: Matt Hoberg <mhoberg1...> Subject: [mou-net] MOU Field Trip: Veterans Park Richfield, April 13
I'll be leading a field trip for early spring migrants at Veterans Park in Richfield, just south of Minneapolis in Hennepin County, on Sunday April 13 at 8AM.
This is a great time to get out in the field and "warm up" before the peak of songbird migration in May.
I welcome you join me for some American Woodcock courtship display viewing opportunities this Spring. As soon as tomorrow night, we will be meeting at Carver Park Reserve to hopefully view this unique courtship ritual and potentially encounter other nocturnal species along the way. Registration is required and is limited to 10 people per night. For more information about the event and to register, please visit the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48A9AC2FA5FFCE9-54946132-woodcock#/
Please reach out to me with any questions you may have.
Best regards,
Trey Weaver
Field Guide
MOU Field Trip Committee Member
Date: 3/23/25 9:58 am From: Stephen Greenfield <tapaculo47...> Subject: [mou-net] Minnesota Global Birders, online: birding India
In the upcoming on-line session of the informal group of "Minnesota global birders," Alyssa DeRubeis will report on a trip to northern India last year. The group visited the famous Keoladeo Ghana national park in the north-central region, and then flew to the northeastern lowlands and into the foothills of the Himalayas, seeing a total of 540 bird species.
Monday, April 7th , from 7 to 9 pm CT.
You can get more information and register for the presentation with Eventbrite, at the link below .
After you register, you will receive instructions on how to connect to the Zoom session, and reminder emails afterwards. -- Stephen Greenfield Minneapolis <tapaculo47...>
Date: 3/22/25 8:56 pm From: Steve Weston <sweston2g...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Annual Crane Count April 12
Questions about the crane count? Don't hesitate to contact me.
Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
<sweston2g...>
On Sat, Mar 22, 2025 at 10:45 PM Steve Weston <sweston2g...> wrote:
> The International Crane Foundation's Annual Midwest Crane Count is
> Saturday, April 12 early in the morning and we need people to count cranes.
> The count runs from dawn to about 7:30 a.m. So, it is unlikely to conflict
> with any plans for the day. If you have cranes calling in your backyard,
> you can grab a cup of coffee, wander out to your back deck and be done with
> the count before you finish your coffee.
>
> While count openings around the Metro Area may be limited, most cranes
> around the state will not be counted. I am especially looking for counters
> in Anoka County.
>
> For more information check out the website:
> https://savingcranes.org/annual-midwest-crane-count/ . The information
> includes recordings of cranes and instructions.
>
> Steve Weston
> On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
> <sweston2g...>
>
Date: 3/22/25 8:46 pm From: Steve Weston <sweston2g...> Subject: [mou-net] Annual Crane Count April 12
The International Crane Foundation's Annual Midwest Crane Count is Saturday, April 12 early in the morning and we need people to count cranes. The count runs from dawn to about 7:30 a.m. So, it is unlikely to conflict with any plans for the day. If you have cranes calling in your backyard, you can grab a cup of coffee, wander out to your back deck and be done with the count before you finish your coffee.
While count openings around the Metro Area may be limited, most cranes around the state will not be counted. I am especially looking for counters in Anoka County.
Date: 3/20/25 11:45 am From: Sherry Gray <0000436d53c2070c-dmarc-request...> Subject: [mou-net] Salt Lake Weekend 2025?
Hi Trey, David and I heard at Birds & Beers last night in Saint Paul that the Salt Lake Weekend is scheduled this year for late April. Â Is there an announcement posted? Â
Best, Sherry
Sherry GraySaint Paul, Minnesota
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( * ) /Â ( * ) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
On Monday, February 17, 2025, 09:18:37 PM CST, Trey Weaver <trweaver89...> wrote:
Fellow birders,
I'm reaching out today with exciting news about Salt Lake Weekend. In January, Jason Frank announced via the listserv that he would be stepping down as event organizer. Steve Weston (Vice President of Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter) and myself were not connected enough to the local community to take on event organization without local representation, so the decision was made to retire the event. I’m happy to announce that Amy Rager has stepped up to fill this vacant role of event organizer and will be partnering with MOU/MRVAC to get Salt Lake Weekend back on track. Amy is from Montevideo, MN and is Extension Educator and Extension Professor at U of MN Extension for the Minnesota Master Naturalist Program. The organizational challenges in recent years have been multifaceted, and we are working on making changes so we can make it work and be sustainable for the future.
