Date: 4/21/18 9:49 am From: Justin Watts <Justinwatts02...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Cinnamon teal, lake byllesby, dakota.
As an update, the adult male cinnamon teal is visible right now from the goodhue county boat launch (44.5157,-92.9884). Settled in to rest on the ice on the goodhue county side but was in Dakota earlier. Lots of other more typical goodies as well.
Date: 4/21/18 8:50 am From: Deters, Marshall (DNR) <marshall.deters...> Subject: [mou-net] Waterfowl Carlos Avery Chisago Co.
There were many waterfowl, from buffleheads to swans, at the Carlos Avery South Pool this morning. The pool is still mostly frozen, the birds are concentrated in the open water above the dam.
Take Stacy Trail (Co Rd 19) east from Stacy about a mile and then take the first sand road to the south (right).
The gates on the Anoka County side are still closed to motor vehicles, and probably will be for at least another week. The roads are in poor condition for vehicle travel. But it is a great time to walk or take to your fat bike to experience the sights, sounds, and scents of spring.
Marshall Deters
Wildlife Specialist
Carlos Avery WMA
651-539-3306
Date: 4/21/18 7:34 am From: Erik Collins <sueerik...> Subject: [mou-net] Ross’s and Snow Geese - Chisago County
There are about two dozen Snow Geese and at least two Ross’s Geese in a wet field on 420th St, east of Forest Blvd. in Chisago County. They’ve spent most of their time tucked in, so it’s hard to get an exact count. Several duck species present, too.
Date: 4/21/18 7:27 am From: Justin Watts <Justinwatts02...> Subject: [mou-net] Cinnamon teal, lake byllesby, dakota.
Looking at a cinnamon teal right now on lake byllesby. South East from cemetery, not sure if visible from boat launch across the lake from cemetery yet but that might be much closer.
In Otter Tail County, Marion Otnes reported Tree Swallows not trumpeter swans. The swans have been there all winter. Tree Swallows are new. Sorry for the mistake. Jeanie
-Birds mentioned * Trumpeter Swan * Eurasian Wigeon * Hooded Merganser * Wild Turkey * Mourning Dove * Sandhill Crane * American Avocet * Killdeer * Greater Yellowlegs * Ring-billed Gull * Herring Gull * Common Loon * Turkey Vulture * Bald Eagle * Northern Harrier * Sharp-shinned Hawk * Cooper's Hawk * Red-tailed Hawk * Rough-legged Hawk * Snowy Owl * American Kestrel * Northern Shrike * Brown Creeper * Golden-crowned Kinglet * American Robin * Bohemian Waxwing * Purple Finch * Common Redpoll * Hoary Redpoll * Yellow-rumped Warbler -Transcript Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes Date: April 19, 2018 Sponsor: Lakes Area Birding Club, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce Reports: 1-800-542-3992 (weekdays during business hours) Compiler: Jeanie Joppru (<ajjoppru...>) This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, April 19, 2018 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also see this report on the Chamber of Commerce website: https://www.visitdetroitlakes.com/birding-report Spring has finally arrived in northwest Minnesota, robins are singing, and people are smiling. We continue to get reports of large numbers of common redpolls, and there are two reports of HOARY REDPOLLS, one in Polk County, and one in Becker County this week. Raptors are streaming in. Many rough-legged hawks can be seen coursing over the grasslands; a few red-tailed hawks, and American kestrels were reported in several locations. Migrating songbirds are still uncommon, but a few are starting to trickle in. With the warm temperatures forecast, we can expect to see more in the coming days. American robins are here in good numbers and can be heard singing every morning . The North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County has started to attract migrants. Wayne Perala reported an AMERICAN AVOCET, a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and RING-BILLED GULL there on April 19. A variety of ducks were also there. He also observed a COMMON LOON and one SNOWY OWL on the way to the impoundment, likely in Otter Tail County, although he did not say. In Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County on April 15, Wayne found a EURASIAN WIGEON on the Otter Tail River. Marion Otnes reported RING-BILLED GULL, two HERRING GULLS, and 3 TRUMPETER SWANS on April 13. In Polk County, Leon Thoreson observed MOURNING DOVE, AMERICAN ROBIN, BROWN CREEPER , and 50 COMMON REDPOLLS in his yard on April 14, COOPER'S HAWK and two WILD TURKEYS on April 17, and BALD EAGLE, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and KILLDEER on April 18. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS are now in large numbers in the grasslands of western Polk County. On April 17, I saw 8 TURKEY VULTURES soaring over the Red Lake River in Pennington County. A female NORTHERN HARRIER and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK were seen in Pennington County northeast of Thief River Falls on April 18. I found HOODED MERGANSERS in the river south of the dam this afternoon, and a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET was seen and heard in Greenwood trails natural area. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK visited our bird feeder this morning. In Marshall County, on April 18, I saw 7 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS between the Marshall County line and the east edge of Agassiz NWR. Other species seen included two NORTHERN HARRIERS, two BALD EAGLES, and a RED-TAILED HAWK. Four TRUMPETER SWANS were found in the fields just south of the refuge, and four more were seen on the east side of headquarters pool. Connie Cox reported a KILLDEER in Itasca State Park this week. On April 17 a NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen near the visitor center. A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was observed on April 18. From Roseau County, Beth Siverhus reported BALD EAGLE, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 30 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, AMERICAN ROBIN, and PURPLE FINCH this week. Mike Thiele observed SANDHILL CRANES and TRUMPETER SWANS by the Warroad Airport this week. In Lake of the Woods County, Beth Siverhus saw two pairs of SANDHILL CRANES south of Baudette. Other species seen in the county included ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, TURKEY VULTURE, NORTHERN HARRIER, AMERICAN KESTREL, and BALD EAGLE. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at <ajjoppru...> OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's numbers 218-847-5743 or 218- 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, April 26, 2018.
Date: 4/20/18 1:44 pm From: Bernard P. Friel <wampy...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] White-faced Ibis in Big Stone zCounty.
In Mendota Heights we still have several dozen redpolls...and several dozen purple finch arrived this AM, along with my first wood duck of the season which attempted to occupy a brand new pileated woodpecker nest in the aspen at my front door. Spring is late, but it surely is interesting !
Bernie Friel
Bernard P. Friel
Motivational Program:
A Change of Heart-Taking Charge of Your Health
Member:
North American Nature Photography Assn.
Grand Canyon River Guides
International Society of Aviation Photography
The Explorers Club
Web Pages-http://www.wampy.com On 4/20/18, 15:12, "<MOU-NET...> on behalf of <mou...>" <MOU-NET...> on behalf of <mou...> wrote:
(Posted by Daniel Orr <danorr99...> via moumn.org)
Date: 4/20/18 10:34 am From: Liz Harper <harp0055...> Subject: [mou-net] Great-tailed Grackle at North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County
Currently watching a Great-tailed Grackle at North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County. South of the overlook platform about 350 yards
(45.9907795,-96.2560403)
Also present
Willet
American Avocet
Least Sandpiper
Marbled Godwits
Dunlin
Baird's Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Bonaparte's Gull
And a lot of waterfowl
Date: 4/20/18 10:10 am From: Liz Harper <harp0055...> Subject: [mou-net] Great-tailed Grackle at North Ottawa Impoundment Grant County
Currently watching a Great-tailed Grackle at North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County. South of the overlook platform
(45.9907795,-96.2560403)
Also present
Willet
American Avocet
Least Sandpiper
Marbled Godwits
Dunlin
Baird's Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Bonaparte's Gull
And a lot of waterfowl
Date: 4/20/18 5:38 am From: Refsnider <refsn001...> Subject: [mou-net] No Red-Headed Woodpecker at Coon Rapids Dam
Sorry, big Oops!
I intended to report a Red-bellied Woodpecker actively excavating a nest near Coon Rapids Dam yesterday, NOT a Red-headed Woodpecker. My apologies to all.
Spring has finally arrived in northwest Minnesota, robins are singing, and people are smiling. We continue to get reports of large numbers of common redpolls, and there are two reports of HOARY REDPOLLS, one in Polk County, and one in Becker County this week. Raptors are streaming in. Many rough-legged hawks can be seen coursing over the grasslands; a few red-tailed hawks, and American kestrels were reported in several locations. Migrating songbirds are still uncommon, but a few are starting to trickle in. With the warm temperatures forecast, we can expect to see more in the coming days. American robins are here in good numbers and can be heard singing every morning .
The North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County has started to attract migrants. Wayne Perala reported an AMERICAN AVOCET, a GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and RING-BILLED GULL there on April 19. A variety of ducks were also there. He also observed a COMMON LOON and one SNOWY OWL on the way to the impoundment, likely in Otter Tail County, although he did not say.
In Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County on April 15, Wayne found a EURASIAN WIGEON on the Otter Tail River. Marion Otnes reported RING-BILLED GULL, two HERRING GULLS, and 3 TRUMPETER SWANS on April 13.
In Polk County, Leon Thoreson observed MOURNING DOVE, AMERICAN ROBIN, BROWN CREEPER , and 50 COMMON REDPOLLS in his yard on April 14, COOPER'S HAWK and two WILD TURKEYS on April 17, and BALD EAGLE, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and KILLDEER on April 18. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS are now in large numbers in the grasslands of western Polk County.
On April 17, I saw 8 TURKEY VULTURES soaring over the Red Lake River in Pennington County. A female NORTHERN HARRIER and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK were seen in Pennington County northeast of Thief River Falls on April 18. I found HOODED MERGANSERS in the river south of the dam this afternoon, and a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET was seen and heard in Greenwood trails natural area. A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK visited our bird feeder this morning.
In Marshall County, on April 18, I saw 7 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS between the Marshall County line and the east edge of Agassiz NWR. Other species seen included two NORTHERN HARRIERS, two BALD EAGLES, and a RED-TAILED HAWK. Four TRUMPETER SWANS were found in the fields just south of the refuge, and four more were seen on the east side of headquarters pool.
Connie Cox reported a KILLDEER in Itasca State Park this week. On April 17 a NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen near the visitor center. A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER was observed on April 18.
From Roseau County, Beth Siverhus reported BALD EAGLE, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 30 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, AMERICAN ROBIN, and PURPLE FINCH this week. Mike Thiele observed SANDHILL CRANES and TRUMPETER SWANS by the Warroad Airport this week.
In Lake of the Woods County, Beth Siverhus saw two pairs of SANDHILL CRANES south of Baudette. Other species seen in the county included ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, TURKEY VULTURE, NORTHERN HARRIER, AMERICAN KESTREL, and BALD EAGLE.
Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at <ajjoppru...> <mailto:<ajjoppru...> OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's numbers 218-847-5743 or 218- 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, April 26, 2018.
