MOU RBA 6 March 2003

bd_lorenz@htomail.com ------=_NextPart_000_001F_01C2E404.6B184530-- From Jim Avila" --------------Boundary-00=_DN8B6RO0000000000000 Content-Type: Multipart/Alternative; boundary="------------Boundary-00=_DN8B12S0000000000000" --------------Boundary-00=_DN8B12S0000000000000 Content-Type: Text/Plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hello.=0D =0D I am a birder from California who will be birding Minnesota at the end= of May, 2003. I am looking forward to seeing Minnesota, a state I have neve= r been to, as well as birding the state. In preparing for this trip I am h= ave been looking for birding guide books for=0D Minnesota. I cannot find one more recent than 1998. Does any one know o= f a more recent birding guide that they think would be useful to me in findi= ng birds in Minnesota? Further, my Audubon chapter, Santa Clara Valley Audu= bon Society, publishes a local guide for our area. Does anyone know of any local birding guides published by local Minnesota Audubon chapters they think might be helpful? Thank you in advance and I hope this post is no= t inappropriate.=0D =0D Sincerely,=0D Jim Avila --------------Boundary-00=_DN8B12S0000000000000 Content-Type: Text/HTML; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Hello.

I am a birder from California who will be birding Minne= sota at the end of May, 2003. I am looking forward to seeing M= innesota, a state I have never been to, as well as birding the state= =2E In preparing for this trip I am have been looking&nbs= p;for birding guide books for

Minnesota. I cannot find one more recent than 1998. Does= any one know of a more recent birding guide that they think would = be useful to me in finding birds in Minnesota? Further, my Audubon = chapter, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, publishes a local guide for = our area. Does anyone know of any local birding guides published by= local Minnesota Audubon chapters they think might be helpful? Than= k you in advance and I hope this post is not inappropriate.

&n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; Sincerely,

&n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; Jim Avila

______________________= ______________________________
<= A href=3D"http://www.incredimail.com/redir.asp?ad_id=3D309&lang=3D9">= 3D""

IncrediMail - Email has= finally evolved - = Click Here --------------Boundary-00=_DN8B12S0000000000000-- --------------Boundary-00=_DN8B6RO0000000000000 Content-Type: image/gif; name="IMSTP.gif" Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-ID: <4EC272EF-70BA-4F44-927C-1692414AC790> R0lGODlhFAAPALMIAP9gAM9gAM8vAM9gL/+QL5AvAGAvAP9gL////wAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAACH/C05FVFNDQVBFMi4wAwEAAAAh+QQJFAAIACwAAAAAFAAPAAAEVRDJSaudJuudrxlEKI6B URlCUYyjKpgYAKSgOBSCDEuGDKgrAtC3Q/R+hkPJEDgYCjpKr5A8WK9OaPFZwHoPqm3366VKyeRt E30tVVRscMHDqV/u+AgAIfkEBWQACAAsAAAAABQADwAABBIQyUmrvTjrzbv/YCiOZGmeaAQAIfkE CRQACAAsAgABABAADQAABEoQIUOrpXIOwrsPxiQUheeRAgUA49YNhbCqK1kS9grQhXGAhsDBUJgZ AL2Dcqkk7ogFpvRAokSn0p4PO6UIuUsQggSmFjKXdAgRAQAh+QQFCgAIACwAAAAAFAAPAAAEEhDJ Sau9OOvNu/9gKI5kaZ5oBAAh+QQJFAAIACwCAAEAEAANAAAEShAhQ6ulcg7Cuw/GJBSF55ECBQDj 1g2FsKorWRL2CtCFcYCGwMFQmBkAvYNyqSTuiAWm9ECiRKfSng87pQi5SxCCBKYWMpd0CBEBACH5 BAVkAAgALAAAAAAUAA8AAAQSEMlJq7046827/2AojmRpnmgEADs= --------------Boundary-00=_DN8B6RO0000000000000-- From two-jays@att.net Fri Mar 7 01:39:41 2003 From: two-jays@att.net (Jim Williams) Date: Thu, 06 Mar 2003 17:39:41 -0800 Subject: [mou] The Bird Conservationist -- forward Message-ID: THE BIRDER CONSERVATIONIST an electronic ABA newsletter Volume 2, No.3 =96 March 2003 AN INTRODUCTION Last month's E-newsletter was distributed just before the FY 03 budget figures were finalized, and we presented some likely projections on budget issues close to the hearts of many birders. These included dire predictions on state-based wildlife funding (State Wildlife Grants), the Neotropical Migratory Bird Fund, the National Wildlife Refuge budget, the National Parks budget, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The final figures were not universally as low as we had projected, but they were still universally disappointing. Even the highly successful North American Wetlands Conservation Fund (NAWCA) was trimmed. There is no need to go over those figures again here. Suffice it to say that FY04 is upon us and that core bird-funding issues will have to be watched. (See the note toward the end of the E-newsletter on "Bird Funding" if you want me to send you other e-mail updates on this particular set of issues.) =96 Paul J. Baicich Director of Conservation and Public Policy, ABA =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D CELEBRATION! U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, REFUGES, AND THE CENTENNIAL: This month, on 14 March 2003, America will officially celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of our fabulous National Wildlife Refuge System. There will be an official celebration, a major event, taking place at Pelican Island NWR over a number of days. (Watch for media coverage on this, by the way.) Elsewhere, and perhaps more importantly, at refuges across the country, there are scheduled many individual celebrations this month. As mentioned here last month, the U.S. Postal Service will also release a beautiful new postage stamp mid-month, depicting a Brown Pelican, commemorating Pelican Island and the Centennial. (You can view the stamp here: ) And that's not the end of it. The centennial celebration will continue all year. Watch for more news. (WINGING IT will have centennial items in March, and the April BIRDING will be, in large part, devoted to the Refuge System.) The USFWS web site will have regular news on centennial activities: ___________ CORRECTING THAT "ISOLATED WETLAND" INTERPRETATION The Clean Water Authority Restoration Act will seek to remedy a 2001 Supreme Court decision (the so-called SWANCC decision, or Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) that we discussed in this E-newsletter in February. That court action removed federal protection for so-called "isolated wetlands" across the United States. (This impacts millions upon million of acres of wetlands.) The Supreme Court decision, interpreted overbearingly by the Bush administration, has said that federal officials could not rely on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act - or the presence of migrating birds - as the sole factor when attempting to protect wetlands that are separated from navigable waterways or other wetlands. Essentially, the decision stripped federal protection from critical wetland habitat. Until that court decision, the federal Clean Water Act had prohibited land owners from draining most types of wetlands. That prohibition included small, isolated, and often temporary wetlands, often critical breeding ground for wetland species (from ducks to wrens). The long-standing interpretation of the Clean Water Act for that purpose by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was specific enough to be referred to over the years as the "migratory bird rule." (This shift has now left protection of many key individual wetlands resting with a provision of the Farm Bill called the "Swampbuster," a highly effective but essentially voluntary program that encourages farmers - but not others - not to drain wetlands.) We said in February that "strengthening amendments to the Clean Water Act would resolve ambiguities and damaging interpretations" but that it was a long shot to pass in this 108th Congress. In fact, correcting legislation presented last year in the 107th Congress by Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) stating specifically that such isolated wetlands should be protected for the benefit of migratory birds. But without support from the Bush administration, the bill died in committee. Again, proposed correcting legislation, the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act, was introduced in late February in the Senate (S. 473) and in the House (H.R. 962), cosponsored by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Russ Feingold (D-WI), and James Jeffords (I-VT), and Reps. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), John Dingell (D-MI), Jim Leach (R-IA), and James Oberstar (D-MN). This legislative effort in both the House and Senate takes a important step forward in the effort to protect all wetlands, and it deserves the support of all bird conservationists. _____________________ BOLIVAR LAND-ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITY There have been many reports on the status of wetlands in this E-newsletter (e.g. the previous news item) over multiple issues, here is a particularly positive development, a bright spot. You may remember the NAWCA story a few issues ago (December 2002) and the reference to the effort - assisted by ABA - to acquire Bolivar Flats, on the Texas coast, for shorebirds and waterbirds. Right now there's an expanded opportunity to acquire more property, right next door, as it were. The Houston Audubon Society has been working hard for about two years on a project to acquire 750 additional acres on the Bolivar Peninsula known as the Horseshoe Marsh. It is a beautiful saltmarsh area with exposed oyster reefs at low tide and yet also with some significant upland habitat. It serves as habitat for many shorebirds, Roseate Spoonbills, terns, American Oystercatchers, Long-billed Curlews, Seaside Sparrows and other species. Houston Audubon has now received the appraisal for almost $800,000. While the effort has been supplemented by another federal NAWCA grant to protect the wetlands, there is still a need to raise about $300,000 to complete this acquisition. To find out more about this effort to raise funds and to make a contribution, check out details on the ABA web site: ___________ AN EVOLVING DUCK STAMP? Another link to wetlands concerns the success story of the almost 70-year-old Duck Stamp program of the USFWS. The Federal Duck Stamp Office has been engaged in an effort to review the strengths and weakness of the Duck Stamp Program. The office is asking key partner groups and related USFWS staff to help get a better understanding of the environment in which they are operating. This is part of getting the stamp and stamp office to "align" activities and "be ready to respond to and address the challenges" they face in the process of formulating a five-year strategic/business plan= . The Stamp has been successful in the past and has been a historic mainstay of the National Wildlife Refuge System, raising over $500 million to acquire about 5 million acres of wetland habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Hunters have done a great 70-year job in bearing the responsibilities for wetland habitat acquisition through the stamp. But sales are slipping, and much work remains to be done. The "duck" stamp (officially called the "Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp") needs to be modernized, to catch up to where bird conservation has gone, where it has evolved. The bird conservation community needs an improved stamp that - A) overtly covers more species than ducks and other waterfowl B) addresses more habitat in the refuges well beyond wetlands C) addresses the new needs of 21st century bird conservation planning and management D) embraces a broader constituency of birders, wildlife watchers, backyard wildlife enthusiasts and eco-tourists Indeed, an "expanded" Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation [Duck] Stamp makes a lot more sense that a "new" or "alternative" or "nongame" stamp. Creative thinking could lead to an expanded stamp for ALL birds (with primary emphasis on the original wetland habitat purpose), for different aspects of bird conservation, and for a strengthened refuge system. (By the way, possession of a valid "duck stamp" currently gets holders into all National Wildlife Refuges that charge an entrance fee.) When the stamp was created by bird-conservation visionaries in 1934, the waterfowl species were in deep trouble. The stamp and the refuge system succeeded magnificently in helping save them. Now other species are in trouble, and their plight needs to be highlighted. Last month we mentioned the USFWS report on "Birds of Conservation Concern" (). These 131 species are among the birds that need immediate help today. Some are in wetland habitats, others are in woodlands, deserts, or grasslands. An expanded, retooled, stamp could help raise the funds to make addressing their conservation possible. Watch here and elsewhere in ABA publications for more details. In the meantime, for a great summary on the history and function of the wonderful Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp see: ______________________ BIRDERS' EXCHANGE BOOKS MAKE MORE FRIENDS Birders are increasingly familiar with our successes in supporting colleagues in Latin America with new and used field equipment and books through Birders' Exchange. While we have a real need for field guides for locales in the Neotropics (indeed, a "most wanted" list appears in the March issue of WINGING IT), lots of our friends don't realize that we need "North American" field guides, too! We particularly need "Eastern Petersons" (for Cuban and other Caribbean distribution) and "National Geographics" (mainly for Mexico). Fortunately, both these volumes have recently been updated, making your older copy ideal for contribution to Birders' Exchange! Send this and other birding equipment to Birders' Exchange, ABA, P.O. Box 6599 Colorado Springs CO 80934. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes. For more details on Birders' Exchange see: _______________________ MORE LEAD In our January 2003 issue of this E-newsletter, we discussed the problems surrounding lead shot, sinkers, and jigs with their impact on birds. We neglected to mention that at its September 2002 meeting the American Bird Conservancy's Policy Council passed a unanimous resolution to "encourage programs aimed at reducing the threat of lead poisoning in birds." This is not simply an American issue, since countries in Europe, for example, and also Japan have already banned lead ammunition and lead in fishing tackle altogether. For detailed information you may also want to see the information on the Hawkwatch Internationalis web site: . (Check the lead poisoning report link toward the bottom of the page.) ____________ VULTURE EXCESSES? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (APHIS Wildlife Services) has a pending permit application to destroy 2,500 Black Vultures and 1,500 Turkey Vultures in Virginal annually. This is an unprecedented figure. The purpose of this Vulture Damage Management Program is intended to reduce predation on livestock, damage to public and private property, and threats to human health. We birders should certainly not be unsympathetic to homeowners, farmers, and community officials who may have "nuisance problems" with vultures on a regional basis. A host of non-lethal methods, however, must first be employed, ranging from pyrotechnic devices, to wire barriers and deterrents, to modified habitat alteration. Moreover, the State of Virginia and Wildlife Services (with the cooperation of the USFWS) need to increase public education and outreach efforts to prevent vulture damage, to teach the public how to co-exist with these birds, and to appreciate their unique role in nature. As to direct impact to human health, WS cannot document any case of disease or illness transmitted by vultures in Virginia to humans or animals. Vultures function as a natural "clean-up crew," protecting public health through disease control and carrion removal. Indeed, the scientific literature has long documented the beneficial role of vultures removing pathogens or disease organisms from the environment from carrion consumption. We at ABA have urged denial of the WS-Virginia vulture take permit and we have raised objections to the vulture program in its current form. WS should be required to complete an EIS on its vulture program in Virginia before any further lethal vulture takes occur. There should be emphasis on the use of nonlethal techniques to manage vultures. Individual permits should be based on each given location with an identified problem. ____________ CONDOR LESSONS The proposed elimination of large numbers of vultures in Virginia (i.e., above news item) is a reminder of vulture issues elsewhere, not the least of which is the status of our largest vulture, the California Condor. =20 In mid-February, the last California Condor (AC-8) born in the wild was discovered dead in southern Kern County, California. A necropsy determined that the bird succumbed to gunshot. AC-8 was believed to be more than 30 years old. She was a matriarch among the condors and had produced 12 offspring in captivity. The California Department of Fish and Game is working very closely with the USFWS to find the person or persons responsible for this terrible crime. The event is senseless, tragic, and may constitute a setback for the campaign to reintroduce the condors into the wild, but it also gives one additional pause. Had there been no captive breeding program - as advanced by "hands-off" advocates in the 1980s - the California Condor would now be extinct. With the death of AC-8, the species would now be history. Gone! Instead, there are 118 birds in captivity and 79 in experimental wild programs. (Indeed, three more birds are currently being released in an experimental program in Baja California.) There are now more free-flying condors in Arizona than existed for the entire species in 1987 when the last wild condor in California was brought into captivity. The total population then only consisted of 27 individuals. The cruel death of AC-8 proves that the bird needs increased protection from irresponsible human behavior. The public also needs to view, appreciate, and defend these magnificent birds, and the ongoing reintroduction programs in California and Arizona require strengthened support. Once those objectives are close to being met, the recovery goal of two disjunct wild populations of 150 birds each (with at least 15 breeding pairs in each of the two locations) will begin to look achievable. __________ SPOONBILL UPDATE We've been monitoring the Black-faced Spoonbill situation in Taiwan for recent multiple issues of THE BIRDER CONSERVATIONIST (e.g., October, January, and February). Two outbreaks of botulism decimated the spoonbills in southwest Taiwan earlier this winter. It wasn't just spoonbills that were dying. In the area around the Sitsao wetlands - located on the south side of Tsengwen River - bird conservationists also found remains of other birds, including egrets and snipes. Readers will be pleased to know, however, that after receiving treatment for weeks, 15 of the highly endangered Black-faced Spoonbills were returned to Chiku Lagoon in Taiwan County, in late February. (Starting in early December, 90 Black-faced Spoonbills in Chiku Lagoon had been infected by botulism, and 73 died.) Moreover, for the first time since the mid-1990s, according to the Wild Bird Federation of Taiwan (WBFT), WBFT, the global population of the endangered species exceeds 1,000. The population has increased from 969 last year to 1,036 this year. In Taiwan, 585 spoonbills were observed. In an effort to seek international assistance to address potential threats to the species, the local government will hold an International Symposium on Black-faced Spoonbill Conservation in late March. As the spoonbills leave for the north, something which will occur shortly, the local government will focus on improved habitat alteration and management in order to create more food sources for the species. To achieve that goal, for example, nearby fish farm operators will be ordered to comply with habitat management rules established by the local government. ____________ BIRDING TRAILS ON ABA WEB SITE Last month we mentioned how federal transportation dollars can sometimes be used for creative purposes - including roadside enhancements, rails-to-trails issue, or other kinds of recreational trails. The "birding trail" phenomenon has been one constructive use of governmental transportation dollars. You may remember the article in the October 2001 issue of BIRDING, by Bill Shepard of Vermont on the subject of birding trails. Shepard wrote that birding trails are functional "gateways to conservation." Indeed, these recreational and educational trails have a real bird conservation significance. Perhaps, most importantly, they help to build a constituency dedicated to the regional preservation of bird habitat and community interest in appropriate stewardship. ABA has now incorporated a creative new listing of birding trails on the ABA web site. For that listing and the related conservation message, go to: _____________________ ROAD RAGE =96 RS 2477 While we've introduced some constructive potential in the projected five-year Transportation Bill, outlining opportunities to use that instrument for increased appropriate access and roadside enhancements, there is another disturbing development "on the other side of the road." The Bush Administration is now relying on portions of a long-dormant Mining Act of 1866, known as RS 2477, to allow the transformation of little-used or abandoned wagon roads, cattle paths, dogsled routes, and mining trails into roads, some of them paved. We certainly do need sensible access for birding afield, but we don't need a spider-web pattern of Jeep and ORV trails running through vital habitats. The resuscitation of RS 2477 can seriously facilitate local right-of-way claims across federal lands, including those on national parks, national wildlife refuges, and proposed wilderness areas. Local claims are to be resolved by the Bureau of Land Management, without giving the public an opportunity to appeal. This will hand over lands owned by the public to localities, and the consequences could be particularly hard in Alaska and the West. _____________ SHORTIES AND FINAL NOTES BIRD FUNDING - As mentioned in last month's issue of this E-newsletter, bird conservationists are beginning to coalesce around five vital funding issues, necessary for healthy bird conservation. These include four essential legislative vehicles (the North American Waterfowl Conservation Act [NAWCA], the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act [NMBCA], State Wildlife Grants [currently, half-measure toward CARA-like legislation], and Joint Venture funding. Also increased general budget support for science-based activities in bird work is another bedrock element in the immediate "wish list" for medium-term bird funding goals. Look for more details here in the coming months and in an upcoming issue of WINGING IT. If you want a regular bird-funding e-mail letter from me, let me know , and I'll put you on the list to get updates. THE ALL-BIRD BULLETIN - This is an irregular news and information-sharing publication for participants in the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI). It is full of important information related to the continental bird plans. To receive the ALL-BIRD BULLETIN in a pdf format, contact . THE ABA CONSERVATION FUND - Our ABA Conservation Fund is one way we maintain a robust birder's conservation agenda at ABA. (Contributions to the fund can be made online at or simply sent to the ABA offices =96 P.O. Box 6599 Colorado Springs CO 80934 =96 made out to ABA and marked "Conservation Fund.") BIRDING NEWS - There is also bird-related conservation news regularly put on the ABA web site on the "Birding News" page: . GETTING THIS NEWSLETTER - If you have an ABA friend who would like to receive this E-newsletter, have him/her contact me at . If that birding friend is not an ABA member, membership can be secured on-line: . CHANGE OF ADDRESS - My e-mail address has changed from to . I'll continue to get messages sent to the old address for some time, but changing my address in your address book would probably avoid a future surprise. REPRODUCTION - Finally, you are welcome to reproduce any of this information. Original ABA source-citing would be appreciated. The past issues of this newsletter, THE BIRDER CONSERVATIONIST, are now archived on the ABA web site at: =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Paul J. Baicich Director of Conservation and Public Policy American Birding Association P.O. Box 404 Oxon Hill, MD 20750 301-839-9736 (839-wren) 301-839-2763 [fax] ABA: A lot more than listing! Check out the ABA web site: And for our online birding store: "Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." -- Rachel Carson -30- =20 From drbenson@cpinternet.com Fri Mar 7 00:37:16 2003 From: drbenson@cpinternet.com (David R. Benson) Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2003 18:37:16 -0600 Subject: [mou] Duluth RBA 3/5/03 Message-ID: This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, March 6, 2003, sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS have returned to Duluth in numbers. Gordy Martinson has had a consistent flock at Oak and Maxwell in Lakewood Township, Mike Hendrickson has seen several flocks in West Duluth, and today I saw a flock of about 300 birds near Ordean School in East Duluth. An adult, gray GYRFALCON was seen on Feb 28 and again on March 1st in the Port Terminal area in the Duluth harbor. Last weekend, Chris Benson reported 17 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE dancing and displaying on CR 29, 1/2 mile north of the Dart Rd in the Sax-Zim area. He also reported a GREAT GRAY OWL on Cty Rd 52, 2.6 miles east of Cty Rd 7. In Lake Cty, he saw two SPRUCE GROUSE on Hwy 1 near mile marker 297. Leif Brush has RUFFED GROUSE coming to his feeder at 29th and Jefferson in Duluth. The next MOU field trip will be April 12-13 to Rock Cty in southwestern Minnesota. The trip will meet at 7:00 am on the 12th at the Country Kitchen in Luverne. For more information, contact Mike Hendrickson at smithville4@msn.com. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, March 13. The phone number for the Duluth Birding Report is (218) 728-5030, and callers can report bird sightings if they wish after the tone at the end of each tape. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street SE, Minneapolis MN 55455; or send an e-mail to mou@cbs.umn.edu; or visit the MOU web site at mou.mn.org. From ajjoppru@wiktel.com Fri Mar 7 03:55:19 2003 From: ajjoppru@wiktel.com (Jeanie Joppru) Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2003 21:55:19 -0600 Subject: [mou] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Friday, March 7, 2003 Message-ID: <000201c2e45d$6b2e67d0$edb391ce@main> This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, March 7, 2003 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218) 847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. It must be spring- the days are getting longer and the horned larks and longspurs are making their way north. As for the temperatures, well most of us think of zero degrees as winter. The BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was still at the levee in Fergus Falls as of Wednesday, and Steve Millard reports that these birds usually leave around the middle of the month , so if anyone hasn't seen the bird, it is recommended that you go soon. Also at Fergus Falls are about 250 COMMON GOLDENEYES, and about 50 TRUMPETER SWANS, along with a lot of CANADA GEESE and MALLARDS. A pair of COMMON MERGANSERS were also seen there last weekend. Three GOLDEN EAGLES were spotted on Sunday by Shelley Steva, Peder Svingen and me. Two were perched in the same tree in Wilkin County near the intersection of 220th Ave. and 230th St. This area is just west of the Rothsay WMA area. The other Golden Eagle was in Becker County, about a mile east of 255th St, along County Road 26 west of Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge. Yet another Golden Eagle, this one an immature, was seen by Alma Ronningen in Clay County on Wednesday about 10 miles north of Barnesville along I-94. About 10 GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKENS were found on a lek in the Rothsay WMA on Sunday. Beth Siverhus reports that the BALD EAGLES are back at their nest tree off Highway 72 just south of Waskish, in Beltrami County. Katie Haws also reports that the BALD EAGLES are at nest sights near Bemidji. >From Itasca County, Beth reported that folks are seeing BROWN CREEPER, EVENING GROSBEAK, PURPLE FINCH, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH at their feeders. In Lake of the Woods County, the woodpeckers of several species are busily courting and PILEATED WOODPECKERS are excavating their cavities. In Pennington County, the locally nesting HORNED LARKS have returned, perhaps the only sign of spring around here. Shelley Steva reported about 30 SNOW BUNTINGS in Red Lake County, just south of the Pennington County line along Highway 59 late last week. LAPLAND LONGSPURS and SNOW BUNTINGS were seen along the roads of Polk County on Saturday, March 1st. Donna and Leon Thoreson have HORNED LARKS in their yard near Eldred, and a BROWN CREEPER and PILEATED WOODPECKER are still around. 35 to 40 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES are also coming to the feeder. Clay County birds reported included an AMERICAN KESTREL near Barnesville along Highway 210 just east of the town. Other birds found in Clay County on Sunday, March 2, included CEDAR WAXWINGS in the town of Hitterdahl, and HORNED LARKS in several locations. Jack Ehrnst, on Wymer Lake near Frazee in Becker County has daily visits from PILEATED WOODPECKERS, DOWNY WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, NORTHERN FLICKER as well as the usual chickadees and Blue Jays. We found a NORTHERN SHRIKE in Becker County also and LAPLAND LONGSPURS , HORNED LARKS, and SNOW BUNTINGS near Hamden Slough. Wilkin County birds reported by Mark Otnes included 15 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS at Manston Marsh on Friday, February 28th. An AMERICAN ROBIN was also seen. In addition to the birds already reported in Ottertail County, a NORTHERN FLICKER, a BROWN CREEPER, and PURPLE FINCH were coming to a backyard feeder in Fergus Falls, a BROWN THRASHER was found behind a business in the city, and two AMERICAN COOTS were also present in Fergus Falls. All of the above were seen on Sunday, March 2nd. For updates and locations of these birds contact Steve Millard in Fergus Falls. Alma Ronningen reported a lone COMMON REDPOLL at her feeder on March 5th. Thanks to Katie Haws, Beth Siverhus, Jack Ehrnst, Mark Otnes, Alma Ronningen, Donna and Leon Thoreson, Dan Thimgan, and Shelley Steva for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@wiktel.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where each sighting occurred. When reporting by email please put "NW Bird Report" in the subject line of your message. The next scheduled update of this report is Friday, March 14, 2003. From david@cahlander.com Fri Mar 7 05:25:17 2003 From: david@cahlander.com (David A. Cahlander) Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2003 23:25:17 -0600 Subject: [mou] Fw: Traveling & Scopes References: Message-ID: <002f01c2e469$f38fecf0$0200000a@pancho> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_002C_01C2E437.A577A0D0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I carry my optics on the plane. Binoculars, spotting scope, cameras, = and lenses. I would not trust the luggage handlers to carry this equipment. I have = checked my tripod in the past, but it was damaged in flight. One small bag is = enough to carry most of it. I put it in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of = me. The tripod goes in the overhead bin. I think that the airlines will give you $6/pound, or something like = that, if they lose your luggage. --- David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 ------=_NextPart_000_002C_01C2E437.A577A0D0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

I carry my optics on the = plane. =20 Binoculars, spotting scope, cameras, and lenses.

I would not trust the luggage = handlers to=20 carry this equipment. I have checked my

tripod in the past, but it was = damaged in=20 flight. One small bag is enough to carry

most of it. I put it in = the overhead=20 bin or under the seat in front of me.

The tripod goes in the overhead = bin.

I think that the airlines will = give you=20 $6/pound, or something like that, if they

lose your luggage.

---
David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, = MN=20 952-894-5910

------=_NextPart_000_002C_01C2E437.A577A0D0-- From axhertzel@sihope.com Fri Mar 7 05:51:20 2003 From: axhertzel@sihope.com (Anthony X. Hertzel) Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2003 23:51:20 -0600 Subject: [mou] MOU RBA 6 March 2003 Message-ID: --============_-1165106211==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 6th. The BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was still at the levee in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County as recently as the 5th. The BAND-TAILED PIGEON is still being seen near Hastings, Dakota County where it has been visiting a home since November 20th. The hosts are Hank and Carrol Tressel, 20240 Quentin Avenue East, and while birders are always welcome, the Tressels have asked that no one venture into their backyard. An adult, gray GYRFALCON was seen on February 28th and again on March 1st at the Port Terminal area of the Duluth harbor. Good numbers of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS can also be found in Duluth. One flock is fairly regular at Oak and Maxwell streets in Lakewood Township, and several more are roaming West Duluth. On the 6th a large flock of waxwings was near Ordean School in East Duluth. A SNOWY OWL was seen in Beltrami County on February 21st near the Lake Bemidji water front across from the Amoco station in town, but it has not been seen since. Three GOLDEN EAGLES were seen on March 2nd. Two were in Wilkin County near the intersection of 220th Ave. and 230th Street just west of the Rothsay WMA area. The other was west of the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge along Becker County Road 26 about a mile east of 255th Street. And one was in Clay County on the 5th about ten miles north of Barnesville along I-94. On March 1st, there was a LONG-TAILED DUCK in Goodhue County near the top edge of Dam #3 on Prairie Island. A MUTE SWAN was reported March 1st from the spillway trail off the east side of Black Dog Road in Dakota County. And that CAROLINA WREN is still being seen behind the Trails Edge apartments in Faribault, Rice County. Dave Barkley reported it earlier this week. 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 . 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. The MOU is pleased to offer this service. Thank you, and good birding. The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, March 13th. -- Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com --============_-1165106211==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" MOU RBA 6 March 2003

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 6th.

The BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was still at the levee in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County as recently as the 5th.

The BAND-TAILED PIGEON is still being seen near Hastings, Dakota County where it has been visiting a home since November 20th. The hosts are Hank and Carrol Tressel, 20240 Quentin Avenue East, and while birders are always welcome, the Tressels have asked that no one venture into their backyard.

An adult, gray GYRFALCON was seen on February 28th and again on March 1st at the Port Terminal area of the Duluth harbor.

Good numbers of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS can also be found in Duluth. One flock is fairly regular at Oak and Maxwell streets in Lakewood Township, and several more are roaming West Duluth. On the 6th a large flock of waxwings was near Ordean School in East Duluth.

A SNOWY OWL was seen in Beltrami County on February 21st near the Lake Bemidji water front across from the Amoco station in town, but it has not been seen since.

Three GOLDEN EAGLES were seen on March 2nd. Two were in Wilkin County near the intersection of 220th Ave. and 230th Street just west of the Rothsay WMA area. The other was west of the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge along Becker County Road 26 about a mile east of 255th Street. And one was in Clay County on the 5th about ten miles north of Barnesville along I-94.

On March 1st, there was a LONG-TAILED DUCK in Goodhue County near the top edge of Dam #3 on Prairie Island.

A MUTE SWAN was reported March 1st from the spillway trail off the east side of Black Dog Road in Dakota County.

And that CAROLINA WREN is still being seen behind the Trails Edge apartments in Faribault, Rice County. Dave Barkley reported it earlier this week.

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.

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

The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, March 13th.

--

Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com

--============_-1165106211==_ma============-- From grunke1@charter.net Fri Mar 7 14:51:40 2003 From: grunke1@charter.net (grunke1@charter.net) Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2003 08:51:40 -0600 Subject: [mou] Varied Thrush Message-ID: <000801c2e4b9$114655a0$7492bc42@stc.mn.charter.com> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C2E486.C54CF1E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable March 7, 2003 We continue to see a Varied Thrush in our back yard. First spotted on = Feb.22, most recently March 6th. We see him nearly every day. South = St. Cloud, Stearns County. We have begun to wonder if we are seeing two = separate males, as he at times appears fatter. We will be developing = pictures today and hope we caught him. We usually see him land in our = pin oak and then scratch in the ground for seeds under a feeder. =20 Ann Grunke 320 252 7974 ------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C2E486.C54CF1E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

March 7, 2003

We continue to see a Varied Thrush in = our back=20 yard. First spotted on Feb.22, most recently March 6th. We = see him=20 nearly every day. South St. Cloud, Stearns County. We have begun = to wonder=20 if we are seeing two separate males, as he at times appears = fatter. We=20 will be developing pictures today and hope we caught him. We = usually see=20 him land in our pin oak and then scratch in the ground for seeds under a = feeder.

Ann Grunke 320 252 = 7974

------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C2E486.C54CF1E0-- From Jim Avila" --------------Boundary-00=_LH4D12S0000000000000 Content-Type: Multipart/Alternative; boundary="------------Boundary-00=_LH4DWCW0000000000000" --------------Boundary-00=_LH4DWCW0000000000000 Content-Type: Text/Plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hello everyone:=0D =0D I would like to thank everyone who responded to my post "help a visit= ing birder". Twelve birders responded . Of those 12, 11 recommended:=0D A Birder's Guide to Minnesota, 4th edition, by Kim Eckert=0D =0D Based on this overwhelming recommendation I sent away for a copy of this guide. I would also like to thank the people who responded with suggesti= ons on where to bird in Minnesota. I am more than ever looking forward to birding in your state.=0D =0D = =20 Sincerely,=0D = Jim Avila --------------Boundary-00=_LH4DWCW0000000000000 Content-Type: Text/HTML; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Hello everyone:

I would like to thank everyone who responded to m= y post "help a visiting birder". Twelve birders responded . O= f those 12, 11 recommended:

= ; &n= bsp; = ; A Birder's Guide to Minnesota, 4th edition, by Ki= m Eckert

Based on this overwhelming recommendation I sent away for a copy of = this guide. I would also like to thank the people who responded wit= h suggestions on where to bird in Minnesota. I am more than ev= er looking forward to birding in your state.

&n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; Sincerely,

&n= bsp; &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; Jim Avila

______________________= ______________________________
<= A href=3D"http://www.incredimail.com/redir.asp?ad_id=3D309&lang=3D9">= 3D""

IncrediMail - Email has= finally evolved - = Click Here --------------Boundary-00=_LH4DWCW0000000000000-- --------------Boundary-00=_LH4D12S0000000000000 Content-Type: image/gif; name="IMSTP.gif" Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-ID: <6606ABD2-4689-4A20-9A0A-31180765DDD9> R0lGODlhFAAPALMIAP9gAM9gAM8vAM9gL/+QL5AvAGAvAP9gL////wAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAACH/C05FVFNDQVBFMi4wAwEAAAAh+QQJFAAIACwAAAAAFAAPAAAEVRDJSaudJuudrxlEKI6B URlCUYyjKpgYAKSgOBSCDEuGDKgrAtC3Q/R+hkPJEDgYCjpKr5A8WK9OaPFZwHoPqm3366VKyeRt E30tVVRscMHDqV/u+AgAIfkEBWQACAAsAAAAABQADwAABBIQyUmrvTjrzbv/YCiOZGmeaAQAIfkE CRQACAAsAgABABAADQAABEoQIUOrpXIOwrsPxiQUheeRAgUA49YNhbCqK1kS9grQhXGAhsDBUJgZ AL2Dcqkk7ogFpvRAokSn0p4PO6UIuUsQggSmFjKXdAgRAQAh+QQFCgAIACwAAAAAFAAPAAAEEhDJ Sau9OOvNu/9gKI5kaZ5oBAAh+QQJFAAIACwCAAEAEAANAAAEShAhQ6ulcg7Cuw/GJBSF55ECBQDj 1g2FsKorWRL2CtCFcYCGwMFQmBkAvYNyqSTuiAWm9ECiRKfSng87pQi5SxCCBKYWMpd0CBEBACH5 BAVkAAgALAAAAAAUAA8AAAQSEMlJq7046827/2AojmRpnmgEADs= --------------Boundary-00=_LH4D12S0000000000000-- From mikee@cadence.com Fri Mar 7 17:44:52 2003 From: mikee@cadence.com (Michael Engh) Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2003 09:44:52 -0800 Subject: [mou] a car designed for birders Message-ID: <3EE8ADCDFF4412498098B712CE4B15CF0EF8A7@exmbx01sj.Cadence.COM> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2E4D1.41ACC658 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I've had the pleasure of driving my sister's gas/electric hybrid Toyota = Prius this past week. Its so cool that I just had to tell somebody about = it. =20 Birding features: 1. 40-50 mpg. Save money on long bird chasing drives. 2. To my knowledge it's the only car you can get in MN which meets the = California SULEV standard (super ultra low emission). Minimize adding to = greenhouse gases which has the potential for dangerous changes in = habitat, food sources, migration patterns, etc. 3. Large windows, front and back for viewing and for holding most large = scope window mounts. 4. Now, for the coolest birding feature: when you pull over and stop at = side of the road, the gas engine automatically shuts off-no noise, = smells, or vibration to disrupt your viewing. Then, when you want to = pull ahead a little for a different viewing angle, the electric motor = silently moves the car-no ignition noise to scare those skittish = shorebirds. Only when you push harder on the accelerator does the gas = engine automatically start up for more power. As long as you move under = 20 mph (depending terrain) and don't accelerate too much, the gas engine = stays off. You can run on just the electric motor for quite awhile with = no engine noise to interfere with hearing what's singing along the = roadside. =20 Mike Engh Wayzata ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2E4D1.41ACC658 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

I've had the pleasure of driving my sister's = gas/electric hybrid Toyota Prius this past week. Its so cool that I just had to tell somebody about it.

Birding features:

1. 40-50 mpg. Save money on long bird chasing = drives.

2. To my knowledge it’s the only car you can = get in MN which meets the California SULEV standard (super ultra low emission). = Minimize adding to greenhouse gases which has the potential for dangerous changes = in habitat, food sources, migration patterns, etc.

