Hey all,
I stopped by the lagoons on my way to Rochester at about noon today and got
a special treat. I studied the shorebirds for about 30 minutes and was
taking down some field notes when I heard a "woosh" sound above and to my
right. I looked up to see a raptor shoot by no more than 20 feet off the
ground. It took one pass at the shorebirds and then came back around and
streaked down to pick off a Pectoral Sandpiper from the mudflats. It was
an amazing sight. I watched the whole thing through my binoculars. It
appeared to reach down and bite the bird moments after snagging the prey.
The bird was a Peregrine Falcon. I was able to make the I.D. with the long
looks as it flew off into the distance with its prey.
So to add to this. I also watched a family of American Kestrals flying
around the ponds when I arrived. I watched an immature catching
grasshoppers and eating them on a wire near the entrance. I thought I was
pretty special to see two raptors catch and eat prey within such a short
time span.
All of the shorebirds flew off when the Peregrine made its catch so I
proceeded on my drive to Rochester. As I was heading into Utica, I saw a
kettle of raptors circling over a field that the farmer was cutting and
raking hay. I pulled over and it ended up being two Turkey Vultures with
a Red-tailed Hawk and a Swainsons Hawk. They were just circling this one
area quite low. All of the sudden the Red - tail went into a dive and
caught some prey at the edge of the cut hay. So that made it three raptor
kills in less than an hour. I continued to watch the Swainsons Hawk
circle for quite a while as this is the most eastern that I have ever seen
one. I also got to add that to my Winona County list.
So quite a trip.
Shorebirds observed at Lewiston Sewage Ponds:
Pectoral Sandpiper - 50 or so
Baird's Sandpiper - 2
Least Sandpiper - 3
Spotted Sandpiper - 2
Lesser Yellowlegs - 4
Greater Yellowlegs - 2
Also hundreds of immature starlings at the sewage ponds. That was a little
sad to see.
Chad Aakre
Winona County
_________________________________________________________________
Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
From robert.oconnor@ndsu.nodak.edu Mon Jul 26 22:36:30 2004
From: robert.oconnor@ndsu.nodak.edu (robert.oconnor@ndsu.nodak.edu)
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 16:36:30 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: [mou] Ruff
Message-ID: <49206.24.117.133.44.1090877790.squirrel@webmail.ndsu.nodak.edu>
Hi,
The Ruff reported on Sunday was still at the posted location as of 12:15
PM Monday. When I saw it, the bird was along the west shore of the lake
near a small pile of of rocks. I met the landowners while I was there,
and once they knew why I'd stopped, they were quite friendly. They are
aware that others may come by to try to see the bird (and they also warned
me about the poison ivy mentioned in one of the MOU emails).
Bob O'Connor
Moorhead
From jslind@frontiernet.net Tue Jul 27 02:33:18 2004
From: jslind@frontiernet.net (Jim Lind)
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 20:33:18 -0500
Subject: [mou] Buff-breasted Sandpiper - Two Harbors, Lake Co.
Message-ID: <41056A8E.18654.9E11F52@localhost>
This evening there was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper in the fairway of
the #1 hole at the Two Harbors golf course. This is about a quarter
mile east of the clubhouse.
There was also a Baird's Sandpiper on the rocks in front of the
lighthouse at Agate Bay this afternoon.
Jim Lind
Two Harbors
From EgretCMan@aol.com Tue Jul 27 02:55:16 2004
From: EgretCMan@aol.com (EgretCMan@aol.com)
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 21:55:16 EDT
Subject: [mou] NW Minnesota - July 23 - 25, 2004
Message-ID: <92.109fd955.2e371004@aol.com>
-------------------------------1090893316
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July 23 - 25, 2005
Spent the last few days birding, mostly in Mahnomen and Norman counties. But
did pick up a few species in other near by counties. I observed 114 species
and several other species were observed by participants of a group that I was
leading for a total of 116 species for the trip. Here are some of the species
observed and there locations.
Least Bittern - Norman County, Fossum TWP, Faith WMA, East Side of CR 40,
Approx. 1 mile South of CR 29. Several birds were
heard calling at this
location on the 25th at 7:00am.
Trumpeter Swan - Norman County, Flom TWP, From the intersection of CR 40 & CR
37, go 1 mile N., then 3/4 of a mile W. A pair of
adults were observed
with four Cygnets.
Greater Prairie Chickens - Norman County, Rockwell TWP, On the West side of
CR 28, 1/2
mile South of CR 39. Six birds were
observed feeding in an
Alfalfa field at 10:00am on the 25th.