Date: 4/19/18 10:07 am From: Refsnider <refsn001...> Subject: [mou-net] Coon Rapids Dam Waterbirds Today - Anoka County
This morning there were fewerwaterbirds upstream from the dam than we've seen over the last week or two (esp. ringnecks & goldeneye), so they finally may be starting to trickle farther northward. Just the highlights below, all seen from the dam or from the Coon Rapids side of the river:
Eared Grebe - 1 just downstream from the small spillway by the former turbine structure; thanks to Ron Taube; search where cameras are pointing! Ruddy Ducks - today there were ~23 close to the dam on the upstream side, near CR shore Common Loons - 6 Northern Shovelers - a pair upstream, near Brooklyn Park shore, two more pair ~ half-mile downstream Redhead - 1 male upstream, CR side Blue-winged Teal - 4 male, 1 female ~ half mile downstream Osprey - 2 on BP nest platform Red-headed Woodpecker - male excavating already-deep nest cavity Sandhill Crane - 1 low flyover, heading east
Date: 4/18/18 7:37 am From: Cleone Stewart <cleone...> Subject: [mou-net] Detroit Lakes Festival
Temps in the 50s and 60s should start taking down the ice on lakes in time for the 21st annual Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds May 16-19. Featured presenters are Carrol Henderson with tales of his 45 years in the MN DNR and Noah Strycker's epic world big year in 2015 with more than 6000 bird species recorded! Friday and Saturday field trips to wetlands, forests and prairie. Wednesday evening festival kick-off at the Holmes Theatre with the show For the Birds featuring Kevin Kling and Zeitgeist. Program and registration at https://www.visitdetroitlakes.com/events/festival-of-birds.
Date: 4/17/18 2:12 pm From: Eric Vehe <Eric.Vehe...> Subject: [mou-net] American White Pelicans flyover, Anoka County
A group of approximately 14-15 American White Pelicans was observed flying east over the Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes today.
Eric Vehe
NOTICE: Unless restricted by law, email correspondence to and from Anoka County government offices may be public data subject to the Minnesota Data Practices Act and/or may be disclosed to third parties.
Date: 4/16/18 1:27 pm From: Kris Moulton <kristofor.moulton...> Subject: [mou-net] Pine County - Common Goldeneye x Hooded Merganser
A nice hybrid found west of the Hwy 61 bridge in Pine City. "Best" viewing from Voyageurs Park close to the bridge, although it's a long ways to where it was hanging out.
Photos on Minnesota Birding on Facebook and on eBird.
Date: 4/15/18 10:12 pm From: David Crow <dbcrow...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Hermit thrush Bredesen Park Edina
Just saw a hermit's thrush on Bassett Creek in Minneapolis, on the part of the creek that's between Bassett's Creek Park (dog park to the north) and Bassett's Creek Playground, which abuts W. Chestnut Ave. First ever in Hennepin Co. for me (we moved her last August).
wood ducks - saw about eight on the creek yesterday (4/14), but they were gone today (4/15)
hooded mergansers - a pair there yesterday and today
mallards - about 60 both yesterday and today
Canada geese - about 15 both yesterday and today
American robins - saw three in the trees on the north side of the creek
At neighbor's feeder (Bryn Mawr neighborhood)
dark-eyed juncos - slaty subspecies, at least 40
American goldfinches - around 20
house finches - about eight
house sparrows - two
mourning doves - two; hadn't seen these before at the feeder. They had also been turning up at the creek.
Any possibility of a purple finch? Hoping it was, but think it was just a really bright red house finch.
________________________________
From: Minnesota Birds <MOU-NET...> on behalf of Steven Kirkhorn <stevenkirkhorn...>
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2018 2:54 PM
To: <MOU-NET...>
Subject: [mou-net] Hermit thrush Bredesen Park Edina
Snowshoeing in Bredesen park nature area and saw one Hermit Thrush, one brown creeper, large flock of active robins as well as usual winter birds.
Steve Kirkhorn Hennepin Cty
Date: 4/15/18 1:50 pm From: Steven Kirkhorn <stevenkirkhorn...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Cooper's Hawk Hunting, Dakota Co
I just observed the same activity 10” ago with a sharp-shinned and DE junco. The sharpie chased the junco into a corner on my deck and into the window. It picked the junco off the snow and flew off. I was sitting in a chair by the window right in front of this and it certainly surprised me to suddenly see all this drama. I have markers on my deck windows and bird loss is extremely rare.. i have one feeder on my deck and may move it..
Sent from my iPhone
> On Apr 15, 2018, at 12:29 PM, Slocum, Steve <steve.slocum...> wrote:
>
> Everybody needs to eat! My Coop has taken 5 DE Juncos in the last 2 days (that we witnessed) and the birds are so “corralled” that they are easy to ambush. I’ve moved my ground food away from the house because the hawk chases birds into the windows.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Apr 13, 2018, at 4:07 PM, Molly Miller <johnson-miller...> wrote:
>>
>> We've had a Cooper's Hawk hunting in our yard most of the day. We just had the day's 3rd bird-window strike, that I know of. I haven't seen her catch anything yet, but one time she was cleaning her beak. I don't think there was enough time between the window strike and her beak-cleaning to have been a catch-and-eat situation, though.
>>
>>
>> I need to put more bird feed out so the birds can fortify themselves before this storm hits, but I don't want them to become a buffet. Kind of sad and torn about it. :-(
>>
>>
>> Molly Miller
>>
>> Inver Grove Hts
>>
>> Dakota Co
>>
>> ----
>> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net >> Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
> ----
> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Date: 4/15/18 12:55 pm From: Steven Kirkhorn <stevenkirkhorn...> Subject: [mou-net] Hermit thrush Bredesen Park Edina
Snowshoeing in Bredesen park nature area and saw one Hermit Thrush, one brown creeper, large flock of active robins as well as usual winter birds.
Steve Kirkhorn Hennepin Cty
Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine Counties have been hit hard. Snow-depths of 16-20 inches are being reported around the birding zone, with higher amounts to the south. Drifts are ranging from 3 to 6 feet. It has been extremely windy, so depth varies wildly.
Higher up on the Coteau, snow depths in excess of 20 inches, and nearing 2.5 feet, are being measured around Gary and Clear Lake, SD. All creeks that flow into Lac qui Parle County come downhill from the Coteau, so judging by the 2-week forecast, we should anticipate flooding by the last weekend in April. More snow is forecast for Wednesday and it doesn't look like it'll hit 50 till around April 23.
Expect reduced access to low-lying sites, dirt roads turning to peanut butter, and little (if any) viable shoreline on the larger sloughs and lakes.
Flooded fields will be our best bet for shorebirds.
There has been very little northward movement this month. Juncos, Redpolls, and Rough-Legged Hawks are still here in great numbers. There are plenty of ducks and geese (also pelicans and herons) above the dam at Lac qui Parle, but none of the smaller sloughs or lakes have thawed yet.
The day before the storm hit, the West Branch of the Lac qui Parle River was already cresting and beginning to flood over the dirt road to Prairie Marsh Farm, south of 212. There is also a chasm opening up there. Those attending the potluck will likely have to access the farm from the back way, by driving south 2 miles on Hwy 75 and turning west on CR 12.
I'll survey the main sites in our territory on April 24 or 25th, and report back with more specific details. But I just want to put this out there now: 4-wheel drive is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED this year. Please consider networking and carpooling now if that's not an option for you.
There will likely still be snow on the ground. On the plus side, there won't be any leaves, we're likely to get Redpolls and Juncos and Rough-Legs, and these freak conditions will provide us with an opportunity to gather valuable data pertaining to migration patterns in an increasingly chaotic climate.
-- Jason M. Frank Founder and Vice President, Luddite Ornithologists League (LOL)
Date: 4/15/18 10:39 am From: Slocum, Steve <steve.slocum...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Cooper's Hawk Hunting, Dakota Co
Everybody needs to eat! My Coop has taken 5 DE Juncos in the last 2 days (that we witnessed) and the birds are so “corralled” that they are easy to ambush. I’ve moved my ground food away from the house because the hawk chases birds into the windows.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Apr 13, 2018, at 4:07 PM, Molly Miller <johnson-miller...> wrote:
>
> We've had a Cooper's Hawk hunting in our yard most of the day. We just had the day's 3rd bird-window strike, that I know of. I haven't seen her catch anything yet, but one time she was cleaning her beak. I don't think there was enough time between the window strike and her beak-cleaning to have been a catch-and-eat situation, though.
>
>
> I need to put more bird feed out so the birds can fortify themselves before this storm hits, but I don't want them to become a buffet. Kind of sad and torn about it. :-(
>
>
> Molly Miller
>
> Inver Grove Hts
>
> Dakota Co
>
> ----
> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Date: 4/14/18 2:24 pm From: marshall or janet howe/mcmillen <howe.mcmillen...> Subject: [mou-net] CORRECTION: No snowy egret in Hubbard County
My posting the other day of an observation of a snowy egret by an acquaintance in Nevis, Hubbard County, turns out to be incorrect. I have now seen the photos, which are of a great egret. The date of the observation was April 11th. My apologies to any of you, like Becca Engdahl, who may have sought it out!
Date: 4/14/18 10:09 am From: Molly Miller <johnson-miller...> Subject: [mou-net] Juncos/Fox, Song, Chipping Sparrows, Dakota Co
I once again have about 50 juncos in the yard. I finally took the time to scan them and found at least 3 Song Sparrows, 2 Fox Sparrows and 1 tiny Chipping Sparrow! I took a photo with a Fox Sparrow, junco and Chipping Sparrow because I was amazed to see the difference in size! These sparrows were all first of year for me. I thought I was going to find a Tree Sparrow in the lot, but that was not the case.
Date: 4/14/18 9:14 am From: MOU <mou...> Subject: [mou-net] Fox Sparrows
(Posted by Todd Mitchell <tmitchell...> via moumn.org)
Over three dozen Fox Sparrow in the backyard today. Along with two dozen plus Purple Finches, a few Tree Sparrows and lots of Juncos. Most Fox Sparrows I have ever seen together. Most likely weather related with the snowstorm to the North of us here in Rushford Village.
Date: 4/14/18 9:05 am From: linda whyte <0000004e7b0e779a-dmarc-request...> Subject: [mou-net] Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, St. Paul
Checking on the Yellow-rump has revealed a 2nd diner on the pine, a male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Perhaps the Warbler can gain some extra advantage from its work. Linda Whyte
Date: 4/14/18 8:14 am From: linda whyte <0000004e7b0e779a-dmarc-request...> Subject: [mou-net] Yellow-rumped Warbler (Macalester -Groveland area, St. Paul)
A Yellow-rumped Warbler has been foraging in our front-yard pine this morning. It's not uncommon for various migrators to feed there, and the bird seemed very lively, but one has to wonder if there's enough food to fuel that energy-expenditure. Linda Whyte
Had my first 2018 Vesper Sparrow yesterday near St. Croix Savanna SNA (south of Bayport), where about 50 Bald Eagles were circling low over and over for a solid hour or more. Also my first Hermit Thrush of the year this morning at home.
