From axhertzel@sihope.com Fri Oct 1 00:12:10 2004 From: axhertzel@sihope.com (Anthony X. Hertzel) Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 18:12:10 -0500 Subject: [mou] MOU RBA 30 September 2004 Message-ID: --============_-1115536560==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, September 30th. An ARCTIC TERN was seen on Lake Superior on the 26th and 27th off Minnesota Point in Duluth. A SABINE'S GULL and a LITTLE GULL were seen in the same area over Lake Superior on the 26th, and as many as five Jaegers have also been reported, most likely all were PARASITIC JAEGERS. A BLACK-HEADED GULL has again returned to the north end of Spirit Lake in Jackson County on the Minnesota - Iowa border. It was first reported in Minnesota on the 26th. On the 27th, an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on the west end of Black Dog Lake in Dakota County. This is likely the same bird that has been recently reported from Lakes Calhoun and Harriet in Minneapolis. Most interesting were the two groups of Ibis reported from Big Stone County. On the 25th, three Ibis were seen in Toqua Township, and the following day, six were found in Malta Township. And though reported as Glossys, all these birds were more probably WHITE-FACED IBIS. A CACKLING GOOSE was seen at the mouth of the Knife River in Lake County on the 25th. Another was in the parking lot at the Grand Marais municipal campground in Cook County on the 26th. Cackling Geese have also been reported from several other locations in Cook County, A YELLOW RAIL was found on the the 24th at Four Brooks Management Area. This is a Wildlife Management Area just south of Onamia in Mille Lacs County along the west side of U.S. Highway 169. The rail was seen along the south side of the main road leading into the WMA in a dense patch of sedge. Other migrants reported recently include GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, AMERICAN PIPIT, HARRIS'S SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and DARK-EYED JUNCO. 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. 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, October 7th. -- Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com --============_-1115536560==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" MOU RBA 30 September 2004

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, September 30th.
An ARCTIC TERN was seen on Lake Superior on the 26th and 27th off Minnesota Point in Duluth. A SABINE'S GULL and a LITTLE GULL were seen in the same area over Lake Superior on the 26th, and as many as five Jaegers have also been reported, most likely all were PARASITIC JAEGERS.

A BLACK-HEADED GULL has again returned to the north end of Spirit Lake in Jackson County on the Minnesota - Iowa border. It was first reported in Minnesota on the 26th.
On the 27th, an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on the west end of Black Dog Lake in Dakota County. This is likely the same bird that has been recently reported from Lakes Calhoun and Harriet in Minneapolis.

Most interesting were the two groups of Ibis reported from Big Stone County. On the 25th, three Ibis were seen in Toqua Township, and the following day, six were found in Malta Township. And though reported as Glossys, all these birds were more probably WHITE-FACED IBIS.
A CACKLING GOOSE was seen at the mouth of the Knife River in Lake County on the 25th. Another was in the parking lot at the Grand Marais municipal campground in Cook County on the 26th. Cackling Geese have also been reported from several other locations in Cook County,

A YELLOW RAIL was found on the the 24th at Four Brooks Management Area. This is a Wildlife Management Area just south of Onamia in Mille Lacs County along the west side of U.S. Highway 169. The rail was seen along the south side of the main road leading into the WMA in a dense patch of sedge.

Other migrants reported recently include GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, AMERICAN PIPIT, HARRIS'S SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and DARK-EYED JUNCO.

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, October 7th.

--
Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com
--============_-1115536560==_ma============-- From ajjoppru@wiktel.com Fri Oct 1 01:29:18 2004 From: ajjoppru@wiktel.com (Jeanie Joppru) Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 19:29:18 -0500 Subject: [mou] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Friday, October 1, 2004 Message-ID: <000001c4a74d$b291b370$5cb391ce@main> This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, October 1, 2004 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. Fall color is increasing in the northwest, but not yet at peak. Weather forecast for the coming days will likely accelerate that, and the strong northwest winds that are predicted for Friday will bring down migrants. So far numbers of migrating cranes, geese, and other waterfowl have been modest, but expect that to change very soon. >From Douglas County, Susan Wiste reported a flock of nine AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS on Lake Winona near Alexandria and a number of DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS on Lake Reno on September 24th. On the 25th, large numbers of AMERICAN ROBINS came through. Alma Ronningen in Otter Tail County had some new birds on the 24th also. She reported a late RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, OVENBIRD, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and PINE SISKIN in the yard. September 25th, she spotted a flock of ten WILD TURKEYS; on the 28th, there was a HARRIS'S SPARROW. A BELTED KINGFISHER was seen on September 29th. A Becker County sighting was called in by Karen Williams who counted no fewer than 76 COMMON LOONS on Little McDonald Lake on September 23rd. Bruce Flaig reported a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER in Polk County on September 27th. He is still seeing a pair of TRUMPETER SWANS with 4 cygnets on a lake in the southeastern part of the county. Also in Polk County, Donna and Leon Thoreson observed RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, NASHVILLE WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, DARK-EYED JUNCO, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and HARRIS'S SPARROW. A large NUMBER of COMMON GRACKLES, AMERICAN ROBINS, and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS have been migrating through Pennington County in the last few days, and on Wednesday, a small group of DARK-EYED JUNCOS and some WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS appeared under our feeder.=20 Cliff Steinhauer reported seeing several SPRUCE GROUSE in Beltrami County on September 30th. Other species seen there included BALD EAGLE, and AMERICAN WOODCOCK. >From Lake of the Woods County, the Colson family reported that the last hummingbird left about 10 days ago. Now they are seeing more DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, and the DARK-EYED JUNCOS and PINE SISKINS have returned. The latter are there earlier than usual this year.=20 Thanks to Karen Williams, Susan Wiste, Bruce Flaig, Donna and Leon Thoreson, Cliff Steinhauer, the Colson family, and Alma Ronningen 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, October 8, 2004. From PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net Fri Oct 1 16:22:23 2004 From: PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net (Pastor Al) Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2004 10:22:23 -0500 Subject: [mou] Harris' Sparrow Message-ID: <006a01c4a7ca$741da9f0$0c01a8c0@PastorAl> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0067_01C4A7A0.8AE117F0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Harris' Sparrow, Sherburne NWR, Auto Tour, first (sharp) right turn = bushes. Rain otherwise dampening sightings, calls & birder. Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ------=_NextPart_000_0067_01C4A7A0.8AE117F0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Harris' Sparrow, Sherburne NWR, Auto = Tour, first=20 (sharp) right turn bushes.
 
Rain otherwise dampening sightings, = calls &=20 birder.
 
Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne=20 Counties
------=_NextPart_000_0067_01C4A7A0.8AE117F0-- From mattjim@earthlink.net Fri Oct 1 19:16:42 2004 From: mattjim@earthlink.net (James Mattsson) Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2004 13:16:42 -0500 Subject: [mou] Black Dog gulls Message-ID: <410-220041051181642437@earthlink.net> ------=_NextPart_84815C5ABAF209EF376268C8 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII At noon today (Oct. 1) west of the observation platform: Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 adult Franklin's Gull - 9 Bonaparte's - 2 Ring-billed - 300 Herring - 25 James Mattsson mattjim@earthlink.net Why Wait? Move to EarthLink. ------=_NextPart_84815C5ABAF209EF376268C8 Content-Type: text/html; charset=US-ASCII

At noon today (Oct. 1) west of the observation platform:
 
Lesser Black-backed Gull  - 1 adult
Franklin's Gull - 9
Bonaparte's - 2
Ring-billed - 300
Herring - 25
 
James Mattsson
mattjim@earthlink.net
Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.
 

------=_NextPart_84815C5ABAF209EF376268C8-- From Mark.Alt@bestbuy.com Fri Oct 1 19:33:51 2004 From: Mark.Alt@bestbuy.com (Alt, Mark) Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2004 13:33:51 -0500 Subject: [mou] Black Dog gulls Message-ID: <4F3C90DD5ABC32408C70AC50F47942BD6E8F6F@ds69mail.na.bestbuy.com> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C4A7E5.32C330FE Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable If anyone want to get great views of the gulls on Lake Calhoun/Harriet. I saw over a thousand this morning fly to the athletic fields just west of Hwy 100 and north of Benton Avenue in Edina. They were flying due west so I presume them to come from the Lakes. It looks like perfect viewing conditions. This was at 7:15 AM. =20 Mark Alt=20 Manager of Project Management=20 Supply Chain Transformation Office=20 Best Buy Co., Inc.=20 Mark.Alt@bestbuy.com=20 (w) 612-291-6717=20 (Cell) 612-803-9085=20 ________________________________ From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On Behalf Of James Mattsson Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 1:17 PM To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Subject: [mou] Black Dog gulls =20 At noon today (Oct. 1) west of the observation platform: =20 Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 adult Franklin's Gull - 9=20 Bonaparte's - 2=20 Ring-billed - 300 Herring - 25 =20 James Mattsson mattjim@earthlink.net Why Wait? Move to EarthLink. =20 ------_=_NextPart_001_01C4A7E5.32C330FE Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

If anyone want to get great views = of the gulls on Lake Calhoun/Harriet. I saw over a thousand this morning fly to = the athletic fields just west of Hwy 100 and north of Benton Avenue in Edina. They were flying due west so = I presume them to come from the Lakes. It looks like perfect viewing conditions. = This was at 7:15 AM.

 

Mark = Alt
Manager of Project Management
Supply Chain Transformation Office
Best Buy Co., Inc. =
Mark.Alt@bestbuy.com
(w) 612-291-6717 =
(Cell) 612-803-9085 =

From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On Behalf Of James Mattsson
Sent: Friday, October 01, = 2004 1:17 PM
To: = mou-net@cbs.umn.edu
Subject: [mou] Black Dog = gulls

 

At noon today = (Oct. 1) west of the observation platform:

 

Lesser Black-backed Gull  - 1 = adult

Franklin's Gull - 9

Bonaparte's - 2 =

Ring-billed - = 300

Herring - = 25

 

James = Mattsson

Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.

 

------_=_NextPart_001_01C4A7E5.32C330FE-- From Pmegeland@aol.com Sat Oct 2 03:26:17 2004 From: Pmegeland@aol.com (Pmegeland@aol.com) Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2004 22:26:17 EDT Subject: [mou] shorebirds Message-ID: <129.4c42ca9f.2e8f6bc9@aol.com> -------------------------------1096683977 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On a quick trip to western MN checked out the shorebird area two miles from St.Leo in Yellow Medicine Co. Even though there were a couple of hunters shooting ducks I did see about 80 shorebirds including the following: Lesser Yellow legs 3 Pectoral 4 Dowitcher(sp) 12 Dunlin 15 Stilt S 3 Semi P Sandpiper 4 Least 7 Unidentified peep 25 - great distance Other - medium sized too far to tell 6 Dawson sewage ponds only 3 Dunlin and 1 water pipit Large flocks of Cormorants and Pelicans on Cottonwood Lake Lyon Co. As sun broke out one kettle of Redtailed Hawks-8 on US 59 south of Clarkfield Scattered individual Barn Swallows - 9 Weather pretty bad for birding most of the day. -------------------------------1096683977 Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
On a quick trip to western MN checked out the shorebird area two miles=20= from=20 St.Leo in Yellow Medicine Co. Even though there were a couple of hunters=20 shooting ducks I did see about 80 shorebirds including the following:
Lesser Yellow  legs  3
Pectoral          &nb= sp;      =20 4
Dowitcher(sp)         &nbs= p;12
Dunlin           = ;          15
Stilt=20 S            &nb= sp;          3
Semi P Sandpiper      4
Least           =             &nbs= p;7
Unidentified peep      25  - great=20 distance
Other - medium sized too far to tell   6
 
Dawson sewage ponds      only 3 Dunlin and&nbs= p;1=20 water pipit
 
Large flocks of Cormorants and Pelicans on Cottonwood Lake  Lyon=20 Co.
 
As sun broke out one kettle of Redtailed Hawks-8 on US 59 south of=20 Clarkfield
 
Scattered individual Barn Swallows - 9
Weather pretty bad for birding most of the day.
 -------------------------------1096683977-- From earlorf@uslink.net Sat Oct 2 05:09:07 2004 From: earlorf@uslink.net (Earl Orf) Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2004 23:09:07 -0500 Subject: [mou] North Shore birding Message-ID: <000001c4a835$932efe00$4002fea9@TOSHIBAEARL> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0001_01C4A80B.AA58F600 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Shawn Conrad and I birded the North Shore today from Two Harbors to = Duluth. At the Two Harbors golf course we found 3 cackling geese in among the = flock of Canada Geese. At the mouth of the Knife River (near Emily's Deli) we = saw several Lapland Longspurs in a flock of Horned Larks. We saw very few = birds at Park Point (except for the large flocks of Canada Geese and = Ring-billed Gulls). However, we did find a small flock of Sanderlings (about a = dozen) and Dunlin (8 of them). They were on the lake side near the boardwalk = that is closest to the airport. =20 =20 Earl Orf Itasca County Halfway between Grand Rapids and Hibbing ------=_NextPart_000_0001_01C4A80B.AA58F600 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Shawn Conrad and I birded the North Shore today from Two Harbors to Duluth.  At the Two Harbors = golf course we found 3 cackling geese in among the flock of Canada = Geese.  At the mouth of the Knife River (near Emily’s Deli) = we saw several Lapland Longspurs in a flock of Horned Larks.  We saw very = few birds at Park Point (except for the large flocks of Canada Geese and Ring-billed Gulls).  However, we did find a small flock of = Sanderlings (about a dozen) and Dunlin (8 of them). They were on the lake side near = the boardwalk that is closest to the airport. 

 

Earl Orf

Itasca County

Halfway between Grand = Rapids and Hibbing

------=_NextPart_000_0001_01C4A80B.AA58F600-- From earlorf@uslink.net Sat Oct 2 14:41:16 2004 From: earlorf@uslink.net (Earl Orf) Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 08:41:16 -0500 Subject: [mou] Great Gray Owls-Sax Zim Message-ID: <000501c4a885$7ddb5760$4002fea9@TOSHIBAEARL> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0006_01C4A85B.95054F60 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I forgot to add this to my North Shore Birding post from yesterday. On the way home from Duluth Shawn Conrad and I went through Sax Zim and saw two Great Gray Owls. One was along CR 133 about halfway between CR 7 and Meadowlands. The other one was on Owl Ave just north of the intersection with Connection Line Road. Earl Orf Itasca County Halfway between Grand Rapids and Hibbing ------=_NextPart_000_0006_01C4A85B.95054F60 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

I forgot to add this to my North Shore Birding post = from yesterday.  On the way home from Duluth Shawn = Conrad and I went through Sax Zim and saw two Great Gray Owls.  One was along CR 133 = about halfway between CR 7 and Meadowlands.  The other one was on = Owl Ave just north of the intersection with Connection Line = Road.

 

Earl Orf

Itasca County

Halfway between Grand = Rapids and Hibbing

------=_NextPart_000_0006_01C4A85B.95054F60-- From connyb@mycidco.com Sat Oct 2 15:49:20 2004 From: connyb@mycidco.com (Conny Brunell) Date: Sat, 02 Oct 2004 14:49:20 Subject: [mou] Migration at Wood Lake, Hennepin Co. Message-ID: This was one of those cool, crisp Autumn mornings that definitely reflected the seasonal change in birding at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield, Hennepin Co. There was a lot of activity in the sunny edges, and low in the weeds and shrubs, and an abundance of Ruby-crowned Kinglets throughout the park. Leslie and I saw Golden-crowned Kinglets mixed in, and quite a few Orange-crowned Warblers in mixed flocks with Tennessee, Nashville, Palm, Yellow-rumped, and 1 Ovenbird. There were 3 Blue-headed Vireo's, Hermit Thrush, Eastern Phoebe, Dark-eyed Junco's, Fox Sparrow's, Lincoln's, Song, Swamp, Chipping, and tons of White-throated's. The brisk temps kept a constant flow of birds moving close to the ground which made them a lot easier to see today. Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty. connyb@mycidco.com From jhockema@hotmail.com Sat Oct 2 23:41:44 2004 From: jhockema@hotmail.com (John Hockema) Date: Sat, 02 Oct 2004 17:41:44 -0500 Subject: [mou] H. Godwit/ LeConte's Sp--Olmsted County--10/01/04 Message-ID: Greetings: I met my friend Aaron Lang yesterday morning at East Landfill Reservoir from 8am-11am. We were looking mainly for sparrows and anything else moving in before the front pushed through. Birds of note included: @LeConte's Sparrow--one individual located along the fenceline bordering the north side of the reservoir. @Hudsonian Godwit--3 birds flew in as we were visiting at the small parking area at the north side of the reservoir. The birds had a wing stripe, white rump, and black tail which enabled us to separate them from marbled godwit. The birds never vocalized and never landed. This was around 11am. Aaron then left and I waited for brother Chris to show up. Chris and I looked for atleast another hour, at times in the pouring rain, for the godwits but could never relocate them. We walked most of the reservoir. We also checked South Landfill Reservoir and other nearby spots but no luck! I apologize for the late report, but I have not been near a computer until now. John Hockema Rochester, MN _________________________________________________________________ On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement From cerulean1966@msn.com Sun Oct 3 01:27:45 2004 From: cerulean1966@msn.com (Dave Bartkey) Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 19:27:45 -0500 Subject: [mou] Rice county birds; cackling geese Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0020_01C4A8B5.E4ECFD20 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi everyone, I birded River Bend Nature Center this morning with Troy Flicek, and = for part of the morning, Forest Strnad, and didn't turn up anything too = unusual. Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hermit Thrush, = Yellow-rumped Warbler, and several duck species on the upper pond = including Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail and a very striking = American Wigeon who still retained some breeding plumage.=20 Troy and I decided to check through all of the gulls and geese at = Alexander Park, which is connected to the fairgrounds, so we headed over = there and had, what we would identify as, at least 30 Cackling Geese. = Starting out, we saw two very small groups which in all, totaled maybe = 7-8 birds. We were provided great looks at all angles of these small = groups, and had wonderful comparisons with many Mallards and Canada = Geese. Then a flock of about 25 Cackling Geese flew in calling as they = arrived, giving us vocal comparisons with the hundreds of Canada Geese = which blanketed the water and shore. To me, the call sounded like a = Canada Goose on helium. Kind of like what a Red-breasted Nuthatch sounds = like compared to a White-breasted Nuthatch. Just my theory... I know there's more questions than answers about these birds right = now, but thought that this posting might be significant. And if nothing = else, mildly interesting!?! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN cerulean1966@msn.com ------=_NextPart_000_0020_01C4A8B5.E4ECFD20 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Hi everyone,
  I birded River Bend Nature Center this morning = with Troy=20 Flicek, and for part of the morning, Forest Strnad, and didn't turn = up=20 anything too unusual. Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hermit Thrush, = Yellow-rumped Warbler, and several duck species on the upper pond = including=20 Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail and a very striking American Wigeon = who=20 still retained some breeding plumage.
 
  Troy and I decided to check through all of the gulls and = geese at=20 Alexander Park, which is connected to the fairgrounds, so we headed over = there=20 and had, what we would identify as, at least 30 Cackling Geese. = Starting=20 out, we saw two very small groups which in all, totaled maybe 7-8 birds. = We were=20 provided great looks at all angles of these small groups, and had = wonderful=20 comparisons with many Mallards and Canada Geese. Then a flock of about = 25=20 Cackling Geese flew in calling as they arrived, giving us vocal = comparisons with=20 the hundreds of Canada Geese which blanketed the water and shore. To me, = the=20 call sounded like a Canada Goose on helium. Kind of like what a = Red-breasted=20 Nuthatch sounds like compared to a White-breasted Nuthatch. Just my=20 theory...
 
  I know there's more questions than answers about these birds = right=20 now, but thought that this posting might be significant. And if nothing = else,=20 mildly interesting!?!
 
Good birding!
Dave Bartkey
Faribault, MN
 
------=_NextPart_000_0020_01C4A8B5.E4ECFD20-- From watsup@boreal.org Sun Oct 3 05:23:35 2004 From: watsup@boreal.org (Steve and Sherry Watson) Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 21:23:35 -0700 Subject: [mou] birding in grand marais Message-ID: <000401c4a900$c0bb21c0$ac0f46d8@m7z0w8> Hello All, My dad and I did a little birding in the Grand Marais's harbor today. It was extremely windy in the harbor with many waves pounding over the light house; we were hoping the wind would blow in something unusual. We didn't find anything to incredible but did find a white pelican near the docks which was a county bird for me. We also had a coot near the coast guard station which seemed fairly unusual considering the settings it was in. Not much else but a pair of Bonaparte's gulls floating on the breeze in the east bay with a bunch of ring-billed and herring gulls. It was a fun day despite the cold wind. 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: 6.0.768 / Virus Database: 515 - Release Date: 9/22/04 From PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net Sun Oct 3 13:43:13 2004 From: PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net (Pastor Al) Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2004 07:43:13 -0500 Subject: [mou] Red-throated Loon Message-ID: <002101c4a946$8c3b7c10$0c01a8c0@PastorAl> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_001E_01C4A91C.A2F57430 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Red-throated Loon, Mille Lacs Lake, southern side of Wigwam Bay, nice = looks from Highway 35. Otherwise quiet along western side of lake (into Crow Wing County), = Kathio State Park and small portion of Mille Lacs WMA. Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ------=_NextPart_000_001E_01C4A91C.A2F57430 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Red-throated Loon, Mille Lacs Lake, = southern side=20 of Wigwam Bay, nice looks from Highway 35.
 
Otherwise quiet along western side of = lake (into=20 Crow Wing County), Kathio State Park and small portion of Mille Lacs=20 WMA.
 
Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne=20 Counties
------=_NextPart_000_001E_01C4A91C.A2F57430-- From jslind@frontiernet.net Sun Oct 3 15:04:02 2004 From: jslind@frontiernet.net (Jim Lind) Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2004 09:04:02 -0500 Subject: [mou] N. Sharp-tailed Sparrow - Cook Co. Message-ID: <415FC082.10083.179F7C11@localhost> Sharon and I found a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow near the Taconite Harbor boat launch in southern Cook County on Saturday afternoon. The bird was at the eastern edge of the large grassy field along Highway 61, near a pile of railroad ties. There was also a LeConte's Sparrow in the same area. We found another LeConte's Sparrow in the fields at the Spruce Creek ponds, which are about 3 miles east of the town of Lutsen. Jim Lind Two Harbors From smithville4@charter.net Sun Oct 3 18:15:26 2004 From: smithville4@charter.net (Mike Hendrickson) Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2004 12:15:26 -0500 Subject: [mou] Duluth birds Message-ID: <001401c4a96c$93ce00d0$46a47044@FAMILYCOMPUTER> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0011_01C4A942.AA9D55B0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Here's a list of sightings for the past week. 1. Parasitic Jaeger (light morph adult) Park Point 2. Ross's Goose 10/3 Park Point 3. Cackling Geese ( 2) 10/2 Stoney Pt. Dr. & Scenic 61 4. Western Grebe 10/3 Park Point 10/3 5. Surf Scoter (3) Park Point 10/3 6. Black-backed Woodpecker (1) Stoney Pt. 10/3 7. Forester's Tern (juv.) WI Pt. Minnesota waters 10/2 8. Golden Plovers (80) Park Pt. 9. Dunlin (1) WI Pt. flew into Minnesota 10/2 Very Strong NW winds and very cold. Hawk Ridge was fun and I saw 3-4 = Northern Goshawks.=20 Mike Hendrickson Duluth ------=_NextPart_000_0011_01C4A942.AA9D55B0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Here's a list of sightings = for the past=20 week.
 