3. Large windows, front and back for viewing and for = holding most large scope window mounts.

4. Now, for the coolest birding feature: when you = pull over and stop at side of the road, the gas engine automatically shuts = off—no noise, smells, or vibration to disrupt your viewing. Then, when you want to = pull ahead a little for a different viewing angle, the electric motor silently = moves the car—no ignition noise to scare those skittish shorebirds. Only = when you push harder on the accelerator does the gas engine automatically start = up for more power. As long as you move under 20 mph (depending terrain) and = don't accelerate too much, the gas engine stays off. You can run on just the = electric motor for quite awhile with no engine noise to interfere with hearing = what's singing along the roadside.

Mike Engh

Wayzata

=00 ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2E4D1.41ACC658-- From den@strepera.com Sat Mar 8 00:09:27 2003 From: den@strepera.com (Den Henrickson) Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2003 18:09:27 -0600 Subject: [mou] Electronic discussion board Message-ID: All: I subscribe to both the Iowa mailling list and the Minnesota mailling list. It's been brought up that politics may not be the best issue to post on the list servers. Another birder and myself set up an electronic message board. It's free and non profit. It's hosted by my employer. They allow it because it's good PR. If you're interested please feel free to use it. I'm sorry if this email is out of turn. You can flame me if you like :) http://www.strepera.com/phpBB2/ Den Henrickson World's Worst Birder Marion, IA 319-533-0450 http://www.strepera.com From rattsky@netscape.net Sat Mar 8 00:41:44 2003 From: rattsky@netscape.net (Matthew J. Solensky) Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2003 19:41:44 -0500 Subject: [mou] Merlin- St. Paul Message-ID: <26895EC2.583F0E84.00212FBA@netscape.net> Hi Folks, This morning I was out looking for Merlins at some of the nest sites from last year, and saw the first one of the year (for me). It was a brown-backed bird, and by size it looked like a male. Thus making it a fledgling from last year. It was near the intersection of Hamline Ave. & Summit Ave in St. Paul. Which is very close to one of the nesting sites last year. It was cruising around quite a bit, hunting and stooping crows (several of which were carrying sticks). Clearly not intent on nesting yet. Please let me know if you have any Merlin observations in the Twin Cities from now thru August. Thanks. Matt Solensky (763)792-4036 __________________________________________________________________ The NEW Netscape 7.0 browser is now available. Upgrade now! http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/ From swisstea@gctel.com Sat Mar 8 02:36:55 2003 From: swisstea@gctel.com (Susan McKechnie Wiste) Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2003 20:36:55 -0600 Subject: [mou] Douglas Co MN Message-ID: <001b01c2e51b$9606c920$703492ce@jhkl501> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0018_01C2E4E9.4AB3B780 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable There were a lot of horned larks today on Co Rd 22 just east of Garfield = and on Co Rd 104 by Arrowwood resort. Susan Wiste ------=_NextPart_000_0018_01C2E4E9.4AB3B780 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

There were a lot of horned larks = today on Co Rd=20 22 just east of Garfield and on Co Rd 104 by Arrowwood = resort.

Susan = Wiste

------=_NextPart_000_0018_01C2E4E9.4AB3B780-- From herbdingmann@mn.astound.net Sat Mar 8 16:56:42 2003 From: herbdingmann@mn.astound.net (Herb Dingmann) Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2003 10:56:42 -0600 Subject: [mou] Varied Thrush - St. Cloud (Stearns County) Message-ID: <000001c2e593$b4ff0400$1ec95340@D452T311> The Varied Thrush which was posted yesterday made several appearances to the backyard feeders again this morning, although only once while I was there. The Grunke family generously invited me into their home to view the bird. Birders interested in seeing this bird should contact Ann Grunke at 320-252-7974. Herb Dingmann St. Cloud From fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us Sun Mar 9 17:28:09 2003 From: fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us (fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us) Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2003 11:28:09 -0600 Subject: [mou] slide show Message-ID: I was asked to pass this information along. Randy Frederickson > >Arctic National Wildlife Refuge slide show coming to Minnesota > >Peter Mather, an award-winning photographer, will bring his multi-media sli= de >show to the Twin Cities at the end of March. The show features stunning >photography and original music inspired by the Arctic National Wildlife >Refuge. Sarah James, a Gwich=B0=B6in speaker from Arctic Village, Alaska, >will join >Mather and describe the unique relationship between the Porcupine Caribou >herd >and Gwich=B0=B6in people. > >The images and music were created during a 100 day, 1000 mile wilderness >journey in the Arctic. The slide show documents the land and its wildlife = =C9{ >including great herds of caribou during their migration to and from the >calving >grounds in the Arctic Refuge. The program will also feature the controversy >over oil development versus wilderness protection of the Refuge=B0=B6s coas= tal >plain. > >The Arctic Refuge slide show will be presented at the following times and >locations in Minnesota: >March 23rd-12:30 p.m. First Universalist Church in Duluth >March 24th-7 p.m. Atwood Little Theater in St. Cloud >March 25th-9:30 a.m. Whitney Senior Center in St. Cloud > 8 p.m. Olin Hall at Gustavus Adolphus College; Saint Pe= ter >March 26th-7 p.m.Bloomington REI >March 27th-7 p.m. Quarry Hill Nature Center, Rochester >March 28th-7 p.m. Plymouth City Hall, Plymouth. >March 29th-1 p.m. Wilderness Inquiry, Minneapolis, MN > 8:15 p.m. Cathedral of Saint Paul, Saint Paul, MN > >Donations are suggested.. For more information contact Joshua Buswell-Chark= ow >at 612-379-5996 or josh@alaskacoalition.org > From ksussman@lcp2.net Sun Mar 9 19:54:03 2003 From: ksussman@lcp2.net (Karen Sussman) Date: Sun, 09 Mar 2003 13:54:03 -0600 Subject: [mou] Bohemian Waxwings Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.20030309135403.006cbc40@mail.lcp2.net> There was a large flock of 25-30 Bohemian Waxwings this morning at about 10:30AM in Virginia, Mn; northeast St Louis County. They were feeding on the ground around a crabapple tree in a yard at the corner of Third Street North and Third Avenue. This isn't exciting news, but at least it's something. SaxZim was deserted of any life between 6-8AM when Ben Yokel and I drove through. Karen Karen Sussman ksussman@lcp2.net From JELLISBIRD@aol.com Sun Mar 9 20:48:06 2003 From: JELLISBIRD@aol.com (JELLISBIRD@aol.com) Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2003 15:48:06 EST Subject: [mou] Barrows Goldeneye Message-ID: <9.c286557.2b9d0286@aol.com> Saw the female Barrow's at Fergus yesterday (Saturday) about 5:40 P.M. She stood out easily in the crowd despite the company. Also saw 50+ Trumpeters and five or more Greylag Geese. Rothsay had Prairie Chix, horned larks, a few snow buntings, quite a few Lapland Longspurs, a Rough-legged (dark) hawk, but I failed to see any of the golden eagles. John Ellis, St. Paul From tallmand@northern.edu Sun Mar 9 22:33:32 2003 From: tallmand@northern.edu (Tallman, Dan) Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2003 16:33:32 -0600 Subject: [mou] a car designed for birders Message-ID: <6B812EB3F34F2E44962DA582769DD5B793F796@nsuexchange.northern.edu> Don't count on the mph during Minnesota winters. In fact, the Prius does not achieve advertised mph during any season. I am getting 30-35 this winter. I guess that is ok. I would agree with the other points. However, deep snow and the Prius don't mix well. Muddy roads also bring the excitement back to driving. dan tallman Aberdeen, SD -----Original Message----- From: Michael Engh To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Sent: 3/7/03 11:44 AM Subject: [mou] a car designed for birders I've had the pleasure of driving my sister's gas/electric hybrid Toyota Prius this past week. Its so cool that I just had to tell somebody about it. Birding features: 1. 40-50 mpg. Save money on long bird chasing drives. 2. To my knowledge it's the only car you can get in MN which meets the California SULEV standard (super ultra low emission). Minimize adding to greenhouse gases which has the potential for dangerous changes in habitat, food sources, migration patterns, etc. 3. Large windows, front and back for viewing and for holding most large scope window mounts. 4. Now, for the coolest birding feature: when you pull over and stop at side of the road, the gas engine automatically shuts off-no noise, smells, or vibration to disrupt your viewing. Then, when you want to pull ahead a little for a different viewing angle, the electric motor silently moves the car-no ignition noise to scare those skittish shorebirds. Only when you push harder on the accelerator does the gas engine automatically start up for more power. As long as you move under 20 mph (depending terrain) and don't accelerate too much, the gas engine stays off. You can run on just the electric motor for quite awhile with no engine noise to interfere with hearing what's singing along the roadside. Mike Engh Wayzata From ajjoppru@wiktel.com Sun Mar 9 23:17:16 2003 From: ajjoppru@wiktel.com (Jeanie Joppru) Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2003 17:17:16 -0600 Subject: [mou] a car designed for birders In-Reply-To: <6B812EB3F34F2E44962DA582769DD5B793F796@nsuexchange.northern.edu> Message-ID: <000001c2e692$0a2fbe70$0cb391ce@main> There had to be a downside! I guess it's a better "urban" birding car than a crosscountry one. For awhile anyway I'll stick to my Toyota Previa- another of Toyota's interesting ventures- one of the first all-wheel drive vans. Its only disadvantage ( of course the mph is not what it could be now as that figure has improved with newer cars) is the low clearance, but it's dynamite on slippery roads and quite good if the snow isn't too deep (good for turning around in tight quarters!). Jeanie -----Original Message----- From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On Behalf Of Tallman, Dan Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2003 4:34 PM To: 'Michael Engh '; 'mou-net@cbs.umn.edu ' Subject: RE: [mou] a car designed for birders =20 Don't count on the mph during Minnesota winters. In fact, the Prius does not achieve advertised mph during any season. I am getting 30-35 this winter. I guess that is ok. I would agree with the other points. However, deep snow and the Prius don't mix well. Muddy roads also bring the excitement back to driving. dan tallman Aberdeen, SD -----Original Message----- From: Michael Engh To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Sent: 3/7/03 11:44 AM Subject: [mou] a car designed for birders I've had the pleasure of driving my sister's gas/electric hybrid Toyota Prius this past week. Its so cool that I just had to tell somebody about it. =20 Birding features: 1. 40-50 mpg. Save money on long bird chasing drives. 2. To my knowledge it's the only car you can get in MN which meets the California SULEV standard (super ultra low emission). Minimize adding to greenhouse gases which has the potential for dangerous changes in habitat, food sources, migration patterns, etc. 3. Large windows, front and back for viewing and for holding most large scope window mounts. 4. Now, for the coolest birding feature: when you pull over and stop at side of the road, the gas engine automatically shuts off-no noise, smells, or vibration to disrupt your viewing. Then, when you want to pull ahead a little for a different viewing angle, the electric motor silently moves the car-no ignition noise to scare those skittish shorebirds. Only when you push harder on the accelerator does the gas engine automatically start up for more power. As long as you move under 20 mph (depending terrain) and don't accelerate too much, the gas engine stays off. You can run on just the electric motor for quite awhile with no engine noise to interfere with hearing what's singing along the roadside. =20 Mike Engh Wayzata _______________________________________________ mou-net mailing list mou-net@cbs.umn.edu http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net From rmdbird@mn.rr.com Mon Mar 10 00:11:09 2003 From: rmdbird@mn.rr.com (Bob Dunlap) Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2003 18:11:09 -0600 Subject: [mou] Doug Jenness Message-ID: <001701c2e699$8d7d0240$66c31941@MainComputer> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0014_01C2E667.42B7B1B0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Does anyone know Doug Jenness's current email address? Last year he = moved to southern Arizona. I don't know if he is still on this = listserve or not. Any info. would be appreciated.=20 -Bob Dunlap, Carver County ------=_NextPart_000_0014_01C2E667.42B7B1B0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Does anyone know Doug Jenness's current = email=20 address? Last year he moved to southern Arizona. I don't know if = he is=20 still on this listserve or not. Any info. would be appreciated.=20

-Bob Dunlap, Carver=20 County

------=_NextPart_000_0014_01C2E667.42B7B1B0-- From renohawk@hbci.com Mon Mar 10 05:38:31 2003 From: renohawk@hbci.com (Jeff Dankert) Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2003 23:38:31 -0600 Subject: [mou] RB Nuthatch Message-ID: <000101c2e6c7$4eec61f0$912ca241@S0025943521> I was surprised Sunday when I spotted a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH with a flock of seven chickadees, in a white pine grove, Trout Valley Unit of the state forest. This is on the Wabasha-Winona County line, along County Road 31. The pine grove is in Winona County. And I say surprised because RB Nuthatches have nearly been non-existent here this winter. The nuthatch was appropriate for the weather. The blowing cold and ridge-top wind erased any evidence that it was March 9. HORNED LARKS were an exception, with hundreds along the roadsides in groups of six to 10 each. Also, two female RING-NECKED PHEASANTS were seen feeding at a field edge in Warren Township, Winona County. In the canal that drains from Lake Winona, there were four HOODED MERGANSERS, including two males, up three from one female that has been there since early February, a weak, but definite, sign of migration. The two GREEN-WINGED TEAL also were there. Available open water drastically shrunk from the cold front. Below Lock and Dam 5 on the Mississippi River, there were 110 COMMON GOLDENEYES, down from the previous week's 280. BALD EAGLES are starting to congregate, but nothing to schedule a day around yet. And so far, I have not seen one gull this spring, an unusual situation by March 9 on the Mississippi River. My Sunday count of 25 gadwalls from several spots in Winona County is down from last week's 42. Two GREATER SCAUP and two COOTS remain on Lake Winona. In birding-related traffic news: I scrunched busted my passenger side rearview mirror against a very solid, immovable sign post along state Highway 74 in Whitewater Valley. And you'll love this: It happened as I leaned forward to eyeball a hawk soaring from left to right. My trusty 1991 Nissan pickup veered slightly off track, got caught up in the snow on the shoulder, and slid alongside the sign post (which didn't have a sign attached). I was traveling about 15 mph (tailgaters hate me), but the heavy gauge post and snow sucked me in. I need a new mirror and slight readjustment so my passenger side door opens all the way, but all-in-all, I escaped unscathed to bird another two hours in the vehicle that won't take no for an answer! By the way, the bird was an IMM. RED-TAILED HAWK. Regards, Jeff Dankert 908 Parks Ave Apt 158 Winona MN 55987-5330 (507) 454-0033 renohawk@hbci.com From smithville4@msn.com Mon Mar 10 14:46:05 2003 From: smithville4@msn.com (Michael Hendrickson) Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 08:46:05 -0600 Subject: [mou] Owl web page Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0035_01C2E6E1.7CCDFE20 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi: Hey if you want to visit a neat owl site and read what owls are being = heard in northern Minnesota visit Bill Lane's web site = www.boreal.org/~owlman/ =20 He has a journal that takes you with him as he surveys for owls. Bill = has heard so far a Boreal Owl and a Great Grey Owl during his surveys. = I think he just started his surveys recently. =20 Mike Hendrickson ------=_NextPart_000_0035_01C2E6E1.7CCDFE20 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Hi:

Hey if you want to visit a neat owl site and read what owls are = being heard=20 in northern Minnesota visit Bill Lane's web site www.boreal.org/~owlman/ =

He has a journal that takes you with him as he surveys for = owls. Bill=20 has heard so far a Boreal Owl and a Great Grey Owl during his = surveys. I=20 think he just started his surveys recently.

Mike Hendrickson

------=_NextPart_000_0035_01C2E6E1.7CCDFE20-- From etbell@attbi.com Mon Mar 10 15:52:21 2003 From: etbell@attbi.com (etbell@attbi.com) Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 15:52:21 +0000 Subject: [mou] Sparrows Message-ID: <20030310155131.9488435B91@biosci.cbs.umn.edu> Sunday, March 9, we had a Fox Sparrow looking for seeds under one of our feeders on Grey Cloud Island, SW corner of Washington County. Had not seen one during previous days, so it came from someplace else. Banded a White-throated Sparrow on Friday, March 7, at Carpenter Nature Center on the St.Croix River. Tom Bell From JEBonkoski@aol.com Mon Mar 10 19:01:10 2003 From: JEBonkoski@aol.com (JEBonkoski@aol.com) Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 14:01:10 EST Subject: [mou] Long-tailed Duck Message-ID: <17f.17bb1449.2b9e3af6@aol.com> --part1_17f.17bb1449.2b9e3af6_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bob Janssen and I saw the Long-tailed Duck at Lock & Dam # 3 this morning about 10:30 AM. The duck was associating with Common Goldeneyes just above the dam. We also stopped and saw the Band-tailed Pigeon at the Tressel's. --part1_17f.17bb1449.2b9e3af6_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Bob Janssen and I saw the Long-tailed Duck at Lock &am= p; Dam # 3 this morning about 10:30 AM. The duck was associating with=20= Common Goldeneyes just above the dam. We also stopped and saw the Band= -tailed Pigeon at the Tressel's. --part1_17f.17bb1449.2b9e3af6_boundary-- From Avocet13@cs.com Tue Mar 11 02:31:57 2003 From: Avocet13@cs.com (Avocet13@cs.com) Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 21:31:57 EST Subject: [mou] a car designed for birders Message-ID: <63.19a99528.2b9ea49d@cs.com> Howdy all, I have to put my two cents in on this one also. I thought for some time about my next vehicle, considering birding from it among other things and am very pleased with my Jeep Wrangler. Aside from the mileage it is a great birding vehicle. Four-wheel drive to get about anywhere. Very tight turning radius. High clearance. Small to fit some places larger vehicles cant. Flat front windshield ( no bowed vision ). High visibility especially when the weather is nice. Having the top off is awesome. And actually it stays plenty warm in the winter. I have a soft top but real doors with windows. And yes Air and Cruise for the longer trips. It is a bit of a stiff ride but they have come a long way. The soft top does have it's downfalls with security though. The only thing I enjoy birding more from is my Harley :-) ...... Blaine Seeliger Avocet13@cs.com In a message dated 3/7/03 9:46:34 AM Pacific Standard Time, mikee@cadence.com writes: << I've had the pleasure of driving my sister's gas/electric hybrid Toyota Prius this past week. Its so cool that I just had to tell somebody about it. Birding features: 1. 40-50 mpg. Save money on long bird chasing drives. 2. To my knowledge it's the only car you can get in MN which meets the California SULEV standard (super ultra low emission). Minimize adding to greenhouse gases which has the potential for dangerous changes in habitat, food sources, migration patterns, etc. 3. Large windows, front and back for viewing and for holding most large scope window mounts. 4. Now, for the coolest birding feature: when you pull over and stop at side of the road, the gas engine automatically shuts off-no noise, smells, or vibration to disrupt your viewing. Then, when you want to pull ahead a little for a different viewing angle, the electric motor silently moves the car-no ignition noise to scare those skittish shorebirds. Only when you push harder on the accelerator does the gas engine automatically start up for more power. As long as you move under 20 mph (depending terrain) and don't accelerate too much, the gas engine stays off. You can run on just the electric motor for quite awhile with no engine noise to interfere with hearing what's singing along the roadside. Mike Engh Wayzata From dwassme1@tampabay.rr.com Tue Mar 11 02:44:11 2003 From: dwassme1@tampabay.rr.com (DWassme1) Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 21:44:11 -0500 Subject: [mou] Gyrfalcon at Superior Wisconsin Landfill on Sunday Morning Message-ID: <016401c2e778$1b8f1990$0401a8c0@20plex> Sunday 08mar03 - We arrived at the grain elevator area of Duluth about 7:00 am (-10F/-30F wind chill factor), and searched for raptors for about an hour. None were observed, and we headed to Superior to check out Wisconsin Point and the landfill. The only birds we observed at Wisconsin Point and along the two other Lake Superior access points were Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches. However, upon our 8:30 am arrival at the landfill, we were pleasantly surprised. Despite the temperature's rapid rise, it was too cold (5 F in downtown Superior) for us to climb the hills, so we birded from the car. There were a lot of active Common Ravens, American Crows, and European Starlings. Soon, we observed an adult Bald Eagle fly over the landfill area and stir up the birds. Then we saw a light-morph Rough-legged hawk hunt the area. About 9:00 am, an adult grey-morph Gyrfalcon flew across the landfill from left to right and directly in front of us. Its appearance caused all of the birds to scatter, and the starlings (about 100) headed to the right (west?) from the left mound and began to climb at about a 35-40 degree angle in a tight flock. The Gyrfalcon continued on a level plane until it was over the center of the right-hand hill, and then it performed an amazing feat. It climbed nearly vertically about 100-150 ft and easily closed on the "escaping" flock of starlings from below and slightly behind (in about 2-3 seconds), and grabbed one as it shot through the flock. The starling appeared to be about 1/3 the size of the Gyrfalcon, which turned toward us and the lake. We had very satisfying views as the Gyrfalcon flew over our car at an altitude of about 100 ft, carrying the starling to the nearby woods. We then observed a juvenile Bald Eagle hunt the landfill, and then a Northern Goshawk coursed over at a high altitude and the turned back and crossed over at a lower altitude. The 4 species of Gulls (Thayer's, Glaucous, Iceland, and Herring) showed up about 9:45, and were on the wing most of the time until our departure, allowing excellent study. About 10:15 am, the Gyrfalcon made another pass (right to left) over the landfill, but was unsuccessful in capturing a starling in a "straight-ahead" attack. It passed out of sight only to return again about 10:30 am, again passing over the landfill left to right, and using the same maneuver to capture a starling from below and behind. This one was carried off to the west. We can see why European Kings used this bird to hunt! About 11:00 am, a van-load of birders from Lacrosse, Wisconsin showed up. They saw the gulls, another adult Bald Eagle, and another Rough-legged hawk, but the Gyrfalcon did now shown up again by the time we left at 12:30. Four hours at the landfill had provided us with an excellent show, and some pretty good birding. The Gyrfalcon was a lower 48 states record for us, and only the third we have seen. The Iceland gull was our second record, as was the Glaucous Gull - also a lower 48 record. We'll post a full trip report later. Since the Gryfalcon has not been reported for a few days, and not from this site, we thought that you Minnesota Birders might want to see this report today. Doug Wassmer & Lilian Saul Tampa, Florida (hot & muggy) Dwassme1@tampabay.rr.com From Den@Strepera.com Tue Mar 11 01:11:49 2003 From: Den@Strepera.com (Den Henrickson) Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 19:11:49 -0600 Subject: [mou] a car designed for birders Message-ID: <2.1-5077143-362-B-OEWW@sendmail1.vmind.com> I also own a Jeep Wrangler and second everything Blaine said (including poor mileage). I have a hard top which I remove in the summer. It's great for slow driving on backroads. The visibility is great and you can also look up with binocs. One birding feature I never considered when I bought it was using the cd player for playing bird cds. I often take late night trips with owl call cds. Den Henrickson Avocet13@cs.com wrote: > From: Avocet13@cs.com > Subject: Re: [mou] a car designed for birders > To: mikee@cadence.com > Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 21:31:57 EST > > Howdy all, > > I have to put my two cents in on this one also. I thought for some time > about my next vehicle, considering birding from it among other things > and am > very pleased with my Jeep Wrangler. Aside from the mileage it is a great > birding vehicle. > > Four-wheel drive to get about anywhere. > Very tight turning radius. > High clearance. > Small to fit some places larger vehicles cant. > Flat front windshield ( no bowed vision ). > High visibility especially when the weather is nice. Having the top off is > awesome. > > And actually it stays plenty warm in the winter. I have a soft top but real > doors with windows. And yes Air and Cruise for the longer trips. It is > a bit > of a stiff ride but they have come a long way. The soft top does have it's > downfalls with security though. > > The only thing I enjoy birding more from is my Harley :-) ...... > > Blaine Seeliger > Avocet13@cs.com > > In a message dated 3/7/03 9:46:34 AM Pacific Standard Time, > mikee@cadence.com > writes: > > << I've had the pleasure of driving my sister's gas/electric hybrid Toyota > Prius this past week. Its so cool that I just had to tell somebody about it. > > > > Birding features: > > 1. 40-50 mpg. Save money on long bird chasing drives. > > 2. To my knowledge it's the only car you can get in MN which meets the > California SULEV standard (super ultra low emission). Minimize adding to > greenhouse gases which has the potential for dangerous changes in habitat, > food sources, migration patterns, etc. > > 3. Large windows, front and back for viewing and for holding most large > scope window mounts. > > 4. Now, for the coolest birding feature: when you pull over and stop > at side > of the road, the gas engine automatically shuts off-no noise, smells, or > vibration to disrupt your viewing. Then, when you want to pull ahead a > little > for a different viewing angle, the electric motor silently moves the car-no > ignition noise to scare those skittish shorebirds. Only when you push > harder > on the accelerator does the gas engine automatically start up for more > power. > As long as you move under 20 mph (depending terrain) and don't > accelerate too > much, the gas engine stays off. You can run on just the electric motor for > quite awhile with no engine noise to interfere with hearing what's singing > along the roadside. > > > > Mike Engh > > Wayzata > _______________________________________________ > mou-net mailing list > mou-net@cbs.umn.edu > http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net From connyb@mycidco.com Tue Mar 11 14:50:26 2003 From: connyb@mycidco.com (connyb) Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 14:50:26 Subject: [mou] Goodhue Co Birding Message-ID: This morning with the blue sky, and promise of an above freezing day my boots were full of gotta go, and I was out the door, and at Prairie Island Lock and Dam #3 by 10:00. I was greeted with the rattle of a Belted Kingfisher going from limb to limb along the edges of the little water open along the shoreline on the right. Just above the Dam the Long-tailed Duck was still there with 3 Male Goldeneyes just floating along tucked in, taking a few minutes to preen occasionally. It was a beautiful Winter Adult Male minus the longtail, those white feathers across his back just glistened in the sunlight, as did the orange in the bill. In the open water farther up stream out quite away (scope needed) besides a ton of Common Mergansers, Mallards, and Canada Geese there were a pair of Blackducks, M Hooded Merganser, F Bufflehead, Coot, Gadwalls, and a M Scaup that spent so much time diving I could not tell which kind it was. On Sturgeon Lake Road just after you turn off County 18 Blvd that huge nest on the right across from the A/C Express Gas Station has an Eagle nesting. Along Goodhue Co 18, I saw 5 Rough-legged Hawks soaring out over the fields, and perched on the side of the road. There was a Imm. Sharp-shined Hawk t'd up on a pole, and with the wide shoulders it's easy to hop out and set up a scope. There were numerous Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, and Horned Larks everywhere. Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty connyb@mycidco.com From stauf007@tc.umn.edu Tue Mar 11 23:45:47 2003 From: stauf007@tc.umn.edu (William and Ruth Stauffer) Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 17:45:47 -0600 Subject: [mou] Hyland Hills Red-shouldered Hawk is back. Message-ID: Earlier this afternoon, I came across a beautiful, adult-plummeged Red-Shouldered Hawk along West Bush Lake Road, just below the entrance to West Bush Lake Park[in Bloomington]. The bird flew off, just after I stopped, in the direction of the junction of East and West Bush Lake Roads. There was a pair nesting in this area last year. Bill Stauffer From EgretCMan@aol.com Wed Mar 12 01:18:40 2003 From: EgretCMan@aol.com (EgretCMan@aol.com) Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 20:18:40 EST Subject: [mou] Renville County - 3/10/03 - Eurasian Collared Dove Message-ID: --part1_ca.194bd9fb.2b9fe4f0_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I am resending this message, do to the fact that I have not received a copy=20 from this list serve yet and want to make sure I have the correct address. =20 So pardon me if you receive this message in duplicate!! Craig =20 3/10/03 Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter Renville County Birding Day Field Trip Report 5 Participants 30 Species observed While leading a field trip for MRVAC, our group refound one of the Eurasian=20 Collared Doves. =A0 Which have been reported in the town of Renville off and= on=20 for about a year now. =A0 The Bird was first observed by Fr. Tom, sitting in= a=20 tree just north of the railroad tracks near the grain elevator. =A0 The bird= =20 was also observed dropping down and apparently feeding on the tracks. =A0 Bu= t=20 we were unable to confirm this from our location. =A0 To reach this location= =20 from Hyw 212 in the town of Renville, go North on Main Street N, to Railroad= =20 Street and turn Right. =A0 The bird was observed one block East of this=20 intersection and North of the tracks. =A0 It may also be possible to walk al= ong=20 the railroad tracks to get a better view of this location. =A0 Other notes o= f=20 interest were the large numbers of Horned Larks. =A0 We counted over 600 in=20 Renville County alone, with only half our time spent in habitat for Horned=20 Larks. =A0 There were also 100s of Lapland Longspurs and a few Snow Buntings= =20 along the Sibley and Renville County line road. =A0 We also observed many=20 Ring-necked Pheasants and Wild Turkeys. =A0 With the snow pushing the Pheasa= nts=20 out near the roads, it would be a great time to head SW in search of=20 Pheasants and Partridge for your county lists. =A0 Maybe even the elusive=20 Bobwhite's in Houston County. =A0 Here is a partial list of the species foun= d=20 by the group: All the following species were observed in Renville County.=20 @ Bald Eagle - along CR 15 @ Rough-legged Hawk - both light and dark phase birds were observed @ Wild Turkey - along CR 15 @ Eurasian Collared Dove - Town of Renville @ Red-bellied Woodpecker @ Northern Shrike - One bird was observed on the S side of Hyw 19 just east=20 of Morton. @ Horned Lark -=A0 688 birds observed @ Lapland Longspur @ Snow Bunting - observed in 4 townships @ Dark-eyed Junco - numerous flocks observed along CR 15 --part1_ca.194bd9fb.2b9fe4f0_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I am resending this message, do to the fact that I hav= e not received a copy from this list serve yet and want to make sure I have=20= the correct address. So pardon me if you receive this message in dupli= cate!! Craig

3/10/03

Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter
Renville County Birding Day
Field Trip Report

5 Participants
30 Species observed

While leading a field trip for MRVAC, our group refound one of the Eurasian=20= Collared Doves. =A0 Which have been reported in the town of Renville off and= on for about a year now. =A0 The Bird was first observed by Fr. Tom, sittin= g in a tree just north of the railroad tracks near the grain elevator. =A0 T= he bird was also observed dropping down and apparently feeding on the tracks= . =A0 But we were unable to confirm this from our location. =A0 To reach thi= s location from Hyw 212 in the town of Renville, go North on Main Street N,=20= to Railroad Street and turn Right. =A0 The bird was observed one block East=20= of this intersection and North of the tracks. =A0 It may also be possible to= walk along the railroad tracks to get a better view of this location. =A0 O= ther notes of interest were the large numbers of Horned Larks. =A0 We counte= d over 600 in Renville County alone, with only half our time spent in habita= t for Horned Larks. =A0 There were also 100s of Lapland Longspurs and a few=20= Snow Buntings along the Sibley and Renville County line road. =A0 We also ob= served many Ring-necked Pheasants and Wild Turkeys. =A0 With the snow pushin= g the Pheasants out near the roads, it would be a great time to head SW in s= earch of Pheasants and Partridge for your county lists. =A0 Maybe even the e= lusive Bobwhite's in Houston County. =A0 Here is a partial list of the speci= es found by the group:

All the following species were observed in Renville County.

@ Bald Eagle - along CR 15
@ Rough-legged Hawk - both light and dark phase birds were observed
@ Wild Turkey - along CR 15
@ Eurasian Collared Dove - Town of Renville
@ Red-bellied Woodpecker
@ Northern Shrike - One bird was observed on the S side of Hyw 19 just east=20= of Morton.
@ Horned Lark -=A0 688 birds observed
@ Lapland Longspur
@ Snow Bunting - observed in 4 townships
@ Dark-eyed Junco - numerous flocks observed along CR 15
--part1_ca.194bd9fb.2b9fe4f0_boundary-- From gbauer@carleton.edu Wed Mar 12 03:57:07 2003 From: gbauer@carleton.edu (Gene Bauer) Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 21:57:07 -0600 Subject: [mou] Back issues of North American Birds Message-ID: It's March and I'm deep into spring house cleaning. I have a complete set of "North American Birds" from June 1973 that I would love to avoid throwing into Waste Management's recycling bin. If you or anyone you know could use any or all of them, please get in touch ASAP. You would have to pick them up - I am in Northfield - but they are boxed (in five Louis Jadot, Macon Villages boxes, themselves a real treat!) and I would even help you load them. Thanks, Gene Bauer From dbmartin@skypoint.com Wed Mar 12 04:42:21 2003 From: dbmartin@skypoint.com (Dennis/Barbara Martin) Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 22:42:21 -0600 Subject: [mou] Back issues of North American Birds References: Message-ID: <001601c2e851$c6142840$4c2e56c7@oemcomputer> Why not donate them to the MOU book sale. This annual book sale is held at the paper session and as I am sure you noticed in the MOU newsletter has become a regular source of funding for the MOU. But it is only good for funding if we receive donated books and certain magazines. We pick up items throughout the year all over the state. Last year we were in 70 counties birding and picked up books in a lot of counties. We picked up the first last year in April and the last in December. As we travel more in the spring and summer now is the time to let us know about your donations. We were able to get a few bucks for some past copies of American Birds last year and I am sure that there are other buyers interested in such an item. Our time and mileage is completely donated so we try and make pickups when we are in areas birding but we have been willing to make special birding trips that allowed us to pick up items when they needed to be picked up. Please e-mail us directly or give us a call with your donations. Dennis and Barbara Martin dbmartin@skypoint.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gene Bauer" To: "MOU-NET" Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 9:57 PM Subject: [mou] Back issues of North American Birds > It's March and I'm deep into spring house cleaning. > > I have a complete set of "North American Birds" from June 1973 that I would > love to avoid throwing into Waste Management's recycling bin. > > If you or anyone you know could use any or all of them, please get in touch > ASAP. You would have to pick them up - I am in Northfield - but they are > boxed (in five Louis Jadot, Macon Villages boxes, themselves a real treat!) > and I would even help you load them. > > Thanks, > > Gene Bauer > > > _______________________________________________ > mou-net mailing list > mou-net@cbs.umn.edu > http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net > From fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us Wed Mar 12 17:39:31 2003 From: fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us (fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us) Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 11:39:31 -0600 Subject: [mou] conservation Message-ID: Many MOU members stated strong opinions to me re. oil drilling in the ANWR. Those individuals may be interested in reading the statement below. It comes from Scott Hed of the Alaska Coalition. Randy Frederickson Conservation Com. >Please read the following alert and news article regarding the >last-minute arm-twisting that is going on to secure pro-drilling votes >in the Senate. > >Coleman is specifically listed as one of a few Senators that the White >House is pressuring to change their position. > >WE CANNOT LET HIM OFF THE HOOK! He has stated numerous times in the >press and in countless letters back to constituents that he remains >opposed to drilling in the Arctic Refuge. Now he'll have the chance to >prove it in his first vote on the issue, which is likely less than a >week away. > >Make the call yourself and ask your friends, family, and colleagues to >do the same. This is extremely important. > >Coleman's office numbers: > 202-224-5641 DC > 651-645-0323 St. Paul > >Scott Hed >Plains, Prairie & Northland Organizer >Alaska Coalition > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Deborah L. Williams [mailto:dwilliams@akcf.org] >Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 7:56 PM >Subject: Arctic Refuge At Risk!!! >Importance: High > >Dear Friends of the Arctic Refuge, > >The Refuge needs your help!! This is VERY serious. > >As you may know, the conservation community has been preparing for a >vote on the future of the Arctic Refuge in the context of the Budget >Resolution process. This is a very inappropriate legislative vehicle to >address the Arctic Refuge, and is being used by the Administration and >others because it is a stealth tactic and because the budget resolution >cannot be filibustered in the Senate. > >The time for this vote is drawing near -- we expect it to occur next >Tuesday or Wednesday. > >Today, an e-mail, apparently from Senator Frist's office, said that the >pro-drilling advocates had 49 votes, and were working hard to get the >last vote. (They only need 50 to win.) > >We do not believe that they have 49 votes, but it is clear that we must >immediately communicate with all Senators -- especially Senator Pryor >(ARK), Coleman (MN), Smith (ORE), Specter (PA), and Lugar (IND) -- to >let them know that: > > -Our nation's extraordinary, irreplaceable Arctic National >Wildlife Refuge must not be destroyed for a mere 6 month's of oil, that >will not be available for 10 years; > --Congress should not, under any circumstances, put an issue as >important as the Arctic Refuge on a budget bill; > --Just last week the nation's leading scientists in a Report >ordered by Congress unanimously agreed that the cumulative impacts from >drilling in other parts of Alaska's North Slope have been significant >and adverse. > >I am attaching an AP story -- hot off the press -- that describes the >Frist e-mail in more detail. > >This Senate vote is ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL. We cannot lose it. The Refuge >is truly at stake. Please call or e-mail your senators today and ask >them to oppose including any Arctic Refuge drilling provision in the >Budget Resolution, and please pass on this e-mail to friends and others >and ask them to call their senators too. > >Thank you, >Deborah > > > > >Bush Closer to Drilling in Arctic Refuge > >By H. JOSEF HEBERT >.c The Associated Press > >WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Republicans say they have moved to within a >single >vote of guaranteeing President Bush one of his top domestic priorities - > >opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. > >The issue could be decided as early as next week. > >An internal GOP memo that circulated Tuesday in the Senate expressed >confidence that 49 senators now plan to vote for drilling in the refuge, > >starting a scramble in search of the remaining lawmaker who would be >needed >to get the provision through as part of a budget measure. > >``Dick Cheney has been working madly to secure the 50th (vote),'' said >the >staff memo developed in the offices of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist >of >Tennessee and Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. > >The House is expected to have enough votes to pass the drilling >provision, >but House leaders are reluctant to take up the issue - and expose some >lawmakers to the politically sensitive vote - unless the Senate takes >the >lead, congressional sources said. > >The matter could be decided by one of four senators - two Republicans >and two >Democrats - who have been leaning toward the anti-drilling camp, but who >GOP >leaders believe might be persuaded to shift sides, said sources from >both >parties speaking on condition of anonymity. > >The sources said Democratic Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, both >of >Arkansas, Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and freshman Sen. Norm Coleman, >R-Minn., >have been subjected to intense behind-the-scenes lobbying to join the >pro-drilling side. > >A spokeswoman for Coleman - who succeeded the late Paul Wellstone, a >strong >critic of drilling in the refuge - said she could not comment on the >memo or >Coleman's views on the refuge. Spokesmen for the other three could not >be >reached Tuesday evening. > >Singling out Coleman, Lincoln and Pryor by name, the GOP memo said, ``We >need >to get calls in to those offices from constituents, and fast.'' > >Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Gale Norton called a half dozen interest >groups >- including farming and union interests - to her office and urged them >to go >to Capitol Hill and ``knock on doors and help sell the message'' on >Arctic >drilling to fence-sitting senators. > >Development of the millions of barrels of oil believed to be under the >coastal plain of the refuge in the far northeastern corner of Alaska has >been >at the core of Bush's energy agenda. > >On the other hand, protecting the 100-mile-long sliver of tundra has >been an >obsession for environmentalists who insist that drilling will destroy >its >value as a sanctuary for polar bears, musk oxen, caribou and migratory >birds. > >Norton, in testimony before a House committee Wednesday, will reiterate >that >the refuge's oil can be developed ``while protecting the environmental >values >we all hold dear.'' In her prepared testimony, she calls the refuge's >coastal >plain ``the single greatest prospect for onshore oil and gas development > >anyplace in the United States'' and says its development is essential >for >national security. > >In the last Congress, the House approved drilling in the refuge, but the > >issue died in the Senate. Democrats, led by presidential aspirants Sens. >Joe >Lieberman of Connecticut and John Kerry of Massachusetts, vowed to >filibuster >any drilling proposal, meaning supporters would need 60 votes to get the > >measure passed. > >Now that Republicans control the Senate, drilling advocates are >maneuvering >to include the provision in a budget resolution that is not subject to >filibuster. Once in the resolution, it will take drilling opponents 51 >votes >to get it out. Such a maneuver succeeded in getting the drilling >approved by >Congress in 1995, but President Clinton vetoed it. > >The Senate Budget Committee was expected to approve a resolution, >including a >drilling provision, this week. Senate floor debate is expected to begin >next >week and wrap up in April. Frist ``has called for accounting of 50 votes >by >Wednesday,'' said the GOP staff memo. ``Today we have 49.'' > From Paul.Budde@us.benfieldgroup.com Wed Mar 12 17:09:11 2003 From: Paul.Budde@us.benfieldgroup.com (Paul Budde) Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 11:09:11 -0600 Subject: [mou] ANWR Drilling and Senator Coleman Message-ID: This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand this format, some or all of this message may not be legible. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2E8BA.19FF7B90 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >From www.CNN.com today - Bush needs only one more vote, and Coleman is under intense pressure to be that one... Paul Paul Budde Minneapolis ------------ WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans say they have moved to within a single vote of guaranteeing President Bush one of his top domestic priorities -- opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. The issue could be decided as early as next week. An internal GOP memo that circulated Tuesday in the Senate expressed confidence that 49 senators now plan to vote for drilling in the refuge, starting a scramble in search of the remaining lawmaker who would be needed to get the provision through as part of a budget measure. "Dick Cheney has been working madly to secure the 50th (vote)," said the staff memo developed in the offices of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee and Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. The House is expected to have enough votes to pass the drilling provision, but House leaders are reluctant to take up the issue -- and expose some lawmakers to the politically sensitive vote -- unless the Senate takes the lead, congressional sources said. The matter could be decided by one of four senators -- two Republicans and two Democrats -- who have been leaning toward the anti-drilling camp, but who GOP leaders believe might be persuaded to shift sides, said sources from both parties speaking on condition of anonymity. The sources said Democratic Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, both of Arkansas, Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Oregon, and freshman Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minnesota, have been subjected to intense behind-the-scenes lobbying to join the pro-drilling side. A spokeswoman for Coleman -- who succeeded the late Paul Wellstone, a strong critic of drilling in the refuge -- said she could not comment on the memo or Coleman's views on the refuge. Spokesmen for the other three could not be reached Tuesday evening. Singling out Coleman, Lincoln and Pryor by name, the GOP memo said, "We need to get calls in to those offices from constituents, and fast" ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2E8BA.19FF7B90 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable ANWR Drilling and Senator Coleman

From www.CNN.com today - Bush needs only one more = vote, and Coleman is under intense pressure to be that one...