Date: 4/13/18 3:26 pm From: David Crow <dbcrow...> Subject: [mou-net] Action on Bassett Creek, Minneapolis (Hennepin Co.)
I've been birding Bassett Creek about every other day for the past two weeks. I typically follow the creek from Bassett's Creek Playground, just north of W. Chestnut, up to the pond north of Wirth Lake and Hwy 55 in Golden Valley, at roughly the same latitude as Oak Park Ave (I'll call this the "Hwy 55 Pond"; it doesn't seem to have an official name).
More and more species are arriving. Up till mid-March, strictly mallards and Canada geese. Here are some of the species that have been arriving, with their approximate dates of arrival:
- wood duck (3/30) - just one; disappeared and didn't see again till yesterday (4/12); only on the lower part of the creek, by Bassett's Creek Playground. (FOY)
- hooded mergansers (3/30) - four breeding pairs (or dating, anyway) consistently at BCP since 3/30; increasing in number from about two to five or six breeding pairs on the Hwy 55 pond over that time.
- common mergansers (3/30) - one breeding pair consistently on the lower part of the creek there since 3/30; about 10 -15 breeding pairs on the pond near Hwy 55, increasing in number over that time.
- red-winged blackbirds (3/30) - disappeared on the lower part of the creek until yesterday (4/12) but are abundant on the pond near Hwy 55
- common grackle (3/30) - three individuals; also disappeared but showed up again yesterday (4/12)--not necessarily the same ones. (FOY)
- great egret (4/6) - two starting on (4/6) and maintaining continuous presence (FOY)
- great blue heron (4/6) - also two, staring on 4/6, and increasing to five or so by 4/12 (FOY)
- bald eagles (4/10) - I've been seeing bald eagles, two immatures (2-3 years) and one adult, on the pond and, for the first time on 4/10, the lower part of the creek. One, which looked to be nearly an adult, was getting strafed by ring-billed gulls and crows the other day--quite a show!
- common loon (4/11) - first showed up on Wed 4/11 and was also there yesterday 4/12 on the Hwy 55 pond. (FOY)
- ring-necked duck (4/11) - about 12 on Wed 4/11, which increased to about 20 yesterday (4/12)
- common goldeneyes (4/11) - started with two on Wed 4/11, increased to about 12 yesterday (4/12)
- redhead (4/12) - about eight on Hwy 55 pond yesterday (FOY)
- lesser scaup (4/12) - two couples on Hwy 55 pond yesterday
- pied-billed grebe (4/12) - two couples on Hwy 55 pond yesterday
- American coot (4/12) - one on lower part of creek, one on Hwy 55 pond
- osprey (4/12) - one flying over Hwy 55 pond yesterday (FOY)
This is in addition to all the normal suspects, American robins, house finches, American goldfinches, of which I've definitely seeing more, and the American crows, Northern cardinals, blue jays, and black-capped chickadees that always liven up winter.
Hope this helps. Exciting times for me, especially since I'm relatively new to the area.
Date: 4/13/18 2:59 pm From: Elizabeth Tiller (Beth) <beth87tiller...> Subject: [mou-net] south Dakota County before the storm: rough-legged hawk and lesser yellowlegs
In the block of land east of I-35, north of Northfield, south of 280th:
On Fri, Apr 13, 2018 at 4:25 PM, Tom Bell <bell.tom32...> wrote:
> I have records of Common Loon in juvenile plumage staying on a pond in > Lower Grey Cloud Island, Washington County, for several weeks if not > months during a summer. > > Tom Bell > Grey Cloud Island > 5868 Pioneer Rd. S. > St. Paul Park, MN 55071 > 651 459-4150 > > > > > > On Apr 13, 2018, at 9:07 AM, Steven Houdek <schoudek...> > wrote: > > > > Also, I would say to check the MN Loon Monitoring Program data but I > don't think juvenile designation on the form refers to sub-adult birds. > Maybe there are notes in comments. > > > > Steve > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Gregory Munson <naturenutgm...> > > To: <MOU-NET...> > > Sent: Thu, 12 Apr 2018 22:06:37 -0400 (EDT) > > Subject: [mou-net] Juvenile plumage Loon in Rochester > > > > A presumably migrating group of three Common Loons were spotted on a > small lake behind a dam on the Zumbro River in downtown Rochester > yesterday. > > > > One of them appeared to be in full juvenile plumage. > > > > Wondering how unusual this is. > > > > > > Greg Munson > > Nature Nut Columnist > > Rochester Post Bulletin > > Rochester, MN > > (507) 261-2985 > > > > > > > > > > ---- > > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > > > ---- > > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > ---- > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
Date: 4/13/18 2:25 pm From: Tom Bell <bell.tom32...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Juvenile plumage Loon in Rochester
I have records of Common Loon in juvenile plumage staying on a pond in Lower Grey Cloud Island, Washington County, for several weeks if not months during a summer.
Tom Bell
Grey Cloud Island
5868 Pioneer Rd. S.
St. Paul Park, MN 55071
651 459-4150
> On Apr 13, 2018, at 9:07 AM, Steven Houdek <schoudek...> wrote:
>
> Also, I would say to check the MN Loon Monitoring Program data but I don't think juvenile designation on the form refers to sub-adult birds. Maybe there are notes in comments.
>
> Steve
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gregory Munson <naturenutgm...>
> To: <MOU-NET...>
> Sent: Thu, 12 Apr 2018 22:06:37 -0400 (EDT)
> Subject: [mou-net] Juvenile plumage Loon in Rochester
>
> A presumably migrating group of three Common Loons were spotted on a small lake behind a dam on the Zumbro River in downtown Rochester yesterday.
>
> One of them appeared to be in full juvenile plumage.
>
> Wondering how unusual this is.
>
>
> Greg Munson
> Nature Nut Columnist
> Rochester Post Bulletin
> Rochester, MN
> (507) 261-2985
>
>
>
>
> ----
> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
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Date: 4/13/18 2:07 pm From: Molly Miller <johnson-miller...> Subject: [mou-net] Cooper's Hawk Hunting, Dakota Co
We've had a Cooper's Hawk hunting in our yard most of the day. We just had the day's 3rd bird-window strike, that I know of. I haven't seen her catch anything yet, but one time she was cleaning her beak. I don't think there was enough time between the window strike and her beak-cleaning to have been a catch-and-eat situation, though.
I need to put more bird feed out so the birds can fortify themselves before this storm hits, but I don't want them to become a buffet. Kind of sad and torn about it. :-(
Date: 4/13/18 11:18 am From: Jason Caddy <j.caddy...> Subject: [mou-net] American Bittern, Northern Shrike- Old Cedar Ave. bridge, Hennepin County
I went out to Old Cedar Ave. bridge this morning at around 10:00am with my four-year-old daughter. It was a lot of fun as there were so many migrants flying through and gathering in the open water. The highlight was the American Bittern that was flying over the cattails to the NW of the new Old Cedar Ave. bridge. If looking towards Hwy. 77 from the bridge it landed to the left and close to shore. It is the first time I have found this species in the southern half of the state.
Other birds include:
Northern Shrike- At the parking area. Apparently late enough to require comments on eBird.
Date: 4/13/18 7:07 am From: Steven Houdek <schoudek...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Juvenile plumage Loon in Rochester
Also, I would say to check the MN Loon Monitoring Program data but I don't think juvenile designation on the form refers to sub-adult birds. Maybe there are notes in comments.
Steve
----- Original Message ----- From: Gregory Munson <naturenutgm...> To: <MOU-NET...> Sent: Thu, 12 Apr 2018 22:06:37 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [mou-net] Juvenile plumage Loon in Rochester
A presumably migrating group of three Common Loons were spotted on a small lake behind a dam on the Zumbro River in downtown Rochester yesterday.
One of them appeared to be in full juvenile plumage.
Date: 4/13/18 6:30 am From: Steven Houdek <schoudek...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Juvenile plumage Loon in Rochester
Greg,
I would say that it is an occasional occurrence, and based on work in the cranberry area of central Wisconsin, it wasn't unusual to encounter maybe a half-dozen juveniles during the spring nesting season. I would assume the same for northern Minnesota. I think the tendency is for them to forage almost exclusively in neutral waters and avoid territorial interactions, if they should venture back close to natal areas. Overall though, the general pattern of them staying on coastal waters holds true, and based on radio-telemetry work, even there they display vagrant tendencies.
Steve ----- Original Message ----- From: Gregory Munson <naturenutgm...> To: <MOU-NET...> Sent: Thu, 12 Apr 2018 22:06:37 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [mou-net] Juvenile plumage Loon in Rochester
A presumably migrating group of three Common Loons were spotted on a small lake behind a dam on the Zumbro River in downtown Rochester yesterday.
One of them appeared to be in full juvenile plumage.
In spite of the cold temperatures this week, migration continues, although some species are very late due to no open water. In recent days, a few spots have opened up but the northland is still very frozen. There has been a big migration of raptors this week with rough-legged hawks, red-tailed hawks, and northern harriers being reported in most areas. Some Canada geese are winging their way north, but no large flocks are being seen yet in the far northern counties. Hundreds of common redpolls, and dark-eyed juncos are taking advantage of feeder fare in the cold weather.
In Beltrami County, Cassie Block reported PINE SISKINS in Bemidji on April 9. Very large numbers of COMMON REDPOLLS were reported this week by David Harrington, also in Bemidji.
Here in Pennington County, Gary Tischer saw 3 dark-phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS along CR3 between 200th and 210th Ave NW on April 9. At home in Thief River Falls, he saw about 40 COMMON REDPOLLS at his feeder.
Andy and I found three SNOWY OWLS still in Polk County on April 7. Also seven BALD EAGLES were seen feeding on a carcass along US 75. Leon Thoreson on April 11 also reported a SNOWY OWL in Polk County. He had a COOPER'S HAWK, AMERICAN ROBINS, BLUE JAYS, HORNED LARKS, and 35 COMMON REDPOLLS in his yard near Climax this week. Gary Tischer found 9 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE dancing on a lek near the intersection of CR 21 and 170th Ave on April 10th.
In Hubbard County, Marshall Howe reported a SNOWY EGRET in the Crow Wing River in Nevis on April 12.
From Todd County, Susan Kroll reported SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, GREAT BLUE HERON, TURKEY VULTURE, GREAT HORNED OWL, COMMON REDPOLLS, and PURPLE FINCH in Todd County this week.