1. Parasitic Jaeger (light = morph adult)=20 Park Point
2. Ross's Goose 10/3 Park=20 Point
3. Cackling Geese ( 2) 10/2 = Stoney Pt.=20 Dr. & Scenic 61
4. Western Grebe 10/3 Park = Point=20 10/3
5. Surf Scoter (3) Park Point = 10/3
6. Black-backed Woodpecker = (1) Stoney Pt.=20 10/3
7. Forester's Tern (juv.) WI = Pt.=20 Minnesota waters 10/2
8. Golden Plovers (80) Park=20 Pt.
9. Dunlin (1) WI Pt. flew = into Minnesota=20 10/2
 
Very Strong NW winds and very = cold. Hawk=20 Ridge was fun and I saw 3-4 Northern Goshawks.
 
Mike Hendrickson
Duluth
------=_NextPart_000_0011_01C4A942.AA9D55B0-- From wenelson@mlecmn.net Mon Oct 4 02:28:05 2004 From: wenelson@mlecmn.net (Warren Nelson) Date: Sun, 03 Oct 2004 20:28:05 -0500 Subject: [mou] Quick update from Aitkin County Message-ID: <4160A725.2FAB45BF@mlecmn.net> This past weekend, Bill Stauffer and I birded northern Aitkin County and found 64 species of birds. Some of the more interesting findings include a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER along the Washburn Lake Forest Road about 1 & 1/2 miles south of Highway 200. Washburn Lake Forest Road is just west of mile marker 182 between Hill City and Jacobson. Several BOREAL CHICKADEES at the Rabey tree farm near mile marker 186, also along Highway 200 between Hill City and Jacobson. BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES along township 383 about 2 miles west of county road 5 along the north side of Gun Lake. Warren Nelson From sharonks@mn.rr.com Mon Oct 4 04:01:21 2004 From: sharonks@mn.rr.com (Sharon Stiteler) Date: Sun, 03 Oct 2004 22:01:21 -0500 Subject: [mou] Hawk Trapping & Duluth Area Sightings Message-ID: Went hawk trapping at a private banding station this weekend and spent an hour at Hawk Ridge. I couldn't have picked a better hour to be at the ridge because Frank Nicolletti and Dave Carman spotted a gyrfalcon flying near the lake. At the banding station we got in a peregrine falcon with an odd bill that looked like an old injury that had healed over. I posted a photo of the bird at www.birdchick.com/blog/html. Birds seen (some closer than others) Sandhill cranes Sharp-shinned hawks Goshawks Red-tailed hawks Bald eagles Turkey vultures Harriers Merlins Kestrels Robins Eastern bluebirds American pipits Lapland longspurs Juncos White-throated sparrows Fox sparrow Yellow-rumped warbler Redstarts Nashville warblers Flickers Sharon Stiteler www.birdchick.com From sharonks@mn.rr.com Mon Oct 4 13:18:30 2004 From: sharonks@mn.rr.com (Sharon Stiteler) Date: Mon, 04 Oct 2004 07:18:30 -0500 Subject: [mou] Re: [mnbird] Hawk Trapping & Duluth Area Sightings In-Reply-To: Message-ID: I got replies that people couldn't get to the photos, I put in a slash when I should have put in a dot, here's the correct link. http://birdchick.com/blog.html Sharon on 10/3/04 10:01 PM, Sharon Stiteler at sharonks@mn.rr.com wrote: > Went hawk trapping at a private banding station this weekend and spent an > hour at Hawk Ridge. I couldn't have picked a better hour to be at the ridge > because Frank Nicolletti and Dave Carman spotted a gyrfalcon flying near the > lake. > > At the banding station we got in a peregrine falcon with an odd bill that > looked like an old injury that had healed over. I posted a photo of the > bird at www.birdchick.com/blog/html. > > Birds seen (some closer than others) > > Sandhill cranes > Sharp-shinned hawks > Goshawks > Red-tailed hawks > Bald eagles > Turkey vultures > Harriers > Merlins > Kestrels > Robins > Eastern bluebirds > American pipits > Lapland longspurs > Juncos > White-throated sparrows > Fox sparrow > Yellow-rumped warbler > Redstarts > Nashville warblers > Flickers > > Sharon Stiteler > www.birdchick.com > > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird@lists.mnbird.net > http://www.mnbird.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mnbird From smithville4@charter.net Mon Oct 4 14:28:52 2004 From: smithville4@charter.net (Mike Hendrickson) Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2004 08:28:52 -0500 Subject: [mou] Hawk Owl Message-ID: <001601c4aa16$17785120$46a47044@FAMILYCOMPUTER> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0013_01C4A9EC.2E42EB10 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I got an email from Dave Williams from Winona. He emailed me to let me = know that he found a Northern Hawk Owl on the Stone Lake Rd about a half = mile east of County Rd. 7. The funny thing is that I gave him directions to find Great Greys and he = ends up finding a Hawk Owl instead! Good find. I heard predictions from = owl banders and other sources that this year will be a invasion year for = Great Greys, Boreals and more than likely Hawk Owls. So this sighting = maybe just a sign of things to come.=20 Mike Hendrickson Duluth. ------=_NextPart_000_0013_01C4A9EC.2E42EB10 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I got an email from Dave = Williams from=20 Winona. He emailed me to let me know that he found a Northern Hawk Owl = on the=20 Stone Lake Rd about a half mile east of County Rd. 7.
 
The funny thing is that I = gave him=20 directions to find Great Greys and he ends up finding a Hawk Owl = instead! Good=20 find. I heard predictions from owl banders and other sources that this = year will=20 be a invasion year for Great Greys, Boreals and more than likely Hawk = Owls. So=20 this sighting maybe just a sign of things to come.
 
Mike Hendrickson
Duluth.
------=_NextPart_000_0013_01C4A9EC.2E42EB10-- From drbenson@cpinternet.com Tue Oct 5 16:22:32 2004 From: drbenson@cpinternet.com (David Benson) Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 10:22:32 -0500 Subject: [mou] North Shore 10/4/04 Gyrfalcon, Lark Bunting Message-ID: <60A35A04-16E2-11D9-95E7-000A95AC3AF2@cpinternet.com> Bob Russell reports that yesterday Bill Howe of New Mexico saw a gray-phase GYRFALCON at the mouth of the Knife River in Lake County. Bob found a winter-plumage LARK BUNTING at the southwest corner of the Gooseberry Falls Visitor Center parking lot. The bunting did not appear to be hanging around. In addition, there was a RED-NECKED GREBE at Flood Bay, and a BONAPARTE'S GULL and two CACKLING GEESE in Agate Bay at Two Harbors. Lots of HORNED LARKS and longspurs moving down the shore the past three days. Dave Benson Duluth From bbolduan@rconnect.com Wed Oct 6 01:21:05 2004 From: bbolduan@rconnect.com (Brad Bolduan) Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 19:21:05 -0500 Subject: [mou] Yellow rails - Cottonwood County Message-ID: At least two (approx 10 flushes, including two birds flushed at same time on one occasion) likely at least 5 Yellow Rails present in a small portion of Expandere WMA Cottonwood County. I have to leave. Will try to past more later tonight. Brad Bolduan Windom From ksussman@lcp2.net Wed Oct 6 01:25:42 2004 From: ksussman@lcp2.net (Karen Sussman) Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 19:25:42 -0500 Subject: [mou] Northern Shrike Message-ID: <41DD40C2-172E-11D9-A092-000A95D84DEC@lcp2.net> --Apple-Mail-18-603541924 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed While searching unsuccessfully for the Hawk Owl along Stone Lake Road, Sax-Zim, NE St Louis County, I found a Northern Shrike. It was about one half mile in from Cty Rd 7. Time was 7:30 AM. Karen Sussman ksussman@lcp2.net --Apple-Mail-18-603541924 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/enriched; charset=US-ASCII Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProWhile searching unsuccessfully for the Hawk Owl along Stone Lake Road, Sax-Zim, NE St Louis County, I found a Northern Shrike. It was about one half mile in from Cty Rd 7. Time was 7:30 AM. Times New RomanKaren Sussman ksussman@lcp2.net --Apple-Mail-18-603541924-- From bbolduan@rconnect.com Wed Oct 6 04:36:14 2004 From: bbolduan@rconnect.com (Brad Bolduan) Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 22:36:14 -0500 Subject: [mou] Yellow rails - Cottonwood County- continued Message-ID: I had written I had approximately ten flushes. Now that I think about it that number is definately low. I flushed the first Yellow Rail near the Minimum Maintenance Road which bisects the unit. I tried to reflush the bird on foot without success. I had two additional flushes within a that small area (all within 30 yards), all could have been the same bird. I then flushed a bird about 100+ yards to the west of the initial sighting. Next and only moments later I flushed a bird about 100 yards south of the initial sighting. At this time I finally realized there had to be multiple birds. I then drove perhaps another two hundred yards south where I managed to get stuck. About two hours later I was walking in as a dozer was driving 30 yards to my north. As we neared my stuck tractor a Yellow Rail flushed from near the dozer and landed about 15 feet in front of me. I was unable to reflush the bird by clapping, etc. even though I was where it landed with in seconds. We pulled the tractor out. I then drove into the area I intended to harvest. I had about five flushes as I made my way around this approximately 3 ac area. One bird flushed within five feet of the tractor. Another one of these flushes was two birds at once - although they were about twenty feet apart. I flushed or reflushed a couple birds on my second pass. I drove around this area a couple more times without additional flushes. I then left the area due to the wetter than expected field conditions. The birds were all flushed in or near prairie cord grass. The ground was generally dry, but spongy in areas. This is consistant with about half of the flushes I have seen in the past. Two of the previous (other years) flushes were in drier areas. Aside from areas of taller cord grass and cattail, the bulk of the biomass at this location is within ~16 inches of the ground surface. Less densely vegetated drier areas are dominated by big blue stem and maxmillian sunflower. Most of the birds flushed from areas which were dominated by lower growing (no seed stalks) prairie cord grass. I believe others flushed from the sparse big blue stem. The thickest cover in dryer areas is grass-leaved goldenrod, and an unidentified aster - I do not believe any rails flushed from these areas. Birds were well seen. They were identified as rails based on their obvious rail shape and flight. They were identified as Yellow Rails based on their obvious bright white secondaries. Although I have also gotten the impression in the past, a feature I was able to see well in some of todays sightings was a strong contrast between the color of the breast and the belly of birds in flight. The breast is relatively dark perhaps buff with an apparent tint of rust color, while the belly seems to be white or near white. This is not a feature I can verify in any field guides. In fact the flight photo in Sibley shows a belly which is darker than the breast. This apparent inconsistancy caused me concern. A quick web search determined that Yellow Rails do indeed have a white breast; see http://huskertsd.tripod.com/photo_submit/yellow_rail_042604.htm and http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/i2150id.html . Juvenile Soras apparently show white on the trailing edge of their secondaries. I have noticed this on some Soras in flight in the past. The birds flushed today showed a much brighter, larger white band that extended across the secondaries. The entire secondaries appeared bright white. I believe wingbeats may have been faster, and perhaps more irregular, that the wingbeats of a sora. After hearing that the rails being flushed were unusual; other observer, the dozer operator, without prompting mentioned that he hadn't noticed that they were differant, but he added they did seem smaller than the rails that he is used to seeing. Yesterday I spent hours in the same general area. Yesterday I did not make it as far south as the majority of todays flushes, but I did drive in the same immediate area as the first two sightings today (first four flushes). It would appear to be quite possible that these birds were not present yesterday. I generally see one Yellow Rail a year, usually in fall. All have been flushed by equipment or fire. I have never been able to reflush any of these birds on foot. I would love to get a photo of these critters in flight. I have considered examing the possibility of systematically searching suitable habitat in the past, but bird density seemed too low to assume any reasonable chance of success. Another factor is the difficulity flushing the birds on foot. Two firsts today. I have never seen anything like the described bird sightings and I have never before needed a dozer to get unstuck. Brad Bolduan Windom -----Original Message----- From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu]On Behalf Of Brad Bolduan Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 19:21 To: MOU List Subject: [mou] Yellow rails - Cottonwood County At least two (approx 10 flushes, including two birds flushed at same time on one occasion) likely at least 5 Yellow Rails present in a small portion of Expandere WMA Cottonwood County. I have to leave. Will try to past more later tonight. Brad Bolduan Windom From Steve Weston" Today (Tuesday) I counted 40 small Canada Geese with a group of about 100 regular sized geese. I believe they were the lesser race of Canada Geese, rather than Richardson's race Cackling Geese, but I did not have time to spend checking them out. Location was Hwy 55 and Willow (NE quadrant) in Medina (Hennepin Co.). Steve Weston on Quigley Lake in Eagan sweston2@comcast.net From Byokel@aol.com Wed Oct 6 12:55:05 2004 From: Byokel@aol.com (Byokel@aol.com) Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 07:55:05 EDT Subject: [mou] New yard bird (203) and Hawk Owl in St Louis County Message-ID: --part1_a9.637964db.2e953719_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit My sons and I relocated the Northern Hawk Owl on Stone Lake Rd in Zim on Tuesday evening; the bird was 1.5 miles east of Hwy. 7, and was very active. On Sunday morning we found a Boreal Chickadee in our yard in Melrude -- this was bird #203 for our yard list. Ben Yokel Cotton, MN --part1_a9.637964db.2e953719_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable My sons and I relocated the Norther= n Hawk Owl on Stone Lake Rd in Zim on Tuesday evening;  the bird was 1.= 5 miles east of Hwy. 7, and was very active.

On Sunday morning we found a Boreal Chickadee in our yard in Melrude -- this= was bird #203 for our yard list.

Ben Yokel
Cotton, MN --part1_a9.637964db.2e953719_boundary-- From ppedersen6@charter.net Wed Oct 6 14:18:47 2004 From: ppedersen6@charter.net (ppedersen6@charter.net) Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 8:18:47 -0500 Subject: [mou] Sibley on Cackling Geese Message-ID: <391ph9$9jjnaa@mxip02a.cluster1.charter.net> I found an article on the Sibley web site that has an interesting discussion with maps and charts about the Cackling Goose question. It might add a little light to the murky changes. link at: http://www.sibleyguides.com/canada_cackling.htm Paul Pedersen Stewartville, MN From alongtin@worldnet.att.net Thu Oct 7 00:05:09 2004 From: alongtin@worldnet.att.net (Andrew Longtin) Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 18:05:09 -0500 Subject: [mou] Juncos by the dozen Message-ID: <20041006230502.F039335B65@biosci.cbs.umn.edu> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C4ABCF.05166430 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I have at least 15 or 20 Juncos already in my yard, winter must be on the way.. 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/ ALongtin@worldnet.att.net See My WEB pages at: http://home.att.net/~alongtin/Index.htm NO SPAM NEEDED HERE PLEASE!!!!! ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C4ABCF.05166430 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I have at=20 least 15 or 20 Juncos already in my yard, winter must be on the=20 way..
 
Andrew
 
---
Andrew = Longtin
Corcoran=20 (Hennepin Co.) Minnesota
Minnesota Ornithologists Union=20 Member
    http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/<= /A>
Cornell=20 Lab Member (PFW)
    http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/<= BR>
ALongtin@worldnet.att.netSee My=20 WEB pages at: http://home.att.net/~alo= ngtin/Index.htm

NO=20 SPAM NEEDED HERE PLEASE!!!!!
 
------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C4ABCF.05166430-- From axhertzel@sihope.com Thu Oct 7 00:37:59 2004 From: axhertzel@sihope.com (Anthony X. Hertzel) Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 18:37:59 -0500 Subject: [mou] MOU RBA 6 October 2004 Message-ID: --============_-1115016611==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Wednesday October 6th. On October 4th, a winter-plumaged LARK BUNTING was seen briefly at the southwest corner of the Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor's Center parking lot in Lake County. Also on the 4th, a gray-phase GYRFALCON was reported from the mouth of the Knife River in Lake County. Three IBIS were found on the 3rd along U.S. Highway 12, seven miles east of Ortonville in Big Stone County. On October 2nd, a GREAT GRAY OWL was in the Sax-Zim bog area of St. Louis County, alonghere County Road 133 about midway between state highway 7 and the town of Meadowlands. Another Great Gray was along Owl Avenue just north of its intersection with Correction Line Road. On the 4th and again on the 5th, a NORTHERN HAWK OWL was spotted along Stone Lake Road in the Sax-Zim bog. It was found a mile and a half east of state highway 7. The fall's first NORTHERN SHRIKE was reported by Karen Sussman on the same day. A RED-THROATED LOON was seen on the western side of Lake Mille Lacs on the 3rd. It was on the southern side of Wigwam Bay and could be viewed from Mille Lacs County Road 35. As many as five YELLOW RAILS were reported on the 5th at the Expandere WMA in Cottonwood County, though no specific area was given. And on the 3rd, a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was found along the Washburn Lake Forest Road about a mile and a half south of State Highway 200 in Aitkin County. 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. 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, October 14th. -- Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com --============_-1115016611==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" MOU RBA 6 October 2004
This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Wednesday October 6th.

On October 4th, a winter-plumaged LARK BUNTING was seen briefly at the southwest corner of the Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor's Center parking lot in Lake County. Also on the 4th, a gray-phase GYRFALCON was reported from the mouth of the Knife River in Lake County.

Three IBIS were found on the 3rd along U.S. Highway 12, seven miles east of Ortonville in Big Stone County.

On October 2nd, a GREAT GRAY OWL was in the Sax-Zim bog area of St. Louis County, alonghere  County Road 133 about midway between state highway 7 and the town of Meadowlands. Another Great Gray was along Owl Avenue just north of its intersection with Correction Line Road.

On the 4th and again on the 5th, a NORTHERN HAWK OWL was spotted along Stone Lake Road in the Sax-Zim bog. It was found a mile and a half east of state highway 7. The fall's first NORTHERN SHRIKE was reported by Karen Sussman on the same day.

A RED-THROATED LOON was seen on the western side of Lake Mille Lacs on the 3rd. It was on the southern side of Wigwam Bay and could be viewed from Mille Lacs County Road 35.
As many as five YELLOW RAILS were reported on the 5th at the Expandere WMA in Cottonwood County, though no specific area was given.
And on the 3rd, a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER was found along the Washburn Lake Forest Road about a mile and a half south of State Highway 200 in Aitkin County.

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, October 14th.

--
Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com
--============_-1115016611==_ma============-- From Strix_varia@comcast.net Thu Oct 7 01:57:53 2004 From: Strix_varia@comcast.net (Strix_varia@comcast.net) Date: Thu, 07 Oct 2004 00:57:53 +0000 Subject: [mou] Great Day in Dakota/hennepin counties Message-ID: <100720040057.15960.41649490000F223E00003E5822007456720E079D0E90A198079D9BAC@comcast.net> I had the day off, so I spent the majority of today birding. Most of my time was spent at Black Dog Road and Old Cedar Bridge/Bass Ponds and I saw some great stuff. Things were really active and I saw a good variety of species. Things of Interest: Three River Otters- under the bridge on Black Dog Road Harris Sparrow- an Immature and an adult Swamp Sparrow N. Shoveler Am. Wigeon N. Pintail Nashville Warbler Yellow Rumped Warbler Ruby Crowned Kinglet At about three thirty Roger Everhart and I made our way to 140th St Marsh. There wasn't much there, actually it was almost silent. But on the way home we took some backroads and found a small pond with a lot of ducks and a few shorebirds. Long Billed Dowitcher Lesser Yellowlegs Three Pectoral Sandpipers This was just a great day. The weather was perfect and the birds were abundant. I ended up with fifty one species for the day. Good Birding Nick Tangen Burnsville Minnesota From drbenson@cpinternet.com Thu Oct 7 14:22:47 2004 From: drbenson@cpinternet.com (David Benson) Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 08:22:47 -0500 Subject: [mou] Duluth RBA 10/7/04 Message-ID: This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, October 7th, 2004,=20 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists=92 Union. A GYRFALCON was seen by Bill Howe on the 4th at the mouth of the Knife=20= River. A Gyrfalcon flew past Hawk Ridge on the 3rd. Bob Russell=20 reported a winter-plumage LARK BUNTING from the visitors center parking=20= lot at Gooseberry Falls on the 4th. The first NORTHERN HAWK-OWL of the season was found by Dave Williams in=20= the Sax-Zim area on the Stone Lake Rd (Cty Rd 319) about a half mile=20 east of Cty Rd 7 on the 3rd. The bird was seen again on the 5th. Also=20 on the 5th, Karen Sussman found the first NORTHERN SHRIKE of the season=20= at the same location. Al Schirmacher had a RED-THROATED LOON on the southern edge of Wigwam=20 Bay on Mille Lacs Lake on the 2nd. Mike Hendrickson reported a ROSS=92=20= GOOSE, a WESTERN GREBE, and a SURF SCOTER at Park Point on the 3rd. Barton Sutter and Jeanette Lange each reported a flock of at least 17=20 SANDHILL CRANES flying low over eastern Duluth at around 1:00 pm on the=20= 3rd. At Hawk Ridge, the RED-TAILED HAWK migration has picked up, with=20 353 Red-tails on the 3rd and 444 on the 4th. Several dozen NORTHERN=20 GOSHAWKS have been seen on each dry day at Hawk Ridge this week. Suzanne Gucciardo reported a SHORT-EARED OWL at Grand Portage on the=20 6th near the jct of Hwy 61 and Cty Rd 71, and an AMERICAN COOT at Grand=20= Marais on the 30th. Jim and Sharon Lind found a NELSON=92S SHARP-TAILED=20= SPARROW near the Taconite Harbor boat launch in Cook Cty on the 3rd.=20 They also fournd LE CONTE=92S SPARROWS at Taconite Harbor, and at the=20 Spruce Creek ponds west of Grand Marais. Earl Orf reported GREAT GRAY OWLS in Sax-Zim on the 1st, one on Cty Rd=20= 133 west of Cty Rd 7, and another on Owl Ave just north of the jct with=20= Connection Line Rd. Laura Erickson reported a hummingbird at her feeder on the east side of=20= Duluth on October 1st. Several birders noted flocks of HORNED LARKS and=20= LAPLAND LONGSPURS moving down the shore this week. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, October=20 14th. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-728-5030.=20 Information about bird sightings may be left following the recorded=20 message. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota=20 Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more=20 information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum to=20 mou@cbs.umn.edu, or visit the MOU web site at mou.mn.org.= From t_auer@lycos.com Fri Oct 8 00:31:00 2004 From: t_auer@lycos.com (M. Thomas Auer) Date: Thu, 07 Oct 2004 17:31:00 -0600 Subject: [mou] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher & Short-eared Owl - Duluth, St. Louis Co. Message-ID: <20041007233100.AEF5CC610F@ws7-5.us4.outblaze.com> At 4:45 I found an adult SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER at 40th Avenue. The bird was most often perched on the top of the chain-link fence that surrounds the little experimental impoundment, right as you cross the railroad tracks. It would occasionally fly up, flycatch and land back on the fence. I then walked around the impoundment, where I flushed a SHORT-EARED OWL from the top of the lakeside of the impoundment, near the NE corner. Mike Hendrickson saw the flycatcher, as did Jim Barrett about 5:30. Tom Auer Duluth, MN -- _______________________________________________ Find what you are looking for with the Lycos Yellow Pages http://r.lycos.com/r/yp_emailfooter/http://yellowpages.lycos.com/default.asp?SRC=lycos10 From SFbirdclub@aol.com Fri Oct 8 00:37:29 2004 From: SFbirdclub@aol.com (SFbirdclub@aol.com) Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 19:37:29 EDT Subject: [mou] Map Freaks Message-ID: <1c4.1f0ddfba.2e972d39@aol.com> --part1_1c4.1f0ddfba.2e972d39_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello All, I don't know if any of you are Map Freaks or are aware of the cartouches in each of the DeLorme maps--but each state gets one as the cartographers finish the map--as a joke reward. DeLorme was called by a member of MDOsprey who noticed "Chessie," the fabled monster of the bay, sketched in Chesapeake Bay. Anyway, I found Minnesota's and South Dakota's years ago and was taking them seriously (location of a monument? crop circle? What?). I'll tell you Minnesota's, but you'll have to scroll down so that those who might want to find it are not denied their fun. Doug Chapman [look below for location of MN's map joke] Sioux Falls, SD A Viking Hat, N of N Mankato--pg. 32, E1 SD's is on pg 29 and is a tall prairie chicken on Tall Prairie Chicken Creek. Others [that I know] on request --part1_1c4.1f0ddfba.2e972d39_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hello All,

I don't know if any of you are Map Freaks or are aware of the cartouches in=20= each of the DeLorme maps--but each state gets one as the cartographers finis= h the map--as a joke reward. DeLorme was called by a member of MDOsprey who=20= noticed "Chessie,"  the fabled monster of the bay, sketched in Chesape= ake Bay.

