[mou] MOU RBA 17 July 2003

[Anthony X. Hertzel]

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday July 17th.

On July 12th, Oscar Johnson found a LITTLE BLUE HERON at French Lake 
near Dayton in northwestern Hennepin County. The bird was seen along 
the west edge of the lake from East French Lake Road and it is quite 
possible that it is still in the area.

The July 12th shorebird survey at Agassiz NWR in Marshall County 
recorded 1707 birds of about 17 species at various ponds and feeding 
areas within the refuge. Birds recorded included SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, 
AMERICAN AVOCET, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, SHORT-BILLED 
DOWITCHER, and several probable and very early LONG-BILLED 
DOWITCHERS. Also on the 12th, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, LEAST SANDPIPERS, 
SOLITARY SANDPIPERS, and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER were in Meeker County 
feeding in the flooded fields one mile west of Cedar Mills at the 
junction of state highway 7 and 610th Avenue.

As many as twelve BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS were heard singing on 
or west of Moose Mountain near Lutsen in Cook County on July 12th. 
This species typically can be found in this area into mid-August.

Both YELLOW RAILS and SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS were found singing at two 
locations on July 13th. The first location was the Neal WMA in 
southeastern Norman County east of highway 32 on county road 39. This 
is the same area where more than 50 Yellow Rails were heard last May 
23rd. Birds were also calling at the Waubun WMA in southwestern 
Mahnomen County. Go one mile west of highway 59 on county road 113, 
then two miles south, then west on the dead end road.

On July 13th a potential first county record HENSLOW'S SPARROW was 
found in Todd County in a field east of Cedar Lake. Cedar Lake is 
south of Long Prairie on highway 71. To get to the field take the 
road on the north side of Cedar Lake going east from highway 71 for a 
few miles to 231st Avenue. The bird was  at this intersection in the 
northwestern field.

And finally, a very out of range bird was the July 13th EASTERN 
TOWHEE heard singing at the Bonanza Unit of Big Stone State Park in 
Big Stone County.

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, July 24th.

-- 
Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com