[mou] MOU RBA 5 June 2003

[Anthony X. Hertzel]

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday June 5th.

In Rock County, a male LAZULI BUNTING was discovered at Blue Mounds 
State Park on May 31st in the wooded area near the main park 
entrance, about 100 yards downstream from the dam below the 
campground lake. Also in Rock County, five WHITE-FACED IBIS were seen 
at the Gold N' Plump settling ponds in western Luverne.

Two singing male PRAIRIE WARBLERS were discovered on June 2nd in 
Murphy-Hanrehan Park in Scott County. The birds are located just west 
of Murphy Lake Blvd., and just south of where this road crosses the 
Credit River. Directions when coming from the north are: pass the 
boat landing on Murphy Lake; cross the open fields and enter the 
woods just after Webster Circle; proceed down the hill over the 
Credit River and listen for the birds' song. When coming from the 
south, listen for the songs after you pass 165th St. Both birds can 
be heard from the road. A KENTUCKY WARBLER was reported from the park 
as well, near trail marker number 15. Also, HENSLOW'S SPARROWS 
continue to be reported from within the park. Check the pet trail 
between markers 36 and 40.

Henslow's Sparrows were also in the very northern part of Morrison 
County on June 1st. Birds were heard singing along county road 280 
about a fifth of a mile north of its junction with county road 49.

GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES were at Bat Lake in Cottonwood County on the 
1st and at the Hills sewage ponds in Rock County on the same day.

Audrey Evers found a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD in Hoyt Lakes, St. Louis 
County on June 5th. It was seen near the city tennis courts.

Interesting was the COMMON MOORHEN found by Bob O'Connor on May 31st 
at Hamden Slough in Becker County. The directions are: drive north 
from Audubon on highway 13 to the Hamden Slough headquarters sign, 
then turn east past the headquarters building to the intersection 
just beyond the lake. Turn left and drive 0.7 miles to where there is 
a lake on the left and a small pond on the right. The moorhen was in 
the small pond.

On May 31st and again on June 1st a RED-THROATED LOON was on Lake 
Superior across from Park Point airport.

Unusual was the SURF SCOTER seen June 1st at the Pipestone sewage 
ponds in Pipestone County.

A CATTLE EGRET was found near Black Rush Lake in Lyon County on June 
1st. It was seen at the south end of the marsh that is just past the 
sign for the WPA.

Two MUTE SWANS were at Lost Valley SNA in southern Washington County 
on June 2nd.

Bob Janssen counted 625 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at Luverne, Rock 
County on June 3rd, and several RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were at the 
Lewiston sewage ponds in Winona County on the 1st.

On May 31st a LITTLE BLUE HERON was reported from Le Sueur County. 
Unfortunately, the directions given were that the bird was on "the 
north south road of county roads 123 and 118", but these two roads do 
not meet in Le Sueur County.

And finally, DICKCISSELS have returned to the state, and birds have 
been seen as close to the Twin Cities as the Scott County Fairgrounds 
near Jordan.

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, June 12th.

-- 
Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com