Short-eared Owl - Norman County, Home TWP, West side of CR 158, 3/4 mile N of
CR 39. What appears to be a nesting pair of
Short-eared Owls were
observed hunting over a field in the Neal WMA.
Both birds were observed
on the evening of the 24 at 8:50pm and a single
bird was observed at
9:30am. This bird was first observed sitting along
the road that runs
along the East side of the WMA. These birds were
first observed by Ron
Erpelding on the 23rd around 5:00pm
Western Kingbird - Becker County - A single bird was observed hawking insects
from the
power lines along Hyw 10, 1.5 miles South of CR 24
on the 22nd.
Traverse County - Three birds were observed along
CR 15 on the 25th.
One was observed 1/2 mile South of Hyw 27 and the
other two were
observed 1/2 mile North of CR 4 West.
Loggerhead Shrike - Norman County, Lake Ida TWP, From the intersection of CR
27 &
CR 24, go East on CR 27 for 1.25 miles and turn
South. The bird
was observed on the wires along the road and in
the bushes on the
West side of the road, about 1/4 S of CR 27.
This bird was first
observed feeding a young bird at this location
on the 23rd by, Ron
Erpelding.
Black-billed Magpie - Mahnomen County, Lake Grove TWP, CR 12, 1/2 mile N of
CR 13.
One adult and one Immature bird were heard and
observed at this
location on the 23rd.
Warblers - 8 species of Warblers were observed including Pine Warblers along
the Snider Lake Road, that most likely nested in that area.
Le Conte's Sparrow - Several were heard in Norman County at the Neal WMA.
Craig Mandel - EgretCMan@aol.com - Minnetonka, MN
-------------------------------1090893316
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July 23 - 25, 2005
Spent the last few days birding, mostly in Mahnomen and Norman counties=
. But did pick up a few species in other near by counties. =
I observed 114 species and several other species were observed by participan=
ts of a group that I was leading for a total of 116 species for the trip.&nb=
sp; Here are some of the species observed and there locations=
.
Least Bittern - Norman County, Fossum TWP, Faith WMA, East Side o=
f CR 40,
 =
; Approx. 1 mile=20=
South of CR 29. Several birds were heard calling at this
 =
; location on the=
25th at 7:00am.
Trumpeter Swan - Norman County, Flom TWP, From the intersection of CR 4=
0 & CR
 =
; &nb=
sp; 37, go 1 mile N., then 3/4 of a mile W. A pair of adults were=
observed
 =
; &nb=
sp; with four Cygnets.
Greater Prairie Chickens - Norman County, Rockwell TWP, On the West sid=
e of CR 28, 1/2
 =
; &nb=
sp; =20=
mile South of CR 39. Six birds were observed feeding in an
 =
; &nb=
sp; =
Alfalfa field at 10:00am on the 25th.
Short-eared Owl - Norman County, Home TWP, West side of CR 158, 3/4 mil=
e N of
 =
; &nb=
sp; CR 39. What appears to be a nesting pair of Short-eared Owls=20=
were
 =
; &nb=
sp; observed hunting over a field in the Neal WMA. Both birds wer=
e observed
 =
; &nb=
sp; on the evening of the 24 at 8:50pm and a single bird was observed at
 =
; &nb=
sp; 9:30am. This bird was first observed sitting along the road t=
hat runs
 =
; &nb=
sp; along the East side of the WMA. These birds were first observ=
ed by Ron
 =
; &nb=
sp; Erpelding on the 23rd around 5:00pm
Western Kingbird - Becker County - A single bird was observed hawking i=
nsects from the
 =
; &nb=
sp; power lines along Hyw 10, 1.5 miles South of CR 24 on the 22nd.&nb=
sp;
 =
; &nb=
sp; Traverse County - Three birds were observed along CR 15 on th=
e 25th.
 =
; &nb=
sp; One was observed 1/2 mile South of Hyw 27 and the other two w=
ere
 =
; &nb=
sp; observed 1/2 mile North of CR 4 West.
Loggerhead Shrike - Norman County, Lake Ida TWP, From the intersection=20=
of CR 27 &
 =
; &nb=
sp; CR 24, go East on CR 27 for 1.25 miles and=20=
turn South. The bird
 =
; &nb=
sp; was observed on the wires along the road an=
d in the bushes on the
 =
; &nb=
sp; West side of the road, about 1/4 S of CR 27=
. This bird was first
 =
; &nb=
sp; observed feeding a young bird at this location o=
n the 23rd by, Ron
 =
; &nb=
sp; Erpelding.
Black-billed Magpie - Mahnomen County, Lake Grove TWP, CR 12, 1/2 mile=20=
N of CR 13.
