[mou] MOU RBA 15 May 2003

[Anthony X. Hertzel]

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, May 15th.

On May 10th, there was an adult MISSISSIPPI KITE at Hyland Lake Park 
Reserve in Bloomington, Hennepin County. It was first seen soaring at 
treetop level along Oregon Avenue South, which is a short dirt road 
that branches off East Bush Lake Road near the south end of Bush 
Lake. The kite disappeared to the northeast but was soon relocated 
along Normandale Boulevard near the new St. Michaels Church. It soon 
floated out of sight to the northwest and has not been reported since.

I have a vague report of a MAGNIFICENT HUMMINGBIRD from May 15th. It 
was reported from Crosby Farm nature area in St. Paul, Ramsey County 
on the west side of Crosby Lake. This is all the information I have.

Shorebird numbers continue to increase. There were 19 species at Lake 
Byllesby in Dakota County on the 10th. Among them were PIPING PLOVER, 
WILLET, RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, STILT SANDPIPER, and RED-NECKED 
PHALAROPE. A CLARK'S GREBE was reported here on the 11th. And a 
female WESTERN TANAGER was seen here on the 12th feeding in a 
Siberian Elm just passed the spot where the dirt road that goes west 
from the cemetery turns back over the hill. These trees are the ones 
closest to the road.

In Richfield, Hennepin County, a male Western Tanager was just inside 
the fence separating the Wood Lake Nature Center from the parking lot 
on the 11th. It's been seen daily since then and by today it was in 
the far southwestern corner of the park.

A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was at the Hormel Nature Center in Austin 
Mower County on the 10th. Check near the entrance as well as in the 
yards of the homes to the west on 12th Ave NE.

A first year LITTLE GULL was reported at Goose Lake in southern 
Meeker County on the 10th. I have to wonder what a Little Gull would 
be doing in first-year plumage at this time of year. Also in Meeker 
County was a SNOWY EGRET near the town of Greenleaf. From state 
highway 22 go west on 180th Street for one mile.

At Lebanon Hills Park in Eagan, a KENTUCKY WARBLER was seen on May 
14th. From Holland Lake parking lot at Cliff Road and Lexington 
Avenue in Eagan  follow the trail from the pier west then south along 
the lake. Continue going south through the first trail junction to 
where the path continues down and back up into a clearing.  When you 
reach the clearing turn left on the horse/ski trail and follow it to 
the first shelter. The warbler was seen in the trees near this 
shelter.

A PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was among the 19 species of warblers seen at 
Eagle's Nest County Park in Watonwan County on the 15th.

On the 12th, a CATTLE EGRET was on the north side of Dakota County 
Road 66 between Donnelly Avenue and County Road 81. This is about a 
half mile west of U.S. Highway 52.

Six SNOW GEESE and a ROSS'S GOOSE were lingering at a WMA six miles 
south and two miles east of Dawson in Lac Qui Parle County on May 
10th.

Several YELLOW RAILS were heard calling in the marshes of McGregor, 
Aitkin County on the 11th.

Finally, HENSLOW'S SPARROWS were in Frontenac State Park in Goodhue 
County on the 10th. Check the fields behind the Villa Maria Retreat 
Center. They were also reported from Meeker County near the boat 
landing to Minnesota Lake.

I'd like to thank the many callers who took the time to report their 
sightings. There simply isn't enough time to mention them all.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, May 22nd.

-- 
Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com