Paul

Paul Budde
Minneapolis
------------

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans say they have = moved to within a single vote of guaranteeing President Bush one of his = top domestic priorities -- opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge = to oil drilling.

The issue could be decided as early as next week. =

An internal GOP memo that circulated Tuesday in the = Senate expressed confidence that 49 senators now plan to vote for = drilling in the refuge, starting a scramble in search of the remaining = lawmaker who would be needed to get the provision through as part of a = budget measure.

"Dick Cheney has been working madly to secure = the 50th (vote)," said the staff memo developed in the offices of = Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee and Sen. Ted Stevens, = R-Alaska.

The House is expected to have enough votes to pass = the drilling provision, but House leaders are reluctant to take up the = issue -- and expose some lawmakers to the politically sensitive vote -- = unless the Senate takes the lead, congressional sources said. =

The matter could be decided by one of four senators = -- two Republicans and two Democrats -- who have been leaning toward = the anti-drilling camp, but who GOP leaders believe might be persuaded = to shift sides, said sources from both parties speaking on condition of = anonymity.

The sources said Democratic Sens. Blanche Lincoln and = Mark Pryor, both of Arkansas, Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Oregon, and freshman = Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minnesota, have been subjected to intense = behind-the-scenes lobbying to join the pro-drilling side.

A spokeswoman for Coleman -- who succeeded the late = Paul Wellstone, a strong critic of drilling in the refuge -- said she = could not comment on the memo or Coleman's views on the refuge. = Spokesmen for the other three could not be reached Tuesday evening. =

Singling out Coleman, Lincoln and Pryor by name, the = GOP memo said, "We need to get calls in to those offices from = constituents, and fast"

<snip>

------_=_NextPart_001_01C2E8BA.19FF7B90-- From wbruins@earthlink.net Wed Mar 12 17:48:19 2003 From: wbruins@earthlink.net (O. William Bruins) Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 11:48:19 -0600 Subject: [mou] Conservation Message-ID: <5.2.0.9.0.20030312114213.00ce0ba0@mail.earthlink.net> --=====================_2953578==.ALT Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Please take Art's words to heart, birds and trout can co-exist when birders are part of the discussion >Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 17:22:49 -0600 >From: Art >To: "Overcott, Art" >Subject: Fw: Coldwater Resources Planning Process >X-Mailer: Becky! ver. 2.05.01 > >Dear Birding folks we got this because of our ownership of land with a >prime trout stream on it. However because it is open to the public I >thought it would be a good idea to get as many birders at this sort of >thing as possible. Pass it on to any others who might be interested. >Art Overcott > >Forwarded by Art >----------------------- Original Message ----------------------- > From: Nancy Overcott > To: "Overcott, Art" > Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 17:21:27 -0600 > Subject: Fw: Coldwater Resources Planning Process >---- > >Dear Nancy & Art, >Please take a look at the enclosed invitation to our public open houses, >we would appreciate your attendance and hope you will share it with others >you know that share our concerns for our resources. > >Thank-you, >Steve Klotz >Lanesboro Area Fisheries > >--------------------- Original Message Ends -------------------- Here is the text of the attachment: Attention Stream Enthusiasts and Trout Anglers: Would you like to have a say in the future management of Southeast MN streams? DNR Fisheries is seeking input on a coldwater stream plan for southeastern Minnesota. This plan will determine how we will manage these fragile resources to provide quality fishing and clean water for many years to come. Your input is essential! WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!! Please plan to attend one of the following open houses: March 27 Elks Club 4540 Service Drive Winona March 26 Frontenac Sportsmens Community Center 30301 Territorial Road Frontenac April 1 Lanesboro High School Band Room 100 Kirkwood Street Lanesboro March 25 DNR Central Office Cafeteria 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul March 31 Heintz Center (Tech. College) 1926 Collegeview Drive SE Rochester For more details, contact: Lake City (651-345-3365) or Lanesboro (507-467-2442) Fisheries All open houses begin at 5:30 p.m. with a formal presentation and comment period beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bill Bruins MOU Cons. Cmte. member --=====================_2953578==.ALT Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Please take Art's words to heart, birds and trout can co-exist when birders are part of the discussion

Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2003 17:22:49 -0600
From: Art <bigwood2@acegroup.cc>
To: "Overcott, Art" <bigwood2@acegroup.cc>
Subject: Fw: Coldwater Resources Planning Process
X-Mailer: Becky! ver. 2.05.01

Dear Birding folks we got this because of our ownership of land with a prime trout stream on it. However because it is open to the public I thought it would be a good idea to get as many birders at this sort of thing as possible. Pass it on to any others who might be interested.
Art Overcott

Forwarded by Art <bigwood2@acegroup.cc>
----------------------- Original Message -----------------------
From:    Nancy Overcott <bigwoods@acegroup.cc>
To:      "Overcott, Art" <bigwood2@acegroup.cc>
Date:    Mon, 10 Mar 2003 17:21:27 -0600
Subject: Fw: Coldwater Resources Planning Process
----

Dear Nancy & Art,
Please take a look at the enclosed invitation to our public open houses, we would appreciate your attendance and hope you will share it with others you know that share our concerns for our resources.

Thank-you,
Steve Klotz
Lanesboro Area Fisheries

--------------------- Original Message Ends --------------------

Here is the text of the attachment:

Attention Stream Enthusiasts and Trout Anglers:
Would you like to have a say in the future management of Southeast MN streams?

DNR Fisheries is seeking input on a coldwater stream plan for southeastern Minnesota. This plan will determine how we will manage these fragile resources to provide quality fishing and clean water for many years to come.

Your input is essential!
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!

Please plan to attend one of the following open houses:
March 27
Elks Club
4540 Service Drive
Winona
March 26
Frontenac Sportsmens
Community Center
30301 Territorial Road
Frontenac
April 1
Lanesboro High School
Band Room
100 Kirkwood Street
Lanesboro
March 25
DNR Central Office
Cafeteria
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul
March 31
Heintz Center (Tech. College)
1926 Collegeview Drive SE
Rochester
For more details, contact: Lake City (651-345-3365) or Lanesboro (507-467-2442) Fisheries
All open houses begin at 5:30 p.m. with a formal presentation and comment period beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Bill Bruins
MOU Cons. Cmte. member
--=====================_2953578==.ALT-- From MMARTELL@audubon.org Wed Mar 12 19:51:08 2003 From: MMARTELL@audubon.org (MARTELL, Mark) Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 14:51:08 -0500 Subject: [mou] conservation Message-ID: It might be important to note that a rider is supposed to be attached to = the budget bill tomorrow (Thursday) that would allow drilling. The time to call Senator Coleman it TODAY!! Coleman's Washington D.C.phone number is 202-224-3121 and his district = number is 651-645-0323.=20 =20 You may call either office - he will get the message. Mark Martell Director of Bird Conservation Audubon Minnesota 2357 Ventura Drive #106 Woodbury, MN 55125 651/739-9332 -----Original Message----- From: fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us [mailto:fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us] Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 11:40 AM To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Subject: [mou] conservation Importance: High Many MOU members stated strong opinions to me re. oil drilling in the = ANWR. Those individuals may be interested in reading the statement below. It comes from Scott Hed of the Alaska Coalition. Randy Frederickson Conservation Com. >Please read the following alert and news article regarding the >last-minute arm-twisting that is going on to secure pro-drilling votes >in the Senate. > >Coleman is specifically listed as one of a few Senators that the White >House is pressuring to change their position. > >WE CANNOT LET HIM OFF THE HOOK! He has stated numerous times in the >press and in countless letters back to constituents that he remains >opposed to drilling in the Arctic Refuge. Now he'll have the chance to >prove it in his first vote on the issue, which is likely less than a >week away. > >Make the call yourself and ask your friends, family, and colleagues to >do the same. This is extremely important. > >Coleman's office numbers: > 202-224-5641 DC > 651-645-0323 St. Paul > >Scott Hed >Plains, Prairie & Northland Organizer >Alaska Coalition > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Deborah L. Williams [mailto:dwilliams@akcf.org] >Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 7:56 PM >Subject: Arctic Refuge At Risk!!! >Importance: High > >Dear Friends of the Arctic Refuge, > >The Refuge needs your help!! This is VERY serious. > >As you may know, the conservation community has been preparing for a >vote on the future of the Arctic Refuge in the context of the Budget >Resolution process. This is a very inappropriate legislative vehicle = to >address the Arctic Refuge, and is being used by the Administration and >others because it is a stealth tactic and because the budget resolution >cannot be filibustered in the Senate. > >The time for this vote is drawing near -- we expect it to occur next >Tuesday or Wednesday. > >Today, an e-mail, apparently from Senator Frist's office, said that the >pro-drilling advocates had 49 votes, and were working hard to get the >last vote. (They only need 50 to win.) > >We do not believe that they have 49 votes, but it is clear that we must >immediately communicate with all Senators -- especially Senator Pryor >(ARK), Coleman (MN), Smith (ORE), Specter (PA), and Lugar (IND) -- to >let them know that: > > -Our nation's extraordinary, irreplaceable Arctic National >Wildlife Refuge must not be destroyed for a mere 6 month's of oil, that >will not be available for 10 years; > --Congress should not, under any circumstances, put an issue as >important as the Arctic Refuge on a budget bill; > --Just last week the nation's leading scientists in a Report >ordered by Congress unanimously agreed that the cumulative impacts from >drilling in other parts of Alaska's North Slope have been significant >and adverse. > >I am attaching an AP story -- hot off the press -- that describes the >Frist e-mail in more detail. > >This Senate vote is ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL. We cannot lose it. The Refuge >is truly at stake. Please call or e-mail your senators today and ask >them to oppose including any Arctic Refuge drilling provision in the >Budget Resolution, and please pass on this e-mail to friends and others >and ask them to call their senators too. > >Thank you, >Deborah > > > > >Bush Closer to Drilling in Arctic Refuge > >By H. JOSEF HEBERT >.c The Associated Press > >WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Republicans say they have moved to within a >single >vote of guaranteeing President Bush one of his top domestic priorities = - > >opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. > >The issue could be decided as early as next week. > >An internal GOP memo that circulated Tuesday in the Senate expressed >confidence that 49 senators now plan to vote for drilling in the = refuge, > >starting a scramble in search of the remaining lawmaker who would be >needed >to get the provision through as part of a budget measure. > >``Dick Cheney has been working madly to secure the 50th (vote),'' said >the >staff memo developed in the offices of Senate Majority Leader Bill = Frist >of >Tennessee and Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. > >The House is expected to have enough votes to pass the drilling >provision, >but House leaders are reluctant to take up the issue - and expose some >lawmakers to the politically sensitive vote - unless the Senate takes >the >lead, congressional sources said. > >The matter could be decided by one of four senators - two Republicans >and two >Democrats - who have been leaning toward the anti-drilling camp, but = who >GOP >leaders believe might be persuaded to shift sides, said sources from >both >parties speaking on condition of anonymity. > >The sources said Democratic Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, both >of >Arkansas, Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and freshman Sen. Norm Coleman, >R-Minn., >have been subjected to intense behind-the-scenes lobbying to join the >pro-drilling side. > >A spokeswoman for Coleman - who succeeded the late Paul Wellstone, a >strong >critic of drilling in the refuge - said she could not comment on the >memo or >Coleman's views on the refuge. Spokesmen for the other three could not >be >reached Tuesday evening. > >Singling out Coleman, Lincoln and Pryor by name, the GOP memo said, = ``We >need >to get calls in to those offices from constituents, and fast.'' > >Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Gale Norton called a half dozen interest >groups >- including farming and union interests - to her office and urged them >to go >to Capitol Hill and ``knock on doors and help sell the message'' on >Arctic >drilling to fence-sitting senators. > >Development of the millions of barrels of oil believed to be under the >coastal plain of the refuge in the far northeastern corner of Alaska = has >been >at the core of Bush's energy agenda. > >On the other hand, protecting the 100-mile-long sliver of tundra has >been an >obsession for environmentalists who insist that drilling will destroy >its >value as a sanctuary for polar bears, musk oxen, caribou and migratory >birds. > >Norton, in testimony before a House committee Wednesday, will reiterate >that >the refuge's oil can be developed ``while protecting the environmental >values >we all hold dear.'' In her prepared testimony, she calls the refuge's >coastal >plain ``the single greatest prospect for onshore oil and gas = development > >anyplace in the United States'' and says its development is essential >for >national security. > >In the last Congress, the House approved drilling in the refuge, but = the > >issue died in the Senate. Democrats, led by presidential aspirants = Sens. >Joe >Lieberman of Connecticut and John Kerry of Massachusetts, vowed to >filibuster >any drilling proposal, meaning supporters would need 60 votes to get = the > >measure passed. > >Now that Republicans control the Senate, drilling advocates are >maneuvering >to include the provision in a budget resolution that is not subject to >filibuster. Once in the resolution, it will take drilling opponents 51 >votes >to get it out. Such a maneuver succeeded in getting the drilling >approved by >Congress in 1995, but President Clinton vetoed it. > >The Senate Budget Committee was expected to approve a resolution, >including a >drilling provision, this week. Senate floor debate is expected to begin >next >week and wrap up in April. Frist ``has called for accounting of 50 = votes >by >Wednesday,'' said the GOP staff memo. ``Today we have 49.'' > _______________________________________________ mou-net mailing list mou-net@cbs.umn.edu http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net From rmdbird@mn.rr.com Thu Mar 13 00:03:47 2003 From: rmdbird@mn.rr.com (Bob Dunlap) Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 18:03:47 -0600 Subject: [mou] EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE, Carver County Message-ID: <000c01c2e8f4$06433fd0$66c31941@MainComputer> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0009_01C2E8C1.BAD700E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable This afternoon around 4:30 I found a Eurasian Collared-Dove in the area = of New Germany in northwestern Carver County. The bird was perched on a = tree that overhung Yancy Ave. This spot is next to a farmhouse just = after the creek going south on Yancy from Hwy. 7. The bird showed an = obvious black collar on the hindneck, dark primaries contrasting with = the beige body, gray undertail coverts, black outer webs on the = undertail, and a contrasting white undertail. I happened to have my = digital camera with me at the time, and got some photos (one of them so = far has turned out quite well, showing the undertail). I realize this = may be the first record for this species north of the Minnesota River. -Bob Dunlap, Carver County ------=_NextPart_000_0009_01C2E8C1.BAD700E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

This afternoon around 4:30 I found a = Eurasian=20 Collared-Dove in the area of New Germany in northwestern Carver = County. =20 The bird was perched on a tree that overhung Yancy Ave. This spot = is next=20 to a farmhouse just after the creek going south on Yancy from Hwy. = 7. The=20 bird showed an obvious black collar on the hindneck, dark primaries = contrasting=20 with the beige body, gray undertail coverts, black outer webs on the = undertail,=20 and a contrasting white undertail. I happened to have my digital = camera=20 with me at the time, and got some photos (one of them so far has turned = out=20 quite well, showing the undertail). I realize this may be the = first record=20 for this species north of the Minnesota River.

-Bob Dunlap, Carver=20 County

------=_NextPart_000_0009_01C2E8C1.BAD700E0-- From renohawk@hbci.com Fri Mar 14 01:28:54 2003 From: renohawk@hbci.com (Jeff Dankert) Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 19:28:54 -0600 Subject: [mou] Ring-necked duck Message-ID: <000601c2e9c9$196ce360$912ca241@S0025943521> One ring-necked duck was in an open slough near Winona today. Also found 40 gadwalls, four lesser scaup and 190 robins. Still no gulls seen! Regards, Jeff Dankert 908 Parks Ave Apt 158 Winona MN 55987-5330 (507) 454-0033 renohawk@hbci.com From drbenson@cpinternet.com Fri Mar 14 01:44:47 2003 From: drbenson@cpinternet.com (David R. Benson) Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 19:44:47 -0600 Subject: [mou] Duluth RBA 3/13/03 Message-ID: A GYRFALCON was again seen in the Duluth/Superior area over the weekend. This bird does not seem to be favoring a particular location. It has been seen in the Port Terminal, in Canal Park, and at the Superior Landfill. Paul Schlick found a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE at the Grand Superior Lodge in Castle Danger on the 9th and 10th. The bird was in the company of a robin on the west side of the lodge. Karen Sussman reported a flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in the city of Virginia on the 9th at the corner of 3rd Ave and 3rd St North. Chris Benson reported a LONG-EARED OWL near the Grand Rapids airport on the 5th. The bird was in the woods along Lily Lane. He also heard a SAW-WHET OWL on Aitkin Cty Rd near the Hebron Cemetery on the 5th. A GREAT GRAY OWL was reported from Hwy 65 near Rice Lake Wildlife Refuge in Aitkin Cty on the 5th. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, March 20. The phone number for the Duluth Birding Report is (218) 728-5030, and callers can report bird sightings if they wish after the tone at the end of each tape. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street SE, Minneapolis MN 55455; or send an e-mail to mou@cbs.umn.edu; or visit the MOU web site at mou.mn.org. From ajjoppru@wiktel.com Fri Mar 14 03:58:44 2003 From: ajjoppru@wiktel.com (Jeanie Joppru) Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 21:58:44 -0600 Subject: [mou] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Friday, March 14, 2003 Message-ID: <000701c2e9de$0cac5fb0$873292ce@main> This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, March 14, 2003 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218) 847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. Finally, it seems that we are to get some spring-like weather- or at least a winter thaw! The balmy temperatures are forecast to continue throughout the weekend, so most of our snow will likely disappear. The bird reports sent in reveal that the birds that go by day length are coming back as usual. >From Ottertail County, Teresa Jaskiewicz reported two pairs of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS this week south of Fergus Falls just past the Pebble Lake golf course at the far end of the trailer park. The homeowner said that they have been there since the end of January, feeding on papaya- and no, I don't think the papaya is locally grown! There are SONG SPARROWS and HARRIS'S SPARROWS in the town of Elizabeth. Rick Gjervold found two pairs of MALLARDS on the open water near the northside dam in Moorhead, Clay County on Wednesday, March 12th. A Becker County report by Bea Purdy at Birchmere Resort included an EASTERN BLUEBIRD March 12th on County Road 31, 10 miles east of Detroit Lakes off Highway 34. AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS have been using the platform feeder at the resort daily for about three weeks now. Birchmere Resort is on Little Toad Lake. There was also a report of possible waxwings a few miles southwest of Detroit Lakes. Gladwyn Lynne found a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK on March 7th near the Wetland, Pines, and Prairies Audubon Sanctuary, and about 50 CEDAR WAXWINGS at the sanctuary in Polk County. Marshall County sightings from Gladwyn include a pair of NORTHERN CARDINALS which have overwintered in Warren, a NORTHERN FLICKER, and an AMERICAN ROBIN , all on March 9th. Shelley Steva heard a GREAT HORNED OWL in Pennington County on March 6th. I found an adult BALD EAGLE east of Thief River Falls on Friday , March 7th. The bird was perched in a tree in a farmyard near the intersection of 200th Ave NE and 180th St. NE. This is 6-8 miles east of Thief River Falls and one mile north of Highway 1. Also seen on Friday were numerous small groups of HORNED LARKS, and about 10 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES came to our feeder. =20 Finally Russell Reisz reported an AMERICAN ROBIN in Karlstad, Kittson County. He is also seeing SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, but not on the leks yet. Thanks to Teresa Jaskiewicz, Russell Reisz, Gladwyn Lynne, Bea Purdy, Rick Gjervold, Shelley Steva, and Greta Hauge for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@wiktel.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. When reporting by email please put "NW Bird Report" in the subject line of your message. The next scheduled update of this report is Friday, March 21, 2003. From axhertzel@sihope.com Fri Mar 14 04:53:51 2003 From: axhertzel@sihope.com (Anthony X. Hertzel) Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 22:53:51 -0600 Subject: [mou] MOU RBA 13 March 2003 Message-ID: --============_-1164504859==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" Hello, and welcome to the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. To leave a message for anyone at the MOU, press 2. Messages are retrieved each Tuesday and Friday. You can bypass the following weekly birding report and leave a sighting by pressing 1 at any time. This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 13th. A GYRFALCON was again seen in the Duluth-Superior area over the weekend. This bird is apparently difficult to find and has been seen in the Port Terminal, at Canal Park, and at the Superior Landfill. Paul Schlick reported a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE from the Grand Superior Lodge in Castle Danger, Lake County on the 10th. The bird was seen on the west side of the lodge. Also on the 10th, Craig Mandel relocated a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE which had been reported in the town of Renville in Renville County. It was found in a tree just north of the railroad tracks near the grain elevator. From U.S. Highway 212, go north on Main Street to Railroad Street and turn right. The bird was found one block east of this intersection and north of the tracks. On the 12th, Bob Dunlap found a Eurasian Collared-Dove near New Germany in northwestern Carver County. He found it perched on a tree along Yancy Avenue just beyond the creek that runs south from state highway 7. In Blue Earth, Faribault County, a VARIED THRUSH has been in Janet Williams' backyard since March 10th. And on the 7th, another Varied Thrush visited the feeders in Ann Grunke's back yard in South St. Cloud, Stearns County. Chris Benson heard a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL along Aitkin County Road 18 near the Hebron Cemetery on March 5th. A GREAT GRAY OWL was found along state highway 65 near the Rice Lake Wildlife Refuge in Aitkin County on the same day. Karen Sussman reported a flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in the town of Virginia, St. Louis Couty on the 9th at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street North. And finally, the female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was still at the levee in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County as recently as the 8th. And the BAND-TAILED PIGEON is still being seen near Hastings, Dakota County where it has been visiting the home of Hank and Carrol Tressel since late November. The Tressels live at 20240 Quentin Avenue East. 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 . 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. The MOU is pleased to offer this service. Thank you, and good birding. The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, March 20th. -- Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com --============_-1164504859==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" MOU RBA 13 March 2003

Hello, and welcome to the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. To leave a message for anyone at the MOU, press 2. Messages are retrieved each Tuesday and Friday. You can bypass the following weekly birding report and leave a sighting by pressing 1 at any time.

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 13th.

A GYRFALCON was again seen in the Duluth-Superior area over the weekend. This bird is apparently difficult to find and has been seen in the Port Terminal, at Canal Park, and at the Superior Landfill.

Paul Schlick reported a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE from the Grand Superior Lodge in Castle Danger, Lake County on the 10th. The bird was seen on the west side of the lodge.

Also on the 10th, Craig Mandel relocated a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE which had been reported in the town of Renville in Renville County. It was found in a tree just north of the railroad tracks near the grain elevator. From U.S. Highway 212, go north on Main Street to Railroad Street and turn right. The bird was found one block east of this intersection and north of the tracks. On the 12th, Bob Dunlap found a Eurasian Collared-Dove near New Germany in northwestern Carver County. He found it perched on a tree along Yancy Avenue just beyond the creek that runs south from state highway 7.

In Blue Earth, Faribault County, a VARIED THRUSH has been in Janet Williams' backyard since March 10th. And on the 7th, another Varied Thrush visited the feeders in Ann Grunke's back yard in South St. Cloud, Stearns County.

Chris Benson heard a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL along Aitkin County Road 18 near the Hebron Cemetery on March 5th. A GREAT GRAY OWL was found along state highway 65 near the Rice Lake Wildlife Refuge in Aitkin County on the same day.

Karen Sussman reported a flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in the town of Virginia, St. Louis Couty on the 9th at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street North.

And finally, the female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was still at the levee in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County as recently as the 8th. And the BAND-TAILED PIGEON is still being seen near Hastings, Dakota County where it has been visiting the home of Hank and Carrol Tressel since late November. The Tressels live at 20240 Quentin Avenue East.

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.

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

The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, March 20th.

--

Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com

--============_-1164504859==_ma============-- From donnnaji@k.ro Fri Mar 14 06:26:12 2003 From: donnnaji@k.ro (Dr Donald Nnaji) Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 20:26:12 -1000 Subject: [mou] *****SPAM***** Urgent Business Relationship Message-ID: <20030314062638.EBE7235AFF@biosci.cbs.umn.edu> Dear Sir=2C Request for Urgent Business Relationship TRANSFER OF US$30=2E5M AMERICAN DOLLARS INTO YOUR ACCOUNT I=2C on behalf of my colleagues from different Federal Government of Nigeria Parastatals=2C decided to solicit your assistance as regards the transfer of the above mentioned amount into your bank account=2E This fund accrued from the over-invoicing of various contracts awarded in my parastatal to certain foreign contractors some time ago=2E We=2C as holders of sensitive positions=2C in our various parastatals=2C were mandated by the Federal Government to scrutinize all payments made to certain foreign contractors and we discovered that some of the contracts they executed were grossly over-invoiced either by omission or commission=2E Also=2C we discovered that the sum of $35=2E5M =28THIRTY-FIVE MILLION=2C FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS ONLY=29 is lying in a suspense account=2C although the foreign contractors were fully paid their contract entitlements after executing the said contracts=2E We all agreed that the over-invoiced amount be transferred =28for our own use=29 into a foreign bank account provided by a trust worthy foreign partner=2C because we are Government workers and the civil service code of conduct does not allow us to operate our own foreign accounts=2E However=2C we have succeeded in transferring some of this over-invoiced money=2E Precisely $5=2E0M =28FIVE MILLION US DOLLARS ONLY=29 was transferred into a foreign account in MOROCCO =28North Africa=29 but the provider of the account in Morocco is up to some mischief and has refused to comply with the earlier mutual agreement by insisting that the total amount be paid to his account before disbursement will take effect=2E If for a meagre $5=2E0M =28FIVE MILLION US DOLLARS ONLY=29 we are not compensated=2C is it when the balance of $30=2E5M =28THIRTY-FIVE MILLION=2C FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS=29 is transferred that we will be sure of our full compensation=3F For some time now=2C this fellow has refused to contact us=2C and all efforts to reach him have failed so far=2E We cannot keep crying over this misfortune=2C but we have to forge ahead=2E We are therefore seeking your assistance so that the remaining amount of US$30=2E5M can be speedily processed and fully remitted into your nominated bank account=2E On successful remittance of the fund into your account=2C you will be compensated with 30% of the amount for your assistance and services=2C while 5% of the sum will be set aside to offset any expenditure that would be incurred by either of the parties in then course of execution=2E So far=2C much has been said due to our sensitive positions=2C we cannot afford a slip in this transaction neither can we proceed with you without getting full guarantee from you that our shares will reach us safely after the money has reached your bank account! There must be a convincing way for you to assure us of this=2E I am at your disposal to entertain any question=28s=29 from you with respect to this transaction=2C so contact me immediately by email for further information on the requirements and procedure for this transaction=2E Please=2C treat with the strictest confidentiality and utmost urgency=2E Yours faithfully=2C Dr=2E Donald Nnaji From donnnaji@k.ro Fri Mar 14 06:26:14 2003 From: donnnaji@k.ro (Dr Donald Nnaji) Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 20:26:14 -1000 Subject: [mou] *****SPAM***** Urgent Business Relationship Message-ID: <20030314062640.EEC3E35B55@biosci.cbs.umn.edu> Dear Sir=2C Request for Urgent Business Relationship TRANSFER OF US$30=2E5M AMERICAN DOLLARS INTO YOUR ACCOUNT I=2C on behalf of my colleagues from different Federal Government of Nigeria Parastatals=2C decided to solicit your assistance as regards the transfer of the above mentioned amount into your bank account=2E This fund accrued from the over-invoicing of various contracts awarded in my parastatal to certain foreign contractors some time ago=2E We=2C as holders of sensitive positions=2C in our various parastatals=2C were mandated by the Federal Government to scrutinize all payments made to certain foreign contractors and we discovered that some of the contracts they executed were grossly over-invoiced either by omission or commission=2E Also=2C we discovered that the sum of $35=2E5M =28THIRTY-FIVE MILLION=2C FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS ONLY=29 is lying in a suspense account=2C although the foreign contractors were fully paid their contract entitlements after executing the said contracts=2E We all agreed that the over-invoiced amount be transferred =28for our own use=29 into a foreign bank account provided by a trust worthy foreign partner=2C because we are Government workers and the civil service code of conduct does not allow us to operate our own foreign accounts=2E However=2C we have succeeded in transferring some of this over-invoiced money=2E Precisely $5=2E0M =28FIVE MILLION US DOLLARS ONLY=29 was transferred into a foreign account in MOROCCO =28North Africa=29 but the provider of the account in Morocco is up to some mischief and has refused to comply with the earlier mutual agreement by insisting that the total amount be paid to his account before disbursement will take effect=2E If for a meagre $5=2E0M =28FIVE MILLION US DOLLARS ONLY=29 we are not compensated=2C is it when the balance of $30=2E5M =28THIRTY-FIVE MILLION=2C FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS=29 is transferred that we will be sure of our full compensation=3F For some time now=2C this fellow has refused to contact us=2C and all efforts to reach him have failed so far=2E We cannot keep crying over this misfortune=2C but we have to forge ahead=2E We are therefore seeking your assistance so that the remaining amount of US$30=2E5M can be speedily processed and fully remitted into your nominated bank account=2E On successful remittance of the fund into your account=2C you will be compensated with 30% of the amount for your assistance and services=2C while 5% of the sum will be set aside to offset any expenditure that would be incurred by either of the parties in then course of execution=2E So far=2C much has been said due to our sensitive positions=2C we cannot afford a slip in this transaction neither can we proceed with you without getting full guarantee from you that our shares will reach us safely after the money has reached your bank account! There must be a convincing way for you to assure us of this=2E I am at your disposal to entertain any question=28s=29 from you with respect to this transaction=2C so contact me immediately by email for further information on the requirements and procedure for this transaction=2E Please=2C treat with the strictest confidentiality and utmost urgency=2E Yours faithfully=2C Dr=2E Donald Nnaji From mail@public.xn.qh.cn Fri Mar 14 07:51:34 2003 From: mail@public.xn.qh.cn (mail) Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 15:51:34 +0800 Subject: [mou] Get Cash Out! Message-ID: <20030314081016.F0C4135B55@biosci.cbs.umn.edu> MSN Hotmail - Message

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From mail@public.east.net.cn Fri Mar 14 07:51:41 2003 From: mail@public.east.net.cn (mail) Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 15:51:41 +0800 Subject: [mou] Get Cash Out! Message-ID: <20030314081032.2E93635B80@biosci.cbs.umn.edu> MSN Hotmail - Message

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From david@cahlander.com Fri Mar 14 13:43:22 2003 From: david@cahlander.com (David Cahlander) Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 07:43:22 -0600 Subject: [mou] SPAM Message-ID: <004c01c2ea2f$b132e3a0$0200000a@pancho> SPAM has hit mou-net again. I have changed the posting option so only members of the list can post. If you are posting from several different locations (email addresses), you can subscribe from different locations and then set the nomail option. Subscribe on the web through http://www.cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net --- David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 From BXWilliams@CBBURNET.COM Fri Mar 14 16:08:59 2003 From: BXWilliams@CBBURNET.COM (Williams, Bob) Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 10:08:59 -0600 Subject: [mou] 6 Harris Sparrows in Blue Earth County Message-ID: <954398EF1F830749868583446DBCE7EB088D0F67@min-nrt-exch1.min.nrtinc.nrt> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EA44.05A5CC11 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I had 6 Harris Sparrows just north of Schimek County Park in Blue Earth County On Thursday morning. They were feeding on the ground with Juncos and House Sparrows on seed in front of a house at the end of the gravel road that takes you To the park, which is located just east of Good Thunder off Co. Rd. 10. =20 I also had a nice look at a Barred Owl in Minneopa State Park. Bob Williams, Bloomington ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EA44.05A5CC11 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

= ; I had 6 Harris Sparrows just north of = Schimek = County = Park in = Blue = Earth = County

= ; On Thursday morning. They were feeding on the ground with Juncos and = House

= ; Sparrows on seed in front of a house at the end of the gravel road that takes = you

= ; To the park, which is located just east of Good Thunder = off Co. Rd. 10. =

= ; I also had a nice look at a Barred Owl in = Minneopa = State = Park.