 =
; &nb=
sp; One adult and one Immature bird were heard=
and observed at this
 =
; &nb=
sp; location on the 23rd.
Warblers - 8 species of Warblers were observed including Pine Warblers=20=
along the Snider Lake Road, that most likely nested in that area.
Le Conte's Sparrow - Several were heard in Norman County at the Neal WM=
A.
Craig Mandel - EgretCMan@aol.com - Minnetonka, MN
-------------------------------1090893316--
From watsup@boreal.org Tue Jul 27 16:19:36 2004
From: watsup@boreal.org (Steve and Sherry Watson)
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 08:19:36 -0700
Subject: [mou] C. moorhens
Message-ID: <000301c473ed$214aa540$c60f46d8@m7z0w8>
Hello all,
Sorry for the late post but last week Tuesday the 20th I was down with
some friends in Brown County only a couple miles from the moorhen spot.
I was able to see it after ten or fifteen minutes of waiting on the
south pond maybe fifteen yards away. I saw only one of the adults as it
hugged the cattails feeding. After a minute or so it swam back in the
cattails. I again came back the 21st to see if I could see them again
with the young. As my mom stopped the car I ran over to see all eight
young and one of the adults scurry for the cattails from the center of
the north pond. The young vanished in the weeds but the adult swam the
cattail line an estimated thirty feet away calling to the other adult
which I could hear back in the cattails. I got amazing views of the
bird for an extensive amount of time. The bird happened to be a state
bird for me, # 299. I went back one other time to see if I could get a
photo which I didn't, but did again see the adult at around the same
range and one of the young which darted into the cattails. Good birding
to all.
Josh Watson
Grand Marais
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.726 / Virus Database: 481 - Release Date: 7/22/04
From david@cahlander.com Tue Jul 27 18:10:47 2004
From: david@cahlander.com (David A. Cahlander)
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 12:10:47 -0500
Subject: [mou] Ruff photograph
Message-ID: <000801c473fc$ac06b4d0$0400a8c0@flash>
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The Ruff seen in Big Stone County has been added to "Recently Seen".
http://www.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/recent.html
This page has been reworked slightly so it does not take as much time to =
load.
---
David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910
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The Ruff seen in Big Stone =
County has=20
been added to "Recently Seen".
This page has been reworked =
slightly so=20
it does not take as much time to load.
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From thimgan@digitaljam.com Tue Jul 27 18:40:07 2004
From: thimgan@digitaljam.com (Dan & Sandy Thimgan)
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 12:40:07 -0500
Subject: [mou] Ruff still present
Message-ID:
The Ruff is still being seen in Big Stone County as of Tuesday morning,
10:00 am.
We saw it in the southwestern lobe of the lake. We followed the trail
through the grass on the south side of the lake skirting the trees along the
shoreline until you command an open view of the lake. The bird was actively
feeding on the far shore to the left of a small assortment of rocks.
Directions from a previous post:
>From the junction of Big Stone County Roads 12 and 10 go east .4 miles east
on County Road. Turn north on unmarked dirt road for 3/4 of a mile.
--
Dan & Sandy Thimgan
Otter Tail County
Battle Lake, MN
From dougburi@tnics.com Wed Jul 28 01:52:13 2004
From: dougburi@tnics.com (Doug Buri)
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 19:52:13 -0500
Subject: [mou] Ruff still present
Message-ID: <004801c4743d$1fbb1d40$4fb48042@0018999440>
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The Ruff was still in the same location at 5pm today (Tuesday).
For those of you who are attending the shorebird workshop this weekend =
in Milbank SD -- I guarantee; if that bird stays around until Friday =
afternoon we WILL be going for him!!
Today the Saturday field trip route had several spots with 500 --- 1000 =
shorebirds with all the usual species represented. An added plus was 50 =
-- 100 White-faced Ibis and the same number of Snowy Egrets.=20
Doug Buri
Milbank, SD
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The Ruff was still in the same location at 5pm today=20
(Tuesday).
For those of you who are attending the shorebird =
workshop=20
this weekend in Milbank SD -- I guarantee; if that bird stays around =
until=20
Friday afternoon we WILL be going for him!!
Today the Saturday field trip route had several spots with=20
500 --- 1000 shorebirds with all the usual species represented. An =
added=20
plus was 50 -- 100 White-faced Ibis and the same number of Snowy Egrets. =
Doug Buri
Milbank, SD
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From cerulean1966@msn.com Wed Jul 28 03:12:33 2004
From: cerulean1966@msn.com (Dave Bartkey)
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 2004 21:12:33 -0500
Subject: [mou] question on goose split
Message-ID:
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Hi everyone!