In Otter Tail County, Wayne Perala observed RED-TAILED HAWKS, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, NORTHERN HARRIER, BALD EAGLE, TRUMPETER SWANS, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, AMERICAN KESTREL, many WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, HORNED LARKS, and COMMON REDPOLLS in the Orwell Dam area this week. In Fergus Falls, he mentioned HOODED MERGANSER, COMMON MERGANSER, AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, GREAT EGRET, GREAT BLUE HERON, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, HOUSE FINCH, COMMON REDPOLLS, and DARK-EYED JUNCOS. A variety of other common duck species were also present.
Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at <ajjoppru...> <mailto:<ajjoppru...> OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's numbers 218-847-5743 or 218- 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, April 19, 2018.
Date: 4/12/18 8:56 am From: Refsnider <refsn001...> Subject: [mou-net] 3 Grebe Species at Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County
There were fewer waterbirds in the pool adjacent to the park today, but it looks like there were a lot more much farther upstream, unfortunately viewable only from private shoreline.
Highlights, all viewed from Anoka County Park shoreline:
Red-necked Grebe - reported earlier by Dave Elwood; 1 near the Brooklyn Park shore in the vicinity of the water tower; scope needed Horned Grebe - 1 first seen ~ half-mile upstream from dam, flew downstream Pied-billed Grebe - at least 15 Common Loon - at least 12 Ruddy Ducks - 2 males near the dam, 2 females upstream Gadwall - 3, ~ half-mile or more upstream D-C Cormorants - 75+; apparently they returned in large numbers overnight Tree Swallow - numerous, FOY for us Belted Kingfisher - another FOY Osprey - 1 seen a number of times, vocalizing; briefly saw a second Tundra Swan - a flock of 17 flying overhead
Date: 4/12/18 5:23 am From: MOU <mou...> Subject: [mou-net] MOU Jackson County Field Trip - CANCELED
(Posted by Kimberly Emerson <kimberly.emerson.21...> via moumn.org)
Once again, I'm forced to cancel the MOU trip due to weather. The Jackson County trip was scheduled for Saturday, but we are predicted to get 12 inches of snow.
If anyone is in need of county birds, get a hold of me and I'll point you in the right direction!
The first Ospreys have begun returning to their nests in the twin cities area and Twin Cities Metro Osprey Watch needs your help. This is our annual plea to please report new nests or osprey activity in the eight county metro area to us. We are trying to monitor all know nests in Hennepin, Ramsey, Carver, Washington, Anoka, Wright, Dakota and Scott counties as part of a long term study on these raptors. We are also seeking volunteers to help monitor these nests. (132 known occupied nests last year, which included 13 new nests.) We are assembling our field teams now so If you are interested in helping us by checking a nest once a week through the breeding season, please contact Vanessa Greene at <osprey.mn...> You can find more info, including last years productivity and behavioral results, on our facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/Twin-Cities-Metro-Osprey-Watch-218968924786696/?ref=hl) or our blog... www.ospreywatch.blogspot.com
Please feel free to share this post with anyone who might be interested in joining this research effort. Thanks!
Date: 4/11/18 1:29 pm From: Susanne Nevin <nevin026...> Subject: [mou-net] Como Lake, Ramsey County
Seen yesterday and this afternoon:
Large flock of A.Coots Flock of Ring-billed Ducks 2 Redheads Several Hooded, Red-Breasted and Common Mergansers At least 2 N. Shovelers Pied-billed Grebes Wood Ducks Lots of gulls
Yesterday also a pair of Great Blue Herons (not seen today)
Date: 4/11/18 11:19 am From: Dave <elwood_d...> Subject: [mou-net] Coon Rapid Dam waterfowl
After the earlier report of Ruddys at the dam I stopped by for lunch and saw mostly the same birds as Ron & Maureen, Ruddys were still there but on Anoka side and only 3 shovelers. Also saw 4 green-winged teal, 2 fly in Cormorants that landed up river and left after about 10 minutes. 1 breeding plumage Horned grebe, by point of land north of the dam (need a scope to see from dam), 1 Red-necked grebe - varied from near Coon Rapids side to middle of river and 100 yards north of dam to 1/4 to 1/2 mile north.
Date: 4/11/18 8:56 am From: Refsnider <refsn001...> Subject: [mou-net] Coon Rapids Dam Waterfowl this morning; Anoka County
There are still a lot of waterfowl upstream from the dam. Just the highlights:
Ruddy Ducks - 2; above the dam, easily identifiable with binoculars from the Coon Rapids side; FOY for us Blue-winged Teal - 2 males flying low over the River about 1/2 mile downstream from dam; FOY N. Shovelers - at least 15 males visible above the dam near the Brooklyn Park shoreline Redheads - 3 pair above the dam, CR side; probably more in the larger rafts upstream C. Loons - 2; one just above the dam, the other in the boat access lagoon Pied-billed Grebes - at least 10, including a cute group of 6 tight together in the access lagoon Lots of Hooded Mergansers, a few Common Mergansers, scattered Wood Ducks & Bufflehead
We did NOT see the Red-necked Grebes reported by Dave yesterday, nor the single male Red-breasted Merganser we saw there yesterday.
Also missing in action was the Osprey that we saw there yesterday (FOY).
The Bald Eagle pair is still nest-building, but we saw a crow apparently incubating.
Date: 4/10/18 11:20 pm From: Steve Weston <sweston2g...> Subject: [mou-net] Birding About
On Monday I found a Turkey Vulture in western Hennepin Co. and a group of 5 cranes in Nowthen in Anoka Co.
Today (Tuesday) I had a low flying flock of about 30 Tundra Swans flying over my house and a Great Blue Heron not far away. Around the Pine Bend I saw tens of thousands of gulls both around the landfill and streaming from the south. Driving from Eagan south on Highway 52 and then east along I-90 besides the expected Red-tails, I also had many Kestrels, Bald Eagles, at least 4 Rough-legged Hawks and Turkey Vultures, 2 Shrikes and a Snow Bunting.
Steve Weston On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN <sweston2...>
I was out at the Bass Ponds yesterday afternoon, and gosh I wish I had seen those Eared Grebes. I did see what I thought were buffleheads, mergansers, male and female of both the common and hooded species, along with lesser scaups, one pair of green wing teals (on Long Meadow Lake), many American Coots, and more mallards than ten days ago along with Canada geese, belted kingfishers again, red winged black birds (no females yet), chipping and song sparrows (both were relatively silent, unlike song sparrows a while back), black capped chickadees, a really big female wild turkey, an immature bald eagle, tree swallows (I think), and a few white breasted nuthatches and downy woodpeckers as I was walking near the ravine east of Old Shakopee Rd. I heard a blue jay or two. Ubiquitous American robins and northern cardinals were calling, but I didn’t bother looking for them. There were also gulls, but I’m not good with them, yet. Oh, and a great blue heron on the small pond with the big culvert leading to Hogback Pond. No swans of any kind, unlike time I saw nearly a dozen trumpeters ten days back while looking for mutes someone told me about. Spring certainly seems to have sprung, but some birds regret it given the snow and temps, I guess. I’ll be out looking for those grebes soon. I meant to go to the old cedar bridge and further, but my cell with field guides went dead and so did I to some extent. Damn tech. Damn me. :-)
Bill Kahn
Bad birder in Minneapolis
P.S. No anhinga yet.
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
> On Apr 10, 2018, at 6:45 PM, Doug Kieser <chewy2b...> wrote:
>
> Currently six near breeding-plumaged Eared Grebes on Hogback Pond, Bass
> Ponds, Bloomington.
> Yes, Eared, not Horned.
>
> Doug Kieser
> Minneapolis
>
> ----
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Date: 4/10/18 6:16 pm From: Gordon Andersson <gpandersson...> Subject: [mou-net] St Paul Audubon mtg :: April program on MnDOT roadside habitat and wildlife
You are all invited to the St Paul Audubon Socy mtg this Thursday evening when staff from MnDOT's Environmental Stewardship Office will present on the roadside habitat program. MnDOT is responsible for 12,000 miles of roadside in MN. That is a lot of potential insect and bird habitat. Mowing of Rights-of-Way and native plantings are both factors in the management and productivity of this land.
Hear what your government is doing for wild plant and animal life that borders your road travel.
free and open to all. (details below)
GAndersson
St Paul
--------------------------------------------
Saint Paul Audubon Society April meeting
Date/Time Thu, Apr 12 , 2018 6:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
Fairview Community Center
1910 W. County Road B,
Roseville, MN 55113
“Roads to Conservation”
with Beth Brown and Christopher E. Smith of MnDOT Office of Environmental Stewardship
April 2018 Membership Meeting
Did you know the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has an Office of Environmental Stewardship? Their job is to conserve and protect the natural resources surrounding our state’s transportation infrastructure. Brown and Smith both work in the Environmental Assessment Unit of the Stewardship Office. Their presentation will provide an overview of the MnDOT stewardship program and highlight some of the work being carried out by staff to protect plants, fish, and other wildlife in Minnesota and beyond. There are nearly 12,000 miles of state and U.S. highways in MN that are the responsibility of MnDOT, all of which have roadsides and bridges. Roadsides provide habitat for grassland birds and many insects, including bees and butterflies. One of these is the Rusty Patch Bumblebee, a federal endangered species. The stewardship office is also responsible for the Cliff Swallows that nest, and the Brown Bats that roost, beneath the bridges. Bank Swallows sometimes use the materials piles and there are mussels in some waterways. There are 29 species of state-listed mussels in Minnesota.
Chris Smith has a strong interest in amphibian, reptile, and insect conservation and research, and has published a number of papers and reports. He has degrees in wildlife management and conservation biology. He is also on the Board of The Center for North American Herpetology, and is co-creator and Director of Public Affairs for HerpMapper.org – a nonprofit citizen science organization. At MnDOT he works with both state and federally protected species that use highway roadsides.
Beth Brown supports the department’s wildlife, plant, and wetland conservation programs. She also coordinates the mussel program. Prior to joining MnDOT, she administered wetland and water regulations at Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and performed field ecology surveys with consulting, government, and academic organizations. She has degrees in environmental science and biology and is currently serving her third year on the Board for the Minnesota Wetland Professionals Association.
Date: 4/10/18 9:32 am From: Gregg Severson <rainerd...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Old Cedar Bridge
It was accessible yesterday by car or bike, even though they were doing work on the road. I saw many people go past the construction and down to the parking lot.