= ; Bob Williams, Bloomington

=00 ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EA44.05A5CC11-- From hpeirson@pclink.com Fri Mar 14 20:35:16 2003 From: hpeirson@pclink.com (Holly Peirson) Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 14:35:16 -0600 Subject: [mou] conservation In-Reply-To: Message-ID: If there's still time, here's a toll free number to call, to let Senator Coleman know about your opposition to drilling: 1-877-703-9491. Holly Peirson MOU member, Saint Paul Audubon President, concerned constituent -----Original Message----- From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu]On Behalf Of MARTELL, Mark Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 1:51 PM To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Subject: RE: [mou] conservation It might be important to note that a rider is supposed to be attached to the budget bill tomorrow (Thursday) that would allow drilling. The time to call Senator Coleman it TODAY!! Coleman's Washington D.C.phone number is 202-224-3121 and his district number is 651-645-0323. You may call either office - he will get the message. Mark Martell Director of Bird Conservation Audubon Minnesota 2357 Ventura Drive #106 Woodbury, MN 55125 651/739-9332 -----Original Message----- From: fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us [mailto:fredericksonr@willmar.k12.mn.us] Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 11:40 AM To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Subject: [mou] conservation Importance: High Many MOU members stated strong opinions to me re. oil drilling in the ANWR. Those individuals may be interested in reading the statement below. It comes from Scott Hed of the Alaska Coalition. Randy Frederickson Conservation Com. >Please read the following alert and news article regarding the >last-minute arm-twisting that is going on to secure pro-drilling votes >in the Senate. > >Coleman is specifically listed as one of a few Senators that the White >House is pressuring to change their position. > >WE CANNOT LET HIM OFF THE HOOK! He has stated numerous times in the >press and in countless letters back to constituents that he remains >opposed to drilling in the Arctic Refuge. Now he'll have the chance to >prove it in his first vote on the issue, which is likely less than a >week away. > >Make the call yourself and ask your friends, family, and colleagues to >do the same. This is extremely important. > >Coleman's office numbers: > 202-224-5641 DC > 651-645-0323 St. Paul > >Scott Hed >Plains, Prairie & Northland Organizer >Alaska Coalition > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Deborah L. Williams [mailto:dwilliams@akcf.org] >Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 7:56 PM >Subject: Arctic Refuge At Risk!!! >Importance: High > >Dear Friends of the Arctic Refuge, > >The Refuge needs your help!! This is VERY serious. > >As you may know, the conservation community has been preparing for a >vote on the future of the Arctic Refuge in the context of the Budget >Resolution process. This is a very inappropriate legislative vehicle to >address the Arctic Refuge, and is being used by the Administration and >others because it is a stealth tactic and because the budget resolution >cannot be filibustered in the Senate. > >The time for this vote is drawing near -- we expect it to occur next >Tuesday or Wednesday. > >Today, an e-mail, apparently from Senator Frist's office, said that the >pro-drilling advocates had 49 votes, and were working hard to get the >last vote. (They only need 50 to win.) > >We do not believe that they have 49 votes, but it is clear that we must >immediately communicate with all Senators -- especially Senator Pryor >(ARK), Coleman (MN), Smith (ORE), Specter (PA), and Lugar (IND) -- to >let them know that: > > -Our nation's extraordinary, irreplaceable Arctic National >Wildlife Refuge must not be destroyed for a mere 6 month's of oil, that >will not be available for 10 years; > --Congress should not, under any circumstances, put an issue as >important as the Arctic Refuge on a budget bill; > --Just last week the nation's leading scientists in a Report >ordered by Congress unanimously agreed that the cumulative impacts from >drilling in other parts of Alaska's North Slope have been significant >and adverse. > >I am attaching an AP story -- hot off the press -- that describes the >Frist e-mail in more detail. > >This Senate vote is ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL. We cannot lose it. The Refuge >is truly at stake. Please call or e-mail your senators today and ask >them to oppose including any Arctic Refuge drilling provision in the >Budget Resolution, and please pass on this e-mail to friends and others >and ask them to call their senators too. > >Thank you, >Deborah > > > > >Bush Closer to Drilling in Arctic Refuge > >By H. JOSEF HEBERT >.c The Associated Press > >WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Republicans say they have moved to within a >single >vote of guaranteeing President Bush one of his top domestic priorities - > >opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. > >The issue could be decided as early as next week. > >An internal GOP memo that circulated Tuesday in the Senate expressed >confidence that 49 senators now plan to vote for drilling in the refuge, > >starting a scramble in search of the remaining lawmaker who would be >needed >to get the provision through as part of a budget measure. > >``Dick Cheney has been working madly to secure the 50th (vote),'' said >the >staff memo developed in the offices of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist >of >Tennessee and Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. > >The House is expected to have enough votes to pass the drilling >provision, >but House leaders are reluctant to take up the issue - and expose some >lawmakers to the politically sensitive vote - unless the Senate takes >the >lead, congressional sources said. > >The matter could be decided by one of four senators - two Republicans >and two >Democrats - who have been leaning toward the anti-drilling camp, but who >GOP >leaders believe might be persuaded to shift sides, said sources from >both >parties speaking on condition of anonymity. > >The sources said Democratic Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, both >of >Arkansas, Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and freshman Sen. Norm Coleman, >R-Minn., >have been subjected to intense behind-the-scenes lobbying to join the >pro-drilling side. > >A spokeswoman for Coleman - who succeeded the late Paul Wellstone, a >strong >critic of drilling in the refuge - said she could not comment on the >memo or >Coleman's views on the refuge. Spokesmen for the other three could not >be >reached Tuesday evening. > >Singling out Coleman, Lincoln and Pryor by name, the GOP memo said, ``We >need >to get calls in to those offices from constituents, and fast.'' > >Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Gale Norton called a half dozen interest >groups >- including farming and union interests - to her office and urged them >to go >to Capitol Hill and ``knock on doors and help sell the message'' on >Arctic >drilling to fence-sitting senators. > >Development of the millions of barrels of oil believed to be under the >coastal plain of the refuge in the far northeastern corner of Alaska has >been >at the core of Bush's energy agenda. > >On the other hand, protecting the 100-mile-long sliver of tundra has >been an >obsession for environmentalists who insist that drilling will destroy >its >value as a sanctuary for polar bears, musk oxen, caribou and migratory >birds. > >Norton, in testimony before a House committee Wednesday, will reiterate >that >the refuge's oil can be developed ``while protecting the environmental >values >we all hold dear.'' In her prepared testimony, she calls the refuge's >coastal >plain ``the single greatest prospect for onshore oil and gas development > >anyplace in the United States'' and says its development is essential >for >national security. > >In the last Congress, the House approved drilling in the refuge, but the > >issue died in the Senate. Democrats, led by presidential aspirants Sens. >Joe >Lieberman of Connecticut and John Kerry of Massachusetts, vowed to >filibuster >any drilling proposal, meaning supporters would need 60 votes to get the > >measure passed. > >Now that Republicans control the Senate, drilling advocates are >maneuvering >to include the provision in a budget resolution that is not subject to >filibuster. Once in the resolution, it will take drilling opponents 51 >votes >to get it out. Such a maneuver succeeded in getting the drilling >approved by >Congress in 1995, but President Clinton vetoed it. > >The Senate Budget Committee was expected to approve a resolution, >including a >drilling provision, this week. Senate floor debate is expected to begin >next >week and wrap up in April. Frist ``has called for accounting of 50 votes >by >Wednesday,'' said the GOP staff memo. ``Today we have 49.'' > _______________________________________________ mou-net mailing list mou-net@cbs.umn.edu http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net _______________________________________________ mou-net mailing list mou-net@cbs.umn.edu http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net From renohawk@hbci.com Sat Mar 15 03:00:04 2003 From: renohawk@hbci.com (Jeff Dankert) Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 21:00:04 -0600 Subject: [mou] Shovelers, bufflheads Message-ID: <000001c2ea9e$fdd19b60$912ca241@S0025943521> Basking in the heat wave this afternoon: Northern Shovelers ----- 5, Lake Winona. Redheads --------------- 2, Lake Winona. Ring-necked ducks ------ 37, Lake Winona, Crooked Slough. Buffleheads ------------ 5, slough, Prairie Island Road, Winona. Killdeer --------------- 1, flyover, calling, mudflat, between Homer and Winona. Ring-billed gulls ------ 10 on river main channel, Winona Co., north of Lock and Dam 5 (50 on Wisconsin side) Eastern Bluebird ------- 2 at Weaver Dunes, Wabasha Co. Red-winged blackbirds -- 50, Weaver Dunes, Wabasha Co. Also, I estimated 500 common goldeneyes, 190 common mergansers, and 35 bald eagles on Mississippi River above and below Lock and Dam 5 (Whitman Dam). About half of each species total were in Wisconsin. Check a topo map to know the state boundaries for accurate seasonal reports in each state! This weekend is going to be . . . who knows? Let's see what pops up on Fred Lesher's three-state Lansing (Iowa) Loop on Saturday. Regards, Jeff Dankert 908 Parks Ave Apt 158 Winona MN 55987-5330 (507) 454-0033 renohawk@hbci.com From sweston2@attbi.com Sat Mar 15 06:56:53 2003 From: sweston2@attbi.com (Steve Weston) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2003 00:56:53 -0600 Subject: [mou] Owling: Dakota County Message-ID: <005a01c2eac0$11db4b80$361e2942@spacestar.net> This Sunday (tomorrow) at 6:30pm I will be leading a MRVAC sponsored owling trip in Dakota County. I went out tonight to check for Saw-whet and Long-eared Owls and found both. Although we may not get good looks, both owls were definitely vocal. Afterwards we may head up to Minneapolis to check out a Screech Owl. This will be a small group so we can keep things quiet enough to attract the owls. Call me at 612-978-3993, if you are interested in joining us. Space on this trip will be restricted. Steve Weston on Quigley Lake in Eagan sweston2@attbi.com From bikebirder75@yahoo.com Sat Mar 15 17:16:22 2003 From: bikebirder75@yahoo.com (C. Mansfield) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2003 09:16:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: [mou] Killdeer, bluebird, Red-shouldered Hawks Hennepin co Message-ID: <20030315171622.4139.qmail@web13310.mail.yahoo.com> --0-1099686597-1047748582=:2717 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Having recovered somewhat from my latest bug, I took a short spin past the airport to the MN Valley refuge visitor center in Bloomington from 9:00-10:00 AM today, Sat. March 15. Gorgeous weather, and a bit of spring bird activity. I flushed one Killdeer from the lawn as I rode past the Sun Country hangars at 24th Ave and Airport Lane. Birds were everywhere at the visitor center--Pileated woodpeckers calling in the valley, drumming Downies, calling White-breasted Nuthatches, some tentative Robin and junco songs, and one Eastern Bluebird which came in, called, and flew off again. A couple Mourning Doves flew over. At least two Red-winged Blackbirds sang from the marshes below. And just when I was leaving, two Red-shouldered Hawks soared over the visitor center, showing their black-and-white banded flight feathers to perfection in the sunlight. No luck today with the White-throated Sparrow which has been hanging around, nor with the imm. Sharp-shinned Hawk I saw last weekend. With this weather, though, I can't feel too disappointed. Chris Chris Mansfield Richfield, Hennepin Co. MN bikebirder75@yahoo.com --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online --0-1099686597-1047748582=:2717 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii

Having recovered somewhat from my latest bug, I took a short spin past the airport to the MN Valley refuge visitor center in Bloomington from 9:00-10:00 AM today, Sat. March 15. Gorgeous weather, and a bit of spring bird activity. I flushed one Killdeer from the lawn as I rode past the Sun Country hangars at 24th Ave and Airport Lane. Birds were everywhere at the visitor center--Pileated woodpeckers calling in the valley, drumming Downies, calling White-breasted Nuthatches, some tentative Robin and junco songs, and one Eastern Bluebird which came in, called, and flew off again. A couple Mourning Doves flew over. At least two Red-winged Blackbirds sang from the marshes below. And just when I was leaving, two Red-shouldered Hawks soared over the visitor center, showing their black-and-white banded flight feathers to perfection in the sunlight.

No luck today with the White-throated Sparrow which has been hanging around, nor with the imm. Sharp-shinned Hawk I saw last weekend. With this weather, though, I can't feel too disappointed.

Chris

Chris Mansfield
Richfield, Hennepin Co. MN
bikebirder75@yahoo.com

Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online --0-1099686597-1047748582=:2717-- From dbmartin@skypoint.com Sat Mar 15 17:53:05 2003 From: dbmartin@skypoint.com (Dennis/Barbara Martin) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2003 11:53:05 -0600 Subject: [mou] Golden Eagle-Rothsay Message-ID: <001101c2eb1b$bca0e2e0$052e56c7@oemcomputer> Found one immature Golden Eagle on the Town Hall Prairie on Friday. Prairie Chickens were in several places and the Barrows Goldeneye did not make an appearence in the evening in Fergus Falls. Steve Millard pointed out some Northern Shovelers which were migrants and said the barrows was probably going to be tough to find from now on as only a dozen Goldeneyes came in to roost. Dennis and Barbara Martin dbmartin@skypoint.com From ekblad@millcomm.com Sat Mar 15 21:11:42 2003 From: ekblad@millcomm.com (Bob Ekblad) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2003 15:11:42 -0600 Subject: [mou] Olmsted waterfowl Message-ID: <3E73970E.3020900@millcomm.com> Diane & I checked out a few spots on the west side of Rochester this morning. There were at least three Greater White-fronted Geese at the Historical Society flooded field (to be a churchyard in the near future - and probably not with a flooded field). The South Landfill Reservoir had open water in the middle that had several Northern Pintail, a Gadwall, a few Green-winged Teal and a female scaup. The East Landfill Reservoir was still iced over with just a bit of open water at the culvert by the road that a few pintail were using. There were a couple of Ring-billed Gulls on the ice there as well (along with our usual Canada Geese and Mallards). -- Bob Ekblad Olmsted County in SE Minnesota http://home.rconnect.com/~ekblad/ From rskhg@postoffice.worldnet.att.net Sat Mar 15 15:21:44 2003 From: rskhg@postoffice.worldnet.att.net (rskhg@postoffice.worldnet.att.net) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2003 15:21:44 +0000 Subject: [mou] Tufted Titmouse in Goodhue County Message-ID: <20030315212606.26C2935B65@biosci.cbs.umn.edu> Heard the distinctive, loud "peter peter peter" last Thur at 9 am and located the bird, but left my bino's at home. Heard the call on Fri at 3pm (with bino's in hand) but couldn't locate the bird. Finally, today Sat 3/15 heard the call and got a good look at the Tufted Titmouse. Located in Red wing at the corner of Wildwood Ridge (241 Ave Court) and Southview Ridge (285 th St) Dick Gillmer Hennepin County From mattjim@earthlink.net Sat Mar 15 18:09:01 2003 From: mattjim@earthlink.net (jim mattsson) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2003 18:09:01 +0000 Subject: [mou] Dakota Co. waterfowl Message-ID: <3E736C3C.5CC9E89D@earthlink.net> I had 12 species of ducks today at Spring Lake Park in Dakota Co, incl. 1 Greater Scaup and 35 coot. A few Ring-billed Gulls as well. Enjoy the weather. Jim Mattsson Eagan From Hagsela@aol.com Sun Mar 16 00:27:58 2003 From: Hagsela@aol.com (Hagsela@aol.com) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2003 19:27:58 EST Subject: [mou] Killdeer in Washington Cty. Message-ID: <68.2e4dc62c.2ba51f0e@aol.com> While birding Lake Elmo Park Preserve I observed two groups of 3-4 Killdeer flying overhead, calling as they went by. I also saw a Rough-legged Hawk, an immature Bald Eagle and a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Linda Sparling Hennepin County From cfagyal@broadbandusa.cc Sun Mar 16 00:57:59 2003 From: cfagyal@broadbandusa.cc (Chris Fagyal) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2003 18:57:59 -0600 Subject: [mou] Lake County birds Message-ID: <007301c2eb57$168fcc40$6401a8c0@cymorg> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0074_01C2EB24.CBF55C40 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Went up north and drove Lake Cty Rd 2 and the Spruce Rd today, mostly in search of photographs but also birds. I was stunned by the numbers of WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS all up Lake Cty Rd 2, from about 20 mi north of Two Harbors all the way to its end some 25 miles further north. Probably saw somewhere in the neighborhood of 50-75 of them, and several which looked to be mated pairs. Generally saw either a male/female pair, a group of 3-4 males, or a mixed group of 3-6 birds. Also saw dozens of Gray Jays and spent a good amount of time at the intersection of Endless Waters Rd and Spruce Rd being entertained by 3 very obliging and delightful Gray Jays. One of them was so inquisitive as to walk right up to me and peer into my hand, so I ended up hand feeding it. Several times it actually flew towards me, and halted mid flight seeing my hand wasn't outstretched, and would then fly to a close branch looking at me. After a while, if I was standing someplace, the Jays would fly over, land, pose, and peer at me, and if I dropped some peanuts/raisins etc they would instantly fly down, disregarding me. Several times while crouching near my car taking pictures, the jays would get to within 6-12 inches of me, making it impossible to photograph them. They were TOO photogenic! Unfortunately I struck out the 3 times I went by the river (I forget the name) 41.5 mi up Lake Cty Rd 2 looking for Spruce Grouse. I'm not surprised given the traffic on that road. Made getting pictures of Crossbills impossible. Never was given enough of a chance to let them "come to me" without more cars going by and the crossbills deciding to move on completely. Guess I need to get up there at 6am some day. Chris ------=_NextPart_000_0074_01C2EB24.CBF55C40 Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Went up north and drove = Lake Cty Rd 2 and the = Spruce Rd today, mostly in search of photographs but also = birds. I was stunned by the numbers of = WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS all up Lake Cty Rd 2, from about = 20 mi north of Two Harbors all the way to its end some 25 miles further = north. Probably saw somewhere in the neighborhood of 50-75 of them, and several which looked to be mated = pairs. Generally saw either a male/female pair, a group of 3-4 males, or a mixed group of 3-6 = birds.

Also saw dozens of Gray Jays and spent a good amount = of time at the intersection of Endless Waters = Rd and = Spruce = Rd being entertained by 3 very obliging and delightful Gray Jays. One of them was so inquisitive = as to walk right up to me and peer into my hand, so I ended up hand feeding = it. Several times it actually flew = towards me, and halted mid flight seeing my hand wasn’t outstretched, and = would then fly to a close branch looking at me. After a while, if I was standing someplace, the Jays would fly = over, land, pose, and peer at me, and if I dropped some peanuts/raisins etc = they would instantly fly down, disregarding me. Several times while crouching near my car taking pictures, the = jays would get to within 6-12 inches of me, making it impossible to = photograph them. They were TOO = photogenic!

Unfortunately I struck out the 3 times I went by the = river (I forget the name) 41.5 mi up Lake Cty Rd 2 = looking for Spruce Grouse. I’m = not surprised given the traffic on that road. Made getting pictures of Crossbills = impossible. Never was given enough of a = chance to let them “come to me” without more cars going by and the = crossbills deciding to move on completely. = Guess I need to get up there at 6am= some = day.

Chris

------=_NextPart_000_0074_01C2EB24.CBF55C40-- From bikebirder75@yahoo.com Sun Mar 16 01:28:31 2003 From: bikebirder75@yahoo.com (C. Mansfield) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2003 17:28:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: [mou] Hennepin-Dakota Sharpies, Harrier, shrike In-Reply-To: <20030315171622.4139.qmail@web13310.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20030316012831.30756.qmail@web13302.mail.yahoo.com> --0-27547589-1047778111=:30308 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii A few more birds on the move March 15th afternoon, 3:00-5:30 PM: in the raptor department, 4 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks migrating over east Bloomington, female Kestrel perched on wire near Mall of America, male Harrier flying north over Hwy 13 near the Mendota bridge, plus all the Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks soaring. I finally got my 2003 merganser hat trick at Black Dog: one drake Red-breasted Merganser with the Common Mergansers, and at least 50 Hooded Mergansers. Also at Black Dog I was able to count about 80 Ring-necked Ducks, and about twenty scaup (the two close enough for me to ID were Lesser). Shrike (presumably the Northern that has been seen all winter, but it spooked before I could get my binocs on it) west of the observation deck on the north side of Black Dog. Two Red-winged Blackbirds singing west of the deck as well. Spring! Chris Chris Mansfield Richfield, Hennepin Co. MN bikebirder75@yahoo.com --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online --0-27547589-1047778111=:30308 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii

A few more birds on the move March 15th afternoon, 3:00-5:30 PM: in the raptor department, 4 adult Sharp-shinned Hawks migrating over east Bloomington, female Kestrel perched on wire near Mall of America, male Harrier flying north over Hwy 13 near the Mendota bridge, plus all the Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks soaring. I finally got my 2003 merganser hat trick at Black Dog: one drake Red-breasted Merganser with the Common Mergansers, and at least 50 Hooded Mergansers. Also at Black Dog I was able to count about 80 Ring-necked Ducks, and about twenty scaup (the two close enough for me to ID were Lesser). Shrike (presumably the Northern that has been seen all winter, but it spooked before I could get my binocs on it) west of the observation deck on the north side of Black Dog. Two Red-winged Blackbirds singing west of the deck as well. Spring!

Chris

Chris Mansfield
Richfield, Hennepin Co. MN
bikebirder75@yahoo.com

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Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online --0-27547589-1047778111=:30308-- From Kelly Sun Mar 16 15:53:41 2003 From: Kelly (Kelly Larson) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 09:53:41 -0600 Subject: [mou] Spring Message-ID: <3E749E04.FE860E7@redwing.net> The House Finches that live in downtown Red Wing were bursting with spring song on Saturday. I'm sure they are anxiously waiting for the city to put up the flower baskets on the lamp poles. When I left work last night around 11pm I heard the first Killdeer. I think there were several of them, they stopped up the hill from our house to talk under the flood lights at the new Wal-Mart parking lot. Going out this morning to look for ducks at Colville Park and then a walk along the Cannon River or Hay Creek. Kelly Feathered Friend Red Wing -- Visit Our Website ~ http://www.thefeatheredfriend.com The Great River Birding Festival Is Coming http://www.mississippi-river.org/birding/ From george.skinner@gte.net Sun Mar 16 16:25:14 2003 From: george.skinner@gte.net (George B Skinner) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 10:25:14 -0600 Subject: [mou] Tundra Swans Hennepin Co Message-ID: <004601c2ebd8$a61a4d00$9982fb43@computer> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0043_01C2EBA6.54EB4B00 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Anne and I saw 25 or so Tundra Swans fly over our neighborhood in = Minnetonka just west of Hopkins this morning at 9 am. They were headed = west northwest. George Skinner ------=_NextPart_000_0043_01C2EBA6.54EB4B00 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Anne and I saw 25 or so Tundra Swans fly over our = neighborhood=20 in Minnetonka just west of Hopkins this morning at 9 am. They were = headed west=20 northwest.

George Skinner

------=_NextPart_000_0043_01C2EBA6.54EB4B00-- From connyb@mycidco.com Sun Mar 16 11:54:33 2003 From: connyb@mycidco.com (connyb) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 11:54:33 Subject: [mou] Black Dog Road Spring Fling, Dakota Co. Message-ID: This morning Leslie Marcus and I headed down to Black Dog Road to get a Spring fix, and we were not disappointed. We saw and heard Killdeer in several locations, and the Male Red-winged Blackbirds were perched on tree tops singing and flashing their red coverts at each other. A few Ring-billed Gulls were crossing over the lake, and Pied-billed Grebes were in two locations. We hit the mother-load in the Duck dept with 16 species present on Black Dog Lake. So many firsts for the year, Wooduck, Canvasback, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Redhead, Rudy, Gadwall, American Black Duck, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Ring-necked, and Mallards. The Mute Swan was out there floating around with all the ducks, and there was a Song Sparrow singing from the brush. Spring did not hit Black Dog Road like a lamb, but came in with the roar of the lion, and it was very exciting to be out there in the middle of it. Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty connyb@mycidco.com From Avocet13@cs.com Sun Mar 16 18:11:41 2003 From: Avocet13@cs.com (Avocet13@cs.com) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 13:11:41 EST Subject: [mou] 3-15-03 Scaup / Goose Message-ID: <1de.49171ff.2ba6185d@cs.com> Howdy all, While leading a bird walk for WBU in Burnsville yesterday Many of the fore-mentioned spring migrants were easily found. Also seen were. Greater Scaup on the MN river near the observation deck at Black Dog. Greater-White Fronted Goose flying over Long Meadow Lake at the Old Cedar Bridge. Good birding, Blaine Seeliger Avocet13@cs.com 612-414-0214 From bikebirder75@yahoo.com Sat Mar 15 16:59:48 2003 From: bikebirder75@yahoo.com (C. Mansfield) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2003 08:59:48 -0800 (PST) Subject: [mou] Killdeer, bluebird, Red-shouldered Hawks Hennepin co Message-ID: <20030315165948.17291.qmail@web13309.mail.yahoo.com> --0-363196942-1047747588=:16510 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Having recovered somewhat from my latest bug, I took a short spin past the airport to the MN Valley refuge visitor center in Bloomington from 9:00-10:00 AM today, Sat. March 15. Gorgeous weather, and a bit of spring bird activity. I flushed one Killdeer from the lawn as I rode past the Sun Country hangars at 24th Ave and Airport Lane. Birds were everywhere at the visitor center--Pileated woodpeckers calling in the valley, drumming Downies, calling White-breasted Nuthatches, some tentative Robin and junco songs, and one Eastern Bluebird which came in, called, and flew off again. A couple Mourning Doves flew over. At least two Red-winged Blackbirds sang from the marshes below. And just when I was leaving, two Red-shouldered Hawks soared over the visitor center, showing their black-and-white banded flight feathers to perfection in the sunlight. No luck today with the White-throated Sparrow which has been hanging around, nor with the imm. Sharp-shinned Hawk I saw last weekend. With this weather, though, I can't feel too disappointed. Chris Chris Mansfield Richfield, Hennepin Co. MN bikebirder75@yahoo.com --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online --0-363196942-1047747588=:16510 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii

No luck today with the White-throated Sparrow which has been hanging around, nor with the imm. Sharp-shinned Hawk I saw last weekend. With this weather, though, I can't feel too disappointed.

Chris

Chris Mansfield
Richfield, Hennepin Co. MN
bikebirder75@yahoo.com

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Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online --0-363196942-1047747588=:16510-- From Mark.Alt@BestBuy.com Sun Mar 16 19:32:04 2003 From: Mark.Alt@BestBuy.com (Alt, Mark) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 13:32:04 -0600 Subject: [mou] FW: Lake County by moonlight - 18 owls heard Message-ID: This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand this format, some or all of this message may not be legible. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EBF2.A59B5A30 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Four of us headed north, an owl moon riding high in the sky as we passed from elms to oak to aspen and finally spruce for the forest edge. We ventured north of Two Harbors towards the Boundary Waters Canoe Area till the road ended. We then headed east to Isabella and to our destination -The Stony River Forest Road - a 12 mile long reddog transect that parallels Hwy 2 for, inteesecting the Whyte road, then bends to the west and joins hwy 15. The night sky had transitioned from high haze to scattered partly cloudy, but as we jumped from our transport, it was a balmy, windless, 25 degree night - so clear there was no ring around the moon. A few strands of wispy cloud gave the illusion of an aurora, but they slid revealed themselves to be when you stared at them and they didn't change shape. We stopped every 1/2 mile till we hit 2.5, where the first owl of the night gave itself away. The plaintive whistling hoot of a Saw-Whet. We listened for several minutes, our eyes growing used to the cobalt darkness srruounding us. I imagine the daylight depths of Superior to be this color. We were immersed in it this night. Another 1/2 mile trsaveled and we were in place for another Saw-whet, this time accompanied by the wheezy bark Long-eared Owl call. Long range olw is mor elike it. this Owl was way out there. If there were any wind, we would not know it was there. Rich Peet, the recordist, stood with his new owl recording rig held over his head in the fashion of Lady Liberty while Tony Hertzel, Kim Risen and I stood silently by trying not to be reocrded for posterity as background noise. This Long-eared was barely audible to me, with Tony's catalytic disturber pinging and cracking like someone washing pots and pans in the next room. When there is no wind and no traffic noise and it is clear and you are this far away from everything, small noises are deafeningly loud, persistent, and disruptive. We stayed out all night, and the only background noises other than our own coughs and cars were a passing train, two jets, and a 20 minute span of time where we had a light 4 mph breeze. Rich was a very happy recordist. It was about 11:30 when we entered this road, fro the north end working South, and we stayed out on it until 2:30 AM. We found 16 Saw-whets, the single Long-eared, no Boreals were heard. Rich and I hiked into the thick stuff to get closer to a Saw-whet that was no the normal 1/2 mile away. We headed over the bank, our feet falling in moose tracks in the deep snow. As light as the snow cover was on the road, off-road the crust of snow came to mid- shin and made for difficult walking. In true stalking fashion, we halved the distance 3 times to the bird and found ourselves at the end about 20 feet from where it called from a cavity. A thick stand of spruce formed a wall between us and the bird. Kim explained the strange its call changes as it calls from inside the cavity, indeed we could hear it suddenly be muffled, still calling though barely audible from 20 feet. When it called from outside the hole you could hear the powereo fthe call. This is a call that travels deceptively far. This is a very big noise from a very small bird. We were beat after we made it back to the road, and we had only gone150 feet into the spruce bog. Later, around 2:30 am, Rich was up front, with Tony hanging out a window, and Kim and I in back, when Rich quietly informed us of low hoots up ahead. Tony muttered "Great Grey" as he exited his car and we all moved forward to the listening point. I have heard hundreds of owls and many wild creatures. I have listened to the bellow of bull alligators, which was the lowest sound I can recollect to this point. This hooting was extremely low in range, way below the Great Horned Male that patrols my neighborhood back home. It was about 1/3 mile away and an 8 hooter vs. the expected 5 that books talk about, whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whu-whu-whu with the last 3 syllables tailing off into the nether regions of infrasound. I got the distinct impression I was not able to hear the full dynamic range of this call. With the radar setup for ears that old Strix Nebulosa has, it may carry for many miles. This was a first for me, a Great Grey Owl calling on territory, and it couldn't have been more perfect. It was distant, coming from a thick forest of Spruce, and having to pull it out of the thick silence took concentration. It called in the same interval for 5 minutes as we stood there, each syllable about a second apart, with the next call 30 seconds to a minute later. . I have heard wolves howl, and this is just as wild. You should be there. I try but I just can't describe it. Rich recorded it; we'd like to play it at the paper session for everyone. Some things just have to be experienced. We stopped wherever we found mature aspen in close proximity to black spruce, targeting Boreal Owls, but to no avail . Tony and Kim were concerned that we saw 5 or 6 tracts of recent clear cuts, with trucks and skidders still staged up at some sites, and the industry seems to be specifically taking out mature aspen, which is required for Boreals. The large number of Saw-Whets, among the highest one day totals for both these birders, gave them cause for more concern as they remarked that the Saw-whets and Boreals should both be calling together. We were pretty somber to think the Boreal may be being extirpated one stand at a time along this road. The road was covered with hard ice on its entire length, yet very navigable. A 4 wheel drive is necessary for those instances where you need to turn around. Great birds, great times, i really do need to get out more. Good Birding to you all. Mark Alt Brooklyn Center, MN mark.alt@bestbuy.com "Birds and their songs are important to me, they add to my enjoyment of life" ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EBF2.A59B5A30 Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Four of us headed north, an owl moon riding high in the sky as we passed from elms to oak to aspen and finally spruce for the forest edge. We ventured north of Two Harbors towards the Boundary Waters Canoe Area till the road ended. We then headed east to Isabella and to our destination -The Stony River Forest Road - a 12 mile long reddog transect that parallels Hwy 2 for, inteesecting the Whyte road, then bends to the west and joins hwy 15. The night sky had transitioned from high haze to scattered partly cloudy, but as we jumped from our transport, it was a balmy, windless, 25 degree night - so clear there was no ring around the moon. A few strands of wispy cloud gave the illusion of an aurora, but they slid revealed themselves to be when you stared at them and they didn't change shape. We stopped every 1/2 mile till we hit 2.5, where the first owl of the night gave itself away. The plaintive whistling hoot of a Saw-Whet. We listened for several minutes, our eyes growing used to the cobalt darkness srruounding us. I imagine the daylight depths of Superior to be this color. We were immersed in it this night. Another 1/2 mile trsaveled and we were in place for another Saw-whet, this time accompanied by the wheezy bark Long-eared Owl call. Long range olw is mor elike it. this Owl was way out there. If there were any wind, we would not know it was there. Rich Peet, the recordist, stood with his new owl recording rig held over his head in the fashion of Lady Liberty while Tony Hertzel, Kim Risen and I stood silently by trying not to be reocrded for posterity as background noise. This Long-eared was barely audible to me, with Tony's catalytic disturber pinging and cracking like someone washing pots and pans in the next room. When there is no wind and no traffic noise and it is clear and you are this far away from everything, small noises are deafeningly loud, persistent, and disruptive. We stayed out all night, and the only background noises other than our own coughs and cars were a passing train, two jets, and a 20 minute span of time where we had a light 4 mph breeze. Rich was a very happy recordist. It was about 11:30 when we entered this road, fro the north end working South, and we stayed out on it until 2:30 AM. We found 16 Saw-whets, the single Long-eared, no Boreals were heard. Rich and I hiked into the thick stuff to get closer to a Saw-whet that was no the normal 1/2 mile away. We headed over the bank, our feet falling in moose tracks in the deep snow. As light as the snow cover was on the road, off-road the crust of snow came to mid- shin and made for difficult walking. In true stalking fashion, we halved the distance 3 times to the bird and found ourselves at the end about 20 feet from where it called from a cavity. A thick stand of spruce formed a wall between us and the bird. Kim explained the strange its call changes as it calls from inside the cavity, indeed we could hear it suddenly be muffled, still calling though barely audible from 20 feet. When it called from outside the hole you could hear the powereo fthe call. This is a call that travels deceptively far. This is a very big noise from a very small bird. We were beat after we made it back to the road, and we had only gone150 feet into the spruce bog. Later, around 2:30 am, Rich was up front, with Tony hanging out a window, and Kim and I in back, when Rich quietly informed us of low hoots up ahead. Tony muttered "Great Grey" as he exited his car and we all moved forward to the listening point. I have heard hundreds of owls and many wild creatures. I have listened to the bellow of bull alligators, which was the lowest sound I can recollect to this point. This hooting was extremely low in range, way below the Great Horned Male that patrols my neighborhood back home. It was about 1/3 mile away and an 8 hooter vs. the expected 5 that books talk about, whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whu-whu-whu with the last 3 syllables tailing off into the nether regions of infrasound. I got the distinct impression I was not able to hear the full dynamic range of this call. With the radar setup for ears that old Strix Nebulosa has, it may carry for many miles. This was a first for me, a Great Grey Owl calling on territory, and it couldn't have been more perfect. It was distant, coming from a thick forest of Spruce, and having to pull it out of the thick silence took concentration. It called in the same interval for 5 minutes as we stood there, each syllable about a second apart, with the next call 30 seconds to a minute later. . I have heard wolves howl, and this is just as wild. You should be there. I try but I just can't describe it. Rich recorded it; we'd like to play it at the paper session for everyone. Some things just have to be experienced. We stopped wherever we found mature aspen in close proximity to black spruce, targeting Boreal Owls, but to no avail . Tony and Kim were concerned that we saw 5 or 6 tracts of recent clear cuts, with trucks and skidders still staged up at some sites, and the industry seems to be specifically taking out mature aspen, which is required for Boreals. The large number of Saw-Whets, among the highest one day totals for both these birders, gave them cause for more concern as they remarked that the Saw-whets and Boreals should both be calling together. We were pretty somber to think the Boreal may be being extirpated one stand at a time along this road. The road was covered with hard ice on its entire length, yet very navigable. A 4 wheel drive is necessary for those instances where you need to turn around. Great birds, great times, i really do need to get out more. Good Birding to you all.