Anyway, I found Minnesota's and South Dakota's years ago and was taking them= seriously (location of a monument? crop circle? What?).

I'll tell you Minnesota's, but you'll have to scroll down so that those who=20= might want to find it are not denied their fun.

Doug Chapman  [look below for location of MN's map joke]
Sioux Falls, SD













A Viking Hat, N of N Mankato--pg. 32, E1
SD's is on pg 29 and is a tall prairie chicken on Tall Prairie Chicken Creek= .

Others [that I know] on request --part1_1c4.1f0ddfba.2e972d39_boundary-- From gailoscarj@mymailstation.com Fri Oct 8 01:05:40 2004 From: gailoscarj@mymailstation.com (gailoscarj) Date: Thu, 07 Oct 2004 20:05:40 EDT Subject: [mou] postmaster Message-ID: Please restore service to mou-net. It has been more than aweek since I received any messages. Thank you for your attentio to this matter. Oscar. gailoscarj@mymailstation.com From ajjoppru@wiktel.com Fri Oct 8 01:29:02 2004 From: ajjoppru@wiktel.com (Jeanie Joppru) Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 19:29:02 -0500 Subject: [mou] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Friday, October 8, 2004 Message-ID: <000201c4accd$d64f9770$bdb391ce@main> This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, October 8, 2004 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 has been a great week weather-wise, but migration activity seems to have slowed a bit. Fall colors this year seem to be somewhat subdued but are progressing. Windy conditions have blown off many of the colored leaves, while the green or greenish ones continue to hang on.=20 In Lake of the Woods County, Gretchen Mehmel saw a SPRUCE GROUSE and a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE near Norris Camp in the Beltrami Island State Forest on October 3rd. Here in Pennington County, I saw a MERLIN fly across US Highway 1 at the east edge of Thief River Falls on October 4th. DARK-EYED JUNCO numbers are increasing at the feeder, and a few WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS are scratching among the fallen leaves. Pat DeWenter in Bemidji, Beltrami County, reported that hundreds of DARK-EYED JUNCOS have moved into that area, and about twelve PURPLE FINCHES are also coming to her feeder. CACKLING GEESE were reported from both Clay County and Wilkin County on October 3rd. Those in Wilkin County were found at the Breckenridge wastewater treatment ponds, while those in Clay County were at the Barnesville wastewater treatment ponds and in the Felton Prairie area. . Also at the Breckenridge wastewater treatment ponds in Wilkin County were 3 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, and one AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was observed at the Rothsay Wildlife Management Area - all on October 3rd. Thanks to Gretchen Mehmel, Peder Svingen, and Pat DeWenter 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, October 15, 2004. From bbolduan@rconnect.com Fri Oct 8 01:53:28 2004 From: bbolduan@rconnect.com (Brad Bolduan) Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 19:53:28 -0500 Subject: [mou] Yellow Rail, Jackson County Message-ID: Today I flushed one Yellow Rail (flushed twice) at Timber Lake WMA. The location of the flush was about 1/2 mile south of the village of Wilder. I flushed a Yellow Rail about a hundred and fifty yards from this location a previous year (last year?). The bird flushed from a gentle hillside with sparse big blue stem and an understory of little blue stem and smooth brome. On the first flush the bird flew uphill further into the field. On the second flush the bird flew to the bottom of the slope (~30 yard flight) landing in planted sandbar willows. All cover in this location is planted grasses and restored wetlands. Bird was identified by shape, flight, and wing pattern. Brad Bolduan Windom From jwbarrett10@msn.com Fri Oct 8 04:55:48 2004 From: jwbarrett10@msn.com (Jim Barrett) Date: Fri, 08 Oct 2004 03:55:48 +0000 Subject: [mou] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher & Short-eared Owl - Duluth, St. Louis Co. Message-ID: A quick message to amend Tom's post. First, thanks to Tom for finding the STFL, and to Mike Hendrickson for alerting me quickly. Tom told me about the Short-eared Owl and, when I went to look for it, found not one but six (6) of them. They were in the location Tom described (which, I just realized, would actually be the east corner of the pier, based on its orientation). They flew, one-by-one, out of the grass around the eastern edge of the excavated area visible from the top of the dike as you approach the corner. One of them (#5) sat for awhile on a mound of dirt then, as I put the scope away, the sixth flew up from between me and the owl I was watching. As I followed the dike around to the south corner (Bong Bridge corner) two SE Owls flew from a bulldozed strip, but I'm fairly certain they were two of the first to flush from the original location. Also: 5 Am. Pipits N. Harrier Spotted Sandpiper Jim Barrett Duluth, MN From: "M. Thomas Auer" To: "MOU" Subject: [mou] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher & Short-eared Owl - Duluth, St. Louis Co. Date: Thu, 07 Oct 2004 17:31:00 -0600 At 4:45 I found an adult SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER at 40th Avenue. The bird was most often perched on the top of the chain-link fence that surrounds the little experimental impoundment, right as you cross the railroad tracks. It would occasionally fly up, flycatch and land back on the fence. I then walked around the impoundment, where I flushed a SHORT-EARED OWL from the top of the lakeside of the impoundment, near the NE corner. Mike Hendrickson saw the flycatcher, as did Jim Barrett about 5:30. Tom Auer Duluth, MN -- _______________________________________________ Find what you are looking for with the Lycos Yellow Pages http://r.lycos.com/r/yp_emailfooter/http://yellowpages.lycos.com/default.asp?SRC=lycos10 _______________________________________________ mou-net mailing list mou-net@cbs.umn.edu http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net From jlind@nrri.umn.edu Fri Oct 8 14:36:40 2004 From: jlind@nrri.umn.edu (Jim Lind) Date: Fri, 08 Oct 2004 08:36:40 -0500 Subject: [mou] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher update Message-ID: <41665198.5238.1AEE17@localhost> I looked for the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at 40th Ave. West this morning from 7:15 to 7:45 am without success. There was a lot of bird activity (Yellow-rumps, sparrows, etc.), but it was overcast and rather dark so maybe the bird is still around. Seems like there are plenty of mosquitoes around to eat. Sharon and I also looked yesterday evening from 5:45 to 6:30pm, but it was starting to get dark and it rained for about half the time. We saw at least one of the Short-eared Owls flying around. Jim Lind Two Harbors From jlind@nrri.umn.edu Fri Oct 8 16:09:31 2004 From: jlind@nrri.umn.edu (Jim Lind) Date: Fri, 08 Oct 2004 10:09:31 -0500 Subject: [mou] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher still present Message-ID: <4166675B.26606.6FF9A2@localhost> I just heard from Mike Hendrickson that the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at 40th Ave West was relocated by Dennis Martin in the same location near the fenced-in area at about 9:40am. Third time's the charm... Jim Lind Two Harbors From wickl002@tc.umn.edu Thu Oct 7 23:11:57 2004 From: wickl002@tc.umn.edu (Paul E. Wicklund) Date: Thu, 07 Oct 2004 17:11:57 -0500 Subject: [mou] Carolina wren-Wayzata Message-ID: <4165BF2D.DD705054@tc.umn.edu> We had a brief sighting of a Carolina wren last evening in our yard, but it has not reappeared today. Jan Wicklund From BillyJoe.Unzen@st.bemidjistate.edu Fri Oct 8 21:16:59 2004 From: BillyJoe.Unzen@st.bemidjistate.edu (BillyJoe Unzen) Date: Fri, 08 Oct 2004 15:16:59 -0500 Subject: [mou] Sabine's Gull at Lake Bemidji Message-ID: <1097266619.97e0627cBillyJoe.Unzen@st.bemidjistate.edu> Just after 2pm today Oct 8th I was walking along the shore of Lake Bemidji in Diamond point park when I spotted an adult basic Sabine's Gull flying over the lake. It was about 200 yards out and fifty feet over the water. I saw it for just about three minutes. It came from the southern edge of the lake and flew pretty much in a straight line for over a mile into the northern part of the lake. I waited for about 25 minutes but the bird did not circle back to where I could see it again. I will keep an eye on the lake the rest of the day and will post an update = if it reappears. Bill Unzen Bemidji State University From Byokel@aol.com Sat Oct 9 12:43:18 2004 From: Byokel@aol.com (Byokel@aol.com) Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2004 07:43:18 EDT Subject: [mou] Great Gray Owl in St Louis County Message-ID: <1a0.2a71b2df.2e9928d6@aol.com> --part1_1a0.2a71b2df.2e9928d6_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit A great gray owl was hunting Thursday evening in the big power line clearing along Hwy 16 (Townline road), 7.5 miles west of hwy 7. Ben Ben Yokel Cotton, MN --part1_1a0.2a71b2df.2e9928d6_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable A great gray owl was hunting Thursd= ay evening in the big power line clearing along Hwy 16 (Townline road), 7.5=20= miles west of hwy 7. 
Ben

Ben Yokel
Cotton, MN --part1_1a0.2a71b2df.2e9928d6_boundary-- From tpulles@gbronline.com Sun Oct 10 00:22:26 2004 From: tpulles@gbronline.com (tpulles) Date: Sat, 09 Oct 2004 18:22:26 -0500 Subject: [mou] scissor-tail & stuff Message-ID: <416872b2.1b5.2a4.21114@gbronline.com> Spent Friday & Saturday birding in totally opposite areas of the state! It started on Saturday, Oct 9, when my family and I went to Red Rock Prairie with hopes of Smith's Longspurs. Struck out there, but then we went to the previously reported location for great-tailed grackles around Cty Rd 86 and 730 St in Jackson County (thank you, Carol Schumacher.) Here there was a single male GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE and three females feeding on the ground alongside the farm pond. We also checked Spirit Lake for the black-headed gull, but to no avail. We drove home, slept, and awoke at 3:30 in the morning on Sunday, Oct 10. My dad and I left at 4:00 AM to head to Duluth (my mom stayed home, but she sure would regret it!). We stopped at 40th Ave W around 7:00, and at the NE end, there were 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS that I was able to flush. No scissor-tailed flycatcher, though. We then went to Park Point, where there was a single nonbreeding HORNED GREBE. It was then off to Hawk Ridge, where there were large kettles of RED-TAILED HAWKS, some SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, and a single adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK. The fall colors were really nice, too. We returned to 40th Ave, but again, we could not find the flycatcher. Off to the Sax-Zim Bog, where we failed to find the previously reported northern hawk-owl. We then decided to come back to 40th Ave and give it one more try. I was sure glad we did! The SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was very cooperative and allowed me to get really close and get some great views (and photos) of it. A very memorable experience! We used up a lot of gas, but in my mind, it certainly was worth it! Good luck everyone Keith Pulles, Wright County From tpulles@gbronline.com Sun Oct 10 01:10:40 2004 From: tpulles@gbronline.com (tpulles) Date: Sat, 09 Oct 2004 19:10:40 -0500 Subject: [mou] Oops! scissor-tailed date correction Message-ID: <41687e00.30d.5fc.30565@gbronline.com> I made a grave mistake on my last post! No, we didn't see the scissor-tailed flycatcher tomorrow. We went to SW Minnesota on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8 and to Duluth on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9 Sorry for any confusion I might have caused. I'm just so used to Saturday-Sunday trips that I lost track of the date! Keith From danterberan@comcast.net Sun Oct 10 03:23:53 2004 From: danterberan@comcast.net (danterberan@comcast.net) Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 02:23:53 +0000 Subject: [mou] Townsend's Solitaire Message-ID: <101020040223.14831.41689D38000F258F000039EF2200750784020E9D0A0D9D0A9B020E0B@comcast.net> --NextPart_Webmail_9m3u9jl4l_14831_1097375033_0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit While birding Minnesota Point this AM (10/09) we saw and identified a Townsends Solitaire near the most distant airport hangar. The bird was seen in the trees just east of the last hangar and flew off towards Duluth. Time was 11:30 AM. Other birds of note were: RB Nuthatch GC & RC Kinglets Lapland Longspurs Horned Larks Brown Creeper Total species were59 for the day Dan Beran Woodbury --NextPart_Webmail_9m3u9jl4l_14831_1097375033_0 Content-Type: text/html Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
While birding Minnesota Point this AM (10/09) we saw and identified a Townsends Solitaire near the most distant airport hangar. The bird was seen in the trees just east of the last hangar and flew off towards Duluth. Time was 11:30 AM. Other birds of note were:
RB Nuthatch
GC & RC Kinglets
Lapland Longspurs
Horned Larks
Brown Creeper
 
Total species were59 for the day
 
Dan Beran
Woodbury
--NextPart_Webmail_9m3u9jl4l_14831_1097375033_0-- From JulianSellers@msn.com Sun Oct 10 04:09:10 2004 From: JulianSellers@msn.com (Julian Sellers) Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2004 22:09:10 -0500 Subject: [mou] Duluth, 10/9 Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0021_01C4AE4C.9A9637E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Highlights of the St. Paul Audubon field trip to Duluth today were: - A brief look at the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at 40th Ave West = shortly after 10:00 am. It was on the chain-link fence, as reported = earlier, but it was in view only for a couple of minutes of the 30 or so = total minutes that we looked for it on the way out and on the way back. - A Short-eared Owl flushed from the dune grass on the lake shore at = the Park Point airport - A couple of Merlins on Park Point - Good flight of Red-tails, Bald Eagles, and Sharp-shins at Hawk Ridge = mid-day - A Black-bellied Plover and a Common Loon at Brighton Beach - Horned Larks, American Pipits, and Lapland Longspurs, mostly at 40th = Ave west, especially inside the chain-link enclosure. Julian ------=_NextPart_000_0021_01C4AE4C.9A9637E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Highlights of the St. Paul Audubon field trip to = Duluth=20 today were:
 
-  A brief look at the Scissor-tailed = Flycatcher at=20 40th Ave West shortly after 10:00 am.  It was on the chain-link = fence, as=20 reported earlier, but it was in view only for a couple of minutes of the = 30 or=20 so total minutes that we looked for it on the way out and on the = way=20 back.
-  A Short-eared Owl flushed from the dune = grass on=20 the lake shore at the Park Point airport
-  A couple of Merlins on Park = Point
-  Good flight of Red-tails, Bald Eagles, = and=20 Sharp-shins at Hawk Ridge mid-day
-  A Black-bellied Plover and a Common Loon = at=20 Brighton Beach
-  Horned Larks, American Pipits, and = Lapland=20 Longspurs, mostly at 40th Ave west, especially inside the chain-link=20 enclosure.
 
Julian
------=_NextPart_000_0021_01C4AE4C.9A9637E0-- From dbmartin@skypoint.com Sun Oct 10 05:11:01 2004 From: dbmartin@skypoint.com (Dennis/Barbara Martin) Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2004 23:11:01 -0500 Subject: [mou] Jackson/Cottonwood counties today Message-ID: <007f01c4ae7f$280ae9e0$e82e56c7@oemcomputer> Black-headed Gull at Spirit Lake spent nearly all day flying around and feeding in the lily pads on the Iowa side of the border. Numerous people were present from 7:45 AM to late afternoon and during that time it went accross the road into Minnesota only once (about 1:15) to check out a large flock of migrating Franklin's and Ring-billed Gulls that were over the Minnesota side for a few minutes. Great-tailed Grackles were found by others near the intersection of State Highway 86 and Jackson Cty 4. We found five Trumpeter Swans just south of Lakefield on State Highway 86. The four adults were banded with pinkish/orangish neck bands and the juvenile was unbanded. We presume that these birds are from the recent Iowa release projects and as such are not countable. Can anyone confirm this thought? At the same location were three mallard sized geese that we presume were Cackling Geese. Although we understand that this species is not that common in the western counties. At the Red Rock Prairie in Cottonwood County there was one poor look at a single adult male Smith's Longspur. Certainly more will arrive in the coming cooler days. Also present were many many pipits, Horned Larks, Vesper and Savanah Sparrows. At dusk 3 or 4 Short-eared Owls came out for great looks. Dennis and Barbara Martin dbmartin@skypoint.com From psvingen@d.umn.edu Sun Oct 10 05:36:25 2004 From: psvingen@d.umn.edu (Peder Svingen) Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2004 23:36:25 -0500 (CDT) Subject: [mou] Lake Winnibigoshish Message-ID: Saturday's waterbird survey at Lake Winnibigoshish, Cass/Itasca counties, tallied 1158 Common Loons, the highest number there since 1153 on 15 October 1999. Conditions were ideal with light/variable winds. The largest raft of loons was 241 off Birches Public Access. Typical for this time of year was the total of 2113 Bonaparte's Gulls. No unusual species found. -- Peder H. Svingen - psvingen@d.umn.edu - Duluth, MN From Steve Weston" Stopped by Duluth late in the afternoon today (10/10) for little more than an hour of birding. Found 3 female Surf Scoters in the bay viewed from about 33rd st. on Park Point. At the field there were 3 Golden Plover. Looking out into the lake with inadequate lighting and too much distance, I spotted one of the smaller loons and what appeared to be 3 more Surf Scoters. Steve Weston on Quigley Lake in Eagan sweston2@comcast.net From corax6330@yahoo.com Sun Oct 10 14:48:18 2004 From: corax6330@yahoo.com (fred lesher) Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 06:48:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [mou] Reno Valley, Houston Co. Oct. 9: Seven sparrow sp. Message-ID: <20041010134818.10659.qmail@web13425.mail.yahoo.com> High pressure, calm winds & clear skies made for few raptors at the Reno Microwave tower 10AM-12N. Sat.AM. Sparrow song attenuated and muted but lovely. Just downhill from the hairpin curve at the hilltop were: Field Sp.--- 5+("singing?") Savanna Sp.- 1 Fox Sp.------2 Song Sp.-----1 White-thrtd.-30+(very little song) Harris Sp.---2 ("singing") White Crnd.--1 Down the valley road south passerines; E. Phoebe----2 Hermit Thrush--4+ Orange-crnd. Warbler--2 Fred Lesher, LaCrosse, Wis. _______________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Declare Yourself - Register online to vote today! http://vote.yahoo.com From dbmartin@skypoint.com Sun Oct 10 22:04:15 2004 From: dbmartin@skypoint.com (Dennis/Barbara Martin) Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 16:04:15 -0500 Subject: [mou] Sprague's Pipit - Cottonwood County Message-ID: <000f01c4af0c$b43a3b40$ac2e56c7@oemcomputer> Bob Dunlap just telephoned that he and a group of birders found a Sprague's Pipit at Red Rock Prairie. Park at the Nature Conservancy area and walk about 1/2 mile back to the fenceline. Barbara Martin dbmartin@skypoint.com From smithville4@charter.net Sun Oct 10 22:39:14 2004 From: smithville4@charter.net (Mike Hendrickson) Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 16:39:14 -0500 Subject: [mou] Superior Entry Birds 10/10 Message-ID: <001201c4af11$97b14ae0$46a47044@FAMILYCOMPUTER> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_000F_01C4AEE7.AD3EA9E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I was at the light house at WI Pt. at 7:30am and had the place for = myself. Between the hours 8-9:00am I saw the following birds. 1. First winter Little Gull ( not the same bird that was found a 2 weeks = ago). I had wonderful looks of this bird and had good size comparisons = with Bonaparte's Gulls 2. Pacific Loon ( I took a picture of it thru my scope) This Pacific = Loon was an adult in winter plumage. I was able to see the chin strap = and a variety of other field marks. This loon spent all its time on Mn = waters. 3. Thayer's Gull in first winter plumage. I was able to take pictures of = this gull on the Mn break wall.=20 4. White-winged Crossbills were in the pines at WI Pt. and not a Mn = sighting. 5. Surf Scoters (2) flying by this afternoon at Park Pt.=20 10/9 at Park Pt. I saw the same two Western Grebes out from the airport = buildings. These Grebes have been seen from Wi Pt and Park Pt. for the = last 2 1/2 weeks. 6. Sanderling feeding amongst the gulls on the Mn break wall. ** I was at 40th Ave. West and so far I haven't heard of any sightings = today of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. What time was the sighting = yesterday 10/09?? Mike Hendrickson Duluth ------=_NextPart_000_000F_01C4AEE7.AD3EA9E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I was at the light house at = WI Pt. at=20 7:30am and had the place for myself. Between the hours 8-9:00am I saw = the=20 following birds.
 
1. First winter Little Gull ( = not the=20 same bird that was found a 2 weeks ago). I had wonderful looks of this = bird and=20 had good size comparisons with Bonaparte's Gulls
 
2. Pacific Loon ( I took a = picture of it=20 thru my scope) This Pacific Loon was an adult in winter plumage. I was = able to=20 see the chin strap and a variety of other field marks. This loon spent = all its=20 time on Mn waters.
 
3. Thayer's Gull in first = winter plumage.=20 I was able to take pictures of this gull on the Mn break wall. =
 
4. White-winged Crossbills = were in the=20 pines at WI Pt. and not a Mn sighting.
 
5. Surf Scoters = (2) flying by this=20 afternoon at Park Pt.
 
10/9 at Park Pt. I saw the = same two=20 Western Grebes out from the airport buildings. These Grebes have = been seen=20 from Wi Pt and Park Pt. for the last  2 1/2 weeks.
 
6. Sanderling feeding amongst = the gulls=20 on the Mn break wall.
 
** I was at 40th Ave. West = and so far I=20 haven't heard of any sightings today of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. = What time=20 was the sighting yesterday 10/09??
 