However, this event is for you, dear reader. We do not want to make these decisions unilaterally. We are looking for input on these proposed changes from you, as a member of the community who will be enjoying the event. Here are the key considerations that we're looking for feedback on:
 1.
Scheduled this year for the first weekend in May (May 2-4), rather than the last weekend in April. Data shows that we will not be missing any variety of shorebird species (habitat on the count weekend is a bigger concern than the date that we're choosing) and water birds in general, but also increases our chances of encountering other species groups.
 2.
Last year, we only had four guides with about 150 participants, which made the caravans a logistical nightmare. Due to a lack of guides, we may have locally sponsored buses to provide free transportation and are considering using other locations (meeting location and food vendors) in the River Valley to be able to engage with a wider local community.
 3.
We will be requiring pre-registration for the event. This will be at no cost to you as a participant (paying for meals would need to be paid for by participants, more to come on this at a later date), but it is simply a way that we can use an accurate head-count for crucial organizational challenges.
 4.
We may have guest speakers at the compilation dinner on Saturday
 5.
We may have a beginner birder's workshop on Friday evening.
We are open to all feedback on any items not mentioned above. What changes from past years do you think could make the event better? Any help from the community will go into shaping the vision that us organizers are going to make happen. We will also be looking for volunteers to help us run the event, so please let me know if you're interested in pitching in. Please take a few moments to fill out this quick survey to help us plan the best event possible. CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesaq7whzU7xKb_R74MTCDyNoT7Uldg7kSj6HzCNXr_Xqp0kg/viewform?usp=header>
MOU is thankful to Amy Rager for her initiative and I am personally looking forward to enjoying the count weekend with all of you.
Best regards,
Trey Weaver
MOU Field Trip Committee Chairperson
Date: 3/11/25 11:43 am From: linda whyte <0000004e7b0e779a-dmarc-request...> Subject: [mou-net] Pygmy Nuthatch, Ramsey C
Originally spotted by Anya Auerbach -(thank you, Anya, for your detailed description of the process)-the Pygmy Nuthatch was still present in St. Paul's Como Park this morning. Another birder's notice gave some of us our first fleeting look; thanks to him, we were encouraged to search again for a better "lifer" look- and for a chance to hear the live, vocal performance alluded to in some of the ebird reports.
As reported, the bird was hanging out with some Red-breasted Nuthatches, among other regular winter residents. However, there was initially little vocaliztation from any of them, and there was frequent interference from traffic. It was fairly "nomadic", in any case, flying tree to tree. Eventually we followed it across Lexington to the hilly area adjacent to, and west of, the pavilion parking lot.
By listening long and hard, we caught a few notes of Red-breasted Nuthatch sound. That drew us to examine the conifers at the top of the hilly area west of the pavilion. Since it had become apparent that the bird is using a variety of conifers, we checked them all for any activity. A couple of us finally got a good look when the bird paused mid-canopy on a branch to pound on a seed, When it took off, it flew back SW toward the parkway, passing close by the little gate structure on the hillside.
Thereafter, several of us followed it, to watch it feeding off cones on the trees right beside the road, and were finally treated to some of its song. This was by 10;00 or so, with the bird continuing to favor the area near the pavilion, on the SE side, south of the footbridge.
Many thanks to all who followed and reported this rarity, and best of luck to others who hope to experience it yet. If nothing else, I hope you get to enjoy the weather, the habitat, and, as I did, the uplifting company of other birders.