Mark Alt
Brooklyn Center, MN
mark.alt@bestbuy.com

"Birds and their songs are important to me, they add to my enjoyment of life"

------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EBF2.A59B5A30-- From psvingen@d.umn.edu Mon Mar 17 02:34:19 2003 From: psvingen@d.umn.edu (Peder Svingen) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 20:34:19 -0600 (CST) Subject: [mou] Superior National Forest Message-ID: Phil Chu and I found several species of interest today (Sunday, 16 March 2003) in the Superior National Forest, including Spruce Grouse in three locations and a total of 5 Black-backed Woodpeckers. Gray Jays, nuthatches, chickadees, and finches were very active and vocal throughout the day. We also checked the St. Louis county road 16 location where Three-toed Woodpecker was found last winter, and spent a few hours in the Sax-Zim bog. As reported by many others in recent weeks, singing White-winged Crossbills were conspicuous all day long, and were present in every location we visited. Most were paired up and appeared to be on territory in suitable breeding habitat. Purple Finches were almost as numerous and sang vigorously throughout the day. Specific locations for some species are as follows: Spruce Grouse - one male 30.5 miles north of Two Harbors on Lake CR 2; two females 37.0 miles north of Two Harbors on Lake CR 2; and two males along state highway 1, 10.0 miles northwest of its intersection with Lake CR 2. Black-backed Woodpecker - one along Spruce Rd, just south of its intersection with Endless Waters Rd, Lake County; one just south of the Lake CR 2/state highway 1 intersection; one just east of Jenkins Creek along St. Louis CR 16; and a pair along McDavitt Rd in the Sax-Zim bog. No Three-toed Woodpeckers were found. Gray Jay - total of 18 scattered among all locations mentioned. Boreal Chickadee - along the Spruce Rd near its intersection with Endless Waters Rd, Lake County. Brown Creeper - one seen by Phil along state highway 1, Lake County. Snow Bunting - two perched in tamarack along the Spruce Rd, Lake County. Red Crossbill - two observed 45.5 miles north of Two Harbors on Lake CR 2. Evening Grosbeak - flock seen and heard along state highway 1, about one mile southeast of Spruce Rd, Lake County. -- Peder H. Svingen - psvingen@d.umn.edu - Duluth, MN From BXWilliams@CBBURNET.COM Mon Mar 17 00:05:31 2003 From: BXWilliams@CBBURNET.COM (Williams, Bob) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 18:05:31 -0600 Subject: [mou] Greater White-fronted and Snow Geese in Lyon County Message-ID: <954398EF1F830749868583446DBCE7EB088D0F6A@min-nrt-exch1.min.nrtinc.nrt> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EC18.ECE0190C Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I took a quick trip to Lincoln County and back and ended up with 48 species. Best spot was Coon Creek WMA in Lyon County where I had: Greater White-Fronted Geese(about 30) Snow Geese 3 Canvasback 1 Great Blue Heron 1 Meadowlark species 2 And lots of other waterfowl Bob Williams Bloomington=20 ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EC18.ECE0190C Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

= ; I took a quick trip to Lincoln = County and back and ended up with 48 species.

= ; Best spot was Coon Creek WMA in Lyon = County where I had:

= ; Greater White-Fronted Geese(about = 30)

= ; Snow Geese 3

= ; Canvasback 1

= ; Great Blue Heron 1

= ; Meadowlark species 2

= ; And lots of other waterfowl

= ; Bob Williams = Bloomington =

=00 ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EC18.ECE0190C-- From skylar@uslink.net Mon Mar 17 02:24:43 2003 From: skylar@uslink.net (JohnPRichardson) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 20:24:43 -0600 Subject: [mou] Crow Wing, Morrison Co migrants Message-ID: <002e01c2ec2c$60645720$1e3fad42@pavilion> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_002B_01C2EBFA.1458A3E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable First Killdeer and robins of the spring here just south of Brainerd (C. = Wing). Lots of Redwings BB and a few Kestrels just south of Pierz = (Morrison Co). John Richardson. ------=_NextPart_000_002B_01C2EBFA.1458A3E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

First Killdeer and robins of the spring here just = south of=20 Brainerd (C. Wing). Lots of Redwings BB and a few Kestrels just south of = Pierz=20 (Morrison Co).

John Richardson.

------=_NextPart_000_002B_01C2EBFA.1458A3E0-- From renohawk@hbci.com Mon Mar 17 02:57:42 2003 From: renohawk@hbci.com (Jeff Dankert) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 20:57:42 -0600 Subject: [mou] FW: [Mnbird] Waterfowl, blackbirds Message-ID: <000001c2ec31$008b7f90$912ca241@S0025943521> The weekend heat wave has transformed the bird world overnight. I traveled Sunday up the Mississippi River from Winona to Wabasha and found: In Winona, two PIED-BILLED GREBES on Lake Winona and one SANDHILL CRANE calling on Prairie Island Road. On Prairie Island and Riley Lake, I found 17 duck species. Some were scarce: Only a few wigeons, green- and blue-winged teals, pintails, black ducks and wood ducks were seen and only one each of canvasback and redhead. The only regular ducks missed were red-breasted merganser and ruddy. However, I did see four fly-by red-breasted mergansers on the river in Buffalo County, Wis. On Rollingstone Township Road 8 in Winona County, one FOX SPARROW, and a mixed blackbird flock that included 16 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, four COMMON GRACKLES and one BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS. Also on this remote road, one gray-phase screech owl was peeking out of a wood duck box. For those wanting to see bald eagles on the river, it's prime now. They dotted the trees and the ice today. I must have seen 200-300 eagles. The day list for Winona County came to an even 50. Great timing of weather and weekend! Regards, Jeff Dankert 908 Parks Ave Apt 158 Winona MN 55987-5330 (507) 454-0033 renohawk@hbci.com From petersenca@earthlink.net Mon Mar 17 03:29:07 2003 From: petersenca@earthlink.net (Christine Petersen) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 21:29:07 -0600 Subject: [mou] Tundra Swans Hennepin Co In-Reply-To: <004601c2ebd8$a61a4d00$9982fb43@computer> Message-ID: > This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand this format, some or all of this message may not be legible. --MS_Mac_OE_3130694947_88486_MIME_Part Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit on 3/16/03 10:25 AM, George B Skinner at george.skinner@gte.net wrote: >Anne and I saw 25 or so Tundra Swans fly over our neighborhood in Minnetonka just west of >Hopkins this morning at 9 am. They were headed west northwest. I'm right near you, George (we're on Glen Lake, near the intersection of 494 and Excelsior), and am darned sorry to have missed that sight! Glen Lake played host to a wonderful variety of other birds today, though. 16 Canada geese were on the lake first thing this morning, standing resolutely on the ice or slipping and sliding their way along. Later in the day two male red-winged blackbirds showed up in the cattail marsh and began dueling calls. Interestingly enough, 2002's first red-winged blackbirds also showed up on March 16. Midafternoon the geese headed off and were soon replaced by about three dozen mallards and one pair of northern pintails. This was the first time (in the three years I've lived here) that I've seen pintails on the lake, so I was happy to add them to my Glen Lake checklist as the 112th bird species. Also had the year's first robin and two mourning doves in the yard throughout the day. Ah, it feels like spring! Christine Petersen --MS_Mac_OE_3130694947_88486_MIME_Part Content-type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable Re: [mou] Tundra Swans Hennepin Co on 3/16/03 10:25 AM, George B Skinner at george.skinner@gte.net wrote:

>Anne and I saw 25 or so Tundra Swans fly ove= r our neighborhood in Minnetonka just west of >Hopkins this morning at 9 = am. They were headed west northwest.

I'm right near you, George (we're on Glen Lake, near the intersection of 49= 4 and Excelsior), and am darned sorry to have missed that sight!

Glen Lake played host to a wonderful variety of other birds today, though. = 16 Canada geese were on the lake first thing this morning, standing resolute= ly on the ice or slipping and sliding their way along. Later in the day two = male red-winged blackbirds showed up in the cattail marsh and began dueling = calls. Interestingly enough, 2002's first red-winged blackbirds also showed = up on March 16.

Midafternoon the geese headed off and were soon replaced by about three doz= en mallards and one pair of northern pintails. This was the first time (in t= he three years I've lived here) that I've seen pintails on the lake, so I wa= s happy to add them to my Glen Lake checklist as the 112th bird species. Als= o had the year's first robin and two mourning doves in the yard throughout t= he day.

Ah, it feels like spring!

Christine Petersen

--MS_Mac_OE_3130694947_88486_MIME_Part-- From SnoEowl@aol.com Mon Mar 17 14:49:20 2003 From: SnoEowl@aol.com (SnoEowl@aol.com) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 09:49:20 EST Subject: [mou] Great River Birding Festival Message-ID: <181.185f986b.2ba73a70@aol.com> Forwarded by request: MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The 2nd Annual Great River Birding Festival: Celebrating Spring, International Migratory Bird Day and the Mississippi River Flyway May 9, 10 & 11th, 2003 , Mother's Day Weekend For More Information or to PreRegister for Special Events: Go to www.mississippi-river.org or call: 1-877-525-3248 The Great River Birding Festival is a cooperative event between the Audubon - Upper Mississippi River Campaign and the Mississippi Valley Partners Al Batt Hartland From smithville4@msn.com Mon Mar 17 15:18:37 2003 From: smithville4@msn.com (Michael Hendrickson) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 09:18:37 -0600 Subject: [mou] OWLS Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0059_01C2EC66.312C4780 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hello: Dudley Edmundson and I headed up to northern Lake Co. in search of = northern owls especially Boreal Owls. The weather was warm and very = very calm with a full moon. We decided to stop a few times along Lake = Co. Rd. 2 between Forest Road 11/Lake Co. Rd. 15 and highway 1. We than = headed east along Hwy. 1 to Stoney River Road where we turned right and = began stopping and listening every 1/2 mile. After we crossed the train = tressel we than stopped every mile till we came out on Forest Road = 11/Lake Co. 15. The Stoney River Road by the way for your notes is = exactly 20.8 miles long. The road is mostly dirt and easy driving from = highway 1 to the bridge and south of the bridge to FR 11/15 the road is = soft crumbly ice covered with some scattered bare spots. I would travel = this road if you have 4x4 or a high clearance front wheel drive. There = are some ruts from the logging trucks and the loosening ice from other = vehicles that may cause some harm under your car. We started at 6:40 pm and heard our first owl at 6:40 pm and heard our = last owl at 9:55pm. Best or most active time we noticed for owls were between 6:40pm-9:00pm = and after that owls were very scarce and not singing as much. We heard 18 owls (tied previous group the night before. YES we wanted 19 = owls!! hheheh) 17 Saw Whet Owls and 1 Great Grey Owl. Here's our locations and miles = locations along Stoney River Road. Remember the miles were taken from = Highway 1 heading south. NOSA 7:37pm .6 miles S. of Hwy 1 on SRR east side NOSA 8:00pm 2.4 miles * heard 2 NOSA's very close to the road just a = few yards in. East and west sides of road. NOSA 8:14pm 3.0 miles east side of road. NOSA 8:18pm 4.2 miles *heard 2 NOSA's on each side of the road. NOSA 8:22pm 4.8 miles west side of road NOSA 8:40pm 7.2 miles east side of road GGO 8:40pm 7.2 miles east side of road * long way off NOSA 8:45pm 7.8 miles west side of road *different owl NOSA 8:51pm 8.4 miles east side NOSA 8:54pm 9.0 miles west side *fairly close to the road NOSA 9:00pm 10.0 miles west side NOSA 9:35pm 15.7 miles west side NOSA 9:55pm 20 miles west side Overall it was very fun and will plan on going up again by April 1. I = want to travel some other forest roads that are most likely right now in = rough conditions and hopefully by April 1 the roads will improve for = traveling. Mike H. ------=_NextPart_000_0059_01C2EC66.312C4780 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Hello:

Dudley Edmundson and I headed up to northern Lake Co. in search of = northern=20 owls especially Boreal Owls. The weather was warm and very very = calm with=20 a full moon. We decided to stop a few times along Lake Co. Rd. 2 = between=20 Forest Road 11/Lake Co. Rd. 15 and highway 1. We than headed east = along=20 Hwy. 1 to Stoney River Road where we turned right and began stopping and = listening every 1/2 mile. After we crossed the train tressel we = than=20 stopped every mile till we came out on Forest Road 11/Lake Co. 15. = The=20 Stoney River Road by the way for your notes is exactly 20.8 miles = long. =20 The road is mostly dirt and easy driving from highway 1 to the bridge = and south=20 of the bridge to FR 11/15 the road is soft crumbly ice covered with = some=20 scattered bare spots. I would travel this road if you have 4x4 or = a high=20 clearance front wheel drive. There are some ruts from the logging = trucks=20 and the loosening ice from other vehicles that may cause some harm under = your=20 car.

We started at 6:40 pm and heard our first owl at 6:40 pm and heard = our last=20 owl at 9:55pm.

Best or most active time we noticed for owls were between = 6:40pm-9:00pm and=20 after that owls were very scarce and not singing as much.

We heard 18 owls (tied previous group the night before. YES we = wanted 19=20 owls!! hheheh)

17 Saw Whet Owls and 1 Great Grey Owl. Here's our = locations and miles locations along Stoney River Road. Remember the = miles were=20 taken from Highway 1 heading south.

NOSA 7:37pm .6 miles S. of Hwy 1 on SRR east = side

NOSA 8:00pm 2.4 miles * heard 2 NOSA's = very=20 close to the road just a few yards in. East and west sides of = road.

NOSA 8:14pm 3.0 miles = east side=20 of road.

NOSA 8:18pm 4.2 miles = *heard 2=20 NOSA's on each side of the road.

NOSA 8:22pm 4.8 = miles =20 west side of road

NOSA 8:40pm 7.2=20 miles east side of road

GGO 8:40pm 7.2=20 miles east side of road * long way = off

NOSA 8:45pm 7.8 miles = west side=20 of road *different owl

NOSA 8:51pm 8.4 = miles east=20 side

NOSA 8:54pm 9.0 miles = west=20 side *fairly close to the road

NOSA 9:00pm 10.0 miles west = side

NOSA 9:35pm 15.7 miles west = side

NOSA 9:55pm 20 miles west = side

Overall it was very fun and will plan on going up again by April = 1. I=20 want to travel some other forest roads that are most likely right now in = rough=20 conditions and hopefully by April 1 the roads will improve for = traveling.

Mike H.

------=_NextPart_000_0059_01C2EC66.312C4780-- From smithville4@msn.com Mon Mar 17 15:27:18 2003 From: smithville4@msn.com (Michael Hendrickson) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 09:27:18 -0600 Subject: [mou] OWLS ( more NOSA) Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_000C_01C2EC67.67BB25E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I forgot to add these NOSA's to the nights total. These Northern Saw = Whets were all along Lake Co. Rd. 2 and the miles were taken from the = intersection of Forest Road 11/Lake Co. Rd. 15 heading north on Lake Co. = Rd. 2. NOSA 6:40pm .6 miles north of FR11 on Lake Co. 2 West side=20 NOSA 6:52pm 2 miles north of FR11 on Lake Co. 2 East side NOSA 7:16pm ** 1 mile south of Hwy 1 on Lake Co. Rd. 2 East side I wish we had more time to owl along Lake Co. Rd 2 as there is some real = favorable habitats for Boreal Owls and other owl species but we wanted = to make time for owling along the Stoney River Road. Mike H ------=_NextPart_000_000C_01C2EC67.67BB25E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

I forgot to add these NOSA's to the nights total. These = Northern Saw=20 Whets were all along Lake Co. Rd. 2 and the miles were taken from the=20 intersection of Forest Road 11/Lake Co. Rd. 15 heading north on Lake Co. = Rd.=20 2.

NOSA 6:40pm .6 miles north of FR11 on Lake Co. 2 = West=20 side

NOSA 6:52pm 2 miles north of FR11 on Lake Co. 2 East = side

NOSA 7:16pm ** 1 mile south of Hwy 1 on Lake Co. Rd. 2 East=20 side

I wish we had more time to owl along Lake Co. Rd 2 as there is some = real=20 favorable habitats for Boreal Owls and other owl species but we wanted = to make=20 time for owling along the Stoney River Road.

Mike H

------=_NextPart_000_000C_01C2EC67.67BB25E0-- From Kelly Sun Mar 16 23:43:35 2003 From: Kelly (Kelly Larson) Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 17:43:35 -0600 Subject: [mou] Spring at Frontenac Message-ID: <3E750C26.AA691038@redwing.net> I never made it Coville Park for ducks. Instead I headed to Frontenac State Park and made the rounds of a Bluebird trail I monitored last summer. It turned out to be a very productive walk. Many Song Sparrows and Juncos, and a number of other sparrows that would not show themselves were singing. After hearing several Eastern Bluebirds I finally spotted a pair near one of the nest boxes. I spotted another male further down the trail. There were Killdeer passing through the area calling often though not sighted. A flock of 15 Wild Turkey occupied a portion of the Buffalo pasture that can be seen from Frontenac Pond. I watched them for some time, 4 toms did their best to impress the ladies. Despite their best efforts, full tail fans, colorful head regalia and strutting, the jennies seem more impressed with the buffalo "pies" exposed by the thaw! Other notable birds seen along the Frontenac trails were 3 Northern Flicker, a flock of 20 swans (to far away to ID), and 2 pair of Bald Eagles soaring circles around each other. I worked my way over to a ridge over looking Wells Creek hoping to sneak up on the waterfowl I knew would be there. They had to many look-outs! I spooked about 150 Mallard. In the frenzy that followed I did pick out 6 pair of Wood Duck. Bird of the day, a lone Eastern Phoebe seen near Wells Creek. The bird was making short flights from a hunting perch, occasionally pumping it's tail as it waited. I was buzzed by one HUGE fly, saw many gnats, one Checkerspot/Crescentspot and one Question Mark butterfly, and one woolybear crossed my path. An excellent day to be anywhere but inside! Kelly Feathered Friend -- Visit Our Website ~ http://www.thefeatheredfriend.com The Great River Birding Festival Is Coming http://www.mississippi-river.org/birding/ From Peterson.James18@mayo.edu Mon Mar 17 13:22:26 2003 From: Peterson.James18@mayo.edu (Peterson, James M.) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 07:22:26 -0600 Subject: [mou] Fox Sparrows Message-ID: <17B4658064F3D211A02E0090274EC4B304DAA529@excsrv10.mayo.edu> This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not understand this format, some or all of this message may not be legible. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EC88.40B07A10 Content-Type: text/plain Observerd 4 or 5 fox sparrows in Beaver Creek Valley State Park near Caledonia on Sunday. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EC88.40B07A10 Content-Type: text/html Fox Sparrows

Observerd 4 or 5 fox sparrows in Beaver Creek Valley State Park near Caledonia on Sunday.

------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EC88.40B07A10-- From mcrobepd@hotmail.com Mon Mar 17 14:38:42 2003 From: mcrobepd@hotmail.com (Dave McRoberts) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 08:38:42 -0600 Subject: [mou] Morris WMD Big Stone NWR Birding Event Ad Message-ID:

>2nd Annual Birding Weekend

>Morris WMD & Big Stone NWR

>May 2nd - May 4th

>Friends of the Morris Wetland Management District and Friends of Prairie will host a free guided birding weekend May 2-4, 2003. Activities will be centered in Morris at the Morris Wetland Management District office and at the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.

>March 2003 is the 100th Birthday of the National Wildlife Refuges. Help us Celebrate the Centennial on May 2nd, Friday afternoon at 1:00PM with the unveiling of our new Centennial Waterfowl Production Area, which will include an exclusive opportunity for duck banding. Doug Buri (our expert guide and consultant from SD) feels that a small group of birders would be able to attend this event, bird on the return trip to Morris (40 minutes away), have dinner, and enjoy a slide presentation that evening.

>Registration will start on Friday morning (WPA excursion) and continue Saturday morning, May 3rd, at the Morris WMD office located 4 miles east of Morris MN. The birders will explore various parts of the northern tall grass prairie pothole country managed by the Morris WMD followed by a dinner in the evening to share the day�s sightings and preview Sunday�s event. On Sunday morning, May 4th, bus tours will leave from the same location at 7AM. This tour will visit a number of locations on the trip southwest to the Big Stone NWR and return to Morris at noon.

>Guides for the event are Bob Janssen, Jerry Bonkoski, and Doug Buri. Mr. Janssen was the editor of The Loon, the Minnesota Ornithologists Union journal, for over 35 years. He has authored two books, Minnesota Birds and Birds in Minnesota. Bird watching became Jerry Bonkoski�s passion 30 years ago. Since that time, he has been active in the pursuit of new birds throughout Minnesota, and he has a list of over 350 species. Jerry is the current MOU President.

>Doug Buri is the founder of the original Big Stone Bird Festival and one of the coordinators of the fall Shorebird Workshop at Big Stone NWR. Doug combines a talent for teaching with knowledge of the area and its bird population.

>This birding event is sponsored and funded by West Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, Prairie Renaissance Project (Morris/Blandin Partnership) and hosted by Friends of the Morris Wetland Management District and Friends of Prairie.

>Pre-reservations must be made by April 14, 2003. Please reserve your space, call the Morris WMD office at 1-800-248-5868 (320-589-1001) or email kdliving@yahoo.com.

>Motel Information:

>Best Western Prairie Inn: 1-800-535-3035 (local)

>Super 8: 1-800-800-8000 (1-320-589-888 local)

>HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES AND WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS!

>Friends Of the Morris Wetland Management District

>Kate & Dale Livingston

>10 Ridge Road

>Morris, MN 56267

>US Postage

>ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

>Kate & Dale Livingston

>Email kdliving@yahoo.com

>---------------------------------

>Do you Yahoo!?

>Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, and more

Protect your PC - Click here for McAfee.com VirusScan Online From Steve.Kittelson@dnr.state.mn.us Mon Mar 17 15:55:51 2003 From: Steve.Kittelson@dnr.state.mn.us (Steve Kittelson) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 09:55:51 -0600 Subject: [mou] Eurasian collared dove back in Amboy Message-ID: A Eurasian-collared dove was calling on a power pole in the alley between the Amboy Cottage Cafe and the water tower on the afternoon of March 16, 2003. This the same location as in 2002. Steve Kittelson From Steve.Kittelson@dnr.state.mn.us Mon Mar 17 16:09:44 2003 From: Steve.Kittelson@dnr.state.mn.us (Steve Kittelson) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 10:09:44 -0600 Subject: [mou] Eurasian collared dove back in Amboy Message-ID: In Amboy, Minnesota which is 20 miles south of Mankato on U. S. Hwy 169. This puts it about 2 hours SW of the Twin Cities on Hwy. 169. Thanks for the reminder to add that part. Steve Kittelson >>> 03/17/03 10:00 AM >>> Where is the Amboy Cottage Cafe? I am new to this list and to Minnesota. Brooke Harlowe St. Paul, MN From connyb@mycidco.com Mon Mar 17 12:40:25 2003 From: connyb@mycidco.com (connyb) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 12:40:25 Subject: [mou] Woodlake Nature Ctr. Hennepin Co. Message-ID: There is something contradictory about seeing a Great Blue Heron standing motionless on ice appearing to be frozen in time, while the temperatures outside are so balmy. Neck stretched up straight, leaning forward, black plumes dangling, legs stationary, perfectly still waiting patiently. What a welcome sight returning to Woodlake Nature Center one of the first arrivals even before the ice disappears. The Marsh quiet for so many months, has begun to play the sweet music of the returning regular species. Awareness of their arrival has been heightened with volumns of sound that seems boisterous in comparison to winter. Cattails, furry spikes that now show off Red-winged Blackbirds, setting up their command posts adding texture to the Marsh. Three Ring-billed Gulls flew over, but the ice is still thick except for around the edges where the Mallards hang out. Seeing and hearing the Song Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, and White-throated Sparrows today, as well as the American Tree Sparrows, and Dark-eyed Juncos that are still here was a big boost in enjoying the Marsh Trails. Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty connyb@mycidco.com From aajensen1@hotmail.com Mon Mar 17 19:23:35 2003 From: aajensen1@hotmail.com (Allison Jensen) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 13:23:35 -0600 Subject: [mou] Request for submissions, May-June Minnesota Birding Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0099_01C2EC88.69EBBE80 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hello! The deadline for the May-June issue of Minnesota Birding has been = advanced somewhat from the usual to accommodate some new members of the team--including me, the = new lead editor. By March 21, please send me submissions--birding festival information, = other birding-related=20 activities (such as International Migratory Bird Day events), and short = and long articles. If you cannot make that date but wish to be considered for the May-June issue, = please contact me as soon as possible and we'll see if we can work out something. Electronic submissions are most welcome.=20 Best, Allison Campbell Jensen 1200 W. Eldridge Ave. Roseville, MN 55113 (651) 488-3030 home (612) 624-9912 work aajensen1@hotmail.com ------=_NextPart_000_0099_01C2EC88.69EBBE80 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Hello!

The deadline for the May-June issue of Minnesota Birding has been = advanced=20 somewhat from

the usual to accommodate some new members of the team--including = me, the=20 new lead editor.

By March 21, please send me submissions--birding festival = information,=20 other birding-related

activities (such as International Migratory Bird Day events), and = short and=20 long articles. If you

cannot make that date but wish to be considered for the May-June = issue,=20 please contact me as

soon as possible and we'll see if we can work out something.

Electronic submissions are most welcome.

Best,

Allison Campbell Jensen

1200 W. Eldridge Ave.

Roseville, MN 55113

(651) 488-3030 home

(612) 624-9912 work

aajensen1@hotmail.com

------=_NextPart_000_0099_01C2EC88.69EBBE80-- From Chris Benson" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0028_01C2EC89.23D520C0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Looks like spring might really be here. Over the weekend I had a chance = to bird just a little bit when I wasn't busy with our baby bird. It = isn't easy pushing a stroller and trying to use binoculars but a guy = does what he can. Birds I hadn't seen in 2003 that were seen over the weekend included: Sandhill Crane (4) - 3/15 - Olmsted CR 5 south of Byron Great Blue Heron (3) - 3/16 - Olmsted CR 6 by Ironwood Springs Ranch Mute Swan - 3/16 & 3/17 - Olmsted CR 25 (Salem Rd) west of CR 22 in a = flooded field west of the Historical Society. Also in the same area as the Mute Swan this morning were 5 weird looking = domestic geese, three white and two brown. Makes finding the Snows and = White-fronteds even more fun! =20 On Friday and Saturday evenings I observed two Short-eared Owls near the = intersection of 70th Av SW and 20th St SW in "rural" Salem Corners. I just can't stand the heavy traffic in that town. Check the plowed fields as well as the grass fields. The owls are using = both. =20 They seem to like sitting on the ground in the plowed fields doing their = best imitation of, uh, dung birds.=20 Friday there may have been more than two owls, they were busy and = seemingly everywhere. And a bunch (or flocks) of other fun species, including lots of Grackles = to give the overwintering guy behind my office companionship. Now that = he's not the only one he has finally earned his name and become a Common = Grackle. (Well, they aren't common in January...it's all relative. And = what's in a name?) =20 There's still a Northern Shrike hanging out at Kelly's Orchards as of = this morning, how much longer I can't tell. Time for me to go back to work. Chris Benson Rochester, MN ------=_NextPart_000_0028_01C2EC89.23D520C0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Looks like spring might really be = here. =20 Over the weekend I had a chance to = bird just a=20 little bit when I wasn't busy with our baby bird. It isn't easy = pushing a=20 stroller and trying to use binoculars but a guy does what he = can.

Birds I hadn't seen in 2003 that were = seen over the=20 weekend included:

Sandhill Crane (4) - 3/15 - Olmsted CR = 5 south of=20 Byron

Great Blue Heron (3) - 3/16 = - Olmsted CR 6 by=20 Ironwood Springs Ranch

Mute Swan - 3/16 & 3/17 - Olmsted = CR 25 (Salem=20 Rd) west of CR 22 in a flooded field west of the Historical=20 Society.

Also in the same area as the Mute Swan = this morning=20 were 5 weird looking domestic geese, three white and two brown. = Makes=20 finding the Snows and White-fronteds even more = fun!

On Friday and Saturday evenings I = observed two=20 Short-eared Owls near the intersection of 70th Av SW and 20th St SW in = "rural"=20 Salem Corners.

I just can't stand the heavy traffic in = that=20 town.

Check the plowed fields as well as the = grass=20 fields. The owls are using both.

They seem to like sitting on the ground = in the=20 plowed fields doing their best imitation of, uh, dung=20 birds.

Friday there may have been more than = two owls, they=20 were busy and seemingly everywhere.

And a bunch (or flocks) of = other fun=20 species, including lots of Grackles to give the overwintering guy = behind my=20 office companionship. Now that he's not the only one he = has finally=20 earned his name and become a Common Grackle. (Well, they = aren't=20 common in January...it's all relative. And what's in a = name?) =20

There's still a Northern Shrike hanging = out at=20 Kelly's Orchards as of this morning, how much longer I can't = tell.

Time for me to go back to = work.

Chris Benson

Rochester,=20 MN

------=_NextPart_000_0028_01C2EC89.23D520C0-- From bikebirder75@yahoo.com Mon Mar 17 19:58:46 2003 From: bikebirder75@yahoo.com (C. Mansfield) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 11:58:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: [mou] Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Wood Lake, Hennepin Co. Message-ID: <20030317195846.47178.qmail@web13304.mail.yahoo.com> I wonder if Conny and I overlapped at Wood Lake today--I walked the west and south perimeter trail during lunch hour, and missed Fox Sparrow, but got to hear some tentative White-throated Sparrow songs. I saw a (different?) Great Blue Heron fly in at about 12:40 PM. But my bird of the day was a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, by far the earliest I've had one, along the southernmost chain-link fence trail between Bryant and Dupont at noon. There were many juncos flitting about, and I was checking out every motion--and this one was something different. It was feeding very low off the ground (I saw a few gnat-type insects, ladybugs, and flies), flicking its wings, and staying put long enough for me to see its un-striped face with the white eye ring and scarlet crown. It didn't stay long--a couple of the sparring juncos flushed it up and it flew southwest towards the houses. I lost sight of it, though I tried for another half an hour. Chris ===== Chris Mansfield Richfield, Hennepin Co. MN bikebirder75@yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop! http://platinum.yahoo.com From Chris Benson" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_007C_01C2EC99.EC8229E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable A couple minutes ago a large all dark bird with two-toned underwings = flew overhead at 65th St NW and Hwy 52 that I couldn't turn into a = Golden Eagle. Because it was a Turkey Vulture! What excitement! I need a life. Chris ------=_NextPart_000_007C_01C2EC99.EC8229E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

A couple minutes ago a large all = dark bird=20 with two-toned underwings flew overhead at 65th St NW and Hwy 52 that I = couldn't=20 turn into a Golden Eagle. Because it was a Turkey Vulture! = What=20 excitement!

I need a life.

Chris

------=_NextPart_000_007C_01C2EC99.EC8229E0-- From MMARTELL@audubon.org Mon Mar 17 22:33:13 2003 From: MMARTELL@audubon.org (MARTELL, Mark) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 17:33:13 -0500 Subject: [mou] Shorebird Study Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2ECD5.32759361 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <>=20 For those of you interested in shorebirds; a study looking at ways to = monitor these birds in the Great Plains is looking for volunteers. See = the attached notice. Mark Martell Director of Bird Conservation Audubon Minnesota 2357 Ventura Drive #106 St. Paul, MN 55125 651-739-9332 651-731-1330 (FAX) ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2ECD5.32759361 Content-Type: application/msword; name="volunteer ad.doc" Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 Content-Description: volunteer ad.doc Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="volunteer ad.doc" 0M8R4KGxGuEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPgADAP7/CQAGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAAAMAAAAAAAAAAA EAAAMgAAAAEAAAD+////AAAAAC8AAAD///////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 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AAAAAA== ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2ECD5.32759361-- From krulas@charter.net Tue Mar 18 01:49:00 2003 From: krulas@charter.net (Chuck) Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 19:49:00 -0600 Subject: [mou] Eurasian Collard Dove in Renville Cty Message-ID: <007101c2ecf0$8c1e5720$8dc1bc42@roc.mn.charter.com> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_006E_01C2ECBE.4126D300 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Jeff Stephnson and I located 2 Eurasian Collard Doves in Renville again = today. The location was in the ally behind a yellow house that should be = 309 2nd st SW. They were very cooperative. ( thanks Craig for your note) Also as Craig reported, there were 100's of Lapland Longspurs still = present on the Renville / Sibley county lines . as well as the East - = West Cty road 4.Still a good number of Snow Buntings also.=20 Chuck Krulas Rochester, Olmsted Cty 507-289-8675 ------=_NextPart_000_006E_01C2ECBE.4126D300 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Jeff Stephnson and I located 2 Eurasian = Collard=20 Doves in Renville again today. The location was in the ally behind a = yellow=20 house that should be 309 2nd st SW. They were very cooperative. ( thanks = Craig=20 for your note)

Also as Craig reported, there were = 100's of Lapland=20 Longspurs still present on the Renville / Sibley county lines . as well=20 as the East - West Cty road 4.Still a good number of Snow Buntings=20 also.

Chuck Krulas
Rochester, Olmsted=20 Cty
507-289-8675

------=_NextPart_000_006E_01C2ECBE.4126D300-- From sweston2@attbi.com Tue Mar 18 07:43:40 2003 From: sweston2@attbi.com (Steve Weston) Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 01:43:40 -0600 Subject: [mou] owl trip & other birds in Dakota Co. Message-ID: <005601c2ed25$7bc6e380$361e2942@spacestar.net> Sunday 3/16 Scouting in the afternoon for the owl trip that evening, I found the following new arrivals of note: Pintail duck in flooded farm field Am. Robins in several locations foraging on the ground Eastern Bluebird Great Blue Heron Killdeer: 8 total inc. 5 flying by Red-winged Blackbird males on territory everywhere + one female mixed blackbird flock with Red-wings, Grackles, Cowbirds, Rusties (at least 5) The evening owl trip had 14 participants. Even though they were well behaved (quiet), still could get very little reaction from the owls. We had Saw-whets calling at one spot, but they were so quiet that probably half the group never heard a thing. A Great-horned Owl called several times from across a field. The Long-eared Owls were silent or gone. Steve Weston on Quigley Lake in Eagan sweston2@attbi.com From EgretCMan@aol.com Tue Mar 18 12:28:12 2003 From: EgretCMan@aol.com (EgretCMan@aol.com) Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 07:28:12 EST Subject: [mou] Wilkin/Clay/Ottertail Counties - 3/17/03 Message-ID: <150.1d15b41d.2ba86adc@aol.com> --part1_150.1d15b41d.2ba86adc_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 3/17/03 Linda Sparling and I spent the day birding in Wilkin, Clay and Ottertail counties. We tried and missed on the Varied Thrush at Moorhead and as previously reported there are no longer any Goldeneye's returning to the spot in Fergus Falls. Some of the birds we did find were Golden Eagle, Gray Partridge, Greater Prairie Chicken, and a nesting Great Horned Owl. With the warm weather and cloudless sky, it was a very nice day of birding on the Prairie. @ Golden Eagle - A first year bird was observed at the Rothsay WMA @ Gray Partridge - Linda spotted a female Gray Partridge along the railroad tracks on the East side Of Hyw 52 at the intersection of CR 69 in Clay county. @ Greater Prairie Chickens - Observed at Town Hall Prairie, Rothsay WMA and CR 26, 1 mile West of CR 15 in Wilkin county. @ Great Horned Owl - located a bird on a nest along CR 21 about 2 miles north of CR 11 in Ottertail county. @ Western Meadowlark - A single Meadowlark was observed and heard making its call note along Clay County Road 11, just south of the town of Sabin. @ Rusty Blackbird - a single Male Rusty Blackbird was observed at the same location as the Great Horned Owl. Craig Mandel - EgretCMan@aol.com - Minnetonka, MN --part1_150.1d15b41d.2ba86adc_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable 3/17/03

Linda Sparling and I spent the day birding in Wilkin, Clay and Ottertail cou= nties. We tried and missed on the Varied Thrush at Moorhead and as pre= viously reported there are no longer any Goldeneye's returning to the spot i= n Fergus Falls.

Some of the birds we did find were Golden Eagle, Gray Partridge, Greater Pra= irie Chicken, and a nesting Great Horned Owl. With the warm weather an= d cloudless sky, it was a very nice day of birding on the Prairie.

@ Golden Eagle - A first year bird was observed at the Rothsay WMA
@ Gray Partridge - Linda spotted a female Gray Partridge along the railroad=20= tracks on the East side Of Hyw 52 at the intersection of CR 69 in Clay count= y.
@ Greater Prairie Chickens - Observed at Town Hall Prairie, Rothsay WMA and=20= CR 26, 1 mile West of CR 15 in Wilkin county.
@ Great Horned Owl - located a bird on a nest along CR 21 about 2 miles nort= h of CR 11 in Ottertail county.
@ Western Meadowlark - A single Meadowlark was observed and heard making its= call note along Clay County Road 11, just south of the town of Sabin.
@ Rusty Blackbird - a single Male Rusty Blackbird was observed at the same l= ocation as the Great Horned Owl.