Gregg Severson Minneapolis
On Tue, Apr 10, 2018 at 10:09 AM Steve Weston <sweston2g...> wrote:
Date: 4/9/18 3:00 pm From: Stephen Greenfield <tapaculo47...> Subject: [mou-net] American Bird Conservancy expert Dr. Christine Sheppard to speak on solutions for U.S. Bank Stadium glass hazard
Please join us on April 18 for a presentation by national bird-glass collision expert Dr. Christine Sheppard, who will speak on "Why Birds Collide with Glass and How We Can Stop Them".
Dr. Sheppard is director of the Glass Collisions Program at the American Bird Conservancy in Virginia, where she researches avian visual ecology in order to evaluate and develop effective solutions to reduce bird mortality. She will discuss strategies for reducing bird mortality and will offer recommendations on retrofitting U.S. Bank Stadium -- which she will be visiting earlier that day -- to make it safer for birds. This is the second of three presentations addressing retrofit options for the stadium.
Dr. Sheppard's presentation will be held at Beth El Synagogue, 5225 Barry Street W, St. Louis Park, MN, on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $5. It is sponsored by a coalition of bird conservation groups including Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis, Minnesota Citizens for the Protection of Migratory Birds, and Friends of Roberts Bird Sanctuary.
For more information, or to share it with others who may be interested, here is a link to the event on the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis Facebook page: www.facebook.com/events/412206605878158/
If you have questions, please send me an email at <tapaculo47...> . We hope to see you on April 18!
(Posted by Mike Worland <michael.worland...> via moumn.org)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking for an experienced bird surveyor to work as a contractor in southwest Minnesota prairies and grasslands. We need 15 mornings of whole-community bird surveys conducted between 25 May and 30 June 2018. Start and finish dates within this timeframe are flexible. The pay rate will be $300 per full morning (5.25 hours of surveys). The contractor will be responsible for arranging and supplying their own transportation and lodging. The work area will include three areas near Marshall, Ortonville, and Glenwood, Minnesota. Some travel between areas will be required. We require the contractor to have at least two field seasons of experience conducting standardized bird surveys, including some surveys of tallgrass prairie birds. If interested, send your resume to <Michael.worland...> by 15 April 2018.
Date: 4/8/18 10:54 pm From: Steve Weston <sweston2g...> Subject: [mou-net] Sandhill Crane Count this Saturday
The upper Midwest Sandhill Crane Count is this Saturday at first light. If you are interested, let me know and I can get you more details and/or put you in touch with a county count coordinator. It helps, if you already know a location where cranes nested last year or have settled in this year. I do know that we do have some locations around Dakota County that I do not have covered yet.
Steve Weston On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN <sweston2...>
Date: 4/8/18 5:26 am From: Elizabeth Tiller (Beth) <beth87tiller...> Subject: [mou-net] ducks and more
Many thousands of ducks on Lake Pepin. In particular, lots of lesser scaup, ring-necks, canvasback and a smattering of buffleheads, hooded mergansers, common mergansers (where I was near Lake City rest area
A flock of perhaps two dozen Fox Sparrows at Frontenac (Hill Ave. on south edge)
One great egret, a couple great blue herons and about a dozen Hooded Mergansers at the Bay Point Marina Park in Red Wing.
A good time was had by all. Actually only me since no one showed up. Anyway, I finished with 67 species between the two counties. Highlights were the Nicollet Ross' Goose, Short eared owl in Nicollet, and as many as two long eared owls in Sibley.
1. Ross's Goose-N 2. Canada Goose-S,N 3. Trumpeter Swan-S,N 4. Tundra Swan-S,N 5. Wood Duck-S 6. Gadwall-S,N 7. Mallard-S,N 8. Blue-Winged Teal-N 9. Northern Shoveler-S,N 10. Northern Pintail-S,N 11. Green-Winged Teal-S,N 12. Canvasback-S,N 13. Redhead-S 14. Ring-Necked Duck-S,N 15. Lesser Scaup-S,N 16. Common Goldeneye-N 17. Hooded Mergansder-S,N 18. Common Merganser-S,N 19. Ruddy Duck-N 20. Ring-Necked Pheasant-S 21. Wild Turkey-S 22. Double-Crested Cormorant-N 23. Great Blue Heron-N 24. Turkey Vulture-N 25. Bald Eagle-S,N 26. Northern Harrier-S,N 27. Sharp-Shinned Hawk-N 28. Cooper's Hawk-S 29. Red-Tailed Hawk-S,N 30. Rough-Legged Hawk-N 31. American Coot-S,N 32. Killdeer-N 33. Ring-Billed Gull-N 34. Rock Pigeon-S,N 35. Eurasian Collared Dove-N 36. Mourning Dove-S 37. Barred Owl-S 38. Long-eared Owl-S 39. Short-eared Owl-N 40. Belted Kingfisher-S 41. Red Bellied Woodpecker-S 42. Downey Woodpecker-S 43. Hairy Woodpecker-N 44. American Kestrel-S,N 45. Northern Shrike-S 46. Blue Jay-S,N 47. American Crow-S,N 48. Horned Lark-S,N 49. Black-capped Chickadee-S,N 50. White-breasted Nuthatch-S,N 51. Brown Creeper-N 52. Eastern Bluebird-S,N 53. American Robin-S,N 54. European Starling-S,N 55. American Tree Sparrow-S.N 56. Fox Sparrow-S,N 57, Song Sparrow-S-N 58. Dark-eyed Junco-S,N 59. Northern Cardinal-S,N 60. Red-Winged Blackbird-S,N 61. Eastern Meadowlark-S 62. Western Meadowlark-N XX. Sturnella Meadowlark-S,N (15) 63. Common Grackle-S,N 64. Brown-headed Cowbird-N 65. House Finch-S,N 66. American Goldfinch-S,N 67. House Sparrow-S,N
Date: 4/7/18 1:49 pm From: Gail Wieberdink <wieber64...> Subject: [mou-net] 140th St. Dakota County today
There is still a small amount of open water on the south side of the road across from the big marsh on 140th St. We saw our FOY Wilson's Snipes (2) and 3 Killdeer. The pair of Northern Shovelers were still there along with mallards and Canada geese.
Date: 4/7/18 12:43 pm From: Karl Roe <karldroe...> Subject: [mou-net] Carolina Wren in Mankato
There was a singing Carolina wren this morning just outside Rasmussen Woods in Mankato. My wife and I heard it just after 10 am from the trail head near the corner of Oak Knoll Blvd and Park View Ave. The bird was found about a half block uphill on Oak Knoll, singing in a tree in front of a residence.
Our spring has had a relapse this week as we are having record cold temperatures, along with snow and wind. A quick trip to the twin cities yesterday revealed that we in the north are closer to bare ground than the south central part of the state, but none the less we are feeling the cold. Migration, one started, continues, albeit at a slower pace. Horned larks are paired up, and raptors are streaming in with bald eagles, rough-legged hawks, red-tailed hawks, and American kestrels being reported almost everywhere.
Otter Tail County seems to have some of all of the expected March and early April migrants back. Tami Worner reported that an OSPREY was seen on March 31 in Henning . Teresa Jaskiewicz observed SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL, NORTHERN HARRIER, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, AMERICAN COOTS, FOX SPARROW, COMMON GRACKLE, and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW around Elizabeth this week.
Hal Sanders saw a KILLDEER along Becker CR 29 on March 31, the first that has been reported to me this spring. On April 5, I saw a NORTHERN HARRIER, a NORTHERN SHRIKE, a RED-TAILED HAWK and TRUMPETER SWANS in the county.
A late SNOWY OWL was seen in Mahnomen County on April 5. Also in the county TRUMPETER SWANS, and a RING-NECKED PHEASANT were seen on April 5.
In eastern Polk County, Connie Cox reported ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, NORTHERN HARRIER, and RED-TAILED HAWKS this week. Between McIntosh and Mentor she saw 7 TURKEY VULTURES.
I found a GOLDEN EAGLE in Red Lake County feeding with about 12-15 BALD EAGLES on some carrion in a field on March 31. All of the raptors mentioned above were also found in Red Lake County that day.
Connie Cox reported AMERICAN WOODCOCK, SNOW BUNTINGS, COMMON REDPOLLS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS in Clearwater County around Itasca SP this week.
In Beltrami County, Nancy Wasik mentioned a large number of COMMON REDPOLLS in the area this week. Best news of all, Doug Johnson reported the first YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER in Beltrami County on March 3o.
Beth Siverhus in Roseau County observed SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, NORTHERN SHRIKE, and RED CROSSBILLS in the area this week. A SNOWY OWL was also observed by Shirlee Boyd close to the Canadian border. AMERICAN ROBINS, and 2 MERLINS were also reported. Many BALD EAGLES are very visible in the area as the snow melt reveals the carcasses of many deer that were killed by cars in the winter.
Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at <ajjoppru...> <mailto:<ajjoppru...> OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's numbers 218-847-5743 or 218- 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place and if possible the date when the bird was seen. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, April 12,2018.
Date: 4/6/18 4:55 pm From: Brad Abendroth <bdaisok...> Subject: [mou-net] Mou field trip to Sibley / Nicollet this weekend
Reminder and change of plans:
Due to yet another Winter storm in this winter from hell, the Nicollet portion on Sunday is canceled. Snow expected there by 1930am. I will rethink the plan for Saturday and maybe do a Nicollet/ Sibley on all the same day. I was hoping to concentrate on ducks for this weekends trip planned in early February. Little did I know most lakes would still be 100 percent ice covered by this time.
Date: 4/6/18 6:30 am From: Tim Wahl <tewahl...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Snipe? downtown MPLS
I just want to say thanks much to Joanna for the details on d-bird and
related, Elizabeth
for the d-bird link in the first place, and Tami for fixing my mis-id on
the woodcock - MOU
(you all) comes through again! Passing this on back to MOU because I know,
for sure,
that there are few others out there that can use the d-bird info. - Tim
On Thu, Apr 5, 2018 at 9:26 PM, <joannaeckles...> wrote:
Date: 4/5/18 5:45 pm From: William Marengo <mntallboy...> Subject: [mou-net] Carver county waterfowl - 150th Street
150th Street south of Cologne is busy again. Today there were over 2,000 ducks, swans and geese present of 15 species.
Basic directions: go south from Cologne on CR 53 to 150th Street. Turn west and go about .5 miles. The area is on the north side of the road and can be easily and safely scanned.
Note that this area drains rapidly once things thaw out. The past two years this area has only been viable for waterfowl for two-three weeks.