Has anyone heard any more details on the recent split of Canada and =
Cackling Goose? Since seeing Jim Williams interesting posting, I haven't =
heard anything since. I've checked both the A.O.U. and A.B.A. websites =
and have seen nothing there either. Will this mean another regular =
species being added to the Minnesota list? I understand (I think) the =
smaller races of this species, such as Richardson's, are supposedly =
included in this category. Thanks in advance for clueing in this =
clueless birder!!
Good birding!
Dave Bartkey
Faribault ,MN
cerulean1966@msn.com
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Hi everyone!
Has anyone heard any more details on the recent split of =
Canada and=20
Cackling Goose? Since seeing Jim Williams interesting posting, I haven't =
heard=20
anything since. I've checked both the A.O.U. and A.B.A. websites and =
have seen=20
nothing there either. Will this mean another regular species being added =
to the=20
Minnesota list? I understand (I think) the smaller races of =
this=20
species, such as Richardson's, are supposedly included in this =
category.=20
Thanks in advance for clueing in this clueless birder!!
Good birding!
Dave Bartkey
Faribault ,MN
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From MMARTELL@audubon.org Wed Jul 28 14:51:07 2004
From: MMARTELL@audubon.org (MARTELL, Mark)
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 09:51:07 -0400
Subject: [mou] question on goose split
Message-ID:
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The latest version (7th edition) which includes the 2004 revision of the =
AOU list of the birds of North America ( http://www.aou.org/aou/bird =
list.html) shows these =
entries;
=20
Branta hutchinsii Cackling Goose.
Branta canadensis Canada Goose.
=20
So they are separate species.
=20
=20
Mark Martell=20
Director of Bird Conservation=20
Audubon Minnesota=20
2357 Ventura Drive #106=20
St. Paul, MN 55125=20
651-739-9332=20
651-731-1330 (FAX)=20
-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Bartkey [mailto:cerulean1966@msn.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 9:13 PM
To: MnBird_Postings; MOU_Posts
Subject: [mou] question on goose split
Hi everyone!
=20
Has anyone heard any more details on the recent split of Canada and =
Cackling Goose? Since seeing Jim Williams interesting posting, I haven't =
heard anything since. I've checked both the A.O.U. and A.B.A. websites =
and have seen nothing there either. Will this mean another regular =
species being added to the Minnesota list? I understand (I think) the =
smaller races of this species, such as Richardson's, are supposedly =
included in this category. Thanks in advance for clueing in this =
clueless birder!!
=20
Good birding!
=20
Dave Bartkey
Faribault ,MN
cerulean1966@msn.com=20
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Branta hutchinsii Cackling=20
Goose.
Branta canadensis Canada=20
Goose.
So they are separate =
species.
Mark Martell
Director of Bird=20
Conservation
Audubon Minnesota =
2357 Ventura Drive #106
St. =
Paul, MN=20
55125
651-739-9332
651-731-1330 (FAX)
Hi everyone!
Has anyone heard any more details on the recent split of =
Canada=20
and Cackling Goose? Since seeing Jim Williams interesting posting, I =
haven't=20
heard anything since. I've checked both the A.O.U. and A.B.A. websites =
and=20
have seen nothing there either. Will this mean another regular species =
being=20
added to the Minnesota list? I understand (I think) the =
smaller=20
races of this species, such as Richardson's, are supposedly =
included in=20
this category. Thanks in advance for clueing in this clueless =
birder!!
Good birding!
Dave Bartkey
Faribault ,MN
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From dbmartin@skypoint.com Wed Jul 28 15:54:20 2004
From: dbmartin@skypoint.com (Dennis/Barbara Martin)
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 09:54:20 -0500
Subject: [mou] Re Canada Goose split
Message-ID: <005b01c474b2$c4130cc0$ae2e56c7@oemcomputer>
The following was pasted from a message on another list serve that I
subscribe to and was originally written by Phil Davis (I believe from the
Maryland Records Committee.) Note that the Minnesota records committee will
have to consider the information from the AOU but that is probably a
formality as the AOU is the decider of species determinations in North
America. The AOU is not into listing and as such is not concerned with
issues such as that.
Dennis Martin
dbmartin@skypoint.com
The 45th Supplement to the AOU Checklist is now out. It was published in the
July 2004 issue of the Auk 121(3):985-995. For those not familiar with the
AOU Checklist, it governs taxonomy (including splits/lumps, common names,
scientific names, and order) of North American species. Note that the ABA
Checklist is what governs the publication of the ABA listers totals; the ABA
typically issues their own report subsequent to the release of AOU
supplements.