The winds change are upon us in the form of meteorological Spring, carrying with it V-shaped flights of our earliest migrants: geese. The upper Minnesota River Valley is an excellent location for witnessing particularly large flocks of geese in the tens of thousands, a spectacle which birders and non-birders alike should experience at least once in their lives. All five regular goose species are to be expected (Snow, Ross's, Greater White-fronted, Canada and Cackling) and with some luck the conditions will be such that we will see those awe-inspiring flocks which make birding Western Minnesota such a joy. We will be meeting at the Appleton library at 8AM, where we will assemble into a caravan (in ideally 4 vehicles or less) around the areas along the river valley between the Marsh Lake Dam near Appleton to Ortonville, stopping at various locations for viewing along the way. Your cooperation with carpooling will be greatly appreciated.
Date: 3/4/25 10:14 am From: Paul A. Lender <lender.pa...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Keystone Woods, Washington Co.
Hi Tom
Due to spring thaw, at the moment the only official parking lot that's open
is the south lot, W side of Manning, near the small white building
(apparently a historic post office), more-or-less opposite 125th St N.
This lot is in good shape. There is a smaller one a couple of hundred
yards to the south but you might get stuck there.
For the owls, my last visit was this past Saturday, and they (4-6 birds)
were flying over the southern part of Maple Marsh Lake and the area SW of
that. Approx. 45.171635, -92.887384 . This was from 4:30 to 5:45 when I
left.
Good luck...
-- Paul Lender
On Tue, Mar 4, 2025 at 11:44 AM Tom Gilde <
<00002247eb7407f6-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Could anyone share any tips about Keystone Woods, that is, where to park,
> Short-eared Owl hangout, whether some viewing exposes on to county road
> traffic, and anything else you might want to share? Thanks (!), Tom Gilde
>
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
--
====================
Paul Lender
St. Paul, Minnesota
Date: 3/4/25 9:57 am From: Sue Keator <chickadeedee55...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Keystone Woods, Washington Co.
Small parking lot shows on the map. West side of 15. Room for a dozen cars.
I've seen owls both immediately south and north of the lot.
On Tue, Mar 4, 2025, 11:44 AM Tom Gilde <
<00002247eb7407f6-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Could anyone share any tips about Keystone Woods, that is, where to park,
> Short-eared Owl hangout, whether some viewing exposes on to county road
> traffic, and anything else you might want to share? Thanks (!), Tom Gilde
>
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
Date: 3/4/25 9:44 am From: Tom Gilde <00002247eb7407f6-dmarc-request...> Subject: [mou-net] Keystone Woods, Washington Co.
Could anyone share any tips about Keystone Woods, that is, where to park, Short-eared Owl hangout, whether some viewing exposes on to county road traffic, and anything else you might want to share? Thanks (!), Tom Gilde
Date: 3/3/25 5:42 am From: Karla Bloem <000048c984dcee7a-dmarc-request...> Subject: [mou-net] International Festival of Owls speakers, March 7-9
The 23rd annual International Festival of Owls will be held March 7-9 in Houston, MN. Featured speakers include:
-Raju Acharya from Nepal (2011 World Owl Hall of Fame Special Achievement Award winner, speaking about owl conservation efforts in Nepal and the sister festival he started, the Nepal Owl Festival)
-Scott Rashid, founder and director of the Colorado Avian Research and Rehabilitation Institute (2025 Champion of Owls award winner)
-Rudolf Schaaf from Germany has sent a 30-minute video presentation to share since he cannot attend in person, and it will focus heavily on interesting cultural representations around the world throughout history (he's the 2025 Special Achievement Award winner)
-Kat Beaulieu, author of "Owl Music", will be doing readings on Saturday and Sunday. This is a book about a boy, an owl and a feather, with a powerful message about connecting to nature
-The Illinois Raptor Center will present two live owl programs Saturday and two Sunday, including a live Snowy Owl
There are all kinds of other things going on, including owl prowls, pellet dissection, nest box building, owl face painting, owl-themed kids crafts, vendors of owl items, and much more. Find full details at www.FestivalOfOwls.com.