Mike Hendrickson
Duluth
 
 
------=_NextPart_000_000F_01C4AEE7.AD3EA9E0-- From benzdedrick@hotmail.com Mon Oct 11 00:34:22 2004 From: benzdedrick@hotmail.com (Dedrick Benz) Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 23:34:22 +0000 Subject: [mou] Ross/Snow conundrum, Wabasha County Message-ID: At about 5PM Sun evening I watched a white goose fly in (relatively) close to the road at Weaver Bottoms along Hwy 61. My general impressions were of a rounded head, small pink bill lacking a grinning patch (though I was far from the bird), and no rusty coloration in the head. However the bird seemed substantially larger than any of the species of ducks (100's of dabblers present). The bird was actively feeding most of the time so head and neck characteristics were a little hard to determine. I'd appreciate any impressions anyone else gets of this bird. Is it possibly a Ross X Lesser Snow Hybrid (see Sibley p. 79)? Dedrick Benz Winona, MN From rdunlap@gac.edu Mon Oct 11 00:59:37 2004 From: rdunlap@gac.edu (rdunlap@gac.edu) Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 18:59:37 -0500 Subject: [mou] This weekend in SW Minnesota Message-ID: <20041010185937.rdggksk8g0wsc8w0@webmail.gac.edu> Thanks to Barb Martin for promptly posting the Sprague's Pipit at Red Rock Prairie. I first flushed the bird around 3:15 this afternoon. I noticed how it popped up quickly and flew upwards in a "stair-step" manner, which got my hopes up. I stalked the bird until I found it standing upright in some short grasses that had been mowed along the fenceline, allowing me to get definitive looks. Luckily, there were 3 radios among the five of us (Bill Marengo, John and Chris Hockema, and Josh Watson), so I was able to get everyone's attention once I had good enough looks to clearly identify it. It took about ten minutes for everyone to walk across the prairie to where I was. Even more luckily, the bird was content with staying put in the short grasses not 40 feet from where I was standing. Once everyone arrived, we all had spectacular looks at the bird clearly visible now in the short grasses on the other side of the fence no more than 20 feet in front of us! From the Nature Conservancy sign on the west end of the prairie, walk east across the prairie about a quarter-mile to a half-mile back to the fenceline. On the west side of the fenceline, there is an area of mown grass that parallels the fenceline. This is where we observed the bird. We (along with Brian Smith, Ben Fritchman and his mother) spent most of Saturday at Spirit Lake waiting for the Black-headed Gull to fly into Minnesota. It happened when we were all out to lunch in Iowa. While waiting for the gull, some of us went over to the Great-tailed Grackle spot (Hwy. 86 and CR 4) and found 7 birds (6 females/juveniles and one molting male). Later that evening most of us got to see the Short-eared Owls flying over Red Rock Prairie. Before the prairie, we found a decent shorebird spot along Hwy. 71 a few miles north of Windom; the spot is on the east side of the highway. Here were probably a thousand gulls (mostly Franklin's), and a good number of shorebirds including Long-billed Dowitchers, Black-bellied Plovers, and Sanderling. Apparently the area is private property, so it must be viewed from the road. I believe it is marked as Warren Lake in the DeLorme Atlas. Bill, Josh, and I went listening for the Eastern Screech-Owls at the traditional spot northeast of Luverne in Rock County around 10:00 pm. We heard at least two giving whinnying calls. This morning we (Bill, John, Chris, Josh, and myself) checked the Luverne (Gold'n Plump) sewage ponds. The two ponds at the very western end (you have to drive through a somewhat hidden path in the trees) had decent habitat, but mostly Killdeer were present. At Blue Mounds State Park, we found a few interesting migrants: several flocks of Pine Siskins, a few Purple Finches, and a Winter Wren. On the west side of Hwy. 75 near the Blue Mound Wayside Chapel, we found a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE sitting on the telephone wires. This is just south of the main entrance to the state park. This afternoon the only thing of note at Red Rock Prairie was the Sprague's Pipit, but I can't complain. -Bob Dunlap, Nicolett County From jslind@frontiernet.net Mon Oct 11 03:07:06 2004 From: jslind@frontiernet.net (Jim Lind) Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 21:07:06 -0500 Subject: [mou] North Shore birds - Saturday Message-ID: <4169A47A.17193.373145@localhost> Sorry for the late post, but I birded up the North Shore on Saturday and saw a few things. At dawn there was one Short-eared Owl over Lake Superior at Good Harbor Bay, and another came in off the lake at the Grand Marais campground about 15 minutes later. Sharon was at Split Rock State Park at about 9:00 am and also saw one heading down the shore. We saw another Short-eared at Castle Danger at dusk on Saturday, and this evening there was one about 2 miles north of Two Harbors along CR12. With all the birds seen at 40th Ave West and other spots in Duluth recently, it seems like a big Short-eared migration this fall. There were 6 Surf Scoters and a flyby White-winged Scoter at Paradise Beach on Saturday, and a lone Surf Scoter at Good Harbor Bay. A female Black-backed Woodpecker was at the Grand Marais campground and the Am. White Pelican was still in the harbor (I was told that the local fishermen are feeding it about 3 herring a day). Jim Lind Two Harbors From watsup@boreal.org Mon Oct 11 05:09:07 2004 From: watsup@boreal.org (Steve and Sherry Watson) Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 22:09:07 -0600 Subject: [mou] birding with the hockema brothers{again} Message-ID: <20041011022138.M68264@boreal.org> Hello All, This last weekend was another one of my spectacular great and extremely fun weekends of birding, except for the **** black-headed gull at Spirit Lake. John Hockema, Chris Hockema, Bob Dunlap, Brian Smith, and Bill Marango watched the dang thing for 6 strait hours as the blasted bird preened and foraged in the lilly pads for food on the Iowa side occasionally taking flight and getting our hopes up just to go ten feet and sit back down again... dang bird. Of course after several hours we finally pretty much lost hope and got hungry and decided to go eat but just to make things worse we get a call in the middle of my worst dairy queen meal I've ever eaten that Denny Martin sees the thing fly over the boarder. So we go all the way back to lay in the hot boaring and PAINFUL sun as the dum thing goes sits around no different than before we ate. So anyway about the highlights and good parts about my trip that probably sounds like a real bust right now and not the WORST part of the trip. My dad and I drove down on the 7th but didn't do much birding. The 8th we took a short trip into Carlos Avery to see and get a very good look at a red-shouldered hawk as it flew down the road showing off its banded tail and red shoulder patches, it then banked to fly into the dense forest and we saw the rufous on the breast and underside. We also found an eastern wood-pewee and two families of nine total trumpeter swans. That evening we met up with John Hockema at Lake Calhoune where I got a life bird lesser black-backed gull. I had a beautiful view of the bird right off the bat which was cool and we also had a really good look at an adult thayer's gull which was a year bird. We gazed at these awhile and a very late nighthawk and my dad left me with the crazy hockema who then dumped me with brother Chris at mid-night and we took off in search of screech owls. We blasted the song from Chris's car and no more than ten minutes we had my life bird singing back to end a great day and start the weekend off well. We got up early Saturday morning getting a little later start than hoped for and Chris cruzed us out to Spirit Lake where the Longgggggggg boaringggggggg sit came in watching the dog gon blasted rat of a black-headed gull while it probably laughed at us as it cuaght minnows dilly dallying in the Iowa side. So after the frustrating, which John and I are now grumpy at, gull flew over the boarder while we were eating lunch we sit awhile and finally Bob, Bill, Chris and I abandon John sleeping on the rocks waiting for Ben Fricthmen {his wake up alarm if the gull fly's over} to yell its going, its going, its going, its gone {which not surprisingly never happened except for probably in Johns dreams}. Anyway us four went on quickly to seek out a great-tailed grackle. We pulled up along a large pasture with a pond in the corner and lots of blackbirds flying around to immediately discover seven on the fence line adding at least a little excitment for the day but still not making up for the long wait at the gull sight even though these grackles were lifers. A male several females, and a couple juveniles made up the bunch as we watched a couple minutes as they then flew out to forage along the pond edge. No more than a half hour later we were back at well you've probably guessed the gull spot and waited AGAIN... to no avail. From their we sped up to red rock prairie in cottonwood county and John and I hiked out in the ankle and knee high grass kicking up several sparrows which from what I could tell in the evening light were mostly savanahs. It was a spectacular false way to end the day watching four silhouetted short-eared owls and their erratic flights over the grassland in the orange sun set with the gorgeous western meadowlarks singing their liquide, flute like gurgling songs and a few sparrows "seeting" and flushing out of the grass. I even found a couple Le Conte's sparrows but then things got trashy agaiin when we hiked the mile across to the road on the other side hoping Chris would have enough sense to drive around and pick us up... but no that'd be to easy instead the little rascal doesn't even turn his lights on and we have to trek the mile back getting pricked by poky thistles in the dark to find him with the seat kicked back and him snoozing... that didn't go over very well! But we forgave him...we had to he was the driver. From their we shot down to Luvern to spend the night but I stayed up later to hang with bill and bob getting two and a probable third eastern screech owl just out of town in Rock County. What was cool was between the two, the one in Rochester I heard the night before and then these ones I heard both of the sounds they make. I then went to bead to catch some sleep and to rest for the long day which is now today. We hit a couple sewage ponds early not finding tons and then started pracically at Blue Mounds State Park to find a Le Conte's sparrow, a lincoln's, Harris's, white-crowned, white-throated, and a couple other things. We also had a large bunch of pine siskins which was interesting. We were then heading to the beach when Chris and I spied in unison a eurasian collared-dove perched on a utility pole along the road which we watched awhile and the hockemas made me document. That was pretty fun. So after several stops later the time was now about mid afternoon and we again found our selves at last nights famous red rock prairie again which we all began to hike spreading out in hopes of scaring up an early smith's longspur. I trekked along dodging thistles and enjoying the day of overall good fun birds and the nice weather and being thankful for the life birds and year birds I'd picked up so far. About half way I'm not seeing a thing but just enjoying myself when I suddenly get the feeling to glance behind me which I did to see Bob excitingly waving his arms. I'm thinking he either has something good or is just fooling around but when he keeps it up and I suddenly see John and the others heading back towards him standing along the fence line I think it must be something good and I begin charging back being the first to arrive but out of breath as I ask what all the comotion is to hear the answer Spragues pipit and I suddenly find my self frantically searching for the bird that was supposidly in the short grass about twenty feet way long the fence line. Where is it, got to see it, halve to see it, please don't fly, oh come on where are you, I'm thinking hoping for at least a glance before it fly's but bill and his expert directions I find my bino's suddenly pointed right at the bird and me staring at it in aw at how unbelievable well I'm seeing one of probably the toughest birds to ever get a good view of. Instead of a few glimpses the bird skulkily moves through the grass appearing in spurts right in plain open view for every one to see. I could see all the feild marks perfect as day light and could destinguish at fifteen feet it as a juvenile with its white back and black scaling, real patterned and pale face with buffy kind of overall appearance and stocky bright pale orange bill and white wing bars, dark crown and pale legs. I with the others observed it for a good fifteen minutes in aw and total exhilaration surging and boiling with excitment I don't know how I contained it but man it was sweet making up for the dissapointing black- headed gull probably tougher especially when you see it, the whole it in plain open view not one blade of grass covering a peice of it at fifteen feet. It was amazing. it then decided it had enough of the excited group and as probably several of you know the hockema boy's you've probably seen them in full action when their extremely excited oh ya. We expereinced the stair step like flight and large white outer tial feathers several times. Well that tops things off and was a spectacular way to end a great weekend despite the miss with the gull but it was a life bird though not in Minnesota. Well good birding to all, Josh Watson Grand Marais Oh P.S. Thanks to all who joined and let me join them on this great weekend birding with the hockema brothers, again. From birdnird@yahoo.com Mon Oct 11 15:12:44 2004 From: birdnird@yahoo.com (Terence Brashear) Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 07:12:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [mou] Description of the pipit? In-Reply-To: <20041010185937.rdggksk8g0wsc8w0@webmail.gac.edu> Message-ID: <20041011141244.77432.qmail@web50307.mail.yahoo.com> Hi Bob Can we get a description of the bird? Did anyone photograph it? This is a really exciting find and I'd like to hear more! Regards, Terry __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From rdunlap@gac.edu Mon Oct 11 16:13:27 2004 From: rdunlap@gac.edu (rdunlap@gac.edu) Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 10:13:27 -0500 Subject: [mou] More Sprague's Pipit details Message-ID: <20041011101327.edh00gckgkgk08kw@webmail.gac.edu> For anyone interested, here's a copy of my field notes from yesterday. -pale buff color overall -prominent black eye on an otherwise blank face, reminiscent of an Upland Sandpiper's face -streaked crown, streaked back, streaked nape; overall entire upperparts very patterned -pale orange bill slightly thicker than bill of American Pipit and somewhat decurved -outer tail feathers white, inner tail feathers dark; striking pattern that contrasts with pale buffy body -pale pinkish legs -when flushed, the bird would pop up from the ground, then fly upward in an undulating pattern, then drop to the ground in a "stair-step" style -when on the ground, the bird would stay low and walk a few feet, then stop and stand upright, exposing its head above the short grasses in an alert posture -in flight, body seemed chunky and tail appeared long If you're interested in photographing the bird, I'd suggest walking the fenceline I described and waiting for the bird to fly up, then land down again, then slowly creep up to the spot where it landed. If the bird landed in short grass, wait for it to stick its head up. Yesterday the bird was very cooperative and easily photographable, but as always, none of us had a camera handy. Hope this helps. I'll be going back next weekend to look for Smith's Longspurs there, and I'll definitely put in an effort to refind this bird. -Bob Dunlap, Nicolett County From bice0004@umn.edu Mon Oct 11 17:20:01 2004 From: bice0004@umn.edu (Andrew D.Bicek) Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 11:20:01 -0500 Subject: [mou] Grand Marais and North Shore In-Reply-To: <20041010170014.27129.31143.Mailman@biosci.cbs.umn.edu> Message-ID: Spent the weekend up in Grand Marais with friends Matt & Tiffany Hannan, and went birding among other fun things. Good birds we saw from Friday to Sunday were: Surf Scoter...Good Harbor Bay White-winged Scoters...Paradise Beach Snow Bunting...Artist's Point Black-bellied Plovers...Artist's Point American Wigeon...Artist's Point Yellow-crowned kinglets...Pigeon Falls Merlin...flying along hwy 61 near Lutsen Peregrine Falcon... north of Two Harbors flying along hwy 61 Short-eared owl...north of Two Harbors flying along hwy 61 Brown Creepers...Park Point It was a great weekend for being on the north shore! Andy Bicek Big Lake, MN From david@cahlander.com Mon Oct 11 17:44:38 2004 From: david@cahlander.com (David A. Cahlander) Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 11:44:38 -0500 Subject: [mou] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher photograph Message-ID: <001a01c4afb1$9c55aff0$0400a8c0@flash> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0017_01C4AF87.B0445310 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable http://biosci.umn.edu/~mou/recent.html has been updated with a picture of the Duluth Scissor-tailed Flycatcher = taken by Earl Orf. --- David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 ------=_NextPart_000_0017_01C4AF87.B0445310 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
http://biosci.umn.edu/~mo= u/recent.html
 
has been updated with a = picture of the=20 Duluth Scissor-tailed Flycatcher taken by Earl Orf.
---
David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, = MN=20 952-894-5910
------=_NextPart_000_0017_01C4AF87.B0445310-- From boreal_finch@yahoo.com Mon Oct 11 20:19:45 2004 From: boreal_finch@yahoo.com (Dan Amerman) Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 12:19:45 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [mou] Great Black-backed Gull, Duluth Message-ID: <20041011191945.49822.qmail@web53002.mail.yahoo.com> Hello Everyone, It was my morning to spend about four hours solo from dawn on at the Wisconsin Point lighthouse, and I thought it was a very nice but not that exciting of morning until about ten a.m. Brief story: I saw a 1st winter Great Black-backed Gull, which is a lifer for me. I also got some good looks at the Pacific Loon that Mike reported yesterday (probably the same one anyway), and saw a different Thayers Gull -- this one an adult on the Minnesota Point breakwater. Long story: I understand that there has occasionally been a bit of skepticism about Great Black-backed Gull sightings in Duluth, and having spent more early mornings down at WI Point and Park Point this fall than I care to admit, I can understand why. There are a LOT of immature Herring Gulls down there, and mixed in among them are some of the pale headed variety with dark patterned backs, that can sometimes even seem a bit larger than the gull next to it. I did however get long looks (in brilliant sunlight and calm conditions) at this particular bird twice: for two or three minutes when it was in amongst a flock of Herring Gulls diving at the water and swirling around the front of an outbound Laker, and for another about five minutes or so when it was flying in a flock behind the ship. This is what I saw: SIZE. When I first saw the bird, my first thought was "Whoa! That is a big gull!" It was noticeably larger than any of the nearby Herring Gulls that were flying nearby, with a different structure. It had a broader body, accented by the width of its broad, white rump. The wings looked a bit longer as it would go right by another bird (Herrings), and they were distinctively broader than the other birds. The bird just plain looked chunkier, bulkier, and well, bigger than the Herring Gulls. FLIGHT. The bird did not flap as quickly as the Herring Gulls, and when it did, the flaps looked both shallower and flatter than the Herring Gulls -- the tips did not move as much. The flight did not seem to quite have the... grace... that one usually associates with gulls, and I will have to concur with Sibley's description of "lumbering" for the flight. PLUMAGE. After size, the first things that I noticed when I looked at the bird were the dark colors -- and the high contrasts. The primaries were very dark, almost black. The head, broad rump and body were all whitish with some light streaking, with the exception of a very dark and narrow terminal tail band. The secondaries were lighter than the primaries. The coverts and mantles were patterned in what I would have to call a three color salt and pepper -- mostly medium brown and white, with some darkish worked in. The contrasts between these were high, much more so than in juvenile Herring Gulls, that seem to be mainly various shades of brown on the coverts and mantle. Unfortunately, the bird does not appear to like hanging out around the breakwaters, nor was it flying around over the lake. It seemed to only come out to fish the waters stirred up by the big ship, but other than that my best guess is that it is hanging out somewhere on the bay side of the points, or possibly even by the ore docks. I couldn't find it again. Dan Amerman Duluth, MN __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From fieldfare21@hotmail.com Mon Oct 11 20:37:16 2004 From: fieldfare21@hotmail.com (Benjamin Fritchman) Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 14:37:16 -0500 Subject: [mou] Am. Golden Plovers, Clay Message-ID: This morning I drove around Clay county a bit looking for anything. I did happen upon a field covered with American Golden Plovers. I was driving when I first saw one near the road. As I put my binoculars up, I realized they were everywhere. I counted 102 at one point, but there were probably numerous others, because the birds were from 20 feet all the way to the other side of the field, so I couldn't make out some of the distant "blobs." They were constantly flying around, it was pretty cool seeing so many in one place. I know there were some flocks in Duluth, but up here in the NW I haven't heard of too many this year. The field is on CR51 west of Barnesville. The field was one mile east of CR 11. The birds were mainly in the SE corner of this intersection. Also there were still a few Cackling Geese at the Barnesville Sewage Ponds. Also a quick drive of Felton Prairie didn't produce much. Ben Fritchman Now in Fargo, ND _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ From watsup@boreal.org Tue Oct 12 02:59:30 2004 From: watsup@boreal.org (Steve and Sherry Watson) Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 18:59:30 -0700 Subject: [mou] spragues pipit cottonwood county Message-ID: <000501c4afff$1dc22300$0e0f46d8@m7z0w8> Hello All, I got an email from someone about the sprague's pipit our group found at Red Rock Prairie in Cottonwood County. Because the last couple nights were pretty late and the fact I got to a computer and stayed up late again I was tired and failed to explain a few things as well as I should have. When I used the term "bright" pale orange bill I meant easy to see but the bill was a pale orange just the exact color as the Sibley's guide to bird's shows. It also had pale pink legs instead of just pale legs. We were able to determine it as a juvenile by the fact that the back contained scaly streaking over a white background unlike what an adult should show as less scaly streaks over a buffy background. Otherwise the bird is just as Bob explained. If anyone has questions feel free to email me and I'll see what I can do. On the way home from my grandparents today we stopped in Duluth in hopes the scissor-tailed flycatcher would reappear though not getting our hopes up even though it is my favorite bird. We didn't see it and not much else. We also stopped at Park Point and didn't find much their either but a lone snow bunting on the beach. One more stop in Good Harbor Bay revealed a lone surf scoter which was a year bird and added some spark to the long drive home. 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: 6.0.768 / Virus Database: 515 - Release Date: 9/22/04 From BillyJoe.Unzen@st.bemidjistate.edu Tue Oct 12 02:04:05 2004 From: BillyJoe.Unzen@st.bemidjistate.edu (BillyJoe Unzen) Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 20:04:05 -0500 Subject: [mou] Pacific Loon Message-ID: <1097543045.9179999cBillyJoe.Unzen@st.bemidjistate.edu> Just after noon today, Oct 11th, I was reading along the shore of Lake=20 Bemidji when I saw an adult Pacific Loon from the BSU campus. The lake was extremely still and it was easy to see any bird on it. I first saw it a= bout 400 feet out. First I thought it was just a common loon but it seeme= d too small and smaller then any common loon I have seen from this spot o= ver the last month and a half. When I looked at it through binoculars it = indeed was a small loon and looked to be a Pacific. It steadily swam clos= er to shore. It eventually was within twenty feet of the BSU dock, puttin= g it about only 80 feet from the shore and me. By this time it was clear = it was a Pacific Loon and separated it from being a Red-throated by the c= ontrast between the white throat and the thick brown hindneck stripe, the= all brown unmarked back and the eye was not separated from the brown cap= . The loon was actively diving and out of 15-20 dives I got to see the ve= nt strap clearly 3 times. Also visible was a chin strape, but it didnt se= em complete. There was one female common merganser also swimming and divi= ng off the dock, the merg and the Pacific were identical in size. I only = had my binoculars with me at the time and decided to go and get my scope = and camera since the bird was being so cooperative. It took me 25 minutes= to get back and by that time the loon wasnt near the dock anymore. It to= ok five more minutes to refind the loon as it had gone back out into the = lake a few hundred yards and I watched it until 1:00. I refound the loon again between 2:15 and 2:45. It spent the entire time in the same area well out on the lake. I didnt see any additional field=20 markings from that distance but did get to see the comparison of this=20 loon to a few common loons that swam by it. The size difference was easy to= see between the two with the common loons being significantly=20 larger. The pacific's bill was also finer and its back a darker brown plus the different neck patterns. This evening I went back to the lake and the conditions were ideal. I watch= ed the bird from 4:45 to 5:30. The great evening sunlight cast excellent = lighting on the loon. The back of the bird was still an unmarked very dar= k brown, but the back of the neck and head now showed a light brown tinge= . It wasnt diving as much anymore except when boats passed by and would o= ften stand up in the water and flap its wings. The contrast between the p= acific's white foreneck and the rest of the body was much sharper and def= ined then with a common loon. It came closer to shore then the last few s= ightings and gave me the oppurtunity to take a few decent photos through = my scope. When I last left the bird it had swam farther out and towards t= he south side of the lake. Bill Unzen Bemidji State University From tnejbell@comcast.net Tue Oct 12 06:33:05 2004 From: tnejbell@comcast.net (tnejbell@comcast.net) Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 05:33:05 +0000 Subject: [mou] (no subject) Message-ID: <101220040533.14579.416B6C8E00090E42000038F3220076370404040A0D060A029B@comcast.net> --NextPart_Webmail_9m3u9jl4l_14579_1097559185_0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Minnesota Earth Charter Annual Fall Event Saturday, October 30, 2004 12:30 – 4:30 PM Macalester Plymouth United Church 1658 Lincoln Ave. St. Paul MN Join us as we learn more about creating a sustainable future for our planet. We have two wonderful speakers, Michael Dowd and Connie Barlow. Michael will conduct a presentation for adults while Connie offers an informative and educational session for children. "The Earth Charter and Human Destiny: A Vision for a Sustainable Future" By Michael Dowd Michael offers a hopeful, inspiring vision of the future of the planet. He will relate the principles of the Earth Charter to the themes of the Great Story: a history of the Universe and our planet based on scientific and sacred findings. The presentation will explore both the good news, and our challenges - short term as well as long-term evolutionary trends. He will conclude with a perspective of how the Earth Charter will be seen 100 years from now. A question and answer period will provide an opportunity to break into small groups based on personal interests, and to discuss strategies and personal practices for creating a sustainable future. Workshop for Youth Ages 4-12 "Coming Home to North America" with Connie Barlow Each child is invited to bring two or three stuffed animals for a hands-on workshop that connects the evolution of the land, nature and people of North America. Designed just for kids! ***** Special guest, children’s author, Phyllis Root, will read her award-winning picture book: Big Mamma Makes the World, (Candlewick Press, 2003). Available at bookstores everywhere. Kids: bring your copy to have signed by the author! Selected paperbacks will also be available for purchase. Free admission Donations welcome For more information on the Earth Charter Summit and the Earth Charter: Web Site: www.earthcharter-minnesota.org E-Mail: info@earthcharter-minnesota.org Or, Call Rosemary at 763-537-5591 -- Tom Bell 5868 Pioneer Road South Saint Paul Park MN 55071 651 459-4150 --NextPart_Webmail_9m3u9jl4l_14579_1097559185_0 Content-Type: text/html Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Minnesota Earth Charter Annual Fall Event

< /o:lock>

Saturday, October 30, 2004 12:30 – 4:30 PM

Macalester Plymouth United Church

1658 Lincoln Ave. St. Paul MN

 

Join us as we learn more about creating a sustainable future for our planet. We have two wonderful speakers, Michael Dowd and Connie Barlow. Michael will conduct a presentation for adults while Connie offers an informative and educational session for children.