Highlights (pertaining only to north of the Mexico border):
1. The species Great-winged Petrel has been added to the checklist, based on
west coast pelagic records.
2. Cackling Goose has been split and is now a separate species from Canada
Goose:
a. Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) [the small forms] includes the former
Canada Goose subspecies hutchinsii [Richarson's], asiatica
[Bering-extinct?], leucopareia [Aleutian], taverneri [part of the Lesser
complex], and minima.
b. Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) now includes the subspecies canadensis
[Atlantic], interior [Interior], maxima [Giant], moffitti [Moffit's],
parvipes [the other part of the Lesser complex], fulva [Vancouver], and
occidentalis [Dusky].
The Checklist committee telegraphs that more splits of this complex may be
yet to come. [The separation of the Lesser complex may present a field
challenge.] For a good treatment of Canada Goose subspecies (prior to the
release of this supplement), check Angus Wilson's web site at ...
http://www.oceanwanderers.com/CAGO.Subspecies.html
3. The common name Mongolian Plover is now Lesser Sand-plover, to agree with
modern Old World literature.
4. Greater Sand-plover is added to the main checklist, based on the
record from California.
5. The common name Spoonbill Sandpiper has been changed to Spoon-billed
Sandpiper.
6. The common name Jungle Nightjar has been changed to Gray Nightjar to
agree with modern Old World literature.
7. Willow Warbler has been moved from the Appendix and added to the main
checklist, based on the record from Gambell, AK.
8. Lesser Whitethroat is added to the checklist, based on the record from
Gambell, AK.
9. The common name of Siberian Flycatcher has been changed to Dark-sided
Flycatcher to agree with modern Old World literature.
10. The common name of Gray-spotted Flycatcher has been changed to
Gray-streaked Flycatcher to agree with modern Old World literature.
11. Spotted Flycatcher has been added to the checklist base on the record
from Gambell, AK.
12. The western Alaska subspecies of Yellow Wagtail has been split from the
Yellow Wagtail complex and now appears on the checklist as the Eastern
Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis). (This is the only "yellow"
wagtail on the AOU checklist.)
13. Rufous-tailed Robin has been added to the appendix (not the main
checklist) based on a record from Attu.
14. Blue Rock Thrush has been added to the appendix (not the main
checklist) based on a record from British Columbia.
15. There are numerous changes to scientific names.
From john.schladweiler@dnr.state.mn.us Wed Jul 28 17:14:01 2004
From: john.schladweiler@dnr.state.mn.us (John Schladweiler)
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 11:14:01 -0500
Subject: [mou] Ruff
Message-ID:
Birders going to this site should be reminded that the wetland described
is private land, and that permission is required to trespass. The owner
is Bentsen Bay Inc., and a contact person is Gary Petrucci (612)
619-2304. Gary is aware of the presence of the Ruff and not too
concerned about birders on the site. Still a call would be nice.
John Schladweiler
New Ulm, MN
From esitz@goldengate.net Wed Jul 28 20:54:55 2004
From: esitz@goldengate.net (Erika Sitz)
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 14:54:55 -0500
Subject: [mou] RFI - Quebec birding
Message-ID: <005b01c474dc$c1ddc420$6601a8c0@dirac4>
Will be in Laval (Montreal) Aug 9-15 and would like to mix in some birding
with the sightseeing and shopping,lol. Does anyone have any information
about places to bird around Montreal or the Laurentians or birding contacts
there? I'm interested in more casual, "easier" birding since I will be
birding alone while my husband plays in a bridge tournament. Material in
English or bilingual preferred - limited availability of his French-Canadian
partner to help me.
Erika Sitz
Ramsey, north Anoka County
esitz@goldengate.net
From a_molson@unidial.com Wed Jul 28 21:34:12 2004
From: a_molson@unidial.com (Ann and Manley Olson)
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 15:34:12 -0500
Subject: [mou] Arizona birdimg guides
Message-ID: <41080DC4.2030102@unidial.com>
In January I will be attending a conference in Tucson.I will have only
one full day and most of a second free to bird. ABA publications carry
ads from guides. Does anyone have any recommendatons or experience they
would be willing to share about any guide service?I have spent a week of
Spring birding in SE Arizona about ten years ago and birded around the
edges of a conference in Tempe in the Fall but since I have such a
limited time I would like to make the most of it.
Thank you for any ideas you might have.