Craig Mandel - EgretCMan@aol.com - Minnetonka, MN --part1_150.1d15b41d.2ba86adc_boundary-- From holtz@noah.csp.edu Tue Mar 18 17:14:24 2003 From: holtz@noah.csp.edu (Robert Holtz) Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 11:14:24 -0600 Subject: [mou] Request Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.0.20030318111324.00a00210@noah.csp.edu> Can anyone recommend a great web site where Junior high school students can study bird songs? Thanks. Bob Holtz From dwassme1@tampabay.rr.com Tue Mar 18 21:28:13 2003 From: dwassme1@tampabay.rr.com (DWassme1) Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 16:28:13 -0500 Subject: [mou] Request In-Reply-To: <5.1.0.14.0.20030318111324.00a00210@noah.csp.edu> Message-ID: <001b01c2ed95$4b3c0590$0401a8c0@20plex> Try the Library of Ornithology - Cornell University. Conduct a Web search for it. John Fitzpatrick (the Director)or one of his staff members can provide assistance if needed Doug Wassmer & Lilian Saul Tampa, FL Dwassme1@tampabay.rrr.com -----Original Message----- From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On Behalf Of Robert Holtz Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 12:14 PM To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Subject: [mou] Request Can anyone recommend a great web site where Junior high school students can study bird songs? Thanks. Bob Holtz _______________________________________________ mou-net mailing list mou-net@cbs.umn.edu http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net From ekblad@millcomm.com Tue Mar 18 21:52:08 2003 From: ekblad@millcomm.com (Bob Ekblad) Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 15:52:08 -0600 Subject: [mou] Request References: <5.1.0.14.0.20030318111324.00a00210@noah.csp.edu> Message-ID: <3E779508.4060700@millcomm.com> Try Greg Kunkle's site at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/G_Kunkel/homepage.htm - includes pictures of the birds as well as songs. or NA Bird Songs at http://www.naturesongs.com/birds.html (listed with scientific names). Robert Holtz wrote: > Can anyone recommend a great web site where Junior high school > students can study bird songs? Thanks. > > Bob Holtz -- Bob Ekblad Olmsted County in SE Minnesota http://home.rconnect.com/~ekblad/ From RVjesse@aol.com Tue Mar 18 22:46:40 2003 From: RVjesse@aol.com (RVjesse@aol.com) Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 17:46:40 EST Subject: [mou] Mower County Message-ID: <8f.2adbdc01.2ba8fbd0@aol.com> --part1_8f.2adbdc01.2ba8fbd0_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello: Today at the Hormel Nature Center on the east side of Austin were five Turkey Vultures circling. Also seen were three Ring-necked Ducks, two females and one male plus a Kingfisher. Thanks, Robert Jessen Austin --part1_8f.2adbdc01.2ba8fbd0_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hello: Today at the Hormel Nature Center on the=20= east side of Austin were five Turkey Vultures circling. Also seen were= three Ring-necked Ducks, two females and one male plus a Kingfisher. &= nbsp; Thanks, Robert Jessen Austin --part1_8f.2adbdc01.2ba8fbd0_boundary-- From Kelly Wed Mar 19 18:04:18 2003 From: Kelly (Kelly Larson) Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 12:04:18 -0600 Subject: [mou] Prairie Island Birding Message-ID: <3E78B122.8831DE94@redwing.net> Went out for a second round of birding on Monday. I had to get a taste of all that waterfowl action I've been reading about. Lock and Dam 3 at Prairie Island had several rafts of mixed species. Along with the Canada Geese, their were good numbers of Scaup. Pairs of Common Merganser kept company with Mallards and Gadwall. Two pair of American Widgeon, and one pair of Bufflehead kept to the middle of the channel. On the far side I picked out about 6 Northern Shoveler. Bald Eagles were everywhere, I counted at least two dozen from the view at the end of the drive, but I wasn't really searching for them. One Great Blue Heron stood on the ice stubbornly clinging to a backwater pond. He must have been thinking Van de Camps! On the drive out we spotted a pair of Bluebirds that had ignored the NSP "No Trespassing" signs and one Killdeer on some mud flats near the hwy 18 intersection. Drove to the Ravena Trail bridge for some excellent views of Common and Hooded Merganser. They were frisky! A number of Bald Eagle at this location also. The songs of the Red-winged Blackbirds are a tonic for the spirit! Good Birding to All, Kelly Feathered Friend -- Visit Our Website ~ http://www.thefeatheredfriend.com The Great River Birding Festival Is Coming http://www.mississippi-river.org/birding/ From benzdedrick@hotmail.com Tue Mar 18 23:37:32 2003 From: benzdedrick@hotmail.com (Dedrick Benz) Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 23:37:32 +0000 Subject: [mou] Gr. WF Geese, Houston Co. Message-ID: Well, of course I didn't find any of my target birds today, but I did add about 18 year birds. Either I haven't been getting out much, or the floodgates of Spring are opening up. A little of both, I presume. There were at least 59 Greater White-fronted Geese at mile marker 13 (ie 13 miles North of the Iowa border) on 26 which begins just south of La Crescent, and brings you to New Albin, Iowa. I found 16 species of Duck today, including at least 50 Hooded Mergansers at close range 100 yds SE of the only stoplight in La Crescent. Other new arrivals: Tundra Swan (just 1) 16 of the 20 'expected' ducks - missed BW Teal, Canvasback, Gr. Scaup, Ruddy Duck Sandhill Crane Ring-billed Gull Eastern Phoebe Song Sparrow Eastern Meadowlark Field Sparrow I also heard a Tufted Titmouse at a trailhead leading into the Dorer State Forest (I forget exactly where, but I know it's South of MM 13). Lots of Raptors today including one Rough-legged Hawk and one Turkey Vulture (pseudo raptor). Killdeer, Redwings and Grackles are now officially everywhere. Dedrick Benz Winona, MN _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 From EgretCMan@aol.com Wed Mar 19 19:51:18 2003 From: EgretCMan@aol.com (EgretCMan@aol.com) Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 14:51:18 EST Subject: [mou] Rice County - Carolina Wren still Present in Faribault Message-ID: <126.254232e6.2baa2436@aol.com> --part1_126.254232e6.2baa2436_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 3/18/03 Spent the day birding in Rice County with Conny Brunell. One of the highlights was refinding the Carolina Wren that Forest Strnad has posted of several occasions. The bird was observed along the hiking trail behind the Trails edge Apartments at 715 Central Ave in the town of Faribault at 10:00am. Here are some of the other species of interest and new for the season that we observed today. 18 species of ducks were observed, with the largest number being observed at Well's Lake. There were other flocks of waterfowl present at several locations on Lake Sakatah and along the bridge in the town of Warsaw. @ Eastern Phoebe - several locations @ Eastern Bluebird @ Carolina Wren @ Fox Sparrow @ Rusty Blackbird --part1_126.254232e6.2baa2436_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable 3/18/03

Spent the day birding in Rice County with Conny Brunell. One of the hi= ghlights was refinding the Carolina Wren that Forest Strnad has posted of se= veral occasions. The bird was observed along the hiking trail behind t= he Trails edge Apartments at 715 Central Ave in the town of Faribault at 10:= 00am. Here are some of the other species of interest and new for the s= eason that we observed today.

18 species of ducks were observed, with the largest number being observed at= Well's Lake. There were other flocks of waterfowl present at several=20= locations on Lake Sakatah and along the bridge in the town of Warsaw.

@ Eastern Phoebe - several locations
@ Eastern Bluebird
@ Carolina Wren
@ Fox Sparrow
@ Rusty Blackbird
--part1_126.254232e6.2baa2436_boundary-- From Andrew.Longtin@sungard.com Wed Mar 19 20:31:41 2003 From: Andrew.Longtin@sungard.com (Andrew.Longtin@sungard.com) Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 14:31:41 -0600 Subject: [mou] Four Hooded Mergansers (Hopkins) Message-ID: <6AE02B6941CF4545A97A74F319E7CEF36CB345@e2khopkins1.internal.sungard.corp> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EE56.8CCC9928 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable For lunch I took a quick look at the pond on the end of my block by work = and found 4 Hooded Mergansers along with the usual suspects, the pond is = on the west side of 169 between the Lincoln Drive / 5th St. S. exit and = the Londonberry exit, you can see it from 169. =20 There was 1 female and 3 males feeding under the edge of the ice, along = with Mallards and a few Canada Geese =20 Andrew =20 -- Andrew B. Longtin Senior Systems Programmer SunGard Securities Processing 601 Second Avenue South Hopkins, Minnesota 55343-7671 (952) 936-8791 Direct (952) 935-3300 Main (952) 936-8888 Fax Andrew.Longtin@SunGard.com www.sungard.com =20 =20 =20 =20 ------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EE56.8CCC9928 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

For=20 lunch I took a quick look at the pond on the end of my block by work and = found 4=20 Hooded Mergansers along with the usual suspects, the pond is on the west = side of=20 169 between the Lincoln Drive / 5th St. S. exit and the Londonberry = exit, you=20 can see it from 169.

There=20 was 1 female and 3 males feeding under the edge of the ice, along with = Mallards=20 and a few Canada Geese

Andrew

Andrew B. = Longtin

Senior Systems=20 Programmer

SunGard Securities=20 Processing

601 Second Avenue = South

Hopkins, Minnesota =20 55343-7671

(952) 936-8791 = Direct

(952) 935-3300 = Main

(952) 936-8888 = Fax

Andrew.Longtin@SunGard.com=

www.sungard.com

------_=_NextPart_001_01C2EE56.8CCC9928-- From rmdbird@mn.rr.com Wed Mar 19 23:59:48 2003 From: rmdbird@mn.rr.com (Bob Dunlap) Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 17:59:48 -0600 Subject: [mou] New Germany waterfowl, Carver County Message-ID: <005101c2ee73$9facb1e0$66c31941@MainComputer> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_004E_01C2EE41.54E4F050 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable The waterfowl flocks are beginning to move through western Carver = County. In the New Germany area along Cnty. Rd. 30, there were: -Canada Goose (many) -Mallard (a few) -Lesser Scaup (~75) -Greater Scaup (2) -Ring-necked Duck (~50) -Blue-winged Teal (3) -Wood Duck (2) -Common Goldeneye (7) -Common Merganser (6) -Hooded Merganser (7) Flocks of blackbirds, including a few Rusties, were also moving through. = Spring is underway! -Bob Dunlap, Carver County ------=_NextPart_000_004E_01C2EE41.54E4F050 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

The waterfowl flocks are beginning to = move through=20 western Carver County. In the New Germany area along Cnty. Rd. 30, = there=20 were:

-Canada Goose (many)

-Mallard (a few)

-Lesser Scaup (~75)

-Greater Scaup (2)

-Ring-necked Duck (~50)

-Blue-winged Teal (3)

-Wood Duck (2)

-Common Goldeneye (7)

-Common Merganser (6)

-Hooded Merganser (7)

Flocks of blackbirds, including a few = Rusties, were=20 also moving through. Spring is underway!

-Bob Dunlap, Carver=20 County

------=_NextPart_000_004E_01C2EE41.54E4F050-- From smithville4@msn.com Thu Mar 20 02:37:41 2003 From: smithville4@msn.com (Michael Hendrickson) Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 20:37:41 -0600 Subject: [mou] Oil Vote Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_002E_01C2EE57.6373E3E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hello: I took interest with some of the discussions taken place about the oil = drilling in Alaska and tonight I saw on my MSNBC home page that the = motion was killed in the senate. Norm Coleman voted no and so did the = Oregon senator. I thought I share what I saw since many were very passionate about this = topic. =20 Mike H. ------=_NextPart_000_002E_01C2EE57.6373E3E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Hello:

I took interest with some of the discussions taken place about the = oil=20 drilling in Alaska and tonight I saw on my MSNBC home page that the = motion was=20 killed in the senate. Norm Coleman voted no and so did the Oregon=20 senator.

I thought I share what I saw since many were very passionate about = this=20 topic.

Mike H.

------=_NextPart_000_002E_01C2EE57.6373E3E0-- From tomtustison@hotmail.com Thu Mar 20 23:07:14 2003 From: tomtustison@hotmail.com (Tom Tustison) Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 23:07:14 +0000 Subject: [mou] Great Egret Hennepin County Message-ID: This afternoon there was an early Great Egret at Diamond Lake in south Minneapolis (54th and Portland). It was in the northwest corner of the lake. Tom Tustison _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail From renohawk@hbci.com Fri Mar 21 02:18:55 2003 From: renohawk@hbci.com (Jeff Dankert) Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 20:18:55 -0600 Subject: [mou] Ruddy duck Message-ID: <001a01c2ef50$3fad2850$912ca241@S0025943521> One sleeping, male ruddy duck was seen at 8:20 a.m. Thursday on Lake Winona. The bird looked transitional between winter and breeding plumage. The body, cocked tail, white cheek patch and dark cap were apparent, but its back and sides appeared to contain only partial amounts of the rusty red breeding plumage. It was my first ruddy of the season, and the last common duck migrant remaining for me to see for the first time this spring along the river. There were 16 red-breasted mergansers on the lake Wednesday, and they were there again on Thursday. Look for large numbers of bald eagles on the expansive ice remaining at Weaver Bottoms north of Minneiska. There were dozens loitering and scuffling over fish remains on Wednesday. Their food looked like large carp that may have been caught and hauled onto the ice. This may become a good gull spot once they arrive here in numbers. Regards, Jeff Dankert 908 Parks Ave Apt 158 Winona MN 55987-5330 (507) 454-0033 renohawk@hbci.com From axhertzel@sihope.com Fri Mar 21 03:02:48 2003 From: axhertzel@sihope.com (Anthony X. Hertzel) Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 21:02:48 -0600 Subject: [mou] MOU RBA 20 march 2003 Message-ID: --============_-1163906722==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 20th. On March 16th, a few SPRUCE GROUSE were seen 30.5 and 37 miles north of Two Harbors on Lake County Road 2, and two more were along state highway 1, 10 miles northwest of its intersection with Lake County Road 2. And BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS were found at four locations in Lake and St. Louis counties: along the Spruce Road in Lake County; just south of the Lake County Road 2 and state highway 1 intersection; just east of Jenkins Creek along St. Louis County Road 16; and along McDavitt Road in the Sax-Zim bog in St. Louis County. On the 17th, a pair of EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES was still in the town of Renville in Renville County. From U.S. Highway 212, go north on Main Street to Railroad Street and turn right. The birds were found one block east of this intersection and north of the tracks. In Blue Earth County, another Eurasian Collared-Dove was calling on a power pole in the alley between the Amboy Cottage Cafe and the water tower on the afternoon of March 16th. A Eurasian Collared-Dove made a brief appearance in Carver County on the 12th. It was found near New Germany just past the creek going south along Yancy Avenue from state highway 7. And a pair was seen again Caledonia, Houston County where they nested last year. A MUTE SWAN was seen on the 15th at the gravel pits found between the towns of Hutchinson and Biscay along state highway 22 and McLeod County Road 11. Another was seen on the 17th along Olmsted County Road 25 west of County Road 22. And a Mute Swan is still being seen at Black Dog Lake in Dakota County. Many people called to report TURVEY VULTURES passing overhead. Reports have come from the counties of Houston, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Olmsted. And SANDHILL CRANES have been seen in the counties of Houston, Olmsted, Isanti, Winona, Wabasha, and Carver. KILLDEER have been reported from numerous locations, including Hennepin, Ramsey, Houston, and Carver counties. Most of the waterfowl have returned to the state, and there are several reports of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. They have been seen in Rochester, Olmsted County and south of Brownsville in Houston County, plus a few more is Lincoln County at the Coon Creek WMA. Other migrants reported include PIED-BILLED GREBE, GREAT BLUE HERON, GREAT EGRET, TUNDRA SWAN, GOLDEN EAGLE, RING-BILLED GULL, EASTERN PHOEBE, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, SONG SPARROW, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, COMMON GRACKLE, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 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 . 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. The MOU is pleased to offer this service. Thank you, and good birding. The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, March 27th. -- Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com --============_-1163906722==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" MOU RBA 20 march 2003

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 20th.

On March 16th, a few SPRUCE GROUSE were seen 30.5 and 37 miles north of Two Harbors on Lake County Road 2, and two more were along state highway 1, 10 miles northwest of its intersection with Lake County Road 2. And BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS were found at four locations in Lake and St. Louis counties: along the Spruce Road in Lake County; just south of the Lake County Road 2 and state highway 1 intersection; just east of Jenkins Creek along St. Louis County Road 16; and along McDavitt Road in the Sax-Zim bog in St. Louis County.

On the 17th, a pair of EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES was still in the town of Renville in Renville County. From U.S. Highway 212, go north on Main Street to Railroad Street and turn right. The birds were found one block east of this intersection and north of the tracks. In Blue Earth County, another Eurasian Collared-Dove was calling on a power pole in the alley between the Amboy Cottage Cafe and the water tower on the afternoon of March 16th. A Eurasian Collared-Dove made a brief appearance in Carver County on the 12th. It was found near New Germany just past the creek going south along Yancy Avenue from state highway 7. And a pair was seen again Caledonia, Houston County where they nested last year.

A MUTE SWAN was seen on the 15th at the gravel pits found between the towns of Hutchinson and Biscay along state highway 22 and McLeod County Road 11. Another was seen on the 17th along Olmsted County Road 25 west of County Road 22. And a Mute Swan is still being seen at Black Dog Lake in Dakota County.

Many people called to report TURVEY VULTURES passing overhead. Reports have come from the counties of Houston, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Olmsted. And SANDHILL CRANES have been seen in the counties of Houston, Olmsted, Isanti, Winona, Wabasha, and Carver. KILLDEER have been reported from numerous locations, including Hennepin, Ramsey, Houston, and Carver counties.

Most of the waterfowl have returned to the state, and there are several reports of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. They have been seen in Rochester, Olmsted County and south of Brownsville in Houston County, plus a few more is Lincoln County at the Coon Creek WMA. Other migrants reported include PIED-BILLED GREBE, GREAT BLUE HERON, GREAT EGRET, TUNDRA SWAN, GOLDEN EAGLE, RING-BILLED GULL, EASTERN PHOEBE, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, SONG SPARROW, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, EASTERN MEADOWLARK, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, COMMON GRACKLE, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD.

--

Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com

--============_-1163906722==_ma============-- From ajjoppru@wiktel.com Fri Mar 21 03:48:10 2003 From: ajjoppru@wiktel.com (Jeanie Joppru) Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 21:48:10 -0600 Subject: [mou] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Friday, March 21, 2003 Message-ID: <001201c2ef5c$b69939c0$73d5aec6@main> This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, March 21, 2003 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218) 847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. Spring has definitely come to the northwest this week. There are many reports of migrating CANADA GEESE, BALD EAGLES, NORTHERN HARRIERS, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS from throughout the region. Russ Reisz reported this week that the SHARP-TAILED GROUSE are being seen on the leks in Kittson County as of Saturday, March 15th. The Varied Thrush reported in Moorhead for the past few weeks has apparently moved on, as has the Barrow's Goldeneye that was in Fergus Falls. Donna and Leon Thoreson visited the Glacial Ridge Project on March 18th and were excited to find two SNOWY OWLS sitting on rock piles about 1.9 miles south of Highway 2 along the gravel road that leads past the Bradshaw Gravel Office - near the location where the Baird's Sparrow was seen last summer. A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen by Craig Mandel at the Rothsay WMA in Wilkin County on March 17th. There were several reports of migrating BALD EAGLES this week from Kittson, Polk, and Ottertail Counties. On Wednesday, I saw four BALD EAGLES near our home in Pennington County - three adults and one first year bird. Roseau County birds seen on March 15th included a number of singing WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH at Hayes Lake State Park. =20 In Kittson County, a NORTHERN HARRIER was seen on March 15th, and in Beltrami County, a NORTHERN HARRIER and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK were found hunting over a CRP field. Linda Johnson went to Old Mill State Park in Marshall County on Wednesday, March 19 and found CANADA GEESE, NORTHERN FLICKER, and NORTHERN CARDINAL. Gary Tischer saw a NORTHERN HARRIER and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK in Marshall County on March 15th. In Pennington County, Gary Tischer reports that the Thief River Falls MERLINS returned to the 300 block of South Tindolph St on Saturday, March 15th. Lori Becker at the Wetlands, Pines, and Prairies Audubon Sanctuary in Polk County says that migration is certainly being seen there as the number of AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS has increased in the last week. Other birds reported by Lori included a NORTHERN HARRIER, two SHARP-TAILED GROUSE on the sanctuary road one mile east of the headquarters, and two SHORT-EARED OWLS in the open fields next to the sanctuary. Near Melvin in the southern part of the county, the Thoreson's found a BALD EAGLE being harassed by a NORTHERN SHRIKE. Elsewhere in the county they saw SANDHILL CRANES, GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKENS, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, and RED-TAILED HAWKS. A BARRED OWL in Clay County was tracked down by Dennis Weisenborn who finally located it along the Red River across from Fargo's Edgewood Golf Course on March 15th. Linda Sparling found a GRAY PARTRIDGE along the railroad tracks on the east side of Highway 53 at its intersection with CR69. Craig Mandel reported a single WESTERN MEADOWLARK along Clay County Road 11 south of Sabin. Leo Lantz observed a SHORT-EARED OWL at Bluestem Prairie, and found 12 GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKENS booming on a lek in the pasture at the intersection on the NW side of Bluestem Prairie on Saturday , March 15th. Pam Lehmann, Becker County , reported a MOURNING DOVE on the 17th , and a GOLDEN EAGLE on the 20th along CR 26 east of the headquarters of Tamarac NWR. Wilkin County birds reported by Craig Mandel included a first year GOLDEN EAGLE at Rothsay WMA, and GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKENS at Town Hall Prairie. Rick Gjervold observed a SHORT-EARED OWL along Wilkin County 30 about five miles west of Lawndale on March 14th. Also there, were about a dozen GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKENS, two AMERICAN KESTRELS, and a NORTHERN HARRIER. Tom Smith found a SANDHILL CRANE in southwestern Ottertail County on Sunday, March 16th. A GREAT HORNED OWL on a nest was located by Craig Mandel along Ottertail County Road 21 about 2 miles north of CR 11 - this on March 17th. A RUSTY BLACKBIRD was also seen there. Jeff Schultz reported a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, COMMON RAVEN, and a KILLDEER on March 15th in Ottertail County. Alma Ronningen has seen COMMON GOLDENEYE, WILD TURKEYS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, AMERICAN ROBINS, AND DARK-EYED JUNCOS in the county during this week. Thanks to the many folks too numerous to mention who sent in reports this week. Keep up the good work. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@wiktel.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. When reporting by email please put "NW Bird Report" in the subject line of your message. The next scheduled update of this report is Friday, March 28, 2003. From CarmanDave@aol.com Fri Mar 21 04:47:57 2003 From: CarmanDave@aol.com (CarmanDave@aol.com) Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 23:47:57 EST Subject: [mou] West Skyline Hawk Count, Duluth, MN Summary 1-20 March, 2003 Message-ID: <1d9.58482a0.2babf37d@aol.com> The seventh season of the West Skyline Hawk Count has gotten off to a slow start reflecting the much below average temperatures this late winter in Duluth. Yesterday's flight of 36 raptors, including 29 Bald Eagles and 4 adult Golden Eagles is our best flight so far. For the period 1-20 March, the summary is as follows: Bald Eagle: 130 N. Harrier: 2 N. Goshawk: 3 Rough-legged Hawk: 6 Golden Eagle: 9 Total: 150 Daily updates are recorded at hawkcount.org click on Hawk Ridge. --Dave Carman CarmanDave@Aol.Com From drbenson@cpinternet.com Fri Mar 21 02:32:19 2003 From: drbenson@cpinternet.com (David R. Benson) Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 20:32:19 -0600 Subject: [mou] Duluth RBA 3/20/03 Message-ID: This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, March 20, sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS are calling, with reports this week from Duluth, Grand Marais, Grand Portage, and 17 heard on two consecutive nights on the Stony River Forest Road in Lake Cty. Nancy Jackson found three BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS on St. Louis Cty Rd 16, 6 miles east of the jct. with Cty Rd 4 on the 16th. Peder Svingen and Phil Chu found several SPRUCE GROUSE on the 16th at several locations:30.5 miles and 37.0 miles north of Two Harbors on Lake Cty Rd 2, and on Hwy 1, 10 miles northwest of the jct. with Cty Rd 2. Raptors appear to be migrating through Duluth. There were six BALD EAGLES on the ice off Leif Erickson park on the 17th, and today a NORTHERN GOSHAWK was seen flying through the East Hillside area. Chris Mansfield reported RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS as far north as Hinckley on the 17th. RING-BILLED GULLS have returned in small numbers this week. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, March 27. The phone number for the Duluth Birding Report is (218) 728-5030, and callers can report bird sightings if they wish after the tone at the end of each tape. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street SE, Minneapolis MN 55455; or send an e-mail to mou@cbs.umn.edu; or visit the MOU web site at mou.mn.org. From Crowband@aol.com Fri Mar 21 15:03:36 2003 From: Crowband@aol.com (Crowband@aol.com) Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 10:03:36 EST Subject: [mou] SE MN.BIRD LISTS Message-ID: --part1_f9.2b29010b.2bac83c8_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit THE ELI BIRDS IN SPRINGTIME class would like to get 30 bird lists for SE Mn. If this is available please send them to Arden Aanestad, Instructor 5501 Hunter st. Edina,Mn. 55436 or the ELI office at McNamara Hall, Uof M. Thank you Arden. crowband@aol.com --part1_f9.2b29010b.2bac83c8_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable THE ELI BIRDS IN SPRINGTIME class would like to get 30= bird lists for SE Mn. If this is available please send them to Arden Aanest= ad, Instructor 5501 Hunter st. Edina,Mn. 55436 or the ELI office at McNamara= Hall, Uof M. Thank you Arden. crowband@aol.com --part1_f9.2b29010b.2bac83c8_boundary-- From jwallner@hutman.net Fri Mar 21 17:53:38 2003 From: jwallner@hutman.net (John Wallner) Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 11:53:38 -0600 Subject: [mou] Sandhill Cranes Message-ID: <3E7B51A2.7070202@hutman.net> Two in field near Carlos Avery this morning. From jimlind@lakenet.com Fri Mar 21 22:18:51 2003 From: jimlind@lakenet.com (Jim Lind) Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 16:18:51 -0600 Subject: [mou] nesting White-winged Crossbills - Lake Co. Message-ID: <3E7B3B6B.8743.13B857B@localhost> The White-winged Crossbill nest found during nest-building on February 15 in Two Harbors is still active. The three young are now about 14 days old and they look almost fully grown. I found another nest this morning about 5 miles north of Two Harbors in an open stand of young white spruce and pines. The nest is about 12 feet up in a 25-foot tall white spruce, right against the trunk. The female was brooding three young that appeared to be 3-4 days old (small, with eyes still closed). Both adults made trips to the nest. I encourage anyone who is out birding in northeast Minnesota to spend some time following White-winged Crossbills. With the huge spruce cone crop and all the crossbills around, this a great time to add to the scant nesting data from Minnesota. Jim Lind Two Harbors From thimgan@digitaljam.com Sat Mar 22 19:35:22 2003 From: thimgan@digitaljam.com (Dan & Sandy Thimgan) Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 13:35:22 -0600 Subject: [mou] Eurasian Collared-Dove/Grant Co. Message-ID: <6C6A1E89-5C9D-11D7-AF18-00039380FE30@digitaljam.com> A Eurasian Collared-Dove is being seen in the town of Herman in Grant County in west-central Minnesota. We first heard of the bird from Steve Millard who saw it on Friday, Mar. 21. We saw it Saturday morning from 9:45 - 10:30. It was vocalizing persistently which is how we first glimpsed the bird. It even gave us plenty of time to set up a scope and digiscope a couple of shots. During the time we saw the bird, it flew comfortably around the neighborhood surrounding St. Charles Catholic Church on the corner of south Berlin Avenue and Wells Street. Steve suggested the bird likely feeds at the nearby elevator complex where there is lots of feed on the ground. Dan & Sandy Thimgan Otter Tail County Battle Lake, MN thimgan@digitaljam.com >^..^< From RHoyme@msn.com Sat Mar 22 22:53:10 2003 From: RHoyme@msn.com (Richard Hoyme) Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 16:53:10 -0600 Subject: [mou] Saturday Birds Message-ID: ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F093.84F654B0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable The Eurasian Collared-Dove is still in the town of Renville. I saw it tod= ay near the grain elevators. Other birds of interest in Renville county First Blue-winged Teal of the Year. =20 Still lots of Horned Larks. A few American Pipits. The rest is what you would expect for mid March. Ducks, RW Blackbirds and= Grackles.... Rick Hoyme =20 Hennepin County ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F093.84F654B0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

The Eurasian C= ollared-Dove is still in the town of Renville. I saw it today near the gr= ain elevators.

Other birds of interest in Re= nville county

First Blue-winged Teal of the = Year.

Still lots of Horned Larks.

A few American P= ipits.

The rest is what you would expect for= mid March. Ducks, RW Blackbirds and Grackles....

Rick Hoyme

Hennepin County

------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F093.84F654B0-- From everhart@black-hole.com Sat Mar 22 23:37:53 2003 From: everhart@black-hole.com (Roger Everhart) Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 17:37:53 -0600 Subject: [mou] Birds 3-22-03 Message-ID: <3E7CF3D1.7050108@black-hole.com> Hey everybody, With the weekend looking to be pretty nice I headed out to see what was around and was surprised at how quiet I found it. Some early migrants are around but the best birds of the day were @Blue-winged Teal @ Green-winged Teal in a pond in a horse pasture just south of Murphy-Hanrahan Park on Cty Road 75. I think I'll try again tomorrow. Roger Everhart Apple Valley, MN From connyb@mycidco.com Sat Mar 22 18:12:18 2003 From: connyb@mycidco.com (connyb) Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 18:12:18 Subject: [mou] Carver and Renville Co Birding... Message-ID: This morning Leslie Marcus and I went through Carver Co on CR 11 and enjoyed many Eastern Meadowlarks, and Eastern Bluebirds singing away on the wires and tree tops. In Carver, and Mcleod Co's we continued to see Great Blue Herons, Grackles, RWBB. Horned Larks, Killdeer, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles, and a good variety of Ducks in flooded fields along the way. On the way into the town of Renville there were flooded fields near the Renville sugar beet ponds visible from US 212, and Co 21 with a good variety of Ducks easily seen from the road. From 212 in Renville go North on Main St to RR tracks. Since the Eurasian Collared -Doves had been seen both on the West and East side of the tracks we pulled off to the side of the Elevators where we could watch both sides. A perfect time to pull out our Subway lunch in the 56 degree sunshine, and watch for activity along the tracks. Seeing none we got out at 1pm and walked along the North side of the tracks going East, until we reached the last of the 4 elevators. To our left low in the tree not visible until you were right across from it, the Eurasian Collared-Dove flushed up. We were so lucky to have the sun at our backs shining right on it, while it sat perfectly still out in the open so close while we enjoyed every detail. Then it flew off to a tree over on Emerson Ave NE, and thats the last we saw of it. We saw Cedar Waxwings in the little park, and 5 Bald Eagles soared really low over the Grain Elevators. Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty connyb@mycidco.com From wenelson@mlecmn.net Sun Mar 23 02:54:13 2003 From: wenelson@mlecmn.net (Warren Nelson) Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 20:54:13 -0600 Subject: [mou] Update from Aitkin County Message-ID: <3E7D21D5.9B4752C4@mlecmn.net> This evening at around 6:00 I found a GREAT GRAY OWL on Aitkin County Road 18 about 200 yards to the east of the Hebron Cemetery. Spring migrants are showing up in this corner of the state too. Seen in the last 7 or 8 days: TUNDRA SWANS, COMMON MERGANSERS, HOODED MERGANSERS, CANADA GEESE, WOODDUCKS, MALLARDS, NORTHERN HARRIERS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, GRACKLES, ROBINS, KESTRALS and EASTERN MEADOWLARK. Also , the BALD EAGLES all seem to be back on their nests. Warren Nelson From RHoyme@msn.com Sun Mar 23 04:13:37 2003 From: RHoyme@msn.com (Richard Hoyme) Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 22:13:37 -0600 Subject: Fw: [mou] Saturday Birds - correction Message-ID: ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F0C0.49231C20 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Oops Strike American Pipit Add Lapland Longspur Rick Hoyme ----- Original Message ----- From: Richard Hoyme Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2003 4:55 PM To: MOU Subject: [mou] Saturday Birds The Eurasian Collared-Dove is still in the town of Renville. I saw it tod= ay near the grain elevators. Other birds of interest in Renville county First Blue-winged Teal of the Year. =20 Still lots of Horned Larks. A few American Pipits. The rest is what you would expect for mid March. Ducks, RW Blackbirds and= Grackles.... Rick Hoyme =20 Hennepin County ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F0C0.49231C20 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Oops Strike Am= erican Pipit Add Lapland Longspur

Rick Hoyme=

----- Original Message -----
= From: Richard Hoyme

Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2003 4:55 PM

= To: MOU

Subject: [mou= ] Saturday Birds

The Eurasian Collared-Dove = is still in the town of Renville. I saw it today near the grain elevators= .

Other birds of interest in Renville county=

First Blue-winged Teal of the Year.
=
Still lots of Horned Larks.

A few American Pipits.
=

The rest is what you would expect for mid March. D= ucks, RW Blackbirds and Grackles....

Rick Ho= yme

Hennepin County

------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F0C0.49231C20-- From tuffrasta@yahoo.com Sun Mar 23 04:23:14 2003 From: tuffrasta@yahoo.com (Colin Gjervold) Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 20:23:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: [mou] LeConte's Sparrow - Freeborn County Message-ID: <20030323042314.64483.qmail@web13507.mail.yahoo.com> While hiking today with my "special lady friend" at Myre-Big Isle State Park in rural Albert Lea, I was more than happy to discover a LECONTE'S SPARROW. The bird was first flushed from a prairie area along the Esker Trail, NW of the campground. After the typical short escape flight, it crash landed in the grass. I followed in quick pursuit, and I was able to get good looks at the bird on the ground before I flushed it again. This is the earliest I have seen a LeConte's Sparrow in spring migration in Minnesota. Also of note was a very cooperative RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, which was also found along the Esker Trail, this time just NE of the campground. Colin Gjervold Eagan __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop! http://platinum.yahoo.com From renohawk@hbci.com Sun Mar 23 04:59:15 2003 From: renohawk@hbci.com (Jeff Dankert) Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 22:59:15 -0600 Subject: [mou] Winona, Wabasha counties Message-ID: <000001c2f0f8$fa6e8d60$912ca241@S0025943521> I tallied 62 species and added a few additional spring migrants on Saturday, March 22: WINONA COUNTY: *Red-shouldered hawk - 1 soaring, Middle Valley. *Greater scaup - 1, Prairie Island Road in Winona. There may have been more, but I only had enough patience to extract one obvious Greater from the heaving masses of divers out there. *Ruddy duck - 1 on Lake Winona. *Turkey vulture - 1 Badger State bird soaring bluffs on other side of the Mississippi River in Buffalo Co., Wis. *N. Harrier - 2 in Mt. Vernon Township. *Wilson's snipe - 2 flushed from muddy marsh edge off of Prairie Island in Winona. *E. Phoebe - 1 actively fly-catching along narrow, snaggy roadside segment of Speltz Creek, Mt. Vernon Township. *Tree swallow - 3 flying high overhead, calling and feeding, Prairie Island, Winona. *Eastern meadowlark - 8 birds, seen and heard singing, one gave zzrrt call. *Western meadowlark - 2 birds, seen and heard singing (didn't hear any chuk, or pluk, calls). *Rusty blackbird - 6 in large blackbird flock. WABASHA COUNTY: *Tundra swan - 1, Weaver Bottoms. I tried really hard to enlarge the bill, make the eye disappear and elicit a loud trumpeting. I couldn't see a yellow spot on this bird, but its bill and eye was tundra-sized. *Sandhill crane - 5, maybe more, heard only, Weaver Bottoms and Dunes. *N. shrike - 1 perched in treetop, Weaver Dunes, then displaced by crow at perch. NOTES: All meadowlarks and the two harriers were found in thick, expansive CRP-grass cover in Mt. Vernon Township. I can conservatively estimate that thousands of raptors moved north through the Mississippi River valley on Saturday, mostly bald eagles and red-tailed hawks. Every ridge-top bino scan during a car stop produced dozens of these two species. Kestrels were abundant on perches. Sparrows were weak: Only one tree sparrow, and a few juncos and song sparrows. River is prime now for waterfowl numbers and diversity. Gulls just starting to build. Peace, Jeff Dankert 908 Parks Ave Apt 158 Winona MN 55987-5330 (507) 454-0033 renohawk@hbci.com From george.skinner@gte.net Sun Mar 23 17:23:52 2003 From: george.skinner@gte.net (George B Skinner) Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 11:23:52 -0600 Subject: [mou] Renville and Yellow Medicene Co Message-ID: <001101c2f160$fbc76b60$fc83fb43@computer> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_000E_01C2F12E.AF36F7C0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Birded along the Minnesota River Valley as far west as Granite Falls = yesterday with Anne Hanley and Joachim Strengbom. Saw the following = birds of interest: 1 snow bunting at the Fairfax sewage ponds - has an injured leg and may = stick around for awhile. Check the middle pond nearest the road, in the = NW corner (closest to the road). it was on the rocks near the water = and up on the grass near the gate. Upper Sioux Agency State Park: 1 northern harrier, 75 Snow Geese flying = upstream over the Minnesota River bald eagles red tailed hawks kestrels 1 great blue heron Lesser Scaup wood ducks ringneck ducks a few coots a few shovelers a few blue winged teal 1 green winged teal The river is just starting to open. Scattered open channels and open = shallow backwaters. 1 golden crowned kinglet in Alexander Ramsey Park in Redwood Falls horned larks in the Renville County fields along Co Rd 4 near the Sibley = County line ------=_NextPart_000_000E_01C2F12E.AF36F7C0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Birded along the Minnesota River Valley as far west = as Granite=20 Falls yesterday with Anne Hanley and Joachim Strengbom. Saw the = following=20 birds of interest:

1 snow bunting at the Fairfax sewage ponds - has an = injured=20 leg and may stick around for awhile. Check the middle pond = nearest=20 the road, in the NW corner (closest to the road). it was on the=20 rocks near the water and up on the grass near the = gate.

Upper Sioux Agency State Park: 1 northern harrier, = 75 Snow=20 Geese flying upstream over the Minnesota River

bald eagles

red tailed hawks

kestrels

1 great blue = heron

Lesser Scaup

wood ducks

ringneck ducks

a few coots

a few shovelers

a few blue winged teal

1 green winged teal

The river is just starting to open. Scattered open channels and = open=20 shallow backwaters.