Regards,,,
William Marengo
Chaska/Victoria/Waconia
Date: 4/4/18 4:46 pm From: Mark Schumacher <mschumacher00...> Subject: [mou-net] Bird loss after storm? east central Wright County
Unfortunately it was easy to monitor birds at the feeders today:
2 American Goldfinch - normally 14
0 Common Redpoll - Normally 2 and up to a few dozen
3 juncos - normally 3 plus
4 chickadees - normally 5
0 white breasted nuthatches - normally 2
0 red wing blackbirds - normally one
0 red belly woodpeckers - normally a pair
the rest of the woodpeckers appear to have held up to previous numbers
hopefully this observation is an anomaly here and birds moved to safety elsewhere
Date: 4/4/18 2:37 pm From: Tom Bell <bell.tom32...> Subject: [mou-net] waterfowl
100’s of waterfowl on Grey Cloud Island between 2nd and 3rd fills and east of 3rd fill. (2nd fill the culvert separating Moores Lake and Grey Cloud Chanel, 3rd fill the steel bridge east of 2nd fill. In some order: ring-necked ducks, scaup, mergansers, coot, trumpeter swans, gadwall, redhead, canvasback, bufflehead.
Tom Bell
Grey Cloud Island
5868 Pioneer Rd. S.
St. Paul Park, MN 55071
651 459-4150
(Posted by Jack Hauser <jgshauser...> via moumn.org)
Greetings,
I have been trying to send a bluebird box to a person in Western Montana.
Because it is a complete box/pole it is very bulky to send by mail. If
anyone is driving thru Montana this year and is willing to deliver it, please
email me. The pole is 5' long.
Thank you,
Jack
----
Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Tim, thanks for reporting it. The group is called Project Birdsafe. They're through Audubon: http://mn.audubon.org/birdsafe
I'm guessing it's a woodcock (if you want to compare your image w/Sibley). They're migrating through in mass numbers right now and fly incredibly low to the ground. We've admitted 8 in the last 3 days.
Regards,
Tami Vogel
Communications Director
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
www.wrcmn.org
www.facebook/WRCMN
Twitter/IG @WRCMN
-----Original Message-----
From: Minnesota Birds <MOU-NET...> On Behalf Of Tim Wahl
Sent: Wednesday, April 4, 2018 10:16 AM
To: <MOU-NET...>
Subject: [mou-net] Snipe? downtown MPLS
If I recall correctly, there is a group who keeps tab on birds killed in building collisions in downtown Minneapolis.
There was a snipe(?) on the sidewalk between Candyland and Bombay Palace on 7th st.
yesterday at around 3:20pm.
I have a picture if anyone is interested.
Also, what is the suggested way of reporting such random sightings without involving the whole list (if reporting is, indeed, useful or desired)?
Date: 4/3/18 8:22 pm From: David Crow <dbcrow...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Winter Wren all call for metro area (No. 2)
Was with a MRVAC field trip to Bass Ponds (MNVWR) and some in our party saw one. Walk down the drive to the lower parking lot, take the trailhead to the left till you come to a stream on the right, then follow the path to the right.
________________________________
From: Minnesota Birds <MOU-NET...> on behalf of Monica Bryand <mjbryand...>
Sent: Sunday, April 1, 2018 7:15 AM
To: <MOU-NET...>
Subject: Re: [mou-net] Winter Wren all call for metro area (No. 2)
Gordon, last year there was a winter wren at Reservoir Woods Park in
Roseville. It was there for at least two months. You are correct, one of
the best songs ever :-)
On Fri, Mar 30, 2018 at 7:47 PM, Gordon Andersson <gpandersson...>
wrote:
> This didnt appear in my inbox, so resending. My mistake. I sent to
> <mou...>
>
> From: Gordon Andersson [mailto:<gpandersson...>]
> Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 6:08 PM
> To: '<mou...>' <mou...>
> Subject: Winter Wren all call for metro area
>
> If you live in the metro area and see a WIWR in the next few weeks, can
> you let me know? I love the bird and havent seen one for a year or two.
> They move past this latitude quickly it seems. Also few in number, hard to
> find, and I havent heard one sing during migration here for ~15 years.
>
> Also, can folks remember to put a county on the subject line when they
> post a sighting. Thanks.
>
> Gordon Andersson
> St Paul
> 651-227-4038 (lv a msg if nec'y. more details the better)
>
> ----
> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
Date: 4/3/18 2:11 pm From: <mou...> Subject: [mou-net] Searching for the KIWA in MN
(Posted by Jack Hauser <jgshauser...> via moumn.org)
Greetings,
Please RSVP to <pathoglund...> if you are planning to attend the
meeting.
Thank you,
Jack Hauser
Meeting:
"Search for the Kirtland's Warbler in MN"
Southdale Library
Meeting Room, 2nd floor
7:00 p.m.-8:45p.m. on 4-9-18
7001 York Ave S
Edina, MN 55435
Date: 4/2/18 3:33 pm From: Ken Larson Mary Lou Frank <prairiemarshfarm...> Subject: [mou-net] Lac Qui Parle and Yellow Medicine Counties weekend birding
Friday afternoon we arrived at Prairie Marsh Farm to open up the farm house for the spring and fill the bird feeders that had been empty for five months. After 2 inches of snow overnight numerous birds soon found the feeders or were seeking shelter in the grove.
6 Tree Sparrow
1 Fox Sparrow
1 Song Sparrow
1 Hermit Thrush
22 Slate-colored Junco
31 Common Redpoll
27 A. Robin
1 A. Woodcock flushed by our dog
Most sloughs and ponds are still frozen, creeks and rivers are full and fields are flooded, but at our spring fed pond were
53 Mallard
32 Ring-necked Duck
5 Canada Goose
2 Wood Duck
Sunday driving back roads in SW LQP county and NW Yellow Medicine County with Jason Frank of Gary, SD we found many flocks of Juncos, Redpolls, Robins, Meadow Larks, and Horned Larks.
Overhead were numerous large flocks of migrating White-fronted and Snow Geese.
We were also able to find 4 Rough-legged Hawks including one dark phase hawk and a pair of light phase hawks in a flying courtship display.
Also four Red-Tailed Hawks, one N. Harrier, one A. Kestrel, one Great Horned Owl, and one Merlin.
The most interesting sighting were four Sharp-tailed Grouse found at the SW corner of the Mounds Spring SNA about 1/4 mile west of the junction of County Road 15 and 240th Ave in Yellow Medicine County. Two males were in display.
Ken Larson, Minnetonka
----
Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
On Mon, Apr 2, 2018, 3:49 PM Sue Keator <chickadeedee55...> wrote:
> I believe that exact locations are frowned upon for Whooping Cranes. You > may want to check with the Crane Foundation for their guidelines. > > On Mon, Apr 2, 2018, 12:14 PM Joel Schmidt <joelallenschmidt...> > wrote: > >> A friend in Stearns Co texted me saying that she saw two whooping cranes >> this morning for about 30 minutes, starting around 8:40 am. She said they >> were all white with black and red on their heads, and they were definitely >> larger than sandhill cranes. She saw them just north of the Kandiyohi Co >> line foraging in a field that was planted to corn last year. This was on >> 408th Ave which turns into 62nd Street in Kandiyohi Co. >> >> Joel Schmidt >> Kandiyohi Co. >> >> On Mon, Apr 2, 2018, 10:22 AM Rick Gibson <rjoegibson...> wrote: >> >> > Hello - >> > >> > Any recent reports on open water and ducks/geese at Lac Qui Parle (or >> any >> > other western lakes) would be greatly appreciated. Open water in the >> metro >> > area is still pretty limited and I am getting antsy for spring. >> > >> > Thanks for any updates you can provide. >> > >> > --rick >> > >> > ---- >> > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net >> > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >> > >> >> ---- >> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net >> Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >> >
Date: 4/2/18 10:14 am From: Joel Schmidt <joelallenschmidt...> Subject: [mou-net] Whooping cranes, Stearns Co.
A friend in Stearns Co texted me saying that she saw two whooping cranes this morning for about 30 minutes, starting around 8:40 am. She said they were all white with black and red on their heads, and they were definitely larger than sandhill cranes. She saw them just north of the Kandiyohi Co line foraging in a field that was planted to corn last year. This was on 408th Ave which turns into 62nd Street in Kandiyohi Co.
Joel Schmidt Kandiyohi Co.
On Mon, Apr 2, 2018, 10:22 AM Rick Gibson <rjoegibson...> wrote:
> Hello - > > Any recent reports on open water and ducks/geese at Lac Qui Parle (or any > other western lakes) would be greatly appreciated. Open water in the metro > area is still pretty limited and I am getting antsy for spring. > > Thanks for any updates you can provide. > > --rick > > ---- > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
Date: 4/2/18 8:23 am From: Rick Gibson <rjoegibson...> Subject: [mou-net] Lac Qui Parle open water??
Hello -
Any recent reports on open water and ducks/geese at Lac Qui Parle (or any other western lakes) would be greatly appreciated. Open water in the metro area is still pretty limited and I am getting antsy for spring.
Date: 4/1/18 9:39 am From: LISA ROLF <lisastep5678...> Subject: [mou-net] Gray-Cheeked Thrush at James A. Brown Conservation Area, Eden Prairie, Lisa and David Rolf
My husband and I were shocked to see a Gray-Cheeked Thrush at the James A Brown Conservation Area, at 5:30 P.M., March 31. The bird was solitary and silent as it rustled among leaves, in sandy soil, then it jumped onto a fallen branch, then flew up to a tree. The Thrush had the very faintest eye ring, and a dark gray-brown back, and spotted breast. We both saw it in binoculars from about 30 to 40 feet away, for about 2 minutes. At first I thought it was a Swainson's Thrush, but the eye-ring was too faint, and the back color was too gray-brown for a Swainson's. The bird was located about 30 feet from the Minnesota River bank, in a sandy wooded area, right along the river path, before it turns 90 degrees and heads north away from the river, through a wetland. It was very near the "private property" sign on an adjacent fenced pasture. Also near the sighting of this Gray-Cheeked Thrush was an Eastern Phoebe, on low branches on a tree hanging over the river. It was a windy and co ld afternoon, 32 degrees but felt like 10 degrees. The James A. Brown Conservation Area is a large City of Eden Prairie pubic Conservation Area, adjacent to and level with the Minnesota River, just to the west of highway 169. The address of the only access to the park, a small trail that gets muddy, is 11449 Landing Road, Eden Prairie. The path is a public path. Don't park on the private road. Lisa Rolf, Hennepin County.
Date: 4/1/18 5:15 am From: Monica Bryand <mjbryand...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Winter Wren all call for metro area (No. 2)
Gordon, last year there was a winter wren at Reservoir Woods Park in
Roseville. It was there for at least two months. You are correct, one of
the best songs ever :-)
On Fri, Mar 30, 2018 at 7:47 PM, Gordon Andersson <gpandersson...>
wrote:
> This didn’t appear in my inbox, so resending. My mistake. I sent to
> <mou...>
>
> From: Gordon Andersson [mailto:<gpandersson...>]
> Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 6:08 PM
> To: '<mou...>' <mou...>
> Subject: Winter Wren all call for metro area
>
> If you live in the metro area and see a WIWR in the next few weeks, can
> you let me know? I love the bird and havent seen one for a year or two.