Manley Olson
From TeamVagrant@aol.com Thu Jul 29 15:01:38 2004
From: TeamVagrant@aol.com (TeamVagrant@aol.com)
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 10:01:38 EDT
Subject: [mou] Arizona birdimg guides
Message-ID: <88.10392a81.2e3a5d42@aol.com>
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Madera Canyon is only 1-2 hours south of there and they had a pair of
Flame-colored tanagers there this spring but I didn't check if they were still
hanging around since. When I was there this spring, Sierra Vista was an easy drive
as well. A bit longer but we saw three Trogons in Huachuca (sp?) canyon, Elf
owls just south of town in Ramsey, and Gray Hawks at San Pedro. Go to the AZ
RBA for some good ideas as well. Have fun!
Chris Elmgren
Gnesen township,
Duluth, St. Louis County
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Madera Canyon is only 1-2 hours s=
outh of there and they had a pair of Flame-colored tanagers there this sprin=
g but I didn't check if they were still hanging around since. When I w=
as there this spring, Sierra Vista was an easy drive as well. A bit longer b=
ut we saw three Trogons in Huachuca (sp?) canyon, Elf owls just south of tow=
n in Ramsey, and Gray Hawks at San Pedro. Go to the AZ RBA for some go=
od ideas as well. Have fun!
Chris Elmgren
Gnesen township,
Duluth, St. Louis County
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From Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com Thu Jul 29 15:11:03 2004
From: Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com (Chris Fagyal)
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 09:11:03 -0500
Subject: [mou] Arizona birdimg guides
Message-ID:
You don't really need a guide. Its pretty easy to do that area without =
one. The couple guides around there are very expensive (Though if you =
truly want one, their names are Stuart Healy (www.aztrogon.com), or Melody =
Kehl (dont remember her web address), or you could even try Rich Hoyer of =
Wings..he lives there...he'd provbably be leading a tour in January, but =
you never know. He's about as expensive, or maybe slightly more so than =
the other two. One idea is to drive down to Sierra Vista, stay in a hotel =
there (There are several decent ones. I stayed in the Fairfield hotel off =
of Hwy 92). From there you can go to Ramsey Canyon, Miller Canyon, and =
the Huachucas to Garden Canyon. All are within 15 minutes or so of the =
hotel I mentioned. Another choice would be to drive down from Tuscon to =
Madera Canyon and overnight there. There are plenty of trails to explore =
up above Santa Rita lodge, and the feeders around the lodge as well. =20
There won't be any trogons around in January except possibly at Patagonia =
Lake which would be relatively on your way to Sierra Vista. You could =
find out if a Trogon is overwintering there by following the AZ-NM list =
server. One has the last 2 years that I know of. Most of the SE AZ =
specialties are not around in the winter. There definitely won't be any =
Flame Colored Tanagers around. They have historically shown up in mid =
April.
Chris Fagyal
Senior Software Engineer
United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD for 6 mo)
Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA for 6 mo.)
(763) 572-5320
(408) 289-3840 (For the next 6 months)
chris.fagyal@udlp.com
>>> Ann and Manley Olson 07/28/2004 13:34:12 PM >>>
In January I will be attending a conference in Tucson.I will have only=20
one full day and most of a second free to bird. ABA publications carry=20
ads from guides. Does anyone have any recommendatons or experience they=20
would be willing to share about any guide service?I have spent a week =
of=20
Spring birding in SE Arizona about ten years ago and birded around the=20
edges of a conference in Tempe in the Fall but since I have such a=20
limited time I would like to make the most of it.
Thank you for any ideas you might have.
Manley Olson
_______________________________________________
mou-net mailing list
mou-net@cbs.umn.edu=20
http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net
From WWoessner@slwk.com Thu Jul 29 15:27:00 2004
From: WWoessner@slwk.com (Warren Woessner)
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 09:27:00 -0500
Subject: [mou] Arizona birdimg guides
Message-ID:
I agree with Chris..guides are good if you are going after a singe
difficult species, like Rufous Capped Warbler in French Joe Canyon, but
are not needed to find most of the specialties..I would add that you
should get one of the good guides to birding sites in SE Arizona. I
can't recall their exact names (like "Finding Birds in SE Arizona" but
they are available from ABA Sales (American Birding Association). With
only one day I would get up early and do a loop that includes Madera
Canyon (cabins and feeder area), Kino Springs Golf course and the
Payton's feeder and Sonoita Creek Refuge (take one of the trails from
the little visitor center down to the creek). (as if you can really do
that in one day, but you can hit the highlights)
Warren
-----Original Message-----
From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On
Behalf Of Chris Fagyal
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 9:11 AM
To: >> Ann and Manley Olson 07/28/2004 13:34:12 PM
>>>
In January I will be attending a conference in Tucson.I will have only=20
one full day and most of a second free to bird. ABA publications carry=20
ads from guides. Does anyone have any recommendatons or experience they=20
would be willing to share about any guide service?I have spent a week of
Spring birding in SE Arizona about ten years ago and birded around the=20
edges of a conference in Tempe in the Fall but since I have such a=20
limited time I would like to make the most of it.