1 golden crowned kinglet in Alexander Ramsey Park in = Redwood=20 Falls

horned larks in the Renville County fields along Co = Rd 4 near=20 the Sibley County line

------=_NextPart_000_000E_01C2F12E.AF36F7C0-- From george.skinner@gte.net Sun Mar 23 21:16:12 2003 From: george.skinner@gte.net (George B Skinner) Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 15:16:12 -0600 Subject: [mou] Mississippi River lock & dam #3 closed to the public - Goodhue County Message-ID: <002701c2f181$708f2620$77d2fa43@computer> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0024_01C2F14F.23E4C1E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable The Mississippi River at Lock & Dam #3 (by Treasure Island Casino and = Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant) is closed to public viewing at the = moment. It is secured by soldiers (National Guard?). You cannot view = the river at Lock & Dam #3. 3pm Sunday George Skinner ------=_NextPart_000_0024_01C2F14F.23E4C1E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
The Mississippi River at Lock & Dam #3 (by = Treasure Island=20 Casino and Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant) is closed to public = viewing=20 at the moment. It is secured by soldiers (National Guard?). = You=20 cannot view the river at Lock & Dam #3.

3pm Sunday

George Skinner
------=_NextPart_000_0024_01C2F14F.23E4C1E0-- From connyb@mycidco.com Sun Mar 23 15:26:02 2003 From: connyb@mycidco.com (connyb) Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 15:26:02 Subject: [mou] Shorebird Arrival, Dakota Co. Message-ID: This morning Leslie Marcus and I went to Lake Byllesby in Dakota Co, and saw our first shorebird of the season. We enjoyed 1 Lesser Yellowlegs wandering around bobbing away actively feeding on the mud flats. We were very excited to see our first arrival of the season, and enjoyed it immensely. Hurray it's finally begun!!! Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty connyb@mycidco.com From dbmartin@skypoint.com Mon Mar 24 02:46:15 2003 From: dbmartin@skypoint.com (Dennis/Barbara Martin) Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 20:46:15 -0600 Subject: [mou] White-fronted Geese Message-ID: <005201c2f1af$8d8268e0$829ec7c7@oemcomputer> No doubt there was a major movement of white-fronts today in western Minnesota. Consider the following Grant County-3 hours, 7 flocks, 238 birds Traverse county-in 2 hours, 3 flocks, 225 birds Swift County-slow here, 1 white fronted in a Snow Goose flock Big Stone County-2 hours, 2 flocks, 500 birds Chippewa County-1 hour, 4 flocks, 441 birds Plus in Traverse County had 1 flock of 5000 Snow Geese that circled and landed to allow us to count them. Had a few other Snow Geese in all counties. Canada Geese were impossible to count and probably some of the canadas were actually white-fronts too far away for us to be sure. In Herman we found 3 Eurasian Collared-Doves. Not great looks were obtained on two of the birds but we believe that all three are adult looking birds. Note previous directions from the Thimgans. These birds were kitty corner from the church to the northeast before the Sharp-shinned interupted things temporarily. Three early White Pelicans at Las Qui Parle Lake, flying north with Canada Geese. Dennis and Barbara Martin dbmartin@skypoint.com From JELLISBIRD@aol.com Mon Mar 24 03:07:43 2003 From: JELLISBIRD@aol.com (JELLISBIRD@aol.com) Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 22:07:43 EST Subject: [mou] Douglas County Birds Message-ID: <166.1db79948.2bafd07f@aol.com> Went to the cabin (near Miltona) to work on wiring. Seen from the deck, 700-1000 Canada Geese migrating in flocks from five to 150 birds, a few flocks of Mallards, two Wood Ducks, two (at least) Killdeer, two Sandhills, four Red-tails (at the same time) along with two Red-Shouldered Hawks (probably residents), one F Northern Harrier, two Bald Eagles, the first Bluebirds and first E Phoebe of the year. Also heard were Turkeys, Pheasants, Grouse, a Cardinal, a Barred Owl and a GH Owl. On the way back saw a flock of GWFGeese (60-75) of them in a wet meadow feeding and loafing along with more than 150 Canadas, A bunch of Mallards, 10 or so pintails and two GWTeal. This wet meadow is along Douglas County 10, across from Lake Osakis on the west side, 1.1 miles East of Douglas County 3 foing N out of Osakis MN. John Ellis, St. Paul From CarmanDave@aol.com Mon Mar 24 03:54:28 2003 From: CarmanDave@aol.com (CarmanDave@aol.com) Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 22:54:28 EST Subject: [mou] West Skyline Hawk Count Duluth Summary for 22, 23 March Message-ID: <19f.1259abd8.2bafdb74@aol.com> After two days of inclement weather, the raptor migration seems to be picking up. In the first twenty-one days of March, we observed 150 raptor migrants; on Saturday, 22 March, 56 were recorded and another 62 were observed today, including a first of the season Sharp-shinned Hawk (Ad.) and a Turkey Vulture. Other migrants included Canada Geese in flocks up to 30, Bohemian Waxwings in flocks up to 50 and the first grackles and robins of the season. Count Totals: 22 March Bald Eagle: 54 Red-tailed Hawk: 1 Rough-legged Hawk: 1 Total: 56 23 March Turkey Vulture: 1 Bald Eagle: 58 Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 Red-tailed Hawk: 1 Rough-legged Hawk: 1 Total: 62 1 March - 23 March Turkey Vulture: 1 Bald Eagle: 242 Northern Harrier: 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 Northern Goshawk: 3 Red-tailed Hawk: 2 Rough-legged Hawk: 9 Golden Eagle: 9 Total: 269 Dave Carman carmandave@aol.com Daily count totals are also posted on HawkCount.Org click on Hawk Ridge site. From connyb@mycidco.com Mon Mar 24 11:56:14 2003 From: connyb@mycidco.com (connyb) Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 11:56:14 Subject: [mou] 3 Loggerhead Shrikes, Dakota Co. Message-ID: This morning at 10:00am at Lake Byllesby there were 5 Common Snipe walking around probing those long bills into the mudflats. On the way back along State 56 going N just short of 260th St. E I saw a Loggerhead Shrike sitting on a roadside wire. I pulled over, took out the scope, and was able to get close, clear looks at the wide mask, and stubby bill with short hook. There were 2 more on 180th St; one on each side of Emery sitting up on the wires. I also scoped them both out to make sure of ID during this transition time. I saw Turkey Vultures soaring low, Great Blue Heron's, and several big mixed flocks in the ag fields of Cowbirds, Grackles, Rusty and Red-winged Blackbirds. It was a really nice morning to be out tooling around with the windows down, enjoying the sound of killdeer calling out everywhere. Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty connyb@mycidco.com From JELLISBIRD@aol.com Mon Mar 24 19:45:46 2003 From: JELLISBIRD@aol.com (JELLISBIRD@aol.com) Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 14:45:46 EST Subject: [mou] Douglas County Birds Message-ID: <99.3521d215.2bb0ba6a@aol.com> Went to the cabin (near Miltona) to work on wiring. Seen from the deck, 700-1000 Canada Geese migrating in flocks from five to 150 birds, a few flocks of Mallards, two Wood Ducks, two (at least) Killdeer, two Sandhills, four Red-tails (at the same time) along with two Red-Shouldered Hawks (probably residents), one F Northern Harrier, two Bald Eagles, the first Bluebirds and first E Phoebe of the year. Also heard were Turkeys, Pheasants, Grouse, a Cardinal, a Barred Owl and a GH Owl. On the way back saw a flock of GWFGeese (60-75) of them in a wet meadow feeding and loafing along with more than 150 Canadas, A bunch of Mallards, 10 or so pintails and two GWTeal. This wet meadow is along Douglas County 10, across from Lake Osakis on the west side, 1.1 miles East of Douglas County 3 foing N out of Osakis MN. John Ellis, St. Paul From bluestem@dtgnet.com Mon Mar 24 21:56:11 2003 From: bluestem@dtgnet.com (janet timmerman) Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 15:56:11 -0600 Subject: [mou] Lake Wilson birds Message-ID: <3E7F7EF9.CD2B307A@dtgnet.com> The small lake of Lake Wilson on the outskirts of the town by the same name opens early and this year drew in a nice crowd of waterfowl. Sunday's group included all three types of Mergensers, Ring necks, Canvas backs, Scaups, Pintails, Redheads, and Wood ducks. Easy viewing as highway 30 runs right through the center of the lake. Janet Timmerman From connyb@mycidco.com Mon Mar 24 16:07:58 2003 From: connyb@mycidco.com (connyb) Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 16:07:58 Subject: [mou] Golden-crowned Kinglet at Woodlake Nature Message-ID: This afternoon at Woodlake Nature Center in Hennepin Co I saw my first Golden-crowned Kinglet of the year, and a Fox Sparrow. There was a stiff breeze, and both were very close to the ground. Woodlake has extensive mudflats, and could be an excellent spot for Shorebirds this Spring. Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty connyb@mycidco.com From holtz@noah.csp.edu Mon Mar 24 22:50:46 2003 From: holtz@noah.csp.edu (Robert Holtz) Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 16:50:46 -0600 Subject: [mou] Chipping Sparrow Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.0.20030324164907.00a14560@noah.csp.edu> I had a Chipping Sparrow on the ground under my feeders this morning. It is my earliest ever sighting of a chippy in the metro area. Bob Holtz From dbmartin@skypoint.com Tue Mar 25 03:13:59 2003 From: dbmartin@skypoint.com (Dennis/Barbara Martin) Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 21:13:59 -0600 Subject: [mou] Ross's Goose, Renville county Message-ID: <003501c2f27c$96a41f40$2b2e56c7@oemcomputer> Beaver Falls WMA, from Highway 71 and County Road 2, go south 1/4 mile, then west to the turn north, and look in the pond at that location. Also present White-fronted Goose and most ducks. Dennis and Barbara Martin dbmartin@skypoint.com From nwinters@isd.net Tue Mar 25 03:52:14 2003 From: nwinters@isd.net (Ned Winters) Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 21:52:14 -0600 Subject: [mou] Blue Lake Treatment Plant Message-ID: With world events being what they are right now, and our country being again on a "Orange Alert", Blue Lake Treatment Plant is still open to birders on the weekends. The word that I have gotten is, they want to do what they have to, to allow birders into the plant. If we do go to a "Red Alert", I don't know what will happen. That decision is still pending. I personally stop in at least once most every weekend just to check up on things. In talking with the guards, I know how many people have birded the plant on which days. Birder traffic into the plant this winter has been, I think, on the slow side, although I have nothing to compare that to. Was it just the goofy mild winter we had or the increased security, I don't know. For two years now, I have been the one voice representing all birders in meeting with Blue Lake staff to allow us continued access into the plant. In these days of uncertainty, I would like the staff at Blue Lake to know how much we appreciate having access into their facility. It is time for every birder to speak for themself. If you have never been to the plant but would like to some day, if you have birded there in the past or were there this winter, jot a brief note or email of your appreciation and send it to me. I will print all emails, and deliver these to the staff so they know very well how much their time and effort mean to us birders. Email me at: nwinters@isd.net Snail mail me at: Blue Lake 6601 Auto Club Road Bloomington, MN 55438 Ned Winters Bloomington, Hennepin Co. nwinters@isd.net From crossbill7200@yahoo.com Tue Mar 25 05:16:08 2003 From: crossbill7200@yahoo.com (Shelley Steva) Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 21:16:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: [mou] Robins and other spring birds Message-ID: <20030325051608.79050.qmail@web11904.mail.yahoo.com> In seldom birded Norman County I saw Red-tailed Hawk Red-winged blackbirds Horned larks American kestrels This took place on Sunday Today- on Monday I heard: a robin- in Red Lake County (Plummer). If it is true that when you see robins then the average temps are 38 degrees and above then that is a welcome sign of spring indeed! Shelley Steva Thief River Falls- Pennington Co.(next county north and anxiously awaiting my first spring robin in the county) __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop! http://platinum.yahoo.com From CarmanDave@aol.com Tue Mar 25 14:52:52 2003 From: CarmanDave@aol.com (CarmanDave@aol.com) Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 09:52:52 EST Subject: [mou] West Skyline Hawk Count, Duluth Update for 24 March 2003 Message-ID: <109.21c3ce5a.2bb1c744@aol.com> Strong west winds brought what can only be described as a truly phenomenal push of Bald Eagles as witnessed by Mike Hendrickson, Peder Svingen, Ben Yokel and me. Final count of 588, including a kettle of 46 and 167 in one hour, represents a new single day record. Adding to the excitement was the local Peregrine buzzing formations of eagles including a one on one aerial clash with a SubAd. Golden Eagle. 24 March Bald Eagle: 588 Northern Harrier: 1 Northern Goshawk: 1 Red-tailed Hawk: 5 Rough-legged Hawk: 1 Golden Eagle: 10 (5 in 45 minutes) Total: 606 MTD Bald Eagle: 830 Turkey Vulture: 1 No. Harrier: 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1 No. Goshawk: 4 Red-tailed Hawk: 7 Rough-legged Hawk: 10 Golden Eagle: 19 Total: 875 Dave Carman CarmanDave@Aol.Com From alongtin@worldnet.att.net Wed Mar 26 01:56:11 2003 From: alongtin@worldnet.att.net (Andrew Longtin) Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2003 19:56:11 -0600 Subject: [mou] Coots and Song Sparrows Message-ID: <000201c2f33a$e0141360$5341520c@computer> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0003_01C2F308.9579A360 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On the way home tonight I stopped by the swampy area on Hwy 55 between CR 24 and 101 south and saw a group of Coots in with the Mallards and Geese, there were also a few Song Sparrows also.. Andrew -- Andrew Longtin Corcoran (Hennepin Co.) Minnesota Minnesota Ornithologists Union Member http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/ Cornell Lab Member (PFW) http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/ Hardness Zone 4 (climate zone) ALongtin@worldnet.att.net See my WEB pages at http://home.att.net/~alongtin/Index.htm NO SPAM NEEDED HERE!!!! ------=_NextPart_000_0003_01C2F308.9579A360 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
On the way=20 home tonight I stopped by the swampy area on Hwy 55 between CR 24 and = 101 south=20 and saw a group of Coots in with the Mallards and Geese, there were also = a few=20 Song Sparrows also..

Andrew

--
Andrew = Longtin
Corcoran (Hennepin=20 Co.) Minnesota
Minnesota Ornithologists Union=20 Member
http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/
Cornell Lab Member (PFW)
http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/
Hardness Zone 4 (climate zone)
ALongtin@worldnet.att.net
=

See my WEB pages at http://home.att.net/~alongtin/Index.htm

NO SPAM NEEDED HERE!!!!

------=_NextPart_000_0003_01C2F308.9579A360-- From bnlfreak77@hotmail.com Wed Mar 26 12:16:14 2003 From: bnlfreak77@hotmail.com (e. m.) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 06:16:14 -0600 Subject: [mou] Chipping Sparrow Message-ID:

I had a chipping sparrow at my feeders the day before yesterday too and I thought I wasn't identifying it correctly as, yes...it is awfully early! I'm in Hastings.

Erin Mallette

>From: Robert Holtz

>To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu

>Subject: [mou] Chipping Sparrow

>Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 16:50:46 -0600

>I had a Chipping Sparrow on the ground under my feeders this

>morning. It is my earliest ever sighting of a chippy in the metro

>area.

>Bob Holtz

>_______________________________________________

>mou-net mailing list

>mou-net@cbs.umn.edu

>http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net

MSN 8 helps ELIMINATE E-MAIL VIRUSES. Get 2 months FREE*. From CarmanDave@aol.com Wed Mar 26 15:39:21 2003 From: CarmanDave@aol.com (CarmanDave@aol.com) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 10:39:21 EST Subject: [mou] West Skyline Hawk Count, Duluth 25 March Update Message-ID: <84.d2f7aad.2bb323a9@aol.com> Another big day for eagles. 176 Bald Eagles were recorded between the 11-12 hour. 25 March BE: 468 No. Harrier: 1 Cooper's Hawk: 1 season's first Red-tailed Hawk: 28 Rough-legged Hawk: 5 Golden Eagle: 9 including one grappling with an imm. BE. All GE were adults. Total: 512 YTD BE: 1,298 NH: 4 CH: 1 SS: 1 NG: 4 RT: 35 RL: 15 GE: 28 Total: 1,386 My thanks to Mike Henderickson for lending a hand counting waves of eagles. Dave Carman CarmanDave@Aol.com From bluestem@dtgnet.com Wed Mar 26 15:41:46 2003 From: bluestem@dtgnet.com (bluestem@dtgnet.com) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 10:41:46 -0500 Subject: [mou] Camden State Park birds Message-ID: <244640-220033326154146484@M2W068.mail2web.com> I stopped at Camden State Park last night on my way home=2E There were Har= ris Sparrows, American Tree, and Chipping Sparrows, as well as a host of Juncoes=2E Also saw a Great Blue Heron fly over=2E Harris sparrows and Son= g Sparrows at my feeder this morning=2E All winter I complained about the hundreds of House Sparrows eating up my birdseed=2E Today they were replac= ed by a flock of Grackles! Janet Timmerman -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web=2Ecom/ =2E From splankis@msn.com Wed Mar 26 12:52:26 2003 From: splankis@msn.com (SUSAN PLANKIS) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 06:52:26 -0600 Subject: [mou] Bluebird - Dakota CO. Message-ID: ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F364.42B91460 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Tuesday, March 25, early afternoon, at Ritter Park in Lakeville a Bluebir= d was spotted in the field above the prairie restoration. Several Song sp= arrows calling and a Red-Tail overhead. ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F364.42B91460 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Tuesday, March= 25, early afternoon, at Ritter Park in Lakeville a Bluebird was spotted = in the field above the prairie restoration. Several Song sparrows ca= lling and a Red-Tail overhead.

------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F364.42B91460-- From Heidi.Ferguson@wcom.com Wed Mar 26 17:00:46 2003 From: Heidi.Ferguson@wcom.com (Heidi Ferguson) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 11:00:46 -0600 Subject: [mou] Brown Creepers At Robert's Bird Sanctuary 3/23 Message-ID: <003e01c2f3b9$3f5db3c0$cf5c24a6@wcomnet.com> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --Boundary_(ID_uVscVqd0zqMGMkOliv6W1w) Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit I usually stop at Robert's every week. It had been very quiet until this week. Namely there were at least four Brown Creepers chasing each other around the trees. I also so an impressive territorial fight between two Downy Woodpeckers. Other birds seen: Junco many Mallards 4 Cardinals 2 Crows White Breasted Nuthatch - finally back saw 2 Hairy Woodpecker Blue Jay Chickadees Heidi Ferguson - Minneapolis --Boundary_(ID_uVscVqd0zqMGMkOliv6W1w) Content-type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable

I =20 usually stop at Robert's every week. It had been very quiet until = this=20 week. Namely there were at least four Brown Creepers chasing each = other=20 around the trees. I also so an impressive territorial fight = between two=20 Downy Woodpeckers. Other birds = seen:

Junco many

Mallards 4

Cardinals 2

Crows

White Breasted Nuthatch - finally = back saw=20 2

Hairy Woodpecker

Blue Jay

Chickadees

Heidi Ferguson - Minneapolis

--Boundary_(ID_uVscVqd0zqMGMkOliv6W1w)-- From jferguson@portfolioip.com Wed Mar 26 18:50:17 2003 From: jferguson@portfolioip.com (Jonathan Ferguson) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 12:50:17 -0600 Subject: [mou] Urban Minneapolis birding this week Message-ID: On Monday, I had a fine walk home on a warm, spring evening, from downtown Minneapolis, through Loring Park, to Uptown. Birds encountered: * Red Wing Blackbirds -- Heard a few, saw one (always a wonderful sound (especially downtown) no matter how ubiquitous it is in the summer). * Grackles (first of the year for me) * Robin * Crows * Mallards * Canada Geese * Nighthawk (first of the year for me) * Great Blue Heron: flew close overhead, silent and spectral, probably on its way to Lake of the Isles. * Cardinals: heard, didn't see. * Probably some house sparrows, starlings, and "rock doves", too. All of these become very common, but Spring sure makes me twitterpated for their return! It's also nice to be enjoying birds and not freezing my long johns off! Also this week, Warren Woessner pointed out a peregrine falcon, perched on a building, plucking and eviscerating another bird. Nothing like birding from your office! Jonathan Ferguson Minneapolis From EgretCMan@aol.com Wed Mar 26 20:49:17 2003 From: EgretCMan@aol.com (EgretCMan@aol.com) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 15:49:17 EST Subject: [mou] Greater White-fronted Geese/Ross's Goose - Redwood County 3/25/03 Message-ID: --part1_b0.369ed8b2.2bb36c4d_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 3/25/03 Spent the day on Tuesday, birding SW Minnesota with Conny Brunell. We observed Greater-white fronted Geese in 7 locations in Renville and Lyon County. Most open areas were full of ducks and had at least a few Greater White-fronted Geese in the mix of waterfowl. We also located a single Ross's Goose on Lake Francis in Redwood County the lake is located 2 miles south of Hyw 19 on CR 5. Other wise we encountered the expected ducks and sparrows for this time of the year. We were very pleased in the number of singing Western Meadowlarks. With very large numbers present in Cottonwood County. Craig Mandel - EgretCMan@aol.com - Minnetonka, MN --part1_b0.369ed8b2.2bb36c4d_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable 3/25/03

Spent the day on Tuesday, birding SW Minnesota with Conny Brunell. We=20= observed Greater-white fronted Geese in 7 locations in Renville and Lyon Cou= nty. Most open areas were full of ducks and had at least a few Greater= White-fronted Geese in the mix of waterfowl. We also located a single= Ross's Goose on Lake Francis in Redwood County the lake is located 2 miles=20= south of Hyw 19 on CR 5.

Other wise we encountered the expected ducks and sparrows for this time of t= he year. We were very pleased in the number of singing Western Meadowl= arks. With very large numbers present in Cottonwood County.

Craig Mandel - EgretCMan@aol.com - Minnetonka, MN --part1_b0.369ed8b2.2bb36c4d_boundary-- From connyb@mycidco.com Wed Mar 26 16:42:22 2003 From: connyb@mycidco.com (connyb) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 16:42:22 Subject: [mou] Woodcock at Woodlake, Hennepin Co. Message-ID: This afternoon while at Woodlake Nature Center, I was kneeling down in a brushy area watching 2 Fox Sparrows who were scratching up a storm in the leaves hopping up and down, when I heard a rustle in some dry leaves. I watched and waited, and out walked an American Woodcock, I was so surprised. To be so close in the daylight and watch this short legged, long billed, plump dark peachy underneath little bird waddle across my path was a thrill. That big eye looked me over didn't seem concerned, and continued back deeper into the brush. As much as I enjoy the vocalizations, and flight display in the dark, it was really fun to be able to observe it at such close range in the sunshine. During my walk the warm weather brought out the Mourning Cloak, Question Mark, and Eastern Comma Butterflys, and a Brown Bat flew out over me in the parking lot. Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty connyb@mycidco.com From swisstea@gctel.com Thu Mar 27 01:54:34 2003 From: swisstea@gctel.com (Susan McKechnie Wiste) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 19:54:34 -0600 Subject: [mou] Turkey vulture in Douglas Co MN Message-ID: <000901c2f403$d1892320$0d3492ce@jhkl501> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0006_01C2F3D1.8646DA60 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Tonight about 5:00 as I was filling a bird feeder in front of my house, = a Turkey vulture circled the yard several times and then flew off down = the lakeshore. This is about 10 miles west of Alexandria. Susan Wiste Crooked Lake ------=_NextPart_000_0006_01C2F3D1.8646DA60 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Tonight about 5:00 as I was filling = a bird=20 feeder in front of my house, a Turkey vulture circled the yard several = times and=20 then flew off down the lakeshore. This is about 10 miles west of=20 Alexandria.

Susan Wiste

Crooked = Lake

------=_NextPart_000_0006_01C2F3D1.8646DA60-- From dbmartin@skypoint.com Thu Mar 27 02:46:33 2003 From: dbmartin@skypoint.com (Dennis/Barbara Martin) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 20:46:33 -0600 Subject: [mou] Ross's Geese-Martin county Message-ID: <003301c2f40b$18020b80$542e56c7@oemcomputer> This afternoon in a flock of 2490 Snow and Greater White-fronted Geese I was able to conservatively count 74 Ross's Geese on Pierce Lake in Martin County. Ross's, snows, and GWFG were also seen in Blue Earth and Faribault County in considerable smaller numbers. Dennis Martin dbmartin@skypoint.com From sweston2@attbi.com Thu Mar 27 03:57:43 2003 From: sweston2@attbi.com (Steve Weston) Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2003 21:57:43 -0600 Subject: [mou] MRVAC meeting Thursday 3/27 Message-ID: <000c01c2f415$0b874460$361e2942@spacestar.net> The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) will hold its March meeting on Thursday the 27th. Darby Nelson is a retired professor of biology, a long-time environmentalist, a former Minnesota legislator and currently a freelance writer will present a program on "The Porcupine Caribou Homeland". The coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge sits on top of an untapped oil reserve, but it is also the same place the Porcupine River caribou herd come to calve. Darby Nelson is going to take us on a 700 mile wilderness canoe trip through the heart of their subarctic home to discover where they spend the rest of their year. Along the way, you�ll meet the Gwitch�n people and learn how we southerners, even though we never personally visit the far North, leave our footprints on the land. Please, join us at 7:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor�s Center in Bloomington. Please come at 7:00pm for the social period with coffee, cookies and committee exhibits. There is no admission. For directions e-mail me or see our newsletter at: http://home.attbi.com/~mrvac/Mar2003.doc or you can visit our website: www.mrvac.org . Steve Weston on Quigley Lake in Eagan sweston2@attbi.com From sharonks@mn.rr.com Thu Mar 27 12:44:07 2003 From: sharonks@mn.rr.com (Sharon Stiteler) Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 06:44:07 -0600 Subject: [mou] Early Oriole Message-ID: As I type this I have very early Baltimore oriole singing outside my window and 32nd and Lake Street. Who knew? Of course this would happen on the morning I'm trying to leave by 8am to Nebraska for the weekend. Sharon Stiteler Uptown, Minneapolis From jferguson@portfolioip.com Thu Mar 27 15:56:34 2003 From: jferguson@portfolioip.com (Jonathan Ferguson) Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 09:56:34 -0600 Subject: FW: [mou] Urban Minneapolis birding this week Message-ID: Hello Bob! I was looking into your book (and others) last night as I was reading up on and comparing nighthawks, woodcocks, kestrels and peregrine falcons. I know now when nighthawks come back to the 'hood: May, not March. I will never, ever forget! ;) You can read my description below, but it's inconclusive, especially given the early date. Where's that video camera when you need one?! J. -----Original Message----- From: Jonathan Ferguson Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2003 2:06 PM To: 'Mark.Ochs@mortgage.wellsFargo.COM' Subject: RE: [mou] Urban Minneapolis birding this week My "guestimate" of the nighthawk was based on wing shape and wing movements, as well as size, shape, and song. I say it flying at dusk. I didn't observe the notched tail or the white wing bands. It could have been a kestrel or a peregrine falcon, since it had slender wings and a slender body, but the wing movements were more fluttery that I would have expected from these two. If I remember right, a nighthawk's wing has a sort-of notch at the backend where it meets the body, and this is what (I thought) I observed [I'm thinking of the dihedral shaper here]. It didn't seem to be as stout and long-nosed as a woodcock, but it was a low-light situation. It's song was more of a high "meep" -- almost like a higher, louder murmur of a nuthatch -- than the more raspy "zeep" that you hear from nighthawks overhead in the summer; but the call/song was a very similar length and duration. It flew to and perched very briefly on top of the Scottish Rite temple near Hennepin and Franklin, and then flew off toward Lake of the Isles. Having said all of this, and as you can tell from the tentativeness of my remarks, I am by no means qualified to ID birds except without all of the most obvious elements intact. If nighthawks don't come through until May, then I'm probably off, and it probably was something else. I'm so used to seeing nighthawks in my neighborhood (in the summer, or course) that it was a bit easy to jump to this conclusion, given the interpretability of other clues. I'll start looking in to woodcocks. If I start getting some inquiries, I'll pass along this e-mail. Thanks for the note, Mark! Jonathan -----Original Message----- From: Mark.Ochs@mortgage.wellsFargo.COM [mailto:Mark.Ochs@mortgage.wellsFargo.COM] Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2003 1:38 PM To: jferguson@portfolioip.com Subject: RE: [mou] Urban Minneapolis birding this week Jonathan - Nighthawks typically show up in the Twin Cities in May. You might receive a number of curiosity questions from people regarding it. Was this a heard only bird? If so, they sound very similar to woodcocks, which are migrating through at this time. Thanks. Mark > -----Original Message----- > From: Jonathan Ferguson [SMTP:jferguson@portfolioip.com] > Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2003 12:50 PM > To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu > Cc: John D. Gustav-Wrathall > Subject: [mou] Urban Minneapolis birding this week > > On Monday, I had a fine walk home on a warm, spring evening, from downtown > Minneapolis, through Loring Park, to Uptown. > > Birds encountered: > * Red Wing Blackbirds -- Heard a few, saw one (always a wonderful sound > (especially downtown) no matter how ubiquitous it is in the summer). > * Grackles (first of the year for me) > * Robin > * Crows > * Mallards > * Canada Geese > * Nighthawk (first of the year for me) > * Great Blue Heron: flew close overhead, silent and spectral, probably on > its way to Lake of the Isles. > * Cardinals: heard, didn't see. > * Probably some house sparrows, starlings, and "rock doves", too. > > All of these become very common, but Spring sure makes me twitterpated for > their return! It's also nice to be enjoying birds and not freezing my > long > johns off! > > Also this week, Warren Woessner pointed out a peregrine falcon, perched on > a > building, plucking and eviscerating another bird. Nothing like birding > from > your office! > > Jonathan Ferguson > Minneapolis > > > _______________________________________________ > mou-net mailing list > mou-net@cbs.umn.edu > http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net From connyb@mycidco.com Thu Mar 27 13:03:05 2003 From: connyb@mycidco.com (connyb) Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 13:03:05 Subject: [mou] Tree Swallows, Dakota Co. Message-ID: This morning in the rain from Black Dog Road, I watched hundreds of Tree Swallows circling, criss crossing, and skimming Black Dog Lake. What a sight to see so many glossy blue backed Swallows back! Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty connyb@mycidco.com From Heidi.Ferguson@wcom.com Thu Mar 27 19:32:00 2003 From: Heidi.Ferguson@wcom.com (Heidi Ferguson) Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 13:32:00 -0600 Subject: [mou] Flycatcher and Veery at Roberts Bird Sanctuary Message-ID: <002a01c2f497$8a9d5140$cf5c24a6@wcomnet.com> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --Boundary_(ID_DYMAM+beehJSlP56TtVuXg) Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit I went to Robert's Bird Sanctuary this morning at 7. I was hoping to hear my first red winged black birds on the pond this year. I did get to hear them. I was also treated to two very unusual migrants. In what I call the black swamp to the north of Bossen Lane (between the lane and the cemetery storage sheds), I saw a flycatcher and what I believe was a veery. The flycatcher was very yellow underneath so I believe it was a yellow bellied flycatcher. (Correct me if this is too early). The thrush was a brown/olive on top with a warm red brown tail. The chest stripping was very faint and the belly was clear of any markings. Heidi Ferguson Minneapolis, MN --Boundary_(ID_DYMAM+beehJSlP56TtVuXg) Content-type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable

I went to=20 Robert's Bird Sanctuary this morning at 7. I was hoping to hear my = first=20 red winged black birds on the pond this year. I did get to = hear=20 them. I was also treated to two very unusual migrants. In = what I=20 call the black swamp to the north of Bossen Lane (between the lane and = the=20 cemetery storage sheds), I saw a flycatcher and what I = believe was a=20 veery. The flycatcher was very yellow underneath so I believe = it was=20 a yellow bellied flycatcher. (Correct me if this is too = early). The=20 thrush was a brown/olive on top with a warm red brown tail. = The=20 chest stripping was very faint and the belly was clear of any=20 markings.

Heidi = Ferguson
Minneapolis, MN=20

--Boundary_(ID_DYMAM+beehJSlP56TtVuXg)-- From Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com Thu Mar 27 19:45:09 2003 From: Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com (Chris Fagyal) Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 13:45:09 -0600 Subject: [mou] Off Topic - First North American Record possibility in Florida Message-ID: Hi all, Don't know how many of you out there are serious North American listers, = but a Red-Legged Honeycreeper was discovered on Boca Chita Key about 8-9 = miles offshore in the keys of southern Florida yesterday around 11am, and = was rediscovered today. It is in perfect alternate plumage and photos, = video, and call recordings were taken this morning. =20 This bird is native to central/south america as well as Cuba, and appears = to be a wild bird. There were no bands or anything else which would give = it away as an escaped bird as it forged naturally amongst a small patch of = Sea Grapes on the island. This bird would be a first North American record if (when) accepted. I = gather with the amount of documentation they were able to get it will be = accepted. Just informing in case anyone is interested or will be in south Florida in = the near future.=20 Chris Fagyal Senior Software Engineer United Defense, L.P. Fridley, MN (763) 572-5320 chris.fagyal@udlp.com From CarmanDave@aol.com Thu Mar 27 20:58:44 2003 From: CarmanDave@aol.com (CarmanDave@aol.com) Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 15:58:44 EST Subject: [mou] West Skyline Hawk Count, Duluth Update for 26 March Message-ID: <137.1d36ee79.2bb4c004@aol.com> Another good raptor movement was observed on 26 March. Today's wind-whipped snow has got the migrants and counters sitting however. 26 March Bald Eagle: 153 Sharp-shinned Hawk: 4 Northern Goshawk: 1 Red-tailed Hawk: 180 Rough-legged Hawk: 15 Golden Eagle: 1 (first imm.) Total: 354 MTD Turkey Vulture: 1 Bald Eagle: 1,451 Northern Harrier: 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk: 5 Cooper's Hawk: 1 Northern Goshawk: 5 Red-tailed Hawk: 215 Rough-legged Hawk: 30 Golden Eagle: 29 Total: 1,741 Dave Carman CarmanDave@Aol.Com From axhertzel@sihope.com Fri Mar 28 01:36:23 2003 From: axhertzel@sihope.com (Anthony X. Hertzel) Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 19:36:23 -0600 Subject: [mou] MOU RBA 27 March 2003 Message-ID: --============_-1163307107==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 27th. An exceptionally early BALTIMORE ORIOLE was reported by Sharon Stiteler in south Minneapolis on March 27th. This is a full ten days earlier than the previous earliest spring date on record. And a very early BARN SWALLOW was reported from Grant County by Steve Millard on the 21st. The EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE is still in the town of Renville in Renville County. It was seen on the 23rd near the grain elevators. On the 22nd, Warren Nelson found a GREAT GRAY OWL on Aitkin County Road 18 about 200 yards east of the Hebron Cemetery. Three LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were reported from two locations in Dakota County on the 24th. One was along state highway 56 just south of 260th St. East. Two more were along 180th St. near Emery Avenue. A ROSS'S GOOSE was found on Lake Francis in Redwood County on the 25th. Lake Francis is two miles south of state highway 19 on county road 5. Another Ross's Goose was at the Beaver Falls WMA in Renville County. From U.S. Highway 71 and County Road 2, go south 1/4 mile, then west to the turn north and look for the pond. On March 26th, a minimum of 74 Ross's Geese were on Pierce Lake in Martin County. Ross's Geese were also seen in Blue Earth and Faribault counties but I have no specific locations. GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE made a strong push through the state earlier in the week. Large flocks were reported from numerous counties across the state, from Ramsey and Houston in the east to Lac Qui Parle in the west. By Wednesday, however, many of these seemed to have moved on. March 23rd had the first LESSER YELLOWLEGS of the season when a bird was reported by Conny Brunell from Lake Byllesby in Dakota County. Five WILSON'S SNIPE were seen there the following day. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, Hennepin County on the 26th. There are also many reports of COMMON LOON, TUNDRA SWAN, TRUMPETER SWAN, SNOW GOOSE, NORTHERN HARRIER, MERLIN, EASTERN PHOEBE, AMERICAN PIPIT, CHIPPING SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, HARRIS'S SPARROW, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. 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 . 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. The MOU is pleased to offer this service. Thank you, and good birding. The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, April 3rd. -- Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com --============_-1163307107==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" MOU RBA 27 March 2003

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 27th.

An exceptionally early BALTIMORE ORIOLE was reported by Sharon Stiteler in south Minneapolis on March 27th. This is a full ten days earlier than the previous earliest spring date on record. And a very early BARN SWALLOW was reported from Grant County by Steve Millard on the 21st.

The EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE is still in the town of Renville in Renville County. It was seen on the 23rd near the grain elevators.

On the 22nd, Warren Nelson found a GREAT GRAY OWL on Aitkin County Road 18 about 200 yards east of the Hebron Cemetery.

Three LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were reported from two locations in Dakota County on the 24th. One was along state highway 56 just south of 260th St. East. Two more were along 180th St. near Emery Avenue.