"The Earth Charter and Human Destiny:

A Vision for a Sustainable Future"

By Michael Dowd

 

Michael offers a hopeful, inspiring vision of the future of the planet. He will relate the principles of the Earth Charter to the themes of the Great Story: a history of the Universe and our planet based on scientific and sacred findings.

 

The presentation will explore both the good news, and our challenges - short term as well as long-term evolutionary trends.  He will conclude with a perspective of how the Earth Charter will be seen 100 years from now. A question and answer period will provide an opportunity to break into small groups based on personal interests, and to discuss strategies and personal practices for creating a sustainable future.

 

Workshop for Youth Ages 4-12

"Coming Home to North America" with Connie Barlow

 

Each child is invited to bring two or three stuffed animals for a hands-on workshop that connects the evolution of the land, nature and people of North America. Designed just for kids!

                                                              *****

Special guest, children’s author, Phyllis Root, will read her award-winning picture book: Big Mamma Makes the World, (Candlewick Press, 2003). Available at bookstores everywhere.  Kids: bring your copy to have signed by the author!  Selected paperbacks will also be available for purchase.

 

Free admission         Donations welcome

For more information on the Earth Charter Summit and the Earth Charter:

Web Site: www.earthcharter-minnesota.org E-Mail: info@earthcharter-minnesota.org

Or, Call Rosemary at 763-537-5591

 
--
Tom Bell
5868 Pioneer Road South
Saint Paul Park MN 55071
651 459-4150
--NextPart_Webmail_9m3u9jl4l_14579_1097559185_0-- From rdunlap@gac.edu Tue Oct 12 19:03:37 2004 From: rdunlap@gac.edu (rdunlap@gac.edu) Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 13:03:37 -0500 Subject: [mou] Golden Eagle, Nicolett County Message-ID: <20041012130337.ovr40g0skcggcc4k@webmail.gac.edu> This morning around 11:15 I observed an adult Golden Eagle flying over campus here at Gustavus in St. Peter. It was during my environmental science class which is taught by Jim Gilbert of WCCO fame. We always take walks around the arboretum on campus for part of the classtime. Today as we walked around I noticed a line of Turkey Vultures flying not to far above the buildings, maybe 100 to 150 yards or so up in the air. One of the lead birds looked more like a buteo when it banked, which caught my eye. Its flight profile was dihedral. The bird was obviously bigger-bodied and larger-winged than the nearby vultures. As it passed directly overhead, the shape and underside where distinctive--Golden Eagle! Everyone in class looked at the bird, which of course to them looked just like the Turkey Vultures. Unfortunately I think I was the only one who could appreciate the relative rarity of this bird. I'd like to spend more time watching the skies today, but I have a 3 hour chemistry lab starting at 1:30. -Bob Dunlap, Nicolett County From SFbirdclub@aol.com Tue Oct 12 22:32:41 2004 From: SFbirdclub@aol.com (SFbirdclub@aol.com) Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 17:32:41 EDT Subject: [mou] Blue Mounds/Sky Prairie-10/11 Message-ID: <1f8.bb142f.2e9da779@aol.com> --part1_1f8.bb142f.2e9da779_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello Birders, Three of us from Sioux Falls headed to SW Minnesota today. Luverne/Blue Mounds is only about 30 minutes from us. We saw 64 sp. with some very good birds. Refound the Winter Wren, Pine Siskin and the Purple Finch and saw a Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrush in the same area as the wren. Missed the E Collared Dove, but that's why we go birding the next time. We saw a few American Pipit and a possible Sprague's (at Touch-the-Sky Prairie), many sparrow incl. several Harris' in various plumages and a few warbler: the best for us was Canada. Many Meadowlarks were singing at the prairie. There was an immature male Great-tailed Grackle at the Luverne "ponds" as well as a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, a few dowitcher (some Identifiable as Short-billed), yellowlegs (one Lesser called), a pair of Common Snipe and a few Least Sandpiper. Of course, if you're wondering, we didn't miss the many Killdeer. Cackling Geese and Gadwall and a lone Redhead were present. But the best bird for us was a Pileated Woodpecker in the grove along the RR tracks at the Luverne ponds. What a sight for SW MN or SE SD! Sharing is half the fun of birding. Doug Chapman Cary Feldman Mick Zerr Sioux Falls, SD --part1_1f8.bb142f.2e9da779_boundary Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hello Birders,

Three of us from Sioux Falls headed to SW Minnesota today. Luverne/Blue Moun= ds is only about 30 minutes from us.

We saw 64 sp. with some very good birds. Refound the Winter Wren, Pine Siski= n and the Purple Finch and saw a Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrush in the s= ame area as the wren. Missed the E Collared Dove, but that's why we go birdi= ng the next time.

We saw a few American Pipit and a possible Sprague's (at  Touch-the-Sk= y Prairie), many sparrow incl. several Harris' in various plumages and a few= warbler: the best for us was Canada. Many Meadowlarks were singing at the p= rairie.

There was an immature male Great-tailed Grackle at the Luverne "ponds" as we= ll as a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, a few dowitcher (some Identifiable as Short= -billed), yellowlegs (one Lesser called), a pair of Common Snipe and a few L= east Sandpiper. Of course, if you're wondering, we didn't miss the many Kill= deer. Cackling Geese and Gadwall and a lone Redhead were present.

But the best bird for us was a Pileated Woodpecker in the grove along the RR= tracks at the Luverne ponds. What a sight for SW MN or SE SD!

Sharing is half the fun of birding.

Doug Chapman
Cary Feldman
Mick Zerr
Sioux Falls, SD --part1_1f8.bb142f.2e9da779_boundary-- From psvingen@d.umn.edu Wed Oct 13 01:38:05 2004 From: psvingen@d.umn.edu (psvingen@d.umn.edu) Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 19:38:05 -0500 Subject: [mou] Western Minnesota shorebirds Message-ID: <1097627885.5fd2eefa0f2e4@wm1.d.umn.edu> A surprising variety of shorebirds can still be found in western Minnesota. Surveys in Lac Qui Parle and Yellow Medicine counties yesterday (11 October) and in Big Stone County today, found about 14 species each day. Most noteworthy were 225 American Golden-Plovers at Salt Lake yesterday and a late Short-billed Dowitcher in Big Stone County today. The Short-billed was a juvenile identified by the internal markings on its tertials, with juvenile and adult Long-billeds in the same wetland for direct comparison. A total of 96 Long-billeds was found today. The best locations for shorebirds continue to be the wetland 2 miles east and 2 miles north of St. Leo in Yellow Medicine County, and Salt Lake in Lac Qui Parle County. There are no specific locations in Big Stone County that currently hold significant numbers. Peder Svingen -- psvingen@d.umn.edu -- Duluth, MN From axhertzel@sihope.com Wed Oct 13 03:09:40 2004 From: axhertzel@sihope.com (Anthony X. Hertzel) Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 21:09:40 -0500 Subject: [mou] MOU RBA 12 October 2004 Message-ID: --============_-1114489110==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Tuesday, October 12th. On the 10th, a SPRAGUE'S PIPIT was found at the Red Rock Prairie of Cottonwood County, and it was still in the area on the 11th. Park at the Nature Conservancy area and walk about half a mile east to the fence line, then south for a short distance. Several SMITH'S LONGSPURS are also in this area. A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was found in Duluth over the weekend and has been seen on and off at least until Sunday. The bird was seen on the top of the chain-link fence that surrounds the small experimental impoundment, just across the railroad tracks. Several SHORT-EARED OWLS are also being seen here. The BLACK-HEADED GULL is still being reported from Jackson County at the north end of Spirit Lake at the Iowa border. It was reported as recently as the 11th. On the 9th, a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was discovered along Minnesota Point in Duluth. It was seen in the trees east of the farthest airport hangar. A GREAT GRAY OWL was seen on the 7th, hunting in the big power line clearing along St. Louis County Road 16, seven and a half miles west of state highway 7. I also have recent reports of SURF SCOTER on Lake Superior, plus GOLDEN EAGLE, AMERICAN PIPIT, SNOW BUNTING, and LAPLAND LONGSPUR. 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. 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, October 21st. -- Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com --============_-1114489110==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" MOU RBA 12 October 2004
This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Tuesday, October 12th.

On the 10th, a SPRAGUE'S PIPIT was found at the Red Rock Prairie of Cottonwood County, and it was still in the area on the 11th. Park at the Nature Conservancy area and walk about half a mile east to the fence line, then south for a short distance. Several SMITH'S LONGSPURS are also in this area.

A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was found in Duluth over the weekend and has been seen on and off at least until Sunday. The bird was seen on the top of the chain-link fence that surrounds the small experimental impoundment, just across the railroad tracks. Several SHORT-EARED OWLS are also being seen here.
The BLACK-HEADED GULL is still being reported from Jackson County at the north end of Spirit Lake at the Iowa border. It was reported as recently as the 11th.

On the 9th, a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was discovered along Minnesota Point in Duluth. It was seen in the trees east of the farthest airport hangar.

A GREAT GRAY OWL was seen on the 7th, hunting in the big power line clearing along St. Louis County Road 16, seven and a half miles west of state highway 7. 

I also have recent reports of SURF SCOTER on Lake Superior, plus GOLDEN EAGLE, AMERICAN PIPIT, SNOW BUNTING, and LAPLAND LONGSPUR.

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, October 21st.

--
Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com
--============_-1114489110==_ma============-- From jwbarrett10@msn.com Wed Oct 13 21:22:53 2004 From: jwbarrett10@msn.com (Jim Barrett) Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 15:22:53 -0500 Subject: [mou] Winter Finch Forecast (re-posted from Ontbirds) Message-ID: <000b01c4b162$6c069aa0$f9f50143@oemcomputer> This is the winter finch forecast from the Ontario Field Ornithologists listserve, OntBirds. Although the report refers to bird populations mostly in Ontario, the information may have some applicability to our neck of the woods, as well. I always find these annual reports from OFO to be interesting. Jim Barrett Duluth From: Jean Iron To: ontbirds@hwcn.org Subject: [Ontbirds]Winter Finch Forecast 2004-2005 Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 2:42 PM GENERAL FORECAST: Tree seed crops in northern Ontario this year vary from poor to excellent, depending on species and location, making predictions more difficult than in past years. Seed crops are better east of Lake Superior to the Quebec border than west of Superior to the Manitoba border. Many finches are moving now or will move later, but some should remain in the north this winter where tree seed crops are good to excellent. In central Ontario, such as Algonquin Park, crops are average so some finches will winter in Algonquin, but numbers are not expected to be high. Expect more finches at feeders this winter than last winter in southern Ontario. Also, as seed supplies diminish over the winter in the north, more finches may drift south in February, increasing numbers at feeders. The two best seeds for finches at feeders are nyger (previously niger) and black oil sunflower seeds. See individual forecasts below for eight finch species, plus forecasts for three irruptive passerines associated with finch movements. TREE SEED CROPS: (1) Conifers: White Spruce has an excellent cone crop north of Lake Huron in the Lake Nipissing region, but poor to fair around Timmins. White Spruce has a poor to fair crop north of Lake Superior. Black Spruce has a good to bumper crop south of Timmins, but a poor to fair crop north of Timmins. Both spruces have poor to good crops in northwestern Ontario. Balsam Fir had an excellent cone crop north of Lake Huron and a good crop in Algonquin Park. White Pine has good to excellent crops from Lake Superior east to Algonquin Park. White Pine has a poor crop in Muskoka and Parry Sound District. Red Pine has fair to good crops in many areas. Eastern Hemlock has an average crop on the Canadian Shield between Lake Ontario and the Ottawa River. White Cedar has average crops in many areas. Tamarack or Eastern Larch has a poor to fair crop. (2) Hardwoods/Deciduous: White Birch has a fair to good supply of seed catkins in central and northeastern Ontario. I received no information on birch crops from west of Lake Superior. Red Oak produced a fair to good crop of acorns in central Ontario, compared to last year's complete failure. American Beech had a good crop of beechnuts in central Ontario including a report from the Haliburton Highlands of "Black Bear dung being full of beechnut husks." American and Showy Mountain-ashes have good to bumper berry crops across much of the north including a report from Lake Nipigon of bear dung evidence. European Mountain-ash (rowan) in the settled areas of southern Ontario also has a large berry crop. PINE GROSBEAK: Mountain-ash berries are abundant across much of northern Ontario. The big berry crop should keep most Pine Grosbeaks in the north this winter. A few Pines are expected along Highway 60 in Algonquin Park, but few if any should get into the settled parts of southern Ontario. PURPLE FINCH: Good numbers winter in central and northern Ontario only in years of bumper seed crops on several tree species. Most Purple Finches will migrate out of Ontario this fall because seed crops are not bumper in northern Ontario. However, a few should winter in southern Ontario. Watch for them at bird feeders. RED CROSSBILL: There are at least eight types of Red Crossbills in North America that may be separate species. They differ in calls, size, bill size and cone preferences. Ontario has at least three types of Red Crossbill. Two are adapted to pines and one to hemlock. The uncommon resident "white pine crossbill" prefers White Pine cones, which has a big crop in northeastern Algonquin Park and excellent crops north and west of the Ottawa River and Lake Nipissing. The visiting "red pine crossbill" prefers Red Pine cones, which has a good crop this year. Eastern Hemlock has average cone crops in most areas so the small-billed "hemlock crossbill" (sitkensis) will be uncommon or absent this winter. Look and listen for them in large stands of hemlock such as along Highway 60 in Algonquin Park and the adjacent Haliburton Highlands. Red Crossbills in Ontario rarely feed on spruce. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL: Like a pendulum, White-winged Crossbills move back and forth across the coniferous forests from Alaska to Newfoundland. This crossbill is keyed to spruce. It also feeds on Balsam Fir, Tamarack and sometimes Eastern Hemlock, but rarely on pines unless stressed for food. There are good to excellent cone crops on spruce and fir in parts of northeastern Ontario and elsewhere, but White-winged Crossbills are currently scarce in northern Ontario and Algonquin Park. Where are they? Perhaps they went to Newfoundland where White-winged Crossbills recently fledged thousands of young because of the bumper cone crops on spruce and fir. They may stay in Newfoundland to nest again (Bruce Mactavish, pers. comm.). When they leave Newfoundland, perhaps this winter, watch for them as they seek big crops of spruce. COMMON and HOARY REDPOLLS: Southward movements of Common Redpolls are linked to the abundance of birch seeds in the boreal forest. Since birch crops are fair to good in northeastern and central Ontario, I expect many redpolls will remain in the north, but small numbers should reach southern Ontario because the birch crop is not big enough to hold all redpolls in the north. Watch for Hoary Redpolls among the Commons. Many first year and female Hoary Redpolls are tricky to identify, but a frosty adult male Hoary is unmistakable. In southern Ontario, redpolls frequent ornamental birches, weedy fields and feeders with nyger seed. It is often reported that redpolls show a "biennial periodicity" (every second year) in their irruptions south of the breeding range. However, Erskine and McManus (2003) suggested that the "irregular abundance but near-annual occurrence" of redpolls in the Atlantic Provinces is a better explanation than periodicity (two year cycle) in their irruptions. PINE SISKIN: Like the White-winged Crossbill, siskins wander the continent searching for seed crops. Many siskins are now migrating south out of Ontario, but a few should stay in the north and Algonquin Park because of locally good seed crops. Small numbers of siskins should also visit feeders in southern Ontario, where they prefer nyger seed. Siskins are aggressive at feeders, fighting with one another, goldfinches and redpolls. EVENING GROSBEAK: Despite an increase in bird feeders this species has decreased over the past 25 years. The reasons for the decline are not clear, but appear related to changes in the breeding habitat such as fewer big forest fires (fewer wild cherries) and fewer outbreaks of spruce budworm. Small numbers of Evening Grosbeaks should be widespread across northern Ontario. Expect some in Algonquin Park and at feeders in southern Ontario. They prefer black oil sunflower seeds. THREE IRRUPTIVE PASSERINES often associated with finch movements. BLUE JAYS: A good flight (smaller than last year) of Blue Jays migrated out of Ontario beginning about mid-September, but many have remained in central Ontario reflecting the moderate crop of acorns and good crops of beechnuts and hazel nuts this year. A few Blue Jays always winter far from humans in remote areas such as Algonquin Park. These isolated Blue Jays are often associated with a mated pair of Gray Jays on a permanent territory and partially depend on their food caches. A dependent Blue Jay with a pair of Gray Jays in winter was called a "satellite Blue Jay" by the late Russ Rutter, who did early studies of Gray Jays in Algonquin Park. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH: There has been a good (not big) migration through southern Ontario this fall. This suggests that an average crop of conifer seeds has held some for the winter in Algonquin Park and the boreal forest. BOHEMIAN WAXWING: This species and the Pine Grosbeak will stay mainly in the boreal forest this winter because of the excellent crop of mountain-ash berries. A few may get to traditional wintering areas in central Ontario such as Ottawa and Peterborough where European Mountain-ash also has many berries. If you see Bohemian Waxwings and Pine Grosbeaks feeding together in the same tree, note the similarity in size and coloration of female Pines and Bohemians. Are they mimics? WHERE TO SEE WINTER FINCHES: A winter trip to Algonquin Park is always worthwhile. Watch for finches in early morning along Highway 60. You may see finches on the highway eating road salt or salty sand. Finches have no fear of cars and hundreds are killed during big finch years. If you see or hear a flock of finches in flight, "squeak" loudly many times. Flying finches will often turn around and perch in nearby trees. The Visitor Centre and restaurant are open on weekends. The Visitor Centre has great feeders for finches and an observation deck. You also should see Gray Jays. Sometimes the suet feeder attracts Pine Marten and Fisher. Wolves are occasionally seen from the observation deck feeding on road-killed Moose put out by park staff. Arrangements can be made to see the feeders at the Visitor Centre during the week. For information on finches and wildlife sightings, call the Visitor Centre at 613-637-2828. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This forecast is based on information from Dennis Barry, Barb Boysen, Bill Crins, Dave Elder, Nick Escott, Al Foley, Jean Iron, Barry Kinch, Bob Knudsen, Chris Leale, Bruce Mactavish, John Miles, Fred Pinto, Don Sutherland, Megan Thompson, Ron Tozer, Linda Tucker, Mike Turner, Bill Van Schip, and Mike Walsh. I appreciate the comments by Ron Tozer of Algonquin Park on a draft of this post. LITERATURE CITED: Erskine, A.J. and R. McManus, Jr. 2003. Supposed periodicity of redpoll, Carduelis sp., winter visitations in Atlantic Canada. Canadian Field-Naturalist 117(4):611-620. I hope that everybody sees boreal finches this winter. Ron Pittaway Ontario Field Ornithologists Minden and Toronto E-mail: jeaniron@sympatico.ca From Strix_varia@comcast.net Wed Oct 13 23:15:33 2004 From: Strix_varia@comcast.net (Strix_varia@comcast.net) Date: Wed, 13 Oct 2004 22:15:33 +0000 Subject: [mou] Ross's Goose at Park Point Message-ID: <101320042215.15959.416DA9040000F82000003E5722007614380E079D0E90A198079D9BAC@comcast.net> I drove to Duluth this morning with a friend of mine, and despite the rainy weather, had a decent day. We spent most of the day at Park Point. Bird's Seen: Ross's Goose-Feeding on the soccer fields in amongst a flock of Canadas. I watched this bird for close to fifteen minutes at close range. American Golden Plover- Three of them feeding close to the flock of geese. Brown Creeper Red Breasted Nuthatch Palm Warbler Redhead Scaup- I think they were Greater but I didn't get a good enough look. Juncos and Song Sparrows were abundant. Good Birding! Nick Tangen Burnsville MN From Hagsela@aol.com Thu Oct 14 07:54:40 2004 From: Hagsela@aol.com (Hagsela@aol.com) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 02:54:40 EDT Subject: [mou] Snow Geese in Ramsey County Message-ID: <65.362570af.2e9f7cb0@aol.com> I observed at least two white phase Snow Geese in the field just northeast of the Larpenteur/Fairview intersection. The geese shared the field with many Canada Geese and were further back from the road (Fairview), partially hidded by plowed sod. I was able to see the grin patches, bill and head shapes with my scope. The field is a part of the U of M's Agricultural division. The time of observation was 1:30 on the 13th. I couldn't get more detailed looks because I was racing from one meeting to the next. Linda Sparling Hennepin County From ignacio_magpie@rohair.com Thu Oct 14 15:01:16 2004 From: ignacio_magpie@rohair.com (ignacio_magpie@rohair.com) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 09:01:16 -0500 (CDT) Subject: [mou] Excellent Lyon County birding Day Message-ID: <58178.156.99.142.99.1097762476.squirrel@156.99.142.99> 13-Oct-04 First, I'm reporting a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Black Rush Lake in the basin north of CR 59. This individual was about the same size [slightly larger] as Ring-billed Gulls present. It had a very dark gray mantle, white head, neck, and breast, and showed a white, unblemished tail. The wing tips were black, with no white "windows" present when the bird extended its wings for a stretch. The entire head, hindneck, and side of the neck of was white with buff-gray streaking - especially near the top of the hear around; concentrating in the area around the eyes. This streaking was faint lower on the front and sides of the neck, and almost absent on the hindneck. Its bill was bright golden-yellow with a red oval spot on the lower mandible near the gonys - the oval's length extending horizontally along the lower mandible. Eye color was light yellow with a dark iris. Leg color was not observed. Also in this location was a plegadis sp. It was flying around too much to ID conclusively. If that's not enough, a female or immature Peregring Falcon was also flying around; trying (without success) to grab a Franklin's Gull for lunch. Finally, not far from this location in a new development just south of the city limits of Lynd (in the area of the sewage ponds) were 4 Smith's Longspurs. They kicked up while on the construction equipment road down toward the new wetland being created for the development. They were seen at very close range for several minutes. A LeConte's Sparrow was also seen in this area. Looks like I got all my October birding done in one day. Roger Schroeder Marshall, MN From ignacio_magpie@rohair.com Thu Oct 14 15:01:16 2004 From: ignacio_magpie@rohair.com (ignacio_magpie@rohair.com) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 09:01:16 -0500 (CDT) Subject: [mou] Excellent Lyon County birding Day Message-ID: <58178.156.99.142.99.1097762476.squirrel@156.99.142.99> 13-Oct-04 First, I'm reporting a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Black Rush Lake in the basin north of CR 59. This individual was about the same size [slightly larger] as Ring-billed Gulls present. It had a very dark gray mantle, white head, neck, and breast, and showed a white, unblemished tail. The wing tips were black, with no white "windows" present when the bird extended its wings for a stretch. The entire head, hindneck, and side of the neck of was white with buff-gray streaking - especially near the top of the hear around; concentrating in the area around the eyes. This streaking was faint lower on the front and sides of the neck, and almost absent on the hindneck. Its bill was bright golden-yellow with a red oval spot on the lower mandible near the gonys - the oval's length extending horizontally along the lower mandible. Eye color was light yellow with a dark iris. Leg color was not observed. Also in this location was a plegadis sp. It was flying around too much to ID conclusively. If that's not enough, a female or immature Peregring Falcon was also flying around; trying (without success) to grab a Franklin's Gull for lunch. Finally, not far from this location in a new development just south of the city limits of Lynd (in the area of the sewage ponds) were 4 Smith's Longspurs. They kicked up while on the construction equipment road down toward the new wetland being created for the development. They were seen at very close range for several minutes. A LeConte's Sparrow was also seen in this area. Looks like I got all my October birding done in one day. Roger Schroeder Marshall, MN From jlind@nrri.umn.edu Thu Oct 14 18:11:16 2004 From: jlind@nrri.umn.edu (Jim Lind) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 12:11:16 -0500 Subject: [mou] Clark's Nutcracker - Silver Bay, Lake County Message-ID: <416E6CE4.3420.EA41F1@localhost> I just got word about a Clark's Nutcracker coming to a feeder this morning in Silver Bay, Lake County. The bird was still there as of about 11:30 am, and it was first seen this morning around 8:00 am. The homeowner has video of the bird and has described all of the appropriate field marks. The homeowner is open to having people come and look for the bird. The address is 144 Edison Boulevard, which is apparently in a residential area of town. I don't yet have a lot of the details, but the feeder is the visible from the sidewalk and road. Since the feeder is apparently between the house and garage, it doesn't sound like there is any reason to go into the backyard. Please use common sense and don't tresspass into the neighbors' yards, park on the street and don't block driveways, be nice, etc.. I am going to look for the bird soon and will be sure to post more details regarding procedures and directions later today. Jim Lind Two Harbors From dbmartin@skypoint.com Thu Oct 14 18:21:04 2004 From: dbmartin@skypoint.com (Dennis/Barbara Martin) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 12:21:04 -0500 Subject: [mou] Spotted Towhee-Hennepin County Message-ID: <000901c4b212$3353c560$032e56c7@oemcomputer> Looked at a towhee in our backyard this morning and were extremely surprised to see it was a first year female Spotted Towhee. We do a lot of ground feeding and the yard was covered with more than 60 juncos plus a lot of white-throateds and a few Fox Sparrows. Not to count all the other normal birds around. Overall there were probably better that 125 birds in the yard at once and that tends to attract unusual birds. In past years it has been times like this that we have seen swamp, clay-colored and other sparrows that we do not have the correct habitat for. We are presuming this was a first year bird as the gray-brown head color described in Sibley was interspersed with light brownish streaking. The back spotting and the dual wing bars were also a light tan color and not the clear white color shown in several field guides. We were able to get quite a few photos but as many of you know we use film and not digital so do not know yet if they will come out. We would appreciate comments from others who have experience with first year Spotted Towhees if we are interpreting the tan color as first year as this was new for us. Also of interest was a junco showing some of the marks of a Pink-sided Junco, a subspecies of the Dark-eyed Junco. This bird was not pure as it had marks of both the normal slate-colored race and the pink-sided. Dennis and Barbara Martin dbmartin@skypoint.com From smithville4@charter.net Thu Oct 14 22:09:05 2004 From: smithville4@charter.net (Mike Hendrickson) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 16:09:05 -0500 Subject: [mou] Cell phones and MOU-Net Message-ID: <000801c4b232$0a1bf5d0$46a47044@FAMILYCOMPUTER> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C4B208.20E900C0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I have a new phone that has email, internet and a bunch of other neat = stuff. I know some birders get postings on their cell phones and Paul = Budde has instructions in doing that. I don't have Paul's email and = maybe some of you all know the process and if you do could you send me = those instructions.=20 Oh ya there's a Clark's Nutcracker in Silver Bay! I had to sit with my = son at the dentist offices instead. I'll be heading up there mighty = early in the am hours to beat the expected crowds that are heading up = there on Fri.=20 Mike H. ------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C4B208.20E900C0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I have a new phone that has = email,=20 internet and a bunch of other neat stuff. I know some birders get = postings on=20 their cell phones and Paul Budde has instructions in doing that. I don't = have=20 Paul's email and maybe some of you all know the process and if you do = could you=20 send me those instructions.
 