> They move past this latitude quickly it seems. Also few in number, hard to
> find, and I havent heard one sing during migration here for ~15 years.
>
> Also, can folks remember to put a county on the subject line when they
> post a sighting. Thanks.
>
> Gordon Andersson
> St Paul
> 651-227-4038 (lv a msg if nec'y. more details the better)
>
> ----
> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
Date: 3/31/18 10:34 am From: Randy Frederickson <fredericksonr...> Subject: [mou-net] Phoebe, Kandiyohi county
Just saw an Eastern Phoebe...poor thing. Forecast highs for 5 consecutive days here in the 20s and mostly single digit lows. Last year we had green grass and ice out by now. Hopefully some of those early migrants can find enough open water somewhere to eek out an existence for the next week, but I anticipate high mortality for some of these species as we have February in April. On a brighter note, it will be easy to find the Easter Bunny tracks in the new snow, and wind turbines are having a banner day.
Date: 3/30/18 7:27 pm From: Jason Caddy <j.caddy...> Subject: [mou-net] Great Black-backed Gull, St. Louis Co
There was an adult Great Black-backed Gull today at Canal Park. I checked the wing pattern while it was flying to rule out Slaty-backed Gull. There were also 10 Long-tailed Ducks at the Talmadge River on Lake Superior in St. Louis County and another 55 Long-tailed Ducks at Burlington Bay in Lake County.
Date: 3/30/18 5:47 pm From: Gordon Andersson <gpandersson...> Subject: [mou-net] Winter Wren all call for metro area (No. 2)
This didnt appear in my inbox, so resending. My mistake. I sent to <mou...>
From: Gordon Andersson [mailto:<gpandersson...>]
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 6:08 PM
To: '<mou...>' <mou...>
Subject: Winter Wren all call for metro area
If you live in the metro area and see a WIWR in the next few weeks, can you let me know? I love the bird and havent seen one for a year or two. They move past this latitude quickly it seems. Also few in number, hard to find, and I havent heard one sing during migration here for ~15 years.
Also, can folks remember to put a county on the subject line when they post a sighting. Thanks.
Gordon Andersson
St Paul
651-227-4038 (lv a msg if nec'y. more details the better)
Date: 3/30/18 3:08 pm From: Terence Brashear <tpbrashear...> Subject: [mou-net] email signatures on messages posted to MOU-NET
Hi
A friendly reminder from your MOU-NET Moderator. Please include a signature of some sort to messages posted to the list. At the minimum it should be your name, email address, and location.
Also, if you are posting information that asks members to contribute to some project, make donations of time or money, please pass it by the moderators prior to posting.
Regards,
Terry Brashear MOU-NET Moderator San Diego, CA Previously Minneapolis, MN
Date: 3/30/18 2:21 pm From: David Crow <dbcrow...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Searching for KIWB in MN
Dear Jack-
Sorry, but I'm not seeing any info. about the survey in your e-mail. I'm sure it's been posted elsewhere and I probably just haven't been paying attention, but if you could post the info. or a link, I'd sure be grateful.
Btw, for the less experienced among us, what is KIWB? Looks like it might be Kirtland's Warbler, which is abbreviated as KIWA in this document:
The Institute for Bird Populations www.birdpop.org ENGLISH ...<https://www.birdpop.org/docs/misc/Alpha_codes_eng.pdf> www.birdpop.org
ENGLISH NAME 4-LETTER CODE SCIENTIFIC NAME 6-LETTER CODE American Tree Sparrow ATSP Spizelloides arborea SPIARB
________________________________
From: Minnesota Birds <MOU-NET...> on behalf of <mou...> <mou...>
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 9:14 AM
To: <MOU-NET...>
Subject: [mou-net] Searching for KIWB in MN
(Posted by Jack Hauser <jgshauser...> via moumn.org)
Greetings,
Our Goal is to recruit 100 birder volunteers to do this survey.
Preregistration is far short from what we were hoping for at this time.
Please email Pat Hoglund at <pathoglund...> with your name, phone,
and email address.
This is a great opportunity to put you birding skills to work and make a big
contribution.
Hope you all are able to make the 4-9-18 meeting.
Thank you to all who have already registered.
Jack
Date: 3/30/18 8:36 am From: <mou...> Subject: [mou-net] Searching for KIWB in MN
(Posted by Jack Hauser <jgshauser...> via moumn.org)
Greetings,
Our Goal is to recruit 100 birder volunteers to do this survey.
Preregistration is far short from what we were hoping for at this time.
Please email Pat Hoglund at <pathoglund...> with your name, phone,
and email address.
This is a great opportunity to put you birding skills to work and make a big
contribution.
Hope you all are able to make the 4-9-18 meeting.
Thank you to all who have already registered.
Jack
Date: 3/30/18 7:20 am From: Steven Houdek <schoudek...> Subject: [mou-net] Gulls
With slow melting of ice along certain tributary waters of the Upper Miss in La Crosse, nearly 10k gulls have concentrated along the Black River feeding on winter kill shad and other fishes during the last week. Several different cycle lesser black-backed's have been identified, and possibly up to five Iceland's (including Kumlien's and Thayers subspecies) as well. The ice has melted and the birds are dispersing. It would be wise to keep a keen eye out for gulls moving upriver.
Date: 3/29/18 7:14 pm From: Steven Houdek <schoudek...> Subject: [mou-net] Carolina Wren - Houston County
A credible report of a bird visiting feeders south of Brownsville, in an area where I heard a bird vocalizing last fall and heard during previous springs.
Migration is proceeding even as we experience some back-sliding in the temperature department. Horned larks seem to be mostly paired off or in small flocks, hawks are on the move, and a few western meadowlarks have appeared in the northwest. Where there is open water many duck species are being seen, mostly south of Becker County. Lots of birds were on the move on Sunday, March 25 as far north as Mahnomen County including swans, Canada geese, rough-legged hawks , and red-tailed hawks.
Migration has reached the Canadian border as Mike Thiele has reported CANADA GEESE, BALD EAGLES, and COMMON REDPOLLS near the border in Roseau County. An AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER has been reported visiting the yard of Dean Carlson about 5 miles north of Hayes Lake in Roseau County.
In Pennington County, this morning I saw about a dozen WILD TURKEYS along CR 7 west of Thief River Falls. Other birds seen along that road included a WESTERN MEADOWLARK and about 15 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. Two DARK-EYED JUNCOS have appeared in our yard also.
Shelley Steva saw a WESTERN MEADOWLARK in Plummer in Red Lake County on March 27.
Many folks have reported that the BALD EAGLES are on the nest north of East Grand Forks in Polk County this week.
Donna Dustin observed an AMERICAN WOODCOCK in Becker County on March 23.
From Otter Tail County, Wayne reported a female BARROW'S GOLEDENEYE in Fergus Falls on March 25. Other species seen there included NORTHERN SHOVELER, HOODED MERGANSER, GADWALL, LESSER SCAUP, REDHEAD, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, AMERICAN COOT, RING-BILLED GULL, and GREAT BLUE HERON. At the Orwell Dam, he saw AMERICAN KESTREL, NORTHERN HARRIER, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.
At or near the North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County, Wayne Perala reported SHARP-TAILED GROUSE on March 25.
Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at <ajjoppru...> <mailto:<ajjoppru...> OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's numbers 218-847-5743 or 218- 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, April 5, 2018.
There is a leucistic Red Tail* I have seen near the refinery and the truck stop at the 117th St exit. This is on my daily commute, and I have seen this bird regularly over the past 4 years, usually in late winter/early spring.
* This ID is based mostly on its size. Too small for an eagle, too big to be most other hawks.
> On Mar 28, 2018, at 1:00 PM, Gail Wieberdink <wieber64...> wrote:
>
> In the fields around Vermillion (Dakota County) we saw 800 to 1000 swans today. Although we have seen Trumpeter Swans in this general area, too, I have to assume these were Tundra Swans due to the very large numbers. We didn't have a scope so did not get close enough views. I hope some people with scopes can get down to see them to confirm the ID.
>
> There is some open water on the south side of 140th and there were many geese plus some mallards and saw our FOY Shovellers. Lots of red-winged blackbirds coming in and saw a single grackle with a flock of starlings.
>
> If you go down to Vermillion, gas there is really a bargain at $2.40 a gallon!
>
>
> On our way home north on 52, a ways past the big truck stop (St. Paul side) there was a large white bird sitting in a bush in the ditch on the south side. Did not get a good look at all, could have been perhaps a Glaucous gull although that seems unlikely, but was about that size. It was NOT a snowy owl but it was big. If you are driving that way, watch for it. Any ideas on what it might have been?
>
>
> Gail Wieberdink
>
> Ramsey County
>
> ----
> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
We saw that bird today, too! It was at the Hastings end of 140th, it flew low right over the car and then we lost it. I Thought it had to be a leucistic red tail but didn’t get a long enough look.
Gail
Sent from my iPad
> On Mar 28, 2018, at 1:21 PM, Julie Maxson <jmaxson...> wrote:
>
> There is a leucistic Red Tail* I have seen near the refinery and the truck stop at the 117th St exit. This is on my daily commute, and I have seen this bird regularly over the past 4 years, usually in late winter/early spring.
> * This ID is based mostly on its size. Too small for an eagle, too big to be most other hawks.
>
>> On Mar 28, 2018, at 1:00 PM, Gail Wieberdink <wieber64...> wrote:
>>
>> In the fields around Vermillion (Dakota County) we saw 800 to 1000 swans today. Although we have seen Trumpeter Swans in this general area, too, I have to assume these were Tundra Swans due to the very large numbers. We didn't have a scope so did not get close enough views. I hope some people with scopes can get down to see them to confirm the ID.
>>
>> There is some open water on the south side of 140th and there were many geese plus some mallards and saw our FOY Shovellers. Lots of red-winged blackbirds coming in and saw a single grackle with a flock of starlings.
>>
>> If you go down to Vermillion, gas there is really a bargain at $2.40 a gallon!
>>
>>
>> On our way home north on 52, a ways past the big truck stop (St. Paul side) there was a large white bird sitting in a bush in the ditch on the south side. Did not get a good look at all, could have been perhaps a Glaucous gull although that seems unlikely, but was about that size. It was NOT a snowy owl but it was big. If you are driving that way, watch for it. Any ideas on what it might have been?
