Date: 7/5/25 10:19 am From: Paul Budde <buddep...> Subject: [mou-net] MOU website
We need to do a restore of the MOU data tables, which should happen in the next few days. In the meantime, you can continue to use the MOU website, but know that any changes you make to the database -- sightings, ebird data uploads, or photos added, for example -- will be lost. So, please hold off on adding or modifying the data for a few days. We'll let you know when the restored database is available, hopefully early next week.
Date: 6/30/25 10:15 am From: Steve Wilson <clevergrayjay...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] MOU-NET Digest - 27 Jun 2025 to 29 Jun 2025 (#2025-66)
Jack,
I live in the heart of bear country (Isabella) and have been struggling with bears/feeders for years. The only things I've found that work for feeders are 1) taking in the feeder at night, 2) putting the feeder higher than the bear can reach on a pole it can't climb. For the last year we've been dealing with a 400+ pound male, which has been challenging. I put a large platform feeder on a solid 4"x4" post 8' high. It couldn't reach it but he stood on his hind legs and rocked the post back-and-forth with such force he snapped it off at ground level. I'm in the process of replacing it with a 5"x6" post. A disadvantage of this approach is the need for a stepladder to service it. And forget a hanging feeder if the pull rope is at a level the bear can reach. They'll figure it out, skip the feeder and yank on the rope/cable till all the seed is shaken out or it's pulled to the ground. I don't have a suggestion for nest boxes except for height, but I imagine people aren't going to want to haul a stepladder around for that or go to the time and expense of a telescoping pole.
Steve Wilson
-----Original Message-----
From: Minnesota Birds <MOU-NET...> On Behalf Of MOU-NET automatic digest system
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2025 12:00 AM
To: <MOU-NET...>
Subject: MOU-NET Digest - 27 Jun 2025 to 29 Jun 2025 (#2025-66)
There are 2 messages totaling 50 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Black Bear Deterrent
2. MOU Field Trip - Bell Museum Behind-the-Scenes - July 27
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2025 10:57:22 -0600
From: MOU <mou...>
Subject: Black Bear Deterrent
(Posted by Jack Hauser <jgshauser...> via moumn.org)
Greetings,
In the Spring edition of BBRP Newsletter, I recently read that Jean Olsen of Pine County lost
109 eggs/chicks from black bear attacks, during the 2024 nesting season.
Because bears have such a keen sense of smell and Bluebirds cannot smell, I thought maybe some form of skunk oil would deter them.
Does anyone have experience on how to deter black bears from bird feeders& nesting boxes?
Cruising the web for answers, I found "Repels-All" and Pepper Spray.
Has anyone had experience with any of these products?
Reading more closely I found that Repels-All did not include Black bears.
Jack
Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2025 17:22:04 -0500
From: Matt Hoberg <mhoberg1...>
Subject: MOU Field Trip - Bell Museum Behind-the-Scenes - July 27
July 27: Bell Museum- Ornithology Behind-the-Scenes
10 am
In partnership with Dr Keith Barker from the University of Minnesota, Matt Hoberg will lead a unique field trip to the Bell Museum including behind-the-scenes viewing of bird specimens. This is a special opportunity to learn about ornithology research. For more information and registration (required), visit the registration page <https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48A9AC2FA5FFCE9-57136325-bell>.
Date: 6/29/25 3:22 pm From: Matt Hoberg <mhoberg1...> Subject: [mou-net] MOU Field Trip - Bell Museum Behind-the-Scenes - July 27
July 27: Bell Museum- Ornithology Behind-the-Scenes
10 am In partnership with Dr Keith Barker from the University of Minnesota, Matt Hoberg will lead a unique field trip to the Bell Museum including behind-the-scenes viewing of bird specimens. This is a special opportunity to learn about ornithology research. For more information and registration (required), visit the registration page <https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48A9AC2FA5FFCE9-57136325-bell>.
Date: 6/29/25 9:57 am From: MOU <mou...> Subject: [mou-net] Black Bear Deterrent
(Posted by Jack Hauser <jgshauser...> via moumn.org)
Greetings, In the Spring edition of BBRP Newsletter, I recently read that Jean Olsen of Pine County lost 109 eggs/chicks from black bear attacks, during the 2024 nesting season. Because bears have such a keen sense of smell and Bluebirds cannot smell, I thought maybe some form of skunk oil would deter them. Does anyone have experience on how to deter black bears from bird feeders& nesting boxes? Cruising the web for answers, I found "Repels-All" and Pepper Spray. Has anyone had experience with any of these products? Reading more closely I found that Repels-All did not include Black bears. Jack
Date: 6/27/25 12:12 pm From: Natasha Bartolotta <natasha...> Subject: [mou-net] Loon Surveyors needed in Le Sueur County
Hello all,
The National Loon Center is looking for anyone residing in Le Sueur county with knowledge of local loon sightings and who may be interested in a potential July survey of select lakes. If you are interested, please reach out to me at: <natasha...>
More information below:
With our scientific advisory council, we are conducting resighting work in southern MN lakes where a "Restore the Call" project translocated young loons about 10 years ago. We are looking to survey lakes within about a 15km radius of the release lake, Fish Lake, in Le Sueur County.
We've been looking at MOU records and eBird sightings in this area and have identified lakes within La Sueur, Waseca, Blue Earth, and Rice counties that fall within that 15km radius. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or are interested in a possible survey date later this summer.
Date: 6/16/25 11:15 am From: Stephen Greenfield <tapaculo47...> Subject: [mou-net] Minnesota Global Birders, online: birding Ecuador
The upcoming virtual meeting of the informal Minnesota Global Birders' group will feature Minnesota birder Leslie Gillette's presentation on two birding trips she took to Ecuador last year. Ecuador has huge diversity in altitude and habitats, and therefore also in its avifauna. She encountered many species of hummingbirds, tanagers, and other birds, including migrants that come through Minnesota.
Thursday, June 26th , from 7 to 9 pm CT.
You can get more information and register for the presentation with Eventbrite at one of the links below:
After you register, you will receive instructions on how to connect to the Zoom session, and reminder emails afterwards. (NOTE: if you register and do not get a confirmation email from Eventbrite, or have other questions, please send me an email.)
Date: 6/13/25 10:45 am From: Nina Hale <ninahale...> Subject: [mou-net] White pigeon
If anyone is missing an almost all white pigeon, just a little bit of black
on the back, Let me know. It’s been in my yard In Uptown Minneapolis for
the last few days.