Oh ya there's a Clark's = Nutcracker in=20 Silver Bay!  I had to sit with my son at the dentist offices = instead. I'll=20 be heading up there mighty early in the am hours to beat the expected = crowds=20 that are heading up there on Fri.
 
Mike = H.
------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C4B208.20E900C0-- From jslind@frontiernet.net Thu Oct 14 22:55:58 2004 From: jslind@frontiernet.net (Jim Lind) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 16:55:58 -0500 Subject: [mou] Clark's Nutcracker update Message-ID: <416EAF9E.17128.A59AA93@localhost> Hi all, I just returned from Silver Bay and had great looks at the Clark's Nutcracker. Kim Eckert and I were able to view the bird between 1:45 and 2:30 pm at the home of Peg and Steve Robertson at 144 Edison Boulevard. Today is the first day the bird has been seen. The Robertsons have given permission for birders to come and look for the bird, as long as people park along the street (without blocking any driveways or the fire hydrant) and NOT go beyond the sidewalk into anyone's lawn. Since this is the first Clark's Nutcracker that birders have been able to chase in Minnesota since the early 1970's, we don't want to wear out our welcome. Please do not call the homeowners. We were able to get clear views from the sidewalk while the bird foraged on cracked corn between the house and garage. It did not seem very skittish as we set up tripods, took photos, etc. from about 50 feet away. The bird went behind the garage a few times, but it always came back to the cracked corn between the house and the garage. The Robertsons said they would spread some cracked corn and mixed seed in front of the house, to try and get the bird to stay more visible. Directions: Silver Bay is about 55 miles from Duluth on Highway 61. At the Silver Bay stop light on Highway 61 (the only one), turn left onto Outer Drive and go 1.5 mile to the first stop sign, which is Edison Boulevard. Turn left and go about 2 blocks to 144 Edison Boulevard, which is on the right. Just park along the street and be sure not to walk beyond the sidewalk into anyone's yard. Good luck! Jim Lind Two Harbors From brsmith@sleepyeyetel.net Fri Oct 15 00:01:03 2004 From: brsmith@sleepyeyetel.net (Brian Smith) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 18:01:03 -0500 Subject: [mou] Ross's Goose/Brown Co. Message-ID: <008001c4b241$b0fe9830$388b2c42@S0026080567> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_007D_01C4B217.C59D9F90 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Today around 1:45 pm I found a juvenile Ross's Goose in a mixed flock of = Canada and Cackling Geese at Somsen Slough WMA, two miles west of New = Ulm on Hwy. 14. I was able to get very good looks at it through the = scope from maybe 150 yards and the sun was to my back. My ID was made = based on its relatively small size, noticeably round head and stubby = bill. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye ------=_NextPart_000_007D_01C4B217.C59D9F90 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Today around 1:45 pm I found a juvenile = Ross's=20 Goose in a mixed flock of Canada and Cackling Geese at Somsen Slough = WMA, two=20 miles west of New Ulm on Hwy. 14.  I was able to get very good = looks at it=20 through the scope from maybe 150 yards and the sun was to my back. My ID = was=20 made based on its relatively small size, noticeably round head and = stubby=20 bill.
 
Good birding,
 
Brian Smith
Sleepy Eye
------=_NextPart_000_007D_01C4B217.C59D9F90-- From dbmartin@skypoint.com Fri Oct 15 01:13:27 2004 From: dbmartin@skypoint.com (Dennis/Barbara Martin) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 19:13:27 -0500 Subject: [mou] Re: Spotted Towhee/Hennepin County Message-ID: <001d01c4b24b$cc222e60$d82e56c7@oemcomputer> The bird was around off and on all day but seems to be very skittish and also seems to be a little concerned about the Turkeys that are around off and on all day. If you want to come and look please feel free to do so. Park in our driveway and walk around the house to the left or east side. I suggest that you will do best if you do not go past the bush on the south east corner of the house. The bird was seen under various feeders and most often feeding on the millet on the ground next to the shed. I suspect that going past the bush will flush the numerous birds. The turkeys are two females and one juvenile and will leave you alone as they walk around the various feeders. Our house is west of 494 on Highway 7 to the fourth stoplight (Vine Hill.) Turn right or north, go 1/4 a block and take a left or west on Excelsior Blvd. 20185 is down about 1 1/2 blocks on your left hand side. Excelsior is rather busy so do park in the driveway and not on the street. If you do have to park on the street park on the west bound side as other cars will be better able to see you there. Dennis and Barbara Martin dbmartin@skypoint.com From ajjoppru@wiktel.com Fri Oct 15 02:33:37 2004 From: ajjoppru@wiktel.com (Jeanie Joppru) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 20:33:37 -0500 Subject: [mou] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Friday, October 15, 2004 Message-ID: <000101c4b257$06452470$dbd4aec6@main> This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, October 15, 2004 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. Fall colors are past their peak in all of the northwest now, cold winds foretell the approach of winter, and smell like snow. More than half the leaves have fallen from the trees from at least Pennington County northwards. On their way south waterfowl are increasing in numbers on the larger bodies of water and the wastewater treatment ponds. A PACIFIC LOON was reported by Bill Unzen on Lake Bemidji in Beltrami County on Monday, October 11th. When it was discovered it was near the Bemidji State University dock. The bird was relocated on Tuesday, but has not been found since then.=20 CACKLING GEESE were reported from Clay, Red Lake, and Pennington Counties this week. Keep your eyes open, and check the flocks of Canada Geese for these smaller geese. Dan and Sandy Thimgan reported three flocks of AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS of 30-40 each in Wilkin County. One flock was at the Breckenridge wastewater treatment ponds, and the others in the Rothsay Prairie area. This species seems to be favoring wet recently harvested soybean fields. Roland Jordahl reported from Otter Tail County this week. Among his sightings were BROAD-WINGED HAWK, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. Joe Gartner and his son visited a number of SNA's on October 7th, and at the Otter Tail Prairie SNA southwest of Fergus Falls, they found forty GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKENS, a SHORT-EARED OWL, and WESTERN MEADOWLARKS. At the Rabbit River WPA Dan and Sandy Thimgan observed a flock of 25 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS. >From Becker County, Luke Pechmann reported FOX SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and DARK-EYED JUNCO . Shar Legenhausen observed seven TRUMPETER SWANS on Momb Lake. On October 7th Benjamin Fritchman found a partial albino HARRIS'S SPARROW at Felton Prairie in Clay County. There, too, he found a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and a GREATER YELLOWLEGS. He also saw CACKLING GEESE at the Moorhead wastewater treatment ponds. There were 29 GREATER YELLOWLEGS at the Glyndon wastewater treatment ponds. On the 11th, Benjamin observed 102 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS along CR 51 one mile east of CR 11 west of Barnesville. At the Barnesville wastewater treatment ponds there were twenty BONAPARTE'S GULLS. Mel and Elaine Bennefeld found 12 PURPLE FINCHES at the Ponderosa Golf Club in Clay County on October 12th. At Bluestem Prairie SNA near Glyndon, Joe Gartner reported SHORT-EARED OWL, HARRIS'S SPARROW, and NELSON'S SHARP-TAILED SPARROW. In Norman County on the 10th, Doug Johnson saw GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKENS, and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. Joe Gartner was there on the 9th, and he found a MERLIN, FERRUGINOUS HAWK, and a variety of sparrows at the Sandpiper SNA near Twin Valley. While driving through Mahnomen County, Doug observed a PEREGRINE FALCON at the Mahnomen wastewater treatment ponds on October 10th. At Santee Prairie SNA near Mahnomen, Joe Gartner found a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Bill Unzen reported an adult SABINE'S GULL on Lake Bemidji in Beltrami County on October 8th. Pat DeWenter had RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, and BROWN CREEPER in her yard on October 9th.=20 Joe Gartner and his son observed a FIELD SPARROW in the Gully Fen in Polk County on October 9th. Shelley Steva and I found a mixed flock of HORNED LARKS, and LAPLAND LONGSPURS that included about 20 SMITH'S LONGSPURS in northwestern Marshall County on October 9th. At the same location was a small flock of BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS. Mary Broten reported WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, and DARK-EYED JUNCOS in that county also. Here in Pennington County, I heard a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH in the yard, and there were many AMERICAN ROBINS, EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS in the yard during the past week. 14 SANDHILL CRANES flew over on Sunday, October 10th. At the Two Rivers Aspen Parkland Prairie SNA near Pelan, Joe Gartner found a GRAY JAY on October 9th. Thanks to Benjamin Fritchman, Mel and Elaine Bennefeld, Roland Jordahl, Luke Pechmann, Bill Unzen, Mary Broten, Shar Legenhausen, Doug Johnson, Joe Gartner, and Pat DeWenter 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, October 22, 2004. From psvingen@d.umn.edu Fri Oct 15 02:46:21 2004 From: psvingen@d.umn.edu (Peder Svingen) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 20:46:21 -0500 (CDT) Subject: [mou] Mille Lacs Message-ID: A shore-based survey of Mille Lacs today (14 October) found good numbers of loons. Conditions were ideal with light winds, temperatures in the 40s, and broken overcast which provided excellent light conditions and calm water. Even though the south shore between Vineland Bay and Wahkon Bay was not checked, a total of 1467 Common Loons was counted and included a flock of 252 along the north shore near the Carlsona Beach Club. An adult Red-throated Loon was seen on St. Albans Bay (Crow Wing County), probably the same individual reported by Pastor Al on nearby Wigwam Bay on the 3rd. The total of 492 Bonaparte's Gulls was unimpressive for mid-October. No scoters, terns, shorebirds, or unusual gulls were found. -- Peder H. Svingen - psvingen@d.umn.edu - Duluth, MN From drbenson@cpinternet.com Fri Oct 15 03:02:40 2004 From: drbenson@cpinternet.com (David Benson) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 21:02:40 -0500 Subject: [mou] Duluth RBA 10/14/04 Message-ID: <4B8CAA89-1E4E-11D9-B1E2-000A95AC3AF2@cpinternet.com> This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, October 14th, 2004, sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. Peg Robertsen has a CLARK'S NUTCRACKER at her feeders in Silver Bay. The bird was found today and was still present at nightfall this evening. Silver Bay is about 55 miles from Duluth on Highway 61. At the Silver Bay stop light on Highway 61 (the only one), turn left onto Outer Drive and go 1.5 mile to the first stop sign, which is Edison Boulevard. Turn left and go about 2 blocks to 144 Edison Boulevard, which is on the right. Just park along the street and be sure not to walk beyond the sidewalk into anyone's yard. Tom Auer found a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER at 40th Ave West on the 7th. The bird has not been reported again since the 9th. Another SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was found by Jerry Wozniaki on the 9th on Hwy 5 in Northern St. Louis County. Mike Hendrickson saw a first-winter LITTLE GULL, a winter-plumage PACIFIC LOON, and a first-winter THAYER'S GULL at the Superior Entry on the 10th. He also found WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in the pines at Wisconsin Point, and the two WESTERN GREBES were still on the lake off Minnesota Point. Dan Ammerman saw the GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL at Wisconsin Point in Superior on the 11th. Dan Beran saw a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE at Minnesota Point near the airport on the 9th. Nick Tangen reported a ROSS' GOOSE at the ballfield at Park Point on the 13th. Don Kienholz had a BOREAL CHICKADEE at his feeders in Duluth on the 11th. Many observers saw SHORT-EARED OWLS late last week. Jim Barrett saw at least six at 40th Ave West in Duluth on the 7th. Jim and Sharon Lind saw at least five birds at various points along the North Shore on the 9th. They also reported six SURF SCOTERS and one WHITE-WINGED SCOTER at Paradise Beach on the 10th, and another SURF SCOTER at Good Harbor Bay. Steve Weston saw at least three SURF SCOTERS off Minnesota Point on the 10th. Jan Green saw an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN at Brighton Beach on the 10th. In Sax-Zim, Deb Buria-Falkowski saw the NORTHERN HAWK OWL and NORTHERN SHRIKE at Stone Lake Rd (Cty Rd 319) on the 11th. Ben Yokel had a GREAT GRAY OWL on Hwy 16 (Townline Rd), 7.5 miles west of Hwy 7. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, October 21st. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-728-5030. Information about bird sightings may be left following the recorded message. 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 to mou@cbs.umn.edu, or visit the MOU web site at mou.mn.org. From axhertzel@sihope.com Fri Oct 15 03:34:32 2004 From: axhertzel@sihope.com (Anthony X. Hertzel) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 21:34:32 -0500 Subject: [mou] MOU RBA 14 October 2004 Message-ID: --============_-1114314818==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, October 14th. Peg Robertsen reported a CLARK'S NUTCRACKER at her feeders in Silver Bay, Lake County today, and the bird has been present throughout the day. The Robertsons have given permission for birders to come and look for the bird, as long as people park along the street without blocking any driveways or access to the fire hydrant, and do not venture beyond the sidewalk into anyone's yard. At the Silver Bay stop light on Highway 61, turn left onto Outer Drive and go a mile and a half to the stop sign at Edison Boulevard. Turn left and go about two blocks to 144 Edison Boulevard. The bird tends to forage on the ground between the house and garage. Please do not call the homeowners for updates or additional information. 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. 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, October 21st. -- Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com --============_-1114314818==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" MOU RBA 14 October 2004
This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, October 14th.

Peg Robertsen reported a CLARK'S NUTCRACKER at her feeders in Silver Bay, Lake County today, and the bird has been present throughout the day. The Robertsons have given permission for birders to come and look for the bird, as long as people park along the street without blocking any driveways or access to the fire hydrant, and do not venture beyond the sidewalk into anyone's yard.

At the Silver Bay stop light on Highway 61, turn left onto Outer Drive and go a mile and a half to the stop sign at Edison Boulevard. Turn left and go about two blocks to 144 Edison Boulevard. The bird tends to forage on the ground between the house and garage. Please do not call the homeowners for updates or additional information.

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, October 21st.

--
Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com
--============_-1114314818==_ma============-- From mattjim@earthlink.net Fri Oct 15 14:54:57 2004 From: mattjim@earthlink.net (James Mattsson) Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 08:54:57 -0500 Subject: [mou] Smith's Longspurs, etc., Cottonwood Co. Message-ID: <410-2200410515135457306@earthlink.net> ------=_NextPart_84815C5ABAF209EF376268C8 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Had 3 encounters with Smith's Longspurs yesterday (14th) at Red Rocks Prairie in Cottonwood Co. On the north facing slope, about 300 m east of the wooden sign, 6 birds flushed from the mowed grass and flew by me within 10m at near eye-level. They called several times - a sharp, dry staccato rattle- and I could easily see their distinctive ochre/buffy uniform underparts and white outer tail feathers. Then a single flushed 10m away and also called. Along the east fence I had a group of 12 birds calling 5-10 m over head in excellent light. They circled me for about 30 seconds affording good views of underparts and tail patterns. They then flew south and were joined by about 30-40 unidentified longspurs. Also flushed a Sedge Wren and a LeConte's Sparrow. Finally, I glassed a small wet area on north side of Brown Co. CR 6, 2.8 miles west of Lake Hanska boat access. There were 160 American Golden-plovers, 1 Stilt Sp, 1 Semipalmated Sp., and several pipits and snipe. James Mattsson mattjim@earthlink.net Why Wait? Move to EarthLink. ------=_NextPart_84815C5ABAF209EF376268C8 Content-Type: text/html; charset=US-ASCII

Had 3 encounters with Smith's Longspurs yesterday (14th) at Red Rocks Prairie in Cottonwood Co. On the north facing slope, about 300 m east of the wooden sign, 6 birds flushed from the mowed grass and flew by me within 10m at near eye-level. They called several times - a sharp, dry staccato rattle- and I could easily see their distinctive ochre/buffy uniform underparts and white outer tail feathers. Then a single flushed 10m away and also called. Along the east fence I had a group of 12 birds calling 5-10 m over head in excellent light. They circled me for about 30 seconds affording good views of underparts and tail patterns. They then flew south and were joined by about 30-40 unidentified longspurs.
 
Also flushed a Sedge Wren and a LeConte's Sparrow.
 
Finally, I  glassed a small wet area on north side of Brown Co. CR 6, 2.8 miles west of Lake Hanska boat access. There were 160 American Golden-plovers, 1 Stilt Sp, 1 Semipalmated Sp., and several pipits and snipe.
 
James Mattsson
Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.
 

------=_NextPart_84815C5ABAF209EF376268C8-- From Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com Fri Oct 15 15:29:05 2004 From: Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com (Chris Fagyal) Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 09:29:05 -0500 Subject: [mou] Cell phones and MOU-Net Message-ID: --=_321211AA.05651252 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I'd love to see something set up for Minnesota like they have over in the UK. They have a great system over there where people get bird alerts on their pagers or cell phones. It'd be great to be out birding, especially during the busy weekends, such as Hawk Ridge weekend in Sept, when historically there are a lot of birders in Duluth, and be able to receive the latest current updates on what is seen and where, or if someone spots something new, immediatly everyone can be notified. Something as simple as "Pacific Loon - Park Point - Airport" or "Black-backed Woodpecker - Hawk Ridge" would be sufficient. It's always disappointing to be out birding, especially when you've travelled a distance from home, and find out when you return something cool was found that you didn't hear about or weren't in the right place at the right time and thus missed. If this is already set up for Mou-Net please post publically on how it is done as i'd like to set my phone up for these alerts. The brits really have it figured out..hopefully we can catch up :) Chris Fagyal Senior Software Engineer United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'til Nov 1) Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1) (763) 572-5320 (408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1) chris.fagyal@udlp.com >>> "Mike Hendrickson" 10/14/2004 14:09:05 PM >>> I have a new phone that has email, internet and a bunch of other neat stuff. I know some birders get postings on their cell phones and Paul Budde has instructions in doing that. I don't have Paul's email and maybe some of you all know the process and if you do could you send me those instructions. Oh ya there's a Clark's Nutcracker in Silver Bay! I had to sit with my son at the dentist offices instead. I'll be heading up there mighty early in the am hours to beat the expected crowds that are heading up there on Fri. Mike H. --=_321211AA.05651252 Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
I'd love to see something set up for Minnesota like they h ave over in the UK.  They have a great system over there where people get b ird alerts on their pagers or cell phones.  It'd be great to be out birding , especially during the busy weekends, such as Hawk Ridge weekend in Sept, whe n historically there are a lot of birders in Duluth, and be able to receive th e latest current updates on what is seen and where, or if someone spots someth ing new, immediatly everyone can be notified.  Something as simple as "Paci fic Loon - Park Point - Airport" or "Black-backed Woodpecker - Hawk Ridge" would be sufficient.  It's always disappointing to be out birding, especially wh en you've travelled a distance from home, and find out when you return somethin g cool was found that you didn't hear about or weren't in the right place at t he right time and thus missed.
 