Thank you for any ideas you might have.
Manley Olson
_______________________________________________
mou-net mailing list
mou-net@cbs.umn.edu=20
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 Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com Thu Jul 29 16:19:28 2004
From: Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com (Chris Fagyal)
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 10:19:28 -0500
Subject: [mou] Arizona birdimg guides
Message-ID:
For anyone interested the ABA book finding birds in SE Arizona is =
absolutely excellent, and a new edition just came out recently...its well =
worth the buy. I've used it extensively on both my trips down there. =
Also one can visit http://www.sabo.org/birding/sites.htm which is another =
great resource. Its the Southeast Arizona Birding Observatory website, =
and the link I just gave is a site listing for each of the areas.
One could, by the way, do the loop Warren mentioned, but i'd do it in =
reverse order. Get up early, drive from tucson to Paton's in Patagonia, =
spend 30 mins or less at their feeders (No hummers in Jan and not much =
activity really), then head to Patagonia lake to look for wintering birds. =
An Elegant Trogon has wintered there the last 2 winters. Then from there =
head to Kino Springs and check for wintering birds around the ponds. =
After that head up to Madera and spend the afternoon there, overnight at =
Madera, and bird the trails the following day before heading back to =
Tucson.
The other idea that I mentioned dealing with the Huachuca's is also =
possible in one day. One could easily do Ramsey Canyon, Garden Canyon and =
Miller Canyon all in a day, though it'd probably be more profitable to do =
only two of them, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I'd =
probably skip Garden Canyon in the winter as there aren't any trogons =
there in January, and the birds will be the same otherwise. Its definitely=
a place to go in May as you are pretty well guaranteed trogons there.
Good birding,
Chris Fagyal
Senior Software Engineer
United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD for 6 mo)
Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA for 6 mo.)
(763) 572-5320
(408) 289-3840 (For the next 6 months)
chris.fagyal@udlp.com
>>> "Warren Woessner" 07/29/2004 07:27:00 AM >>>
I agree with Chris..guides are good if you are going after a singe
difficult species, like Rufous Capped Warbler in French Joe Canyon, but
are not needed to find most of the specialties..I would add that you
should get one of the good guides to birding sites in SE Arizona. I
can't recall their exact names (like "Finding Birds in SE Arizona" but
they are available from ABA Sales (American Birding Association). With
only one day I would get up early and do a loop that includes Madera
Canyon (cabins and feeder area), Kino Springs Golf course and the
Payton's feeder and Sonoita Creek Refuge (take one of the trails from
the little visitor center down to the creek). (as if you can really do
that in one day, but you can hit the highlights)
Warren
-----Original Message-----
From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On
Behalf Of Chris Fagyal
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 9:11 AM
To: >> Ann and Manley Olson 07/28/2004 13:34:12 PM
>>>
In January I will be attending a conference in Tucson.I will have only=20
one full day and most of a second free to bird. ABA publications carry=20
ads from guides. Does anyone have any recommendatons or experience they=20
would be willing to share about any guide service?I have spent a week of
Spring birding in SE Arizona about ten years ago and birded around the=20
edges of a conference in Tempe in the Fall but since I have such a=20
limited time I would like to make the most of it.
Thank you for any ideas you might have.
Manley Olson
_______________________________________________
mou-net mailing list
mou-net@cbs.umn.edu=20
http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net=20
_______________________________________________
mou-net mailing list
mou-net@cbs.umn.edu=20
http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net=20
_______________________________________________
mou-net mailing list
mou-net@cbs.umn.edu=20
http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net
From ebharlowe@stkate.edu Thu Jul 29 16:37:14 2004
From: ebharlowe@stkate.edu (ebharlowe@stkate.edu)
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 10:37:14 -0500
Subject: [mou] Arizona birdimg guides
Message-ID:
I grew up in Southern Arizona and r=
eturn home every other year for Chistmas. I bird the area in January =
pretty regularly.
Tucson Audubon put =
out a new edition of their Birding Guide to SE Arizona in March 2004. =
It is comprehensive for ALL of southern Arizona and more up to date than t=
he ABA guide. The Tucson Audubon Website also posts updates to the gu=
ide, detailing closures, limits on visiting hours, etc.