>>
>>
>> Gail Wieberdink
>>
>> Ramsey County
>>
>> ----
>> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net >> Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Here in Plymouth, at the luxurious Stivland ranch and gourmet bird buffet, things are picking up. The buffet hosted a dozen or so Common Redpolls most of the winter in spite of ruthless competition from a neighbor. Two are still arriving daily, apparently reluctant to give up the free lunch. On March 20th, a mini eruption took place with 40 or more showing up for a one-day feast. Sadly, we were unable to entice any Redpolls at the nearby school, to the great disappointment of our third-graders (they really wanted some Redpolls).
Last Friday, our "resident" Red-shouldered hawk made a short survey visit to the ranch. Hopefully, he was satisfied with the situation - after all, we left some of last summer's squirrels and chipmunks for seed. He will have to "up'" his game, however, as he will have stiff competition from the neighborhood fox.
Also on Friday, and again this week, mama Wood-duck arrived to check out the boxes. Hopefully, the accommodations met with her satisfaction. Must have been OK because on Monday she brought hubby along, although he looked rather bored to me. I wondered - does he really care?
Yesterday, an unusual visitor to the ranch - a Great Blue Heron flew in for a brief visit. Since there is, as yet, no open water on the pond, he only stayed a few minutes. Maybe he will come back later.
Speaking of the third-graders - the big ethical question of the day; Is it ethical to let them ID a House Finch as a Purple Finch? They really want one of those finches to be a Purple Finch. So I have to ask myself; why do I care? Is it pure altruism, i.e. (I want them to have the fun of ID-ing an uncommon bird)? Or is it pure selfishness, i.e. (I do not want to be the ogre that constantly crushes their little hopes by saying "No, I'm afraid that is a House Finch")? But they report to "Project Feeder Watch" so it has to be accurate, no? Maybe the lesson is - buck up, kids, get used to it, life is full of disappointments.
In the fields around Vermillion (Dakota County) we saw 800 to 1000 swans today. Although we have seen Trumpeter Swans in this general area, too, I have to assume these were Tundra Swans due to the very large numbers. We didn't have a scope so did not get close enough views. I hope some people with scopes can get down to see them to confirm the ID.
There is some open water on the south side of 140th and there were many geese plus some mallards and saw our FOY Shovellers. Lots of red-winged blackbirds coming in and saw a single grackle with a flock of starlings.
If you go down to Vermillion, gas there is really a bargain at $2.40 a gallon!
On our way home north on 52, a ways past the big truck stop (St. Paul side) there was a large white bird sitting in a bush in the ditch on the south side. Did not get a good look at all, could have been perhaps a Glaucous gull although that seems unlikely, but was about that size. It was NOT a snowy owl but it was big. If you are driving that way, watch for it. Any ideas on what it might have been?
Date: 3/28/18 10:50 am From: <mou...> Subject: [mou-net] Spring Primer is this Saturday!
(Posted by Susan E. Barnes <honeywarbler...> via moumn.org)
Hi Everyone! Don't forget that the MOU's Spring Primer is this Saturday at Carpenter Nature
Center! The event is full, so if you are signed up and can no longer attend, please call 651-
437-4359 to open up a space for those on the waiting list. We hope to find a larger venue for
next year's Primer! Happy Spring!
----
Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Date: 3/28/18 9:57 am From: Susan Barnes Elliott <honeywarbler...> Subject: [mou-net] MOU's Spring Primer is this Saturday!
Hi Everyone! Don't forget that the MOU's Spring Primer is this Saturday at Carpenter Nature Center! The event is full, but if you are signed up and can no longer attend, please call 651-437-4359 to open up a space for those on the waiting list. We hope to find a larger venue for next year's Primer! Happy Spring!
Date: 3/26/18 4:20 pm From: Jason Frank <jmfrank84...> Subject: [mou-net] Sharp Tailed Grouse - Yellow Med Co - Mound Spring Prairie
At 4:30 this afternoon, I spotted 5 Sharp-Tailed Grouse in a stubble field on the west side of Yellow Medicine County Rd 15, rough estimate of 200 yards south of 250th St, one of the east-west minimum maintenance roads that cut through Mound Spring Prairie SNA/WMA.
The birds were on fenced-in private land between the southerly SNA sections. When I first saw them, they were just 20 yards from the fence line, slowly making their way southwest, foraging as they moved. There is a gulch with some cover in that direction, fenced for grazing. Through the scope I could clearly see pale undersides and tails; no barring underneath whatsoever.
I didn't observe any lekking behavior, but will check again in the morning and will update if/when I see them again.
Precise coordinates for GPS or Google Maps are:
44.759421, -96.420581
Florida Township, 2 miles SE of Gary SD as the crow flies.
-- Jason M. Frank Founder and Vice President, Luddite Ornithologists League (LOL)
Date: 3/26/18 12:35 pm From: linda whyte <0000004e7b0e779a-dmarc-request...> Subject: [mou-net] Rice County birding, Sunday, 3/25
Sunday marked our annual check of conditions and waterfowl at Wells Lake. Judging by Alex's report from Old Cedar/Bass Ponds, we may have made the trek a bit late! Water was well-opened, but wasn't hosting a huge variety of species. Still, there were many Redheads, Canvasbacks, Scaup, Golden-eyes, Ring-necks, and Mergansers, both Common and Hooded, in the mix, along with the usual Coots, Canadas, and Mallards. Also, several Great Blue Herons were flying about the rookery. We hiked at River Bend Nature Center, but found no new arrivals there, nor were there any Red-headed Woodpeckers returned to Nestrand Woods SP as yet. We did get to enjoy several Kestrels along the way,however. We then checked Koester Prairie SNA (just west of Dennison) and had some good luck with raptors. There were two male N. harriers skimming the newly exposed prairie grasses, as they skirted around the rolling hills. One of them made a pass following the small stream that empties treated water from the Dennison wastewater ponds. On the west side of the prairie, a Rough-legged Hawk was hovering and hunting atop another hill. In stopping to watch those birds, we had spotted another raptor, high over the center of the prairie. It was large, and moved in tight circles, with a slight dihedral angle to the wings. The head did not project noticeably from the body. It was totally dark in visible color, with no mottling on the undersides. Given the season, we thought this might be a migrating Golden Eagle. Heading home we encountered a few Kestrels, one of whom was hassling a Red-tail at Warsaw WMA. We made a quick pass through Randolph Great Western Industrial Park, where a pair of E. Meadowlarks were singing and checking out the remaining territory. We'll be anxious to see if they stay, on a future trek to Byllesby. Linda & Rob Whyte
Date: 3/26/18 7:19 am From: Alex <asgreenplanet4077...> Subject: [mou-net] MOU Field Trip Report: Twin Cities Waterfowl
Yesterday, I lead the MOU’s first field trip of the spring season in the twin cities at the Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Eight of us started at the Bass Ponds, walked all the way down to Old Cedar Avenue Bridge, and back again from about 7:30-11:30am. We saw 52 species of birds on the trek, highlights and full checklist are posted below. Everyone had a great time and if there’s a field trip in your area, or one that sounds interesting, I would HIGHLY recommend going. It’s a great way to meet new people and see lots of good birds!
Field trip information has been posted on the MOU Listserv, the Minnesota Birding Facebook Group, as well as at the end of the MOU Newsletter.
Highlights:
2 flyover Snow Geese
23 flyover Tundra Swans
10 Northern Pintail, some in the air but a few landed so we could observe them better
A large number of Aythya ducks, including 2 Canvasback, 40 Lesser Scaup, and 20 Lesser Scaup (no Greaters present)
2 Ruddy Ducks (male and female)
2 Pied-bilked Grebes
12 Sandhill Cranes (flock of 10 flying and 2 on the ice)
1 Killdeer
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Northern Shrike
4 Tree Swallows
3 Golden-crowned Kinglets
3 Song Sparrows
The male White-winged Scoter found by Tony Lau at Babcock Park, Elk River is still present west of the 101 bridge. Possibly the same bird as found by Dave Elwood at the Coon Rapids Dam this morning.
Spring seems to have arrived in the northwest, even though we are promised more snow. Weather has been mild and much of our snow has melted. Birds are streaming north , with rough-legged hawks, and horned larks leading the charge. The first Canada goose scouts have arrived at least as far north as Pennington County, and I suspect, probably all the way to the Canadian border. There are now large numbers of rough-legged hawks in the grassland areas, and a few northern harriers are being reported. Trumpeter swans can be found throughout the northwest, and bald eagles are paired up and on the nests. There is still little or no open water in the northern part of the area, although a few smaller streams are opening up in the southern part.
At the North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County, Wayne Perala found TRUMPETER SWANS, MALLARDS, GREAT HORNED OWL, and WESTERN MEADOWLARK on March 18.
In Otter Tail County near the Orwell Dam, Wayne reported TRUMPETER SWANS, TUNDRA SWAN, NORTHERN HARRIER, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD on March 18. Alma Ronningen in Dent reported SANDHILL CRANES this week. On March 19, she saw a NORTHERN HARRIER, and on the 22nd an EASTERN BLUEBIRD.
Shelley Steva and I were in Becker County on March 18 where we found TRUMPETER SWANS, CANADA GEESE, and COMMON REDPOLLS at Tamarac NWR, and HORNED LARKS everywhere.
HORNED LARKS, TRUMPETER SWANS, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were also seen in Norman County on March 18.
The first report of HARRIS SPARROW in Polk County came from Sandy Aubol on March 19. On March 17, Sandy found CANADA GEESE, TRUMPETER SWANS, BALD EAGLES, NORTHERN HARRIER, and 30 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS at Glacial Ridge NWR. At Rydell NWR, she reported TRUMPETER SWANS, and a single MALLARD at Erskine.
Here in Pennington County, two DARK-EYED JUNCOS showed up in the yard on March 18.
Connie Cox at Itasca SP reported CANADA GOOSE and TRUMPETER SWAN on March 16. PURPLE FINCHES were seen at the east entrance to the park, and on March 20, a GREAT BLUE HERON returned.
In Roseau County, Beth Siverhus reported 60 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in the town of Warroad this week, as well as a flock of PINE GROSBEAKS. Elsewhere in the county, a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was reported, and in the Beltrami Island State Forest, she observed RED CROSSBILL, RUFFED GROUSE, and COMMON REDPOLLS.
Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at <ajjoppru...> <mailto:<ajjoppru...> OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's numbers 218-847-5743 or 218- 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, March 29, 2018
Date: 3/22/18 6:14 am From: Kimberly E. <kimberly.emerson.21...> Subject: [mou-net] MOU Field Trip - SW MN Waterfowl - CANCELED
I've decided to cancel the waterfowl trip slated for this Saturday (March 24th) due to the impending winter storm. The Windom/Jackson area is forecasted for 4-6 inches of snow, followed by freezing rain. Please pass on this information to your friends!
If anyone is in the area in coming weeks and would like information on where to look for geese and waterfowl, email me and I will do my best to help.