If this is already set up for Mou-Net please post publical ly on how it is done as i'd like to set my phone up for these alerts.  The brits really have it figured out..hopefully we can catch up :)
< FONT size=2>
 
 
Chris Fagyal
Senior Software Engineer
United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'til Nov 1)
Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1)
(763) 572-5320
(408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1)
chris.fagyal@udlp.com

>> ;> "Mike Hendrickson" <smithville4@charter.net> 10/14/2004 14:09:05 PM >>>
I have a new phone that has email, internet and a bunch of other neat stuff. I know some birders get postings o n their cell phones and Paul Budde has instructions in doing that. I don't hav e Paul's email and maybe some of you all know the process and if you do could you send me those instructions.
 
Oh ya there's a Clark's Nutcracker in Silver Bay!  I had to sit with my son at the dentist offices instead. I 'll be heading up there mighty early in the am hours to beat the expected crowds that are heading up there on Fri.
 
Mike H.
--=_321211AA.05651252-- From two-jays@att.net Fri Oct 15 18:10:58 2004 From: two-jays@att.net (Jim Williams) Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 10:10:58 -0700 Subject: [mou] Chandler Robbins, Bill Evans to speak at seminar Message-ID: WSO/WBCI Symposium Neotropical Migrants: Insuring Their Return February 4 =AD 5, 2005 Join the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology and Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative in wintry February to learn about how the birds that breed in th= e Great Lakes area are living on their own wintering grounds, and what trials they will face during their return journey. WSO/WBCI Symposium 2005, entitled Neotropical Migrants: Insuring Their Return, will be held February 4 =AD 5, 2005, at Hotel Mead and Conference Center, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Speakers and topics: Chandler Robbins will deliver the keynote speech at the dinner on Friday evening. A senior ornithologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Maryland= , Robbins has written more than 400 papers, reports and books on ornithology, including the Golden Guide to Birds of North America. =20 Bill Evans, pioneering researcher in interpreting the flight calls of migrating birds, will present results and analysis of his research. =20 Other topics include the physiology of migration, radar ornithology, population status of our Neotropical migrants, updates on programs of Partners in Flight and Birds without Borders, and much, much more. =20 Three concurrent sessions on Saturday will focus on bird education, conservation in Latin America, and conservation of birds in migration. We are also pleased to provide two additional programs in support of habitats and researchers: Three companies have agreed to donate fair trade, organic shadegrown coffe= e for breaks and meals, enough to cover the entire two days =AD Cafe Altura (www.cafealtura.com, 800-526-8328), Caf=E9 Mam (www.cafemam.com, 888-223-3626= ) and Green Mountain Coffee (www.greenmountaincoffee.com, 888-879-4627). =20 In support of Birders=B9 Exchange and its program to provide optics and othe= r aids for people doing research in Latin America, optics that are donated to Birders=B9 Exchange in conjunction with the event will be matched with new binoculars on a one-for-two basis by Eagle Optics of Middleton, Wisconsin (www.eagleoptics.com, 800-289-1132). Registration materials, which include more detailed information, are available on the websites for WSO and WBCI. Go to www.uwgb.edu/birds/wso/dates.htm#meetings or www.wisconsinbirds.org/events.htm (choose WSO/WBCI Symposium; Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open the file). You can also contact Christine Reel, dcreel@execpc.com or 262-547-6128 for a copy of the registration materials. For more information contact Christine Reel, dcreel@execpc.com or 262-547-6128 From two-jays@att.net Fri Oct 15 18:12:53 2004 From: two-jays@att.net (Jim Williams) Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 10:12:53 -0700 Subject: [mou] seminar notice Message-ID: The WSO seminar notice was posted by Jim Williams, Wayzata. I forgot to add my name to the post. Jim Williams From Paul.Budde@us.benfieldgroup.com Fri Oct 15 17:07:55 2004 From: Paul.Budde@us.benfieldgroup.com (Paul Budde) Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 11:07:55 -0500 Subject: [mou] Cell phones and MOU-Net Message-ID: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C4B2D1.218DBABB Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Per Chris's question, we've had this capacity since the beginning of mou-net. Folks with phones that can receive e-mail messages can subscribe their phone-just like their computer--to mou-net. If you cannot send a message to the mailman server from your phone, mou-net administrators can subscribe the account manually. Just send us the address for your phone. You can get that from your phone service provider. Please note that typically such messages are limited to 150 characters of text. Paul ------_=_NextPart_001_01C4B2D1.218DBABB Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Per Chris’s question, = we’ve had this capacity since the beginning of mou-net.  Folks with = phones that can receive e-mail messages can subscribe their phone—just like = their computer--to mou-net.  If you cannot send a message to the mailman = server from your phone, mou-net administrators can subscribe the account = manually.  Just send us the address for your phone.  You can get that from = your phone service provider.  Please note that typically such messages are = limited to 150 characters of text.

Paul

------_=_NextPart_001_01C4B2D1.218DBABB-- From Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com Fri Oct 15 17:45:59 2004 From: Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com (Chris Fagyal) Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 11:45:59 -0500 Subject: [mou] Re: Cell phones and MOU-Net Message-ID: --=_644447DC.5C3C4B16 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Windows-874 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit This I knew about, as obviously any phone with email capability can subscribe to any list server you want to, with whatever restriction your cell phone company places on message length being the limiting factor. What they have in the UK is an alert system through cell phones/pagers. I'd imagine (and this is only a guess) that it is some sort of special list server set up that is subscribed to where people post very brief messages in a certain pre-defined format so that quick alerts can be sent throughout the UK when a rare bird is found. Since "Twitching" is so popular in the UK, this bird alert system they have set up is also real popular. I wonder if a similar sort of thing could be set up for Minnesota. Some sort of simple short message format could be set up as follows: - - -
    ht= tp://cbs.umn.edu/pipermail/mou-net/2004-October/thread.html
 
Go to the bottom of the = page and look=20 for Clark's Nutcracker in the subject.
 
The web site for Minnesota = birding=20 is:
 
    http://www.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/
 
Why is it important?  = Birders have=20 lists of birds that they have seen.  Its a little like collecting = stamps,=20 where you try to get as many as you can.  Many of the Minnesota = birders=20 have lists of birds that they have seen in the state.  To = increase the=20 number of birds seen in the state, they need to run to wherever a new = bird is=20 spotted.  That is why you are seeing so many birders.  I = assume=20 that the birders leave when they have seen the bird and the = bird has=20 gone away.
 
In addition to lists of = birds seen in=20 the state, you have birds seen in North America, in the World, in a = particular=20 county in Minnesota, in a particular month, or even on a particular = day. =20 It really is just a reason to get out in the open and see something=20 new.
---
David Cahlander david@cahlander.com = Burnsville, MN=20 952-894-5910
 
------=_NextPart_000_0015_01C4B49A.B46F8FF0-- From cfagyal@avianphotos.org Mon Oct 18 06:01:43 2004 From: cfagyal@avianphotos.org (Chris Fagyal) Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2004 22:01:43 -0700 Subject: [mou] Clark's Nutcracker pics Message-ID: <41734E37.7060808@avianphotos.org> All, I went up on Saturday with Bob Dunlap and Chris Hockema to the north shore to see the Nutcracker. We arrived at the crack of dawn, and after about an hour or a bit more, a bunch of us including the above mentioned people as well as Carol Schumacher, Drew Smith, and several others found it at 20 Lee Circle in someone's backyard after they alerted us to its presence. I was able to get multiple pictures that I now am able to post that I am back at my laptop. I have posted 2 reasonably useful images on my website. www.avianphotos.org and go to the Minnesota album. Chris From Chris Benson" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0029_01C4B4F1.55A03FE0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Yesterday afternoon (10/17) around 2PM a Tufted Titmouse made an appearance in my yard in Rochester. I will be home during the day today if anyone wants to take a chance that the bird will return. My address is: 1495 Sunset Av SE Rochester, MN for directions you can call me on my cell phone 507-269-1282 I can't promise anything. Last fall and winter I heard one on and off but this is the first encounter in many months. There is a wooded city park across the street so it may be a resident in the nearby area. Chris Benson ------=_NextPart_000_0029_01C4B4F1.55A03FE0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Yesterday afternoon (10/17) around 2PM = a Tufted=20 Titmouse made
an appearance in my yard in = Rochester.
I will be home during the day today if = anyone wants=20 to take a chance
that the bird will return.
My address is:  1495 Sunset Av = SE
       =20             =    =20 Rochester, MN
 
for directions you can call me on my = cell phone=20 507-269-1282
 
I can't promise anything.  Last = fall and=20 winter I heard one on and off
but this is the first encounter in = many=20 months.  There is a wooded
city park across the street so it may = be a resident=20 in the nearby area.
 
Chris Benson
------=_NextPart_000_0029_01C4B4F1.55A03FE0-- From Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com Mon Oct 18 17:11:28 2004 From: Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com (Chris Fagyal) Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 11:11:28 -0500 Subject: [mou] Minnesota Bird Alerts mailing list Message-ID: All, A few days ago I wrote about an idea I thought would be useful, especially for subscribing to with a cell phone to allow people around the state to get instant alerts about the finding or refinding of rare birds in Minnesota, analagous to the alert system that is set up in the UK. I got surprisingly few emails regarding this, but since my domain has the ability to host mailing lists, I decided to set it up anyways to test it out and see if people actually wanted something like that. I have set it up as mou-alert@avianphotos.org To subscribe send an email to mou-alert-request@avianphotos.org with the word subscribe in the subject line. The message doesn't need anything in it. I propose the format for messages be as follows (pretty much what I described in my previous post) Subject: Message: - -
 =20

The 3rd=20 Annual=20 Rivers & Bluffs F= all=20 Birding Festival will take place in Lansing, Iowa on Nov. 12-14,=20 2004 

 

There will be field trips to discover hidden treasures in=20 Iowa, Minnesota & Wisconsin.

 

Lansing is located just 40 miles downriver from La Crosse, WI= ; 30=20 miles upriver from Prairie du Chien, WI or, 35 miles east of Decorah, IA and 35 miles west of Viroqua,= =20 WI

 

Any income beyond expenses will be used to support future bir= d=20 education and bird conservation projects.

 

For More Details email: <= SPAN=20 style=3D"COLOR: windowtext">Ric.Zarwell@mchsi.com,= or=20 phone (563) 538-4991 or check the website at http://www.iowabirds.org/mai= n/home.asp.

 

Good birding,

 

Al Batt

<= /HTML> -------------------------------1098547652-- From bluejay@lauraerickson.com Sat Oct 23 17:27:27 2004 From: bluejay@lauraerickson.com (Laura Erickson) Date: Sat, 23 Oct 2004 11:27:27 -0500 Subject: [mou] Duluth checklist In-Reply-To: <3FFF0143-23E6-11D9-9AF3-000A95AC3AF2@cpinternet.com> Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20041023104019.025e7f48@SMTP.lauraerickson.com> I've been putting together a checklist of Duluth birds that people can download from the Duluth Audubon website. I haven't linked it to our website yet, because I want it to be vetted by experts first. If anyone has any comments about or suggestions for improving either the checklist or the supporting information, I'd sure appreciate it. Laura Erickson Duluth, MN NOTE address change: bluejay@lauraerickson.com Producer, "For the Birds" radio program There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of birds. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature--the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter. --Rachel Carson From axhertzel@sihope.com Sat Oct 23 23:03:04 2004 From: axhertzel@sihope.com (Anthony X. Hertzel) Date: Sat, 23 Oct 2004 17:03:04 -0500 Subject: [mou] Curlew Sandpiper Message-ID: This morning, Mike Hendrickson found a Curlew Sandpiper at Wisconsin Point. When first observed, the bird was in Duluth at the far end of Park Point, but it quickly moved on into Wisconsin where it landed briefly and was documented by several birders. The sandpiper then continued south or southeast and out of sight, unlikely to be seen in Minnesota again. Mike called and asked me to post this for him. -- Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com From jslind@frontiernet.net Sat Oct 23 23:23:58 2004 From: jslind@frontiernet.net (Jim Lind) Date: Sat, 23 Oct 2004 17:23:58 -0500 Subject: [mou] Cattle Egrets, Harlequin Duck - Two Harbors Message-ID: <417A93AE.22557.38CC7869@localhost> Peder Svingen and Phil Chu found 5 Cattle Egrets in Two Harbors this morning in the ball field along Country Highway 2, two blocks north of Highway 61. The birds have been seen throughout the day on the east side of Highway 2 between the Holiday gas station, and the Two Harbors hospital. The female Harlequin Duck was seen this afternoon near the campground at Burlington Bay along with a Long-tailed Duck. Jim Lind Two Harbors From smithville4@charter.net Sun Oct 24 00:20:01 2004 From: smithville4@charter.net (Mike Hendrickson) Date: Sat, 23 Oct 2004 18:20:01 -0500 Subject: [mou] Curlew Sandpiper/Gr.Black-backed Gulls Message-ID: <002001c4b956$d229d760$46a47044@FAMILYCOMPUTER> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_001D_01C4B92C.E8EF8F50 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable The Curlew Sandpiper flew into Minnesota around 11:15-30am. I noticed a = small group of shorebirds flying into WI. The shorebirds landed on the = beach about 100 yrds from us. The beach I am talking about is the small = beach area between the Superior Entry and the small parking lot at the = base of the WI break wall. Bob Schmoker from Colorado and myself = watched the bird for almost 4-5 minutes. While keying on some field = marks and Bob taking pictures thru his scope the birds flushed and = headed south over the parking lot and down the beach towards Gull Bluff. On the Minnesota break wal there were two first winter Greater = Black-backed Gulls. I would assume these gulls are chaseable as they = were seen thru out the morning on both the Minnesota break wall and the = WI break wall. Also there were a few Thayers Gulls present as well. I = saw at least one adult and possibly two and one immature. We also = refound the 2nd winter Glaucous Gull on the Minnesota break wall. ** I am calling this a probable Curlew Sandpiper. What is tough on this = bird it was a juvenile bird. Bob and I viewed his digitals and saw what = we felt were key field marks making this a Juv. Curlew Sandpiper. Bob = is meeting Chris Woods, Peder Svingen and Phil Chu in Grand Marais = tonight and there they will view Bob's pictures. Anyway it made for a = exciting morning and my birthday. Other birds seen today: Cattle Egrets in Two Harbors ( See Jim Lind's post) Harlequin Duck ( Burlington Bay - see Jim's post) Northern Cardinal at Home Sweet Home gift store near Lake View Castle. Whats what: There is two main rocky break walls that make the Superior Entry. One = side is Minnesota and the only way to walk on it is to start at Park = Point airport and keep walking south. The other is WI and you can drive = to it from Moccasin Mike Rd off Hwy 2 South of Superior, WI. The break = wall you can walk out to a small light house and use it for shelter from = NW winds. Then there is another cement break wall that wraps around the = old coast guard building at WI Pt. The break wall is in the middle of = the main long break walls. there is a bay on the south side and the = superior entry on the north side. Its a small break wall and you can = park near the large rock pile and walk out to it. From here you can view = gulls on the Minnesota side when the gulls are roosting at the base of = the Mn break wall. If the gulls are roosting at the tip of the Minnesota = break wall then you can get a much better viewing of them by walking out = on the WI break wall that has the light house at the end of it. This morning I was standing and observing birds from the small middle = break wall and looking at the gulls on the Mn. side because they = roosting at the base of the Mn break wall. Today the winds were from the SE and they are switching over to the West = on Sat night and Sunday.=20 Mike Hendrickson ------=_NextPart_000_001D_01C4B92C.E8EF8F50 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
The Curlew Sandpiper flew = into Minnesota=20 around 11:15-30am. I noticed a small group of shorebirds flying into WI. = The=20 shorebirds landed on the beach about 100 yrds from us. The beach I am = talking=20 about is the small beach area between the Superior Entry and the small = parking=20 lot at the base of the WI break wall.  Bob Schmoker from Colorado = and=20 myself watched the bird for almost 4-5 minutes.  While keying on = some field=20 marks and Bob taking pictures thru his scope the birds flushed and = headed south=20 over the parking lot and down the beach towards Gull Bluff.
 
On the Minnesota break wal = there were two=20 first winter Greater Black-backed Gulls. I would assume these gulls are=20 chaseable as they were seen thru out the morning on both the Minnesota = break=20 wall and the WI break wall. Also there were a few Thayers Gulls present = as well.=20 I saw at least one adult and possibly two and one immature.  We = also=20 refound the 2nd winter Glaucous Gull on the Minnesota break = wall.
 
** I am calling this a = probable Curlew=20 Sandpiper. What is tough on this bird it was a juvenile bird. Bob and I = viewed=20 his digitals and saw what we felt were key field marks making this = a Juv.=20 Curlew Sandpiper.  Bob is meeting Chris Woods, Peder Svingen and = Phil Chu=20 in Grand Marais tonight and there they will view Bob's pictures. Anyway = it made=20 for a exciting morning and my birthday.
 
Other birds seen = today:
 
Cattle Egrets in Two Harbors = ( See Jim=20 Lind's post)
Harlequin Duck ( Burlington = Bay - see=20 Jim's post)
Northern Cardinal at Home = Sweet Home gift=20 store near Lake View Castle.
 
Whats what:
 
There is two main rocky break = walls that=20 make the Superior Entry. One side is Minnesota and the only way to walk = on it is=20 to start at Park Point airport and keep walking south. The other is WI = and you=20 can drive to it from Moccasin Mike Rd off Hwy 2  South of Superior, = WI. The=20 break wall you can walk out to a small light house and use it for = shelter from=20 NW winds. Then there is another cement break wall that wraps around the = old=20 coast guard building at WI Pt. The break wall is in the middle of the = main long=20 break walls. there is a bay on the south side and the superior entry on = the=20 north side. Its a small break wall and you can park near the large = rock=20 pile and walk out to it. From here you can view gulls on the Minnesota = side when=20 the gulls are roosting at the base of the Mn break wall. If the gulls = are=20 roosting at the tip of the Minnesota break wall then you can get a much = better=20 viewing of them by walking out on the WI break wall that has the light = house at=20 the end of it.
 
This morning I was standing = and observing=20 birds from the small middle break wall and looking at the gulls on the = Mn. side=20 because they roosting at the base of the Mn break wall.
 
Today the winds were from the = SE and they=20 are switching over to the West on Sat night and Sunday.
 
Mike=20 Hendrickson
------=_NextPart_000_001D_01C4B92C.E8EF8F50-- From smithville4@charter.net Sun Oct 24 01:11:08 2004 From: smithville4@charter.net (Mike Hendrickson) Date: Sat, 23 Oct 2004 19:11:08 -0500 Subject: [mou] Cook Co. BIRDS! Message-ID: <000a01c4b95d$f6a82bd0$46a47044@FAMILYCOMPUTER> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0007_01C4B934.0D050FD0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable To many to mention but I just got a phone cal from Peder Svingen and Tom = Auer. Tom Auer found a Pacific Loon at Paradise Beach today. and refound a Mt. Bluebird at the Minnesota/Canadian custom building = (border) Reported by Thunnder Bay birders earlier this week. Tom also = saw the reported Fork-tailed Flycatcher in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Peder Svingen and Phil Chu found the following: -all three scoters at Paradies Beach - Snowy Owl at Paradise Beach - 2 Harlequin Ducks in the Grand Marais Harbor. Hoffman's reported: -White-winged Scoters in the Grand Marais Harbor Other: 11 Cackling Geese at Grand Portage and also a large flock was found in = Two Harbors by Peder & Phil. That is your update. Mike Hendrickson Duluth ------=_NextPart_000_0007_01C4B934.0D050FD0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
To many to mention but I just = got a phone=20 cal from Peder Svingen and Tom Auer.
 
Tom Auer found a Pacific Loon = at Paradise=20 Beach today.
and refound a Mt. = Bluebird at the=20 Minnesota/Canadian custom building (border) Reported by Thunnder Bay = birders=20 earlier this week.  Tom also saw the reported Fork-tailed = Flycatcher in=20 Thunder Bay,  Ontario.
 
Peder Svingen and Phil Chu = found the=20 following:
 
-all three scoters at = Paradies=20 Beach
- Snowy Owl at Paradise=20 Beach
- 2 Harlequin Ducks in = the Grand=20 Marais Harbor.
 
Hoffman's = reported:
-White-winged Scoters in the = Grand Marais=20 Harbor
 
Other:
 
11 Cackling Geese at Grand = Portage and=20 also a large flock was found in Two Harbors by Peder & = Phil.
 
That is your = update.
 
Mike Hendrickson
Duluth
------=_NextPart_000_0007_01C4B934.0D050FD0-- From Bob Ekblad Sun Oct 24 02:23:23 2004 From: Bob Ekblad (Bob Ekblad) Date: Sat, 23 Oct 2004 20:23:23 -0500 (GMT-05:00) Subject: [mou] Clark's Nutcracker still in Silver Bay Message-ID: <9657603.1098581003243.JavaMail.root@wamui03.slb.atl.earthlink.net> The Clark's Nutcracker was still easily found in Silver Bay today. We also tried again for the Common Ground-dove west of Beaver Bay but as was the case on Wednesday we had no luck again. From golfbird@comcast.net Sun Oct 24 17:31:30 2004 From: golfbird@comcast.net (Dave and Linda Felker) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 11:31:30 -0500 Subject: [mou] Southwestern MN bird trip Message-ID: <000a01c4b9e6$ef3f5ba0$081df518@daveuam5mdi8ml> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_000B_01C4B9BD.066953A0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit My husband and I recently returned from a four day trip to southwestern MN. It was an excellent time to brush up on sparrow ID skills as we spotted 16 species. Here's a list of some sightings of note: Osprey 10/21 Rock Co. on dirt road east of gravel pit ponds Dunlin 10/19 Lyon Co. 4 - at Sham Lake, 10/21 Nobles Co. - 4 at pond southwest of East Graham Lake Dowitcher species 10/20 Rock Co. gravel pit ponds Short-eared Owl 10/22 Cottonwood Co. One flushed up while we were walking through Red Rock Prairie. Pileated Woodpecker 10/21 Nobles Co.- park at West Graham Lake Brown Creeper Lincoln and Rock Co. Gray-cheeked and Swainson's Thrushes Nashville Warbler 10/21 Lincoln Co. Hole-in-the-Mountain Co. Park (quite late) American Tree Sparrow 10/21 Nobles Co. Indian Lake Co. Park (great spot for sparrows) Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow 10/22 Cottonwood Co. - Co. Rd 9 just north of 30 We saw this bird before dawn about 10 feet from the front of our car. It was oblivious to the headlights and let us study every field mark for at least 5 minutes. Lapland Longspur 10/20 Lincoln Co. Rusty Blackbird 10/21 Rock Someone has put out corn and food on the western Luverne "Pond" which has attracted many species. Purple Finch 10/20 Lincoln Co. Hole-in-the Mountain Co. Park - 10/20 Pipestone Co. Split Rock Creek S. P. Linda Felker Dakota Co. ------=_NextPart_000_000B_01C4B9BD.066953A0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message
My = husband and I=20 recently returned from a four day trip to southwestern MN.  It = was an=20 excellent time to brush up on sparrow ID skills as we spotted 16=20 species.
 
