[mou] MOU RBA 19 June 2003

[Anthony X. Hertzel]

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday June 19th.

On the 15th, there were two WHITE-FACED IBIS in Big Stone County's 
Toqua Township. They were in a pothole on the north side of County 
Road 54, 1.2 miles west of County Road 61. Also present were seven 
AMERICAN AVOCETS, and a single HUDONIAN GODWIT.

A LITTLE BLUE HERON was at Farmes Pool in Agassiz National Wildlife 
Refuge, Marshall County on the 16th. It was seen on the south side of 
the pool throughout the day, but has not been seen since.

On June 11th, Bob Russell found a couple of SNOWY EGRETS on the north 
side of County Road 16, one half to one-and-a-half miles east of 
County Road 41. Snowy Egrets have previously nested at nearby Lake 
Johanna.

A CLARK'S GREBE was found on Timm Lake in southern Yellow Medicine 
County on the 15th.

The Basic-plumaged male CINNAMON TEAL was still at the 140th Street 
Marsh in Dakota County on the 16th. Directions to the marsh are: From 
U.S. Highway 52, take the County Road 42 exit then go east about one 
quarter of a mile to the first left. Drive this road, which becomes 
140th Street, for about a mile.

YELLOW RAILS can be heard in many places near McGregor in Aitkin 
County. At least three are present to the west of the Fireside 
Restaurant just north of state highway 210 on state highway 65, and 
there are at least five birds were along 65 in the first mile south 
of 210, plus at least four more along 65 near the intersection with 
the dead end gravel road about 2.5 miles south of 210.

At least two COMMON MOORHENS are being seen at Hamden Slough in 
Becker County. The directions are: drive north from the town of 
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 three-quarters of a mile to 
where there is a lake on the left and a small pond on the right. The 
moorhens were in the small pond as recently as the 16th.

A GREAT GRAY OWL was in the Sax-Zim Bog of St. Louis County on the 
17th. It was seen along County Road 7 about four miles south of Stone 
Lake Road. Another Great Gray Owl was seen in Aitkin County on the 
18th about 100 yards down the snowmobile trail that runs south of the 
junction of County Road 18 and Pietz's Road.

Several NORTHERN BOBWHITE have been reported from Fillmore County. A 
few are being seen at the home of Darryl and Betty Masters near 
Canton. They welcome visitors but ask that birders please be quiet 
and do not come to the door. Directions: take U.S. Highway 52 to 
Canton, then take Fillmore County 21 south for a mile to County Road 
30. Go east 1/2 mile and stop at the first home on the left.

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 26th.

-- 
Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com