A ROSS'S GOOSE was found on Lake Francis in Redwood County on the 25th. Lake Francis is two miles south of state highway 19 on county road 5. Another Ross's Goose was at the Beaver Falls WMA in Renville County. From U.S. Highway 71 and County Road 2, go south 1/4 mile, then west to the turn north and look for the pond. On March 26th, a minimum of 74 Ross's Geese were on Pierce Lake in Martin County. Ross's Geese were also seen in Blue Earth and Faribault counties but I have no specific locations.

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE made a strong push through the state earlier in the week. Large flocks were reported from numerous counties across the state, from Ramsey and Houston in the east to Lac Qui Parle in the west. By Wednesday, however, many of these seemed to have moved on.

March 23rd had the first LESSER YELLOWLEGS of the season when a bird was reported by Conny Brunell from Lake Byllesby in Dakota County. Five WILSON'S SNIPE were seen there the following day. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, Hennepin County on the 26th.

There are also many reports of COMMON LOON, TUNDRA SWAN, TRUMPETER SWAN, SNOW GOOSE, NORTHERN HARRIER, MERLIN, EASTERN PHOEBE, AMERICAN PIPIT, CHIPPING SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, HARRIS'S SPARROW, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD.

--

Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com

--============_-1163307107==_ma============-- From TeamVagrant@aol.com Fri Mar 28 01:41:03 2003 From: TeamVagrant@aol.com (TeamVagrant@aol.com) Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 20:41:03 EST Subject: [mou] help ID a whistle? Message-ID: --part1_c8.35c7146c.2bb5022f_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit My father who lives north of Duluth about 45 miles (Brimson) has been hearing a very distinct whistle. It occurs mostly just after dark and early dawn. It's a clear, loud and possibly slightly ascending whistle. If not ascending it is flat. Two or 3 in succession then nothing for a long while. No waver to the sound, nor is it raspy. It's a medium range whistle, as if you or I just puckered and blew, stopping the sound with our tongue. The sound origin is usually stationary, quite a few feet up in a tree, and once while the perpetrator was on the move, crossing the field above Dad's head, at a pretty good clip. My only guess to him was a saw - whet, but it's actually closer to a great crested flycatcher sound. I'm stumped. I can't seem to find it on my bird song CDs, So any help would be appreciated Chris Elmgren Gnesen township, Duluth, St. Louis County --part1_c8.35c7146c.2bb5022f_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable My father who lives north of Duluth about 45 miles (Br= imson) has been hearing a very distinct whistle. It occurs mostly just= after dark and early dawn.
It's a clear, loud and possibly slightly ascending whistle. If not asc= ending it is flat. Two or 3 in succession then nothing for a long while.&nbs= p; No waver to the sound, nor is it raspy. It's a medium range whistle= , as if you or I just puckered and blew, stopping the sound with our tongue.= The sound origin is usually stationary, quite a few feet up in a tree= , and once while the perpetrator was on the move, crossing the field above D= ad's head, at a pretty good clip.
My only guess to him was a saw - whet, but it's actually closer to a great c= rested flycatcher sound. I'm stumped.
I can't seem to find it on my bird song CDs, So any help would be appreciate= d

Chris Elmgren
Gnesen township,
Duluth, St. Louis County
--part1_c8.35c7146c.2bb5022f_boundary-- From drbenson@cpinternet.com Fri Mar 28 00:52:14 2003 From: drbenson@cpinternet.com (David R. Benson) Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 18:52:14 -0600 Subject: [mou] Duluth RBA 3/27/03 Message-ID: This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, March 27, 2003, sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. The WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL nest that Jim Lind found in Two Harbors several weeks ago now has almost fully-grown young. A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was at the corner of 2nd Ave and 3rd St in Two Harbors on the 23rd. 14 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were at Stony Point on the 23rd. A small flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS was seen in the Smithville neighborhood of Duluth on the 24th. The West Skyline Hawkwatch had a spring single day record flight of 588 BALD EAGLES on the 24th. This includes a kettle of 46 eagles and 167 eagles in one hour. On the 23rd, a GREAT GRAY OWL was seen on Aitkin Cty Rd 18, just east of the Hebron Cemetery. New migrants this week included TUNDRA SWAN, HOODED MERGANSER, TURKEY VULTURE, KILLDEER, AMERICAN ROBIN, and COMMON GRACKLE. Thanks to Lynelle Hansen, Josh Watson, Mike Hendrickson, Jim Lind, and Rick Schroeder for their contributions to this report. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, April 3. The telephone number for the Duluth Birding Report is (218) 728-5030, and callers can report bird sightings if they wish after the tone at the end of each tape. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street SE, Minneapolis MN 55455; or send an e-mail to mou@cbs.umn.edu; or visit the MOU web site at mou.mn.org. From ajjoppru@wiktel.com Fri Mar 28 04:11:56 2003 From: ajjoppru@wiktel.com (Jeanie Joppru) Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 22:11:56 -0600 Subject: [mou] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Friday, March 28, 2003 Message-ID: <001201c2f4e0$37d3e340$b8d4aec6@main> This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, March 28, 2003 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218) 847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. Migration is progressing nicely in northwestern Minnesota this week , in spite of the fact that as of Thursday, some parts of the region now have as much or more snow than we had all winter. The ground was bare when the recent storm blew in, but we hope that this latest snow will soon melt. Dan and Sandy Thimgan reported that a EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE is being seen in the town of Herman in Grant County. It can be seen in the neighborhood surrounding St. Charles Catholic Church on the corner of south Berlin Avenue and Wells Street. The Thimgan's also found AMERICAN WIDGEON, RING-NECKED DUCK, AMERICAN KESTREL, RING-BILLED GULL and an EASTERN BLUEBIRD in Ottertail County on March 24th. A SONG SPARROW was seen on the 25th. Alma Ronningen reports an EASTERN PHOEBE, and at the feeder a RUSTY BLACKBIRD . Rick Gjervold observed TRUMPETER SWANS in Becker County, while Joe Gartner saw them in Norman County on March 19th, and Juancarlos Giese reported on March 27th that they have returned to Rydell NWR also. In Clay County, Mark Otnes found a SONG SPARROW at Buffalo River State Park on Sunday, March 23rd. Norman County sightings by Shelley Steva included a RED-TAILED HAWK and an AMERICAN KESTREL. In Polk County Becky Eckstein and Juancarlos Giese reported that the ducks are coming back with HOODED MERGANSER, MALLARD, BUFFLEHEAD, and WOOD DUCK at Rydell NWR , and NORTHERN PINTAIL, and AMERICAN WIDGEON at Glacial Ridge. I saw COMMON MERGANSER there also and a NORTHERN SHRIKE as well as GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKENS. On Sunday at the Wetlands, Pines, and Prairies Audubon Sanctuary in the northern part of the county were dozens of TREE SPARROWS. Even little Red Lake County had birds to report this week. Shelley Steva found an AMERICAN ROBIN in Plummer on March 24th, and Zeann Linder heard SANDHILL CRANES in the county on March 25th. She also reported a NORTHERN HARRIER. Linda Johnson saw a large flock of MALLARDS in a field on the east side of Highway 3 between Warren and Old Mill State Park, Marshall County, on March 27th. There were many CANADA GEESE, and 7 TUNDRA SWANS were also there. Many ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS are also migrating through the county this week. 12 SHARPTAILED GROUSE were seen by Gladwyn Lynne and me on Sunday, March 23 just north of the Wetlands, Pines, and Prairies Audubon Sanctuary. I heard the first KILLDEER to arrive in Pennington County on March 23rd- at least the first for me. The next day 6 AMERICAN ROBINS appeared in our yard. Also AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, PURPLE FINCH, and DARK-EYED JUNCOS are coming to the feeder. The MERLINS are being seen and heard periodically in Thief River Falls these days, and soon we will be searching for the nest of choice for this year. There were reports of CANADA GEESE, AMERICAN ROBINS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and HORNED LARKS from most of the counties of the northwest this week. Thanks to all the wonderful folks who sent in birding reports this week. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@wiktel.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. When reporting by email please put "NW Bird Report" in the subject line of your message. The next scheduled update of this report is Friday, April 4, 2003. From stephensonjeff@charter.net Fri Mar 28 15:54:00 2003 From: stephensonjeff@charter.net (Jeff Stephenson) Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 09:54:00 -0600 Subject: [mou] New season sightings Message-ID: <004d01c2f542$3fd89380$6601a8c0@roc.mn.charter.com> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_004A_01C2F50F.F4EA3720 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable It was pouring down rain yesterday so when I read about Denny and Barb = Martin's Pierce Lake sighting of over 74 Ross's geese I couldn't resist. = So I called Chuck Krulas and off we went to the Martin's county. When we = got there we did find at least 1 of the 74 Ross's (they were all bunched = up) and in addition we found 4 American White Pelicans and a Swamp = Sparrow. All were new year birds for us.=20 Our record for the earliest date to see 200 species in Minnesota is = April 29. Chuck and I both started the day yesterday with 128 species. = It's going to be hard to beat the April 29th record because we have = missed 5 northern species that we had in 2001 when the record was set. = Those species we missed this year are: Snowy Owl, both Redpolls, = Northern Hawk Owl, and Boreal Owl. After seeing the Pelicans we decided to look to see if the Great Tailed = Grackles had returned to Jackson County. So we started to drive the = backroads over to Jackson. On the way we saw lots of migrating black = birds. Since we needed Brewer's Black Bird for the season we had to stop = for every flock. Sure enough we did find Brewer's, along with Rusty, = Common Grackle, and Brown Headed Cowbirds. After stopping for one flock = as I was getting back into the car I heard the rattle of the Longspur. = So out we jumped to see if we could catch a view of them so we could add = them to our Martin County list. There was a flock of about 40 birds = milling around over the plowed field. I scanned the birds trying to see = if I could pick a Smith's out of the mostly Lapland flock. Sure enough = although most had white bellies I could see at least one had the yellow = belly. So we grabbed our scopes and trudged (it was still raining) = through the black mud to get a better look. Finally we both got to see = Smith's Longspur. I suspect that this is a pretty early date for them = but what can I say.=20 We then looked at all the usual spots for the Great Tailed Grackle = without success. While driving back home on Interstate 90 Chuck spotted = a Great Egret (season first for us) flying over. So even with rain we = were able to get 6 new species for the year. It was a great day. Jeff Stephenson Home phone: 507 289 7635 Cell phone: 507 254 8194 email: stephensonjeff@charter.net web page: www.geocities.com/jjeffstephenson Rochester Mn, 55902, Olmsted County ------=_NextPart_000_004A_01C2F50F.F4EA3720 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

It was pouring down rain yesterday so = when I read=20 about Denny and Barb Martin's Pierce Lake sighting of over 74 Ross's = geese I=20 couldn't resist. So I called Chuck Krulas and off we went to the = Martin's=20 county. When we got there we did find at least 1 of the 74 Ross's (they = were all=20 bunched up) and in addition we found 4 American White Pelicans and a = Swamp=20 Sparrow. All were new year birds for us.

Our record for the earliest date = to see 200=20 species in Minnesota is April 29. Chuck and I both started the day = yesterday=20 with 128 species. It's going to be hard to beat the April 29th record = because we=20 have missed 5 northern species that we had in 2001 when the record was = set.=20 Those species we missed this year are: Snowy Owl, both Redpolls, = Northern Hawk=20 Owl, and Boreal Owl.

After seeing the Pelicans we decided to = look to see=20 if the Great Tailed Grackles had returned to Jackson County. So we = started to=20 drive the backroads over to Jackson. On the way we saw lots of migrating = black=20 birds. Since we needed Brewer's Black Bird for the season we had to stop = for=20 every flock. Sure enough we did find Brewer's, along with Rusty, Common = Grackle,=20 and Brown Headed Cowbirds. After stopping for one flock as I was getting = back=20 into the car I heard the rattle of the Longspur. So out we jumped to see = if we=20 could catch a view of them so we could add them to our Martin County = list. There=20 was a flock of about 40 birds milling around over the plowed field. I = scanned=20 the birds trying to see if I could pick a Smith's out of the mostly = Lapland=20 flock. Sure enough although most had white bellies I could see at least = one had=20 the yellow belly. So we grabbed our scopes and trudged (it was still = raining)=20 through the black mud to get a better look. Finally we both got to see = Smith's=20 Longspur. I suspect that this is a pretty early date for them but what = can I=20 say.

We then looked at all the usual spots = for the Great=20 Tailed Grackle without success. While driving back home on Interstate 90 = Chuck=20 spotted a Great Egret (season first for us) flying over. So even with = rain we=20 were able to get 6 new species for the year. It was a great = day.

Jeff Stephenson
Home phone: 507 289 = 7635
Cell=20 phone: 507 254 8194
email: stephensonjeff@charter.net=
web=20 page: www.geocities.com/jjeff= stephenson
Rochester=20 Mn, 55902, Olmsted County

------=_NextPart_000_004A_01C2F50F.F4EA3720-- From petersenca@earthlink.net Fri Mar 28 16:54:37 2003 From: petersenca@earthlink.net (Christine Petersen) Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 10:54:37 -0600 Subject: [mou] Carolina wren sighting and song sparrow question, Hennepin County In-Reply-To: <004d01c2f542$3fd89380$6601a8c0@roc.mn.charter.com> Message-ID: Had a lovely little Carolina wren in the front yard this morning. This was the first time I've seen this species on our property, though I understand that there have been some other metro sightings recently. I watched him for about half an hour as he flitted between the two groups o= f red cedars flanking our front deck and walkway, into a small hollow at the base of a large box elder tree in the middle of the yard, and to the feeder by our front door. I'm assuming he took seeds, as he was on the feeder for about 45 seconds -- but I can't be sure since he perched on the far side. A= t one point he took up a perch on a small branch of the box elder and belted out a song, though I couldn't hear the details of it through the double-paned storm windows. It was impressive to watch=8Bhe put his whole bod= y into it: tail tucked down, head thrown back, feathers on his crown rising up, chest swelling. (I say "he" though I know this could be a sexist assumption when it comes to this species -- I think I read that the females sometimes sing, too?) Here's a question for those of you who know your sparrows well: I was rathe= r confounded by a song sparrow that showed up in the yard the other day. It was turned slightly to the side so my perspective might have been skewed, but it looked as though the breast spot was on the right side rather than i= n the center. Does anyone have information about the position of the spot being variable? Christine Petersen on the shores of Glen Lake, Minnetonka, Hennepin Co. From brsmith@sleepyeyetel.net Fri Mar 28 23:51:35 2003 From: brsmith@sleepyeyetel.net (Brian Smith) Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 17:51:35 -0600 Subject: [mou] Brown County Message-ID: <004601c2f584$f7ae5200$df8a2c42@S0026080567> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0043_01C2F552.AC8E5E50 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hello: It's nice to write to you once again. I've been laid up inside for two = and a half months following injuries to my knees. Anyway, I started = driving again a week ago and it's been soooo wonderful to get out and do = some birding, even if it's only from my car. =20 While driving home from work this afternoon I noticed a large flock of = waterfowl in a flooded farm field west of New Ulm. In it there were = several dozen Mallards and seven Northern Pintails. What a beautiful = bird! I was really excited because this is a new species for my Brown = county list. Don't know how they've avoided me for so long. Soon a = small flock of Green-winged Teal came zooming in and landed in the = field, giving me good views. With the overcast sky I couldn't make out = the rufous and green colored heads on the males, but the gray colored = sides with white bar and the yellow-buff color of the undertail coverts = stood out. Also present were Gadwall and American Widgeon. =20 At the state WMA one mile west of New Ulm on Hwy 14 there have been a = pair of immature Trumpeter Swans for about a week now. Last Wednesday = there were four Canvasbacks in the same marsh. A little further down = Hwy 14 from this same spot today there was a flock of over a hundred = Ring-necked Ducks concentrated in a very small pond. There are large = numbers of Northern Shovelers showing up this week and still good = numbers of Scaup on most any marsh. =20 Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye=20 ------=_NextPart_000_0043_01C2F552.AC8E5E50 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Hello:

It's nice to write to = you once=20 again. I've been laid up inside for two and a half months = following=20 injuries to my knees. Anyway, I started driving again a week ago = and it's=20 been soooo wonderful to get out and do some birding, even if it's only = from my=20 car.

While driving = home from work=20 this afternoon I noticed a large flock of waterfowl in a flooded farm = field west=20 of New Ulm. In it there were several dozen Mallards and seven=20 Northern Pintails. What a beautiful bird! I = was=20 really excited because this is a new species for my Brown county=20 list. Don't know how they've avoided me for so long. = Soon a=20 small flock of Green-winged Teal came = zooming in=20 and landed in the field, giving me good views. With the overcast = sky I=20 couldn't make out the rufous and green colored heads on the = males, but=20 the gray colored sides with white bar and the yellow-buff color of the = undertail=20 coverts stood out. Also present were Gadwall = and=20 American Widgeon.

At the state WMA one = mile west of New=20 Ulm on Hwy 14 there have been a pair of immature Trumpeter=20 Swans for about a week now. Last Wednesday there = were four=20 Canvasbacks in the same marsh. A little = further=20 down Hwy 14 from this same spot today there was a flock of over a = hundred=20 Ring-necked Ducks concentrated in a very small = pond. =20 There are large numbers of Northern Shovelers showing = up this=20 week and still good numbers of Scaup on most = any=20 marsh.

Good = birding,

Brian = Smith

Sleepy=20 Eye

------=_NextPart_000_0043_01C2F552.AC8E5E50-- From alongtin@worldnet.att.net Sat Mar 29 01:20:59 2003 From: alongtin@worldnet.att.net (Andrew Longtin) Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 19:20:59 -0600 Subject: [mou] Two Lesser Scaup Message-ID: <000801c2f591$74bcd2b0$c641520c@computer> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0009_01C2F55F.2A23E950 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Tonight on my way home I found a pair of Lesser Scaup working the edge of the remaining ice on the little pond on the north east corner of Hwy 55 and Co. Rd. 116 in Medina, it's just behind the Mobil gas station.. Andrew -- Andrew Longtin Corcoran (Hennepin Co.) Minnesota Minnesota Ornithologists Union Member http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/ Cornell Lab Member (PFW) http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/ Hardness Zone 4 (climate zone) ALongtin *at worldnet *dot att *dot net See my WEB pages at http://home.att.net/~alongtin/Index.htm NO SPAM NEEDED HERE!!!! ------=_NextPart_000_0009_01C2F55F.2A23E950 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Tonight on=20 my way home I found a pair of Lesser Scaup working the edge of the = remaining ice=20 on the little pond on the north east corner of Hwy 55 and Co. Rd. 116 in = Medina,=20 it's just behind the Mobil gas station..

Andrew

--
Andrew = Longtin
Corcoran (Hennepin=20 Co.) Minnesota
Minnesota Ornithologists Union=20 Member
http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/
Cornell Lab Member (PFW)
http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/
Hardness Zone 4 (climate zone)
ALongtin *at worldnet *dot = att *dot=20 net

See my WEB pages at http://home.att.net/~alongtin/Index.htm

NO SPAM NEEDED HERE!!!!

------=_NextPart_000_0009_01C2F55F.2A23E950-- From swisstea@gctel.com Sat Mar 29 01:38:31 2003 From: swisstea@gctel.com (Susan McKechnie Wiste) Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 19:38:31 -0600 Subject: [mou] Swainson's hawk - Douglas Co MN Message-ID: <002c01c2f593$e82a9e60$073492ce@jhkl501> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0029_01C2F561.9D024640 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Today, there was a Swainson's hawk hunting in the field next to my house = which is 10 mi west of Alexandria. Last week-end, one flew over my home = - not the same bird as the markings were different. Susan Wiste ------=_NextPart_000_0029_01C2F561.9D024640 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Today, there was a Swainson's hawk = hunting in=20 the field next to my house which is 10 mi west of Alexandria. Last = week-end, one flew over my home - not the same bird as the markings were = different.

Susan = Wiste

------=_NextPart_000_0029_01C2F561.9D024640-- From rmdbird@mn.rr.com Sat Mar 29 16:20:03 2003 From: rmdbird@mn.rr.com (Bob Dunlap) Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 10:20:03 -0600 Subject: [mou] Northern Goshawk, Carver County Message-ID: <000801c2f60f$0e4aa330$71c11941@MainComputer> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C2F5DC.C363E7F0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable This morning I observed an adult (probably male) Northern Goshawk flying = northwest over Audubon Rd. (Cnty. Rd. 17) in Chaska. Also down in the = river valley there were a few Bald Eagles riding the thermals. -Bob Dunlap, Carver County ------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C2F5DC.C363E7F0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

This morning I observed an adult = (probably male)=20 Northern Goshawk flying northwest over Audubon Rd. (Cnty. Rd. 17) in=20 Chaska. Also down in the river valley there were a few Bald Eagles = riding=20 the thermals.

-Bob Dunlap, Carver=20 County

------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C2F5DC.C363E7F0-- From holtz@noah.csp.edu Sat Mar 29 22:20:48 2003 From: holtz@noah.csp.edu (Robert Holtz) Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 16:20:48 -0600 Subject: [mou] Scott County Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.0.20030329161438.00a237c0@noah.csp.edu> Andy Bicek, Mike Holtz, and I birded Scott County from 8:05- 11:55 this morning. We found 56 species. Many of the lakes were iced-over yet, but we managed to find 12 species of ducks. There were two Snow Geese at the New Prague sewage pond. The best find was three Lapland Longspurs at the Louisville Swamp. They were less than 100 yards up the trail which begins just to the north (right side) of the parking lot. Bob Holtz From petersenca@earthlink.net Sun Mar 30 01:25:50 2003 From: petersenca@earthlink.net (Christine Petersen) Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2003 19:25:50 -0600 Subject: [mou] Osprey Message-ID: An osprey flew over Glen Lake this evening about 6:00pm, just in time for the reddish evening light to reflect pink against its white crown, throat, and belly. This is only the second time I've seen an osprey here. Christine Petersen on the shores of Glen Lake, Minnetonka, Hennepin Co. From etbell@attbi.com Sun Mar 30 04:21:09 2003 From: etbell@attbi.com (etbell@attbi.com) Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 04:21:09 +0000 Subject: [mou] Living Green Expo Message-ID: <20030330042007.0FD0735B68@biosci.cbs.umn.edu> MEP representatives have been asked to contact our members concerning this environmental happening. (I do not know the starting times) Living Green Expo Saturday, April 12- Sunday April 13, 2003 Minnesota State Fair Grounds No charge for admission Over 150 exhibitors, 80 workshops, speakers, music, an art exhibit, technology demonstrations, kids activities and workshops will all highlight products, practices, resources and technologies to reduce the environmental impact of our day to day living. Test-drive the new Hybrid Electric Honda Civic, Toyota Prius or Honda Insight. Try an electric bike. Learn how to compost. Find a local organic farmer to purchase farm fresh produce. Enjoy a great day of discovery and fun! Check out http://www.livinggreenexpo.org for the details. Several environmental groups, state and local agencies, associations, natural food coops and others are event co-sponsors. Volunteers are needed, so if you feel like it--contact Melissa at 612-801- 5031 or wenz0013@hotmail.com If you need more posters and flyers contact Barb at 651-296-6619 or barb.hannegan@pca.state.mn.us Tom Bell MOU representative to MEP From connyb@mycidco.com Sun Mar 30 12:41:06 2003 From: connyb@mycidco.com (connyb) Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 12:41:06 Subject: [mou] Horned Grebe, Hennepin Co. Message-ID: Early this morning Leslie Marcus and I went out to the Coon Rapids Dam on the Hennepin side. There was an Adult nonbreeding Horned Grebe so close you could see the white tip on the bill. There were Pied-billed Grebes, a good variety of ducks, and Tree Swallows in good numbers. We walked the path alongside the river, and saw several dozen Cedar Waxwings picking the fruit left on the trees, and the Woodpeckers were calling and drumming loudly back and forth on the island between the two counties. We enjoyed watching around 35 Great Blue Herons at their Rookery. They were in nests, standing in pairs, with croaking calls, and lots of activity back and forth carrying sticks. It's always a thrill to see the Rookery come alive with activity, and enjoy seeing them fly back and forth setting the Breeding Season into motion. Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty connyb@mycidco.com From smithville4@msn.com Sun Mar 30 19:42:41 2003 From: smithville4@msn.com (Michael Hendrickson) Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 13:42:41 -0600 Subject: [mou] MOU April Trip Message-ID: Hello: The MOU April Trip to Rock Co/Pipestone Co is almost full. I have 23 birders that are signed up to go. If you are interested in going please give me a response thru email and let me know. I'll send all information regarding the trip. Spring migration is going on strong for geese, ducks, raptors and a few passerines. If all goes well we should hopefully find Ross's Goose, White-fronted Goose, most of the ducks, an early Avocet, or a Marbled Godwit and a few other shorebirds, some raptors including a Swainson's Hawk, and a few passerines like Spotted Towhee, Loggerhead Shrike and few others. Big Finds might be a Cinn. Teal, California Gull, Ferrugenous Hawk, Burrowing Owl, Great-tail Grackle (Jackson Co. we might head there on Sunday) or a Black-headed Gull (also in Jackson Co.) These all might be possible. Kim Rison will be my assistant leader. Mike Hendrickson MOU Field Trip Chairman From prh@hutchtel.net Sun Mar 30 20:38:20 2003 From: prh@hutchtel.net (Hoeger-Lerdal) Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 14:38:20 -0600 Subject: [mou] swans Message-ID: <001001c2f6fc$4d706c00$580410ac@default> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_000D_01C2F6CA.02820FA0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable At midday today (Sunday) about 110 Tundra Swans (couldn't find any = Trumpeters) on a marshy pond at the McLeod--Meeker--Renville County = lines, about 4 miles west of Hutchinson (4 miles east of Boon Lake, = which is still frozen over) on Old Hwy. 7 (now 190th St. and Zane = Ave.,south off of new Hwy 7 west of Hutch in western McLeod County). Accompanied by a few dozen Canada Geese, Mallards, and Ring-necked = Ducks, and a few Buffleheads, Common Goldeneye and Scaup. ------=_NextPart_000_000D_01C2F6CA.02820FA0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

At midday today (Sunday) about 110 = Tundra Swans=20 (couldn't find any Trumpeters) on a marshy pond at the = McLeod--Meeker--Renville=20 County lines, about 4 miles west of Hutchinson (4 miles east of Boon = Lake, which=20 is still frozen over) on Old Hwy. 7 (now 190th St. and Zane Ave.,south = off of=20 new Hwy 7 west of Hutch in western McLeod County).

Accompanied by a few dozen Canada = Geese, Mallards,=20 and Ring-necked Ducks, and a few Buffleheads, Common Goldeneye and=20 Scaup.

------=_NextPart_000_000D_01C2F6CA.02820FA0-- From brsmith@sleepyeyetel.net Sun Mar 30 22:27:54 2003 From: brsmith@sleepyeyetel.net (Brian Smith) Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 16:27:54 -0600 Subject: [mou] Greater White-fronted Goose/Brown County Message-ID: <002001c2f70b$9c42a730$df8a2c42@S0026080567> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_001D_01C2F6D9.51252480 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable This morning while birding at Tiger Lake, three miles east of Comfrey on = Co. Rd. 17, there were at least 25 Greater White-fronted geese in a = mixed flock of Canada and Snow geese. There were also twelve species of = ducks that numbered in the hundreds. =20 A flock of approximately 45 Tundra Swans flew over my house in Sleepy = Eye around 9:30 a.m., heading northwest. I found several smaller flocks = of Tundra Swans yesterday, also near Tiger Lake. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye =20 ------=_NextPart_000_001D_01C2F6D9.51252480 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

This morning while birding at Tiger = Lake, three=20 miles east of Comfrey on Co. Rd. 17, there were at least 25 Greater=20 White-fronted geese in a mixed flock of Canada and Snow geese. = There were=20 also twelve species of ducks that numbered in the hundreds. =

A flock of approximately 45 Tundra = Swans flew over=20 my house in Sleepy Eye around 9:30 a.m., heading northwest. = I found several smaller flocks of Tundra = Swans yesterday,=20 also near Tiger Lake.

Brian Smith

Sleepy Eye

------=_NextPart_000_001D_01C2F6D9.51252480-- From dbmartin@skypoint.com Mon Mar 31 00:15:29 2003 From: dbmartin@skypoint.com (Dennis/Barbara Martin) Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 18:15:29 -0600 Subject: [mou] Gull/Shorebird Enthusiasts Message-ID: <002b01c2f71a$a401ffc0$099ec7c7@oemcomputer> It appears that the main pools of Carlos Avery WMA have been drawn down for some reason. We presume that they were drawn down late last fall or this winter as the area is covered with dead fish that are becoming rather odiferous. There were several hundred gulls there today. All we could find were Ring-billed and Herring but as more gulls return that should change. There were also greater and lesser yellowlegs there and we would presume that the number of species will climb as those birds start to come through. There are huge mudflats that look very interesting. Most of the area will require a scope but the distances are not that large that with a scope good views will be available. The only problem will be the roads. Today they bordered on near impassable without a 4 wheel drive. If you enter from the east (Wyoming exit off 35) then you will avoid most of the poor roads. We think our car was the only non 4 wheel drive car in there today and we must admit that we felt a little insecure in a couple of places. Wish that the 4 wheel was not home in the garage. The sunrise portion of Carlos Avery (in Chisago county, on the other side of 35 from Stacy) also appears to have been drawn down. The distances here are longer but we would presume that some shorebirds will also appear here. Counted some 20 eagles at once on the ice and mud here today feeding on dead fish. Dennis and Barbara Martin dbmartin@skypoint.com From renohawk@hbci.com Mon Mar 31 02:55:59 2003 From: renohawk@hbci.com (Jeff Dankert) Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 20:55:59 -0600 Subject: [mou] Bluff hawks Message-ID: <000001c2f731$154bc2e0$912ca241@S0025943521> On Sunday, Carol Schumacher and I repeated last weekend's hawk watch effort on a Mississippi River bluff top near Minneiska, MN. NW winds slowed flight seen last week and diversity was reduced. We counted from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Bald eagle, 53 Red-tailed hawk, 23 Turkey vulture, 4 (there were more in the area but many, characteristically, flew in strange directions for northward migration). Sharp-shinned hawk, 2 Rough-legged hawk, 1 Tundra swan, 5,550, between 11:35 and 11:50 a.m. Am. white pelican, 5 at noon. A field sparrow was singing. Fifteen wild turkeys crossed the road. A northern flicker called loudly. A northern harrier passed low, hunting. At Latsch State Park, a ruffed grouse was drumming. At Weaver Dunes/Bottoms near Kellogg, we heard sandhill cranes, saw one fox sparrow, saw one eastern phoebe. At Rileys Lake near the Winona airport, an osprey caught a fish and 10 tree swallows flew by. Just east of there, an adult great horned owl was competing with its two head-bobbing young for space in an osprey nest on a power line pole. Peace, Jeff Dankert 908 Parks Ave Apt 158 Winona MN 55987-5330 (507) 454-0033 renohawk@hbci.com From KentNickell@msn.com Mon Mar 31 03:21:31 2003 From: KentNickell@msn.com (Kent Nickell) Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 21:21:31 -0600 Subject: [mou] Gunflint trail Message-ID: ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F702.557F5A40 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Enjoyed doing some birding over the weekend in northern Minnesota. At Gu= nflint Lodge near the end of Gunflint trail were many Purple Finches and = American Goldfinches along with several Evening Grosbeaks and a Pileated = Woodpecker. Just south along the Gunflint trail were small flocks of Sno= w Buntings. On Hwy 2 north of Two Harbors didn't see the Spruce Grouse but were lots = of Pine Siskins along with small groups of Purple Finches and White-winge= d Crossbills. =20 Did a couple of hours of hiking the trails with one of the lodge naturali= sts and while the birding wasn't spectacular was fun seeing wolf tracks a= nd adjacent Common Raven tracks. Have a few photos: female EVGR www.greenbackedheron.com/photo.cfm?setid=3D781 female PUFI www.greenbackedheron.com/photo.cfm?photoid=3D1817 Good birding, =20 Kent Nickell KentNickell@msn.com Waterloo, Iowa ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F702.557F5A40 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Enjoyed doing = some birding over the weekend in northern Minnesota. At Gunflint Lo= dge near the end of Gunflint trail were many Purple Finches and American = Goldfinches along with several Evening Grosbeaks and a Pileated Woodpecke= r. Just south along the Gunflint trail were small flocks of Snow Bu= ntings.

On Hwy 2 north of Two Harbors didn't= see the Spruce Grouse but were lots of Pine Siskins along with small gro= ups of Purple Finches and White-winged Crossbills.

= ;

Did a couple of hours of hiking the trails with one of the l= odge naturalists and while the birding wasn't spectacular was fun seeing = wolf tracks and adjacent Common Raven tracks.

Have a few photos:

female EVGR = www.greenbackedheron.com/photo.cfm?setid=3D781

female= PUFI www.greenbackedheron.com/photo.cfm?photoi= d=3D1817

Good birding,

Ken= t Nickell
KentNickell@msn.com

Waterloo, Iowa

------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F702.557F5A40-- From jbgonebirdwatching@hotmail.com Mon Mar 31 18:50:37 2003 From: jbgonebirdwatching@hotmail.com (Judd Brink) Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 12:50:37 -0600 Subject: [mou] (no subject) Message-ID:

spring phenology

1 deer tick 3-27 French Rapids (Brainerd Airport) Crow Wing co.

1 Belted kingfisher and 1 Eastern Phoebe 3-30 seen along Mississippi River Brooklyn Park Hennipen co.

Judd

Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* From Chris Benson" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_01E2_01C2F7A2.569170D0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Howdy all, With the current state of affairs I would like to remind y'all of a very = important point. We are all supposed to report suspicious activities to our local law = enforcement agencies. Walking around with binoculars and telescopes and looking at birds can = be (and is) considered suspicious. Especially when we realize that many of our favorite places to birdwatch = could be (and are) considered sensitive areas. You have been warned, don't be surprised if you are approached by the = authorities in the field or when you get back home. If you are = approached by law enforcement by all means by polite and respectful. Go = out of your way help them keep the country (and you) safe. It's in everyones best interest. Trying to restart my heart..... Chris Benson Rochester, MN =20 ------=_NextPart_000_01E2_01C2F7A2.569170D0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Howdy all,

With the current state of affairs I = would like to=20 remind y'all of a very important point.

We are all supposed to report = suspicious activities=20 to our local law enforcement agencies.

Walking around with binoculars and = telescopes and=20 looking at birds can be (and is) considered suspicious.

Especially when we realize that many of = our=20 favorite places to birdwatch could be (and are) considered sensitive=20 areas.

You have been warned, don't be = surprised if you are=20 approached by the authorities in the field or when you get back = home. If=20 you are approached by law enforcement by all means by polite and=20 respectful. Go out of your way help them

keep the country (and you) safe. = It's in=20 everyones best interest.

Trying to restart my = heart.....

Chris Benson

Rochester, MN

------=_NextPart_000_01E2_01C2F7A2.569170D0-- From kschik@fmr.org Mon Mar 31 23:16:09 2003 From: kschik@fmr.org (Karen Schik) Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2003 17:16:09 -0600 Subject: [mou] Frogs Message-ID: I know it's not birds... but has anyone been hearing frogs singing yet? I heard chorus frogs yesterday in Scandia (NE of the cities) - seems early to me. Karen Schik From KentNickell@msn.com Mon Mar 31 03:21:31 2003 From: KentNickell@msn.com (Kent Nickell) Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 21:21:31 -0600 Subject: [mou] Gunflint trail Message-ID: ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F702.557F5A40 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Enjoyed doing some birding over the weekend in northern Minnesota. At Gu= nflint Lodge near the end of Gunflint trail were many Purple Finches and = American Goldfinches along with several Evening Grosbeaks and a Pileated = Woodpecker. Just south along the Gunflint trail were small flocks of Sno= w Buntings. On Hwy 2 north of Two Harbors didn't see the Spruce Grouse but were lots = of Pine Siskins along with small groups of Purple Finches and White-winge= d Crossbills. =20 Did a couple of hours of hiking the trails with one of the lodge naturali= sts and while the birding wasn't spectacular was fun seeing wolf tracks a= nd adjacent Common Raven tracks. Have a few photos: female EVGR www.greenbackedheron.com/photo.cfm?setid=3D781 female PUFI www.greenbackedheron.com/photo.cfm?photoid=3D1817 Good birding, =20 Kent Nickell KentNickell@msn.com Waterloo, Iowa ------=_NextPart_001_0000_01C2F702.557F5A40 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

On Hwy 2 north of Two Harbors didn't= see the Spruce Grouse but were lots of Pine Siskins along with small gro= ups of Purple Finches and White-winged Crossbills.

= ;

Did a couple of hours of hiking the trails with one of the l= odge naturalists and while the birding wasn't spectacular was fun seeing = wolf tracks and adjacent Common Raven tracks.

Have a few photos:

female EVGR = www.greenbackedheron.com/photo.cfm?setid=3D781

female= PUFI www.greenbackedheron.com/photo.cfm?photoi= d=3D1817

Good birding,

Ken= t Nickell
KentNickell@msn.com

Waterloo, Iowa

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