=
DIV>
Local birders believe that the drought is having a major impact on=
birds in the Southern Arizona region. Drought in the valleys, combin=
ed with extensive forest fires in the mountains seems to have limited the s=
outhbound migration of birds. Numbers of hawks, sparrows, and other m=
igrants seems to be down. I found canyons (Madera, Ramsey, and Cochis=
e Stronghold) were more empty than previous years, too.
I agree that you don't NEED a guide. On the other hand, I woul=
d check to see if there are any trips in the offing. Sheri Williamson=
at Southern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO) in Bisbee offers Hawk and spar=
row stalks through the Sulpher Springs Valley (see below) that are more rea=
sonably priced than a guide. SABO's new HQ just north of B=
isbee is a bit hard to find but worth a visit. An hour at their feede=
r station turned up over a dozen species including violet-crowned hummers a=
nd rufous-winged sparrows.Tucson Audubon Society offe=
rs a least a trip a week and you don't have to be a member to go. The=
members who lead the trips are first rate as are the birders in attendance=
. Last year an ABA board member on holiday happened to join a couple =
of trips. I learned TONS from birding with him. Often times, th=
e TAS trips will divert from the planned itinerary to chase a reported rari=
ty.
The AZ highlights are a little more thin in Januar=
y, but there are still some possibilities. Trogons are reported on th=
e Madera Canyon Christmas count, but they are pretty far up the mountain.&n=
bsp; I think you would have to hike well beyond the upper parking lot to fi=
nd them...also olive warbler. There are occasionally some good hummer=
s by the Santa Rita Inn in Madera Canyon (I had a male magnifiscent there o=
ne winter) and at Patons, but nothing like in the summer. Madera Cany=
on should have its year round species like Yellow-eyed junco, Acorn Woodpec=
ker, Painted Redstart and Bridled Titmouse. Be sure to bird the =
grasslands leading into the canyon for Eastern Bluebird (some say it may be=
a distinct species) and sparrows.
Patagonia Preserve=
has the year-round riparian species. Be aware that they are only ope=
n Wed. to Sunday. Winter rarities are much more likely to turn up at =
Patagonia Lake State Park. PSP is on the way from Nogales to Patagoni=
a, so if the birding is dead, you can move on quickly.
Depending on what interests you, you might consider going out towar=
ds the Willcox/Sulpher Springs Valley. Of course the Sandhill Cranes =
are there and, sometimes, some other interesting shorebirds at Whitewater D=
raw. The wintering hawks are usually plentiful as are the sparrows.&n=
bsp; Last year, the first Bairds Sparrow was found in the valley.=
To get some mountain species, head to Cochise Stronghold or buzz ove=
r to Ramsey or Carr Canyon or in the Huachuca mountains.
<=
DIV> For the partial day of birding, I would recommend two places whic=
h can be covered in a 1/2 day: Sweetwater wetlands and Avra Valley Sewage p=
onds. Both tend to collect rarities and are just pleasant places to b=
ird. The road is now paved all the way to Avra Valley! but be aware t=
hat the plant closes when the security alert moves to Orange.
Sabino Can=
yon is also worth an hour or two for desert species. Most of the=
more interesting species (Towhees, White-throated Swift, Black-throated sp=
arrow, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin, Roadrunner, etc.) are found close to the vi=
sitors center, either on the main trail or the short trail to the dam.
For winter visitors, I would also recommend the Wings over=
Willcox festival in mid-January. It is a very small event but extremely en=
joyable. The trip leaders are local birders and conservationists (inc=
luding people like Sherry and Bill Williamson). The guest speakers ar=
e nationally known and they often join a group for a day of birding. =
Last year I spent a day of studying sparrows with Jim Rison.
Hope this helps. Have a great time.
Cheers,
BrookeE. Brooke Harlowe
Assoc. Pr=
of. and Chair/Pol. Sci.
The College of St.=
Catherine
St. Paul, MN 55105
(651) 690-6557=
=
From ebharlowe@stkate.edu Thu Jul 29 16:43:46 2004
From: ebharlowe@stkate.edu (ebharlowe@stkate.edu)
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2004 10:43:46 -0500
Subject: [mou] Kino Springs...
Message-ID:
Check with locals about Kino Springs. When I was in Arizo=
na in January, some TAS folk told me that the development had not flourishe=
d and that the ponds had been allowed to dry up. A TAS trip did not s=
top there on the way back from a run to Patagonia State Park, (where we mis=
sed Elegant Trogon and Rufous-Backed Robin reported there).
Brooke
E. Brooke&nbs=
p;Harlowe
Assoc. Prof. and Chair/Pol. Sci.
The&nb=
sp;College of St. Catherine
St. Paul, MN 5=
5105
(651) 690-6557