[mou] MOU RBA 31 July 2003

[Anthony X. Hertzel]

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday July 31st.

A female-type RUFF was seen briefly on  July 27th in Meeker County in 
the mud flats about one mile west of Cedar Mills on state highway 7. 
The bird apparently departed the area soon after its discovery and 
despite extensive searches has not been seen since. If it is 
relocated, this tape will be updated immediately.

In Farmington in southwestern Dakota County, Blaine Seeliger found a 
EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE on July 31st. It was first seen on the ground 
next to the grain elevators. It also frequents feeders at the large 
white house at the corner of Division and Oak Street. As you enter 
Farmington from the west along highway 50, turn right at Division and 
Oak is the next street. It is apparently okay to view the feeders 
from the road, but please respect this resident's privacy and 
property.

Two adult and one immature LITTLE BLUE HERONS are still in the 
northwest corner of Douglas County near the Grant County line. From 
County Roads 82 and 19, go south on County Road 19 to its 
intersection with Whisper Lane. Turn left on Whisper Lane and go 1/2 
mile until you see a large sign for Bah Lake WPA. Approximately 1/2 
mile south of Whisper Lane on County Road 19 on the east side of the 
road is an adult SNOWY EGRET, and about two miles north of Whisper 
Lane were several CATTLE EGRETS.

On July 27th, Bruce Baer found a COMMON MOORHEN at the Old Cedar 
Avenue Bridge in Bloomington. Walk out to the observation deck west 
of the parking lot and look west along the edge of the reeds and 
grass. It has been seen near the beaver lodge across the water.

Two shorebird surveys were conducted at Agassiz NWR in Marshall 
County, one on the 24th and another on the 27th. Highlights include 
HUDSONIAN GODWIT, SANDERLING, BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, RUDDY 
TURNSTONE, and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. Also of note was the amazing 
total of 1,677 LESSER YELLOWLEGS counted there on the 27th.

On the 28th, eleven species of shorebirds were seen in McLeod County 
at the mud flats along state highway 7 about a quarter of a mile west 
of the Carver County line, including a single WILLET.

A BLUE GROSBEAK was reported July 15th from Upper Sioux Agency State 
Park just southeast of Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine County. It was 
seen and heard in the trees bordering the campground.

This state-wide birding report is brought to you and financially 
supported by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU). The MOU is 
Minnesota's oldest and largest bird club.

The report is composed from observations generously submitted by MOU 
members and other birders throughout the state. You can support this 
weekly update by submitting your bird reports to Anthony Hertzel at 
axhertzel@sihope.com or by calling the hotline directly at 
763-780-8890 and leaving a detailed message.

MOU members receive this report directly on MOU-net, the club's free 
e-mail listservice, which is available to anyone interested. For 
information contact David Cahlander at <david@cahlander.com>.

MOU members receive the organization's quarterly journal "The Loon" 
and the bimonthly magazine, "Minnesota Birding". For membership 
information, send an e-mail message to our membership secretary at 
moumembers@yahoo.com.

In cooperation with the Minnesota Office of Tourism, highlights of 
this hotline can be now heard at a toll free number which is 
available to callers outside the Twin Cities area. The number is 
1-800-657-3700.

The MOU is pleased to offer this service. Thank you, and good birding.

The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, August 7th.


-- 
Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com