[mou] current birds

[john c. nelson]

Still have a number of White-Throat, White Crowned, and Harris'  
Sparrows around feeders. A nice group of same near Pet Expo in Mankato  
under evergreens foraging for sweepings we throw out.. A customer  
today reported a group of 10-12 birds he did not recognize until he  
checked his book and identified Crossbills. Red or White winged he did  
not know. I have had an Orchard Oriole since last Friday and as many  
as 3 male Northerns, have not seen a female as yet. Several Male Rose- 
Breasted Grossbeaks and one female. Few sightings of Hummingbirds, my  
first  Friday morning. Many have Grossbeaks and Orioles, very exciting  
after a long winter. I was severely chastised by a lady for selling  
thistle sacks as she had a Goldfinch get a claw caught in one and tear  
a leg off. She had contacted a local humane society and been told  to  
take hers down as they are hazardous for birds. My favorite Nyjer  
feeder, it took me an hour to recover from this tirade. I would  
welcome comment.
John Nelson
Near Beauford MN