Here's = a list of=20 some sightings of note:
 
Osprey = 10/21 Rock=20 Co. on dirt road east of gravel pit ponds
Dunlin = 10/19 Lyon=20 Co. 4 - at Sham Lake, 10/21 Nobles Co. - 4 at pond southwest of = East Graham=20 Lake
Dowitcher species=20 10/20 Rock Co. gravel pit ponds
Short-eared Owl=20 10/22 Cottonwood Co. One flushed up while we were walking through Red = Rock=20 Prairie.
Pileated Woodpecker=20 10/21 Nobles Co.-  park at West Graham=20 Lake  
Brown = Creeper=20 Lincoln and Rock Co.
Gray-cheeked and=20 Swainson's Thrushes
Nashville Warbler=20 10/21 Lincoln Co. Hole-in-the-Mountain Co. Park (quite = late)
American Tree=20 Sparrow 10/21 Nobles Co. Indian Lake Co. Park (great spot for=20 sparrows)
Nelson's=20 Sharp-tailed Sparrow 10/22 Cottonwood Co. - Co. Rd 9 just north of = 30  We=20 saw this bird before dawn about=20 10          feet from the = front of=20 our car.  It was oblivious to the headlights and let us study every = field=20 mark for at least 5 minutes.
Lapland Longspur=20 10/20 Lincoln Co.
Rusty = Blackbird=20 10/21 Rock  Someone has put out corn and food on the western = Luverne=20 "Pond" which has attracted many species.
Purple Finch=20 10/20 Lincoln Co. Hole-in-the Mountain Co. Park - 10/20 Pipestone Co. = Split Rock=20 Creek S. P.
 
Linda = Felker =20 Dakota Co.
 
 
  
------=_NextPart_000_000B_01C4B9BD.066953A0-- From 19063707582@mms.dobson.net Sun Oct 24 19:16:35 2004 From: 19063707582@mms.dobson.net (19063707582@mms.dobson.net) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 18:16:35 GMT Subject: [mou] Cattle Egrets - Two Harbors Message-ID: ------=_Part_45126_22974172.1098641795869 content-type:text/plain;Charset=UTF-8 content-transfer-encoding: base64 VGhlIENBVFRMRSBFR1JFVHMgYXJlIHN0aWxsIGluIFR3byBIYXJib3JzLiBUaGV5J3JlIGJldHdl ZW4gdGhlIEhvbGlkYXkgc3RhdGlvbiBhbmQgdGhlIGhvY2tleSBhcmVuYS4gICAgICBUb20gQXVl cg== ------=_Part_45126_22974172.1098641795869-- From david@cahlander.com Sun Oct 24 21:16:48 2004 From: david@cahlander.com (David A. Cahlander) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 15:16:48 -0500 Subject: [mou] Subscribing a Cell Phone Message-ID: <000601c4ba06$67969b30$0400a8c0@flash> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0003_01C4B9DC.7B688E90 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Directions for subscribing a cell phone to mou-net have been added to = the page: http://www.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/listservice.html --- David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 ------=_NextPart_000_0003_01C4B9DC.7B688E90 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Directions for subscribing a = cell phone=20 to mou-net have been added to the page:
 
    http://www.cbs.umn.= edu/~mou/listservice.html
---
David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, = MN=20 952-894-5910
------=_NextPart_000_0003_01C4B9DC.7B688E90-- From Michael.W.Steffes-1@tc.umn.edu Sun Oct 24 21:58:23 2004 From: Michael.W.Steffes-1@tc.umn.edu (Michael Steffes) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 15:58:23 -0500 Subject: [mou] Clark's Nutcracker Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.0.20041024155720.02ce9648@steff001.email.umn.edu> It was still in Silver Bay this morning, just down the street from the original site. Michael Steffes Lake County e-mail: steff001@umn.edu From shconrad@2z.net Sun Oct 24 23:36:04 2004 From: shconrad@2z.net (shconrad@2z.net) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 17:36:04 -0500 Subject: [mou] Western Grebe - Itasca County Message-ID: <1098657364.417c2e54311f3@webmail.2z.net> This afternoon there was a lone Western Grebe at the north end of Trout Lake in Bovey. It was right off the end of the point at the public access parking lot. ------------------------------------------------- This mail sent from Znet Telecom webmail Znet Telecom http://www.2z.net From JELLISBIRD@aol.com Sun Oct 24 23:46:58 2004 From: JELLISBIRD@aol.com (JELLISBIRD@aol.com) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 18:46:58 EDT Subject: [mou] Rothsay and others Message-ID: <1e5.2d5e84cc.2ead8ae2@aol.com> Birded Rothsay Saturday. Rain until 1 PM. Saw Prairie Chickens (it was the 5 day hunting season), lots of Harris' Sparrows, two light-phase Rough Shouldered Hawks, a Merlin, 13 Sandhill Cranes, close to a dozen N. Harriers, many Redtails and probably 500 Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs in mixed flocks. Today found a Northern Shrike just W. of Douglas Cnty 3, on Douglas Cnty 36. Also saw some Cackling C. Geese at the Albany Ponds. Lake Osakis had only12-1300 coot but numbers should build in the next couple of weeks. Also saw two Western Grebes holding on to fall. John Ellis From smithville4@charter.net Mon Oct 25 00:10:13 2004 From: smithville4@charter.net (Mike Hendrickson) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 18:10:13 -0500 Subject: [mou] CUSA Not. Message-ID: <000b01c4ba1e$9e400f00$46a47044@FAMILYCOMPUTER> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0008_01C4B9F4.B511ADD0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I posted a probable Curelw Sandpiper yesterday and told readers that the = photos taken by Bill Schmoker. I errored yesterday calling him Bob! Anyway the photos were examined and looked at by Chris Woods, Peder = Svingen and Phil Chu. I talked to Peder today and they feel the bird is = most likely a Dunlin. I had my doubts but felt pretty good about what I = saw. What happened was a flock of shorebirds zipped by and one had a = white rump. The birds landed on the beach and Bill and I took noticed of = the larger shorebird and the long bill that looked to us to be quite = curved. We observed the shorebird from about 120 yards away through our = scopes. From that distance we saw a scaly upper parts, a long bill that = curved from the base. Bill started to take photos and I was looking for = any hints of grey parts on the back to prove to me that this is a = Dunlin. After a few moments of trying to see Dunlin field marks we kept = realizing we were not getting definite looks to make this a Dunlin. So I = stopped looking for a brief moment to call some birders about this bird. = When I looked up, Bill told me the birds took off. I began to take notes = on what I saw and Bill began to review his photos. Bill showed me how in = one of the pictures that the wings went beyond the tail and a white area = between the bill and the eye. We thought we nailed it and I began to = call more birders. Well the funny thing is that while Peder and others looked at the photos = one of the background birds was a White-rumped Sandpiper ( white rumped = bird that flew by us) and also both Bill and I knew that there wasn't = the buffy sides on this birds and there were some light streaking giving = it a "bib" look. In Sibley we saw that the "bib" look can be seen in = CUSA but in the photos they saw last night showed it was more of a grey = color and combined with some light streaking on the "bib". This then = points to Dunlin vs CUSA. So overall I am happy about the events in the last day. Not at all = bummed. I learned a great deal about CUSA in the last two days. I also = want to thank Peder Svingen (MOURC chairman), Phil Chu, and Chris Woods = for putting the time in late last night looking at Bill photos.=20 This is also a clear example on how helpful MOURC members are in helping = birders struggle over difficult identifications such as a Curlew = Sandpiper. =20 Since I am not a member of WisBird, the postings yesterday were = forwarded to WI birders listserve. I hoped no one chased the bird from = Wisconsin. I hoped by calling it a "probable" CUSA it would make = birders hold off on chasing it. I also have email addresses of birders = in WI. So next time I ask people on the MOU-Net to hold off on = forwarding sightings from WI Pt. to WisBird. I can email the sighting = directly to those folks that can spread the word.=20 Thank You. Mike Hendrickson Duluth ------=_NextPart_000_0008_01C4B9F4.B511ADD0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I posted a probable Curelw = Sandpiper=20 yesterday and told readers that the photos taken by Bill Schmoker. I = errored=20 yesterday calling him Bob!
 
 Anyway the photos were = examined and=20 looked at by Chris Woods, Peder Svingen and Phil Chu.  I talked to = Peder=20 today and they feel the bird is most likely a Dunlin.  I had my = doubts but=20 felt pretty good about what I saw. What happened was a flock of = shorebirds=20 zipped by and one had a white rump. The birds landed on the beach and = Bill and I=20 took noticed of the larger shorebird and the long bill that looked to us = to be=20 quite curved. We observed the shorebird from about 120 yards away = through=20 our scopes. From that distance we saw a scaly upper parts, a = long bill=20 that curved from the base.  Bill started to take photos and I was = looking=20 for any hints of grey parts on the back to prove to me that this is a = Dunlin.=20 After a few moments of trying to see Dunlin field marks we kept = realizing=20 we were not getting definite looks to make this a Dunlin. So I = stopped=20 looking for a brief moment to call some birders about this bird. = When I=20 looked up, Bill told me the birds took off. I began to take notes = on what I=20 saw and Bill began to review his photos. Bill showed me how in one = of the=20 pictures that the wings went beyond the tail and a white area between = the bill=20 and the eye. We thought we nailed it and I began to call more=20 birders.
 
Well the funny thing is that = while Peder=20 and others looked at the photos one of the background birds was a=20 White-rumped Sandpiper ( white rumped bird that flew by=20 us)  and also = both Bill and I=20 knew that there wasn't the buffy sides on this birds and there were some = light=20 streaking giving it a "bib" look.  In Sibley we saw that the "bib" = look can=20 be seen in CUSA but in the photos they saw last night showed it was more = of a=20 grey color and combined with some light streaking on the "bib". This = then points=20 to Dunlin vs CUSA.
 
So overall I am happy = about the=20 events in the last day.  Not at all bummed. I learned a great deal = about=20 CUSA in the last two days. I also want to thank Peder Svingen (MOURC = chairman),=20 Phil Chu, and Chris Woods for putting the time in late last night = looking at=20 Bill photos.
 
This is also a clear example = on how=20 helpful MOURC members are in helping birders struggle over difficult=20 identifications such as a Curlew Sandpiper. 
 
Since I am not a member of = WisBird, the=20 postings yesterday were forwarded to WI birders listserve. I hoped no = one chased=20 the bird from Wisconsin. I hoped by calling it a "probable" CUSA  = it would=20 make birders hold off on chasing it.  I also have email addresses = of=20 birders in WI.  So next time I ask people on the MOU-Net to hold = off on=20 forwarding sightings from WI Pt. to WisBird. I can email the sighting = directly=20 to those folks that can spread the word. 
 
Thank You.
 
Mike Hendrickson
Duluth 
------=_NextPart_000_0008_01C4B9F4.B511ADD0-- From rdunlap@gac.edu Mon Oct 25 01:06:28 2004 From: rdunlap@gac.edu (rdunlap@gac.edu) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 19:06:28 -0500 Subject: [mou] Thayer's Gulls at Lake Calhoun Message-ID: <20041024190628.w76ec0s8scgsc4k8@webmail.gac.edu> This evening I observed two juvenile/1st winter Thayer's Gulls at Lake Calhoun in Hennepin County. They were hanging out among the Herring Gulls, which were separated from the larger flock of Ring-billed Gulls. Both birds were fairly easy to pick out from the juvenile/1st winter Herring Gulls; the cream-colored primaries showed little contrast with the rest of the body on both birds. When flying, the primary and secondary pattern was also easy to see on each bird. Unfortunately, I did not find the Lesser Black-backed Gull, but there were still birds flying in at 5:45 as I left the area. -Bob Dunlap, Nicolett County From kreckert@cpinternet.com Mon Oct 25 01:48:40 2004 From: kreckert@cpinternet.com (Kim R Eckert) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 19:48:40 -0500 Subject: [mou] Pacific Loons on Mille Lacs & L Winnie Message-ID: <9D191BEE-261F-11D9-B415-000A95E02230@cpinternet.com> Two Pacific Loons and a probable Red-throated Loon were found this weekend during a Minn Birding Weekend trip to Mille Lacs and L Winnibigoshish. One Pacific Loon was seen Saturday in Wigwam Bay on Mille Lacs (on the W side of the lake, about 3 mi N of the casino), and the other was seen today from Plughat Point public access on L Winnie in Itacsa Co (turn N off Co Rd 9 just E of the Mississippi R dam). Also on Saturday on Mille Lacs a probable Red-throated Loon was briefly seen in Vineland Bay in Mille Lacs Co (about 1.5 mi S of the casino). About the only other birds of note were 2 Cape May Warblers: one on the N side of Mille Lacs in Aitkin Co at the Wealthwood wayside/public access, and the other at the fish hatchery ponds along Cass Co Rd 9, just W of the Mississippi R dam. Kim Eckert From Avocet13@charter.net Mon Oct 25 02:30:33 2004 From: Avocet13@charter.net (Blaine) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 20:30:33 -0500 Subject: [mou] Lake and St.Louis Counties Message-ID: Howdy all, Lake Co. Nutcracker refound at 11:45 am friday just a couple of houses down from were it was originally reported. St. Louis Co. Hawk owl refound just North of were it was last reported. On Hwy 7 2.3 miles north of Sax rd. Also found two more Hawk Owls in St.Louis Co. One at the intersection of Arkola and Stickney in Sax Zim and the other on Co Rd. 16, 10.1 miles west of the St.Louis Co / Lake Co line. Blaine Seeliger Dakota Co From ajjoppru@wiktel.com Mon Oct 25 03:12:29 2004 From: ajjoppru@wiktel.com (Jeanie Joppru) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 21:12:29 -0500 Subject: [mou] Weekly waterfowl migration report Message-ID: <000001c4ba38$1621b820$3fb391ce@main> Stan Wood of the Roseau River WMA sent me this link to the DNR weekly waterfowl migration report for the entire state. It looks like useful information so I post it here for all to use. It is a rather complete listing of what waterfowl is where and what the weather has been for the past week, and can give us an idea of how the migration is progressing through the state. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/waterfowl/index.html=20 Jeanie Joppru Pennington County From psvingen@d.umn.edu Mon Oct 25 03:42:08 2004 From: psvingen@d.umn.edu (Peder Svingen) Date: Sun, 24 Oct 2004 21:42:08 -0500 (CDT) Subject: [mou] Cook County Message-ID: Noteworthy sightings for Sunday, 24 October by Phil Chu, Bill Schmoker, Chris Wood and I (other observers as noted parenthetically): Cackling Geese (3) at Lutsen Resort, Cook County (Jim Lind). Northern Pintail (1) at Grand Portage sewage ponds, Cook County. Greater Scaup (3) at Grand Portage sewage ponds. Surf Scoter (1) at Five Mile Rock, Cook County. Surf Scoter (2) at Paradise Beach, Cook County. White-winged Scoter (3) at Grand Marais, Cook County. White-winged Scoter (12) at Paradise Beach. Pacific Loon *not refound* at Paradise Beach. Thayer's Gull (juvenile/first-winter) at Grand Marais (Jim Lind). Glaucous Gull (adult) at Grand Portage National Monument. Great Gray Owl (1) 52.1 miles up Gunflint Trail, Cook County (Chris Wood, Bill Schmoker). Short-eared Owl (1) 44.5 miles up Gunflint Trail (Chris and Bill). Black-backed Woodpecker (1) at Grand Portage. Orange-crowned Warbler at Grand Marais (Jim Lind). Bohemian Waxwing (1) at Grand Portage border crossing. Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins, and Evening Grosbeaks at Grand Portage. The Fork-tailed Flycatcher southwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, showed well both yesterday and today. See Ontario listserve for directions. -- Peder H. Svingen - psvingen@d.umn.edu - Duluth, MN From Chris Benson" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_001B_01C4BA6D.A62E4BB0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Was up in Grand Marais with others this weekend. Notable species included: Harlequin Duck - 2 female/immature birds in Grand Marais Harbor 10/23 White-winged Scoters - Grand Marais (East Bay), Paradise Beach, Hovland = 10/23 & 24 Surf Scoters - Paradise Beach 10/24 Northern Hawk Owl - Gunflint Trail at the Laurentian Divide Overlook = 10/23 Great Gray Owl - Lima Mountain Road (FR 152) 10/23 Spruce Grouse - Lima Mountain Road 10/23 Bohemian Waxwings - a few in Grand Marais, small flocks east of Grand = Marais 10/22, 23, 24 Northern Cardinal - 1 at Father Baraga's Cross at a feeder 10/22, 1 at = Lutsen Sea Villas 10/24 Chris Benson ------=_NextPart_000_001B_01C4BA6D.A62E4BB0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Was up in Grand Marais with others this = weekend.
Notable species included:
 
Harlequin Duck - 2 female/immature = birds in Grand=20 Marais Harbor 10/23
White-winged Scoters - Grand Marais = (East Bay),=20 Paradise Beach, Hovland 10/23 & 24
Surf Scoters - Paradise Beach = 10/24
Northern Hawk Owl - Gunflint Trail at = the=20 Laurentian Divide Overlook 10/23
Great Gray Owl - Lima Mountain Road (FR = 152)=20 10/23
Spruce Grouse - Lima Mountain Road=20 10/23
Bohemian Waxwings - a few in Grand = Marais, small=20 flocks east of Grand Marais 10/22, 23, 24
Northern Cardinal - 1 at Father = Baraga's Cross at a=20 feeder 10/22, 1 at Lutsen Sea Villas 10/24
 
Chris Benson
 
 
------=_NextPart_000_001B_01C4BA6D.A62E4BB0-- From WWoessner@slwk.com Mon Oct 25 15:32:48 2004 From: WWoessner@slwk.com (Warren Woessner) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 09:32:48 -0500 Subject: [mou] Thayer's Gulls at Lake Calhoun Message-ID: The Lesser Black Backed Gull was on Calhoun at about 415 PM Sat. Warren Woessner -----Original Message----- From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On Behalf Of rdunlap@gac.edu Sent: Sunday, October 24, 2004 7:06 PM To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Subject: [mou] Thayer's Gulls at Lake Calhoun This evening I observed two juvenile/1st winter Thayer's Gulls at Lake Calhoun in Hennepin County. They were hanging out among the Herring Gulls, which were separated from the larger flock of Ring-billed Gulls. Both birds were fairly easy to pick out from the juvenile/1st winter Herring Gulls; the cream-colored primaries showed little contrast with the rest of the body on both birds. When flying, the primary and secondary pattern was also easy to see on each bird.=20 Unfortunately, I did not find the Lesser Black-backed Gull, but there were still birds flying in at 5:45 as I left the area. -Bob Dunlap, Nicolett County _______________________________________________ mou-net mailing list mou-net@cbs.umn.edu http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net From axhertzel@sihope.com Mon Oct 25 15:47:05 2004 From: axhertzel@sihope.com (Anthony X. Hertzel) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 09:47:05 -0500 Subject: [mou] an escape Message-ID: I typically don't post sightings of obvious escaped birds, but this one is really unusual. There is a female Baglafecht Weaver (Ploceus baglafecht) visiting a feeder in the town of Freeport, Stearns County. The species is not on the AOU Check-List of North American Birds. They occur throughout eastern Africa, and are best known from the highlands of Kenya. It also occurs in north-eastern Uganda, south-eastern Ethiopia, northern Tanzania, and other nearby countries. Paul Hetland is hosting the bird at 313 2nd Ave NW in Freeport. The feeder can be seen from the street. -- Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com From Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com Mon Oct 25 16:35:45 2004 From: Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com (Chris Fagyal) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 10:35:45 -0500 Subject: [mou] an escape Message-ID: --=_0E2E3F47.1676044B Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit If anyone is keeping tabs on this, i'd be interested in photographing it this coming weekend as it's only a tad over an hour from my house. Even if it is escaped it'd be nice to have some documented pictures for posterity :) Who knows, maybe the Weaver just got lost ;) (yea right, i'm dreaming...) A heads up this Thursday or Friday on whether it is still being seen would be cool. Thanks, Chris Fagyal Senior Software Engineer United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'til Nov 1) Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1) (763) 572-5320 (408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1) chris.fagyal@udlp.com >>> "Anthony X. Hertzel" 10/25/2004 07:47:05 AM >>> I typically don't post sightings of obvious escaped birds, but this one is really unusual. There is a female Baglafecht Weaver (Ploceus baglafecht) visiting a feeder in the town of Freeport, Stearns County. The species is not on the AOU Check-List of North American Birds. They occur throughout eastern Africa, and are best known from the highlands of Kenya. It also occurs in north-eastern Uganda, south-eastern Ethiopia, northern Tanzania, and other nearby countries. Paul Hetland is hosting the bird at 313 2nd Ave NW in Freeport. The feeder can be seen from the street. -- Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com _______________________________________________ mou-net mailing list mou-net@cbs.umn.edu http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net --=_0E2E3F47.1676044B Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
If anyone is keeping tabs on this, i'd be intereste d in photographing it this coming weekend as it's only a tad over an hour from my house.  Even if it is escaped it'd be nice to have some documented pict ures for posterity :)  Who knows, maybe the Weaver just got lost ;) (yea rig ht, i'm dreaming...)
 
A heads up this Thursday or Friday on whether it is still being seen wo uld be cool.
 
Thanks,
 
 
Chris Fagyal
Senior Software Engineer
United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'til Nov 1)
Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1)
(763) 572-5320
(408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1)
chris.fagyal@udlp.com

>> ;> "Anthony X. Hertzel" <axhertzel@sihope.com> 10/25/2004 07:47:05 AM >>>
I typically don't post sightings of obvious escaped birds, b ut this
one is really unusual. There is a female Baglafecht Weaver (Ploceus
baglafecht) visiting a feeder in the town of Freeport, Stearns
Count y. The species is not on the AOU Check-List of North American
Birds. They o ccur throughout eastern Africa, and are best known from
the highlands of Keny a. It also occurs in north-eastern Uganda,
south-eastern Ethiopia, northern Tanzania, and other nearby countries.

Paul Hetland is hosting the bir d at 313 2nd Ave NW in Freeport. The
feeder can be seen from the street.

--
Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com
_______________________________________________
m ou-net mailing list
mou-net@cbs.umn.edu
http://cbs.umn.edu/mailma n/listinfo/mou-net
--=_0E2E3F47.1676044B-- From Rick.Hoyme@udlp.com Mon Oct 25 16:49:55 2004 From: Rick.Hoyme@udlp.com (Rick Hoyme) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 10:49:55 -0500 Subject: [mou] Good Bird Questions Message-ID: It depends on the context. If I'm out in the field and someone asks me that question, I would say that a good bird is a bird that is either a speciality of the area, (ie. I saw a Blue Grosbeak 50 feet south of the visitors center say at blue mounds) or if the bird is unusual for the some reason (Casual, Accidental , Rare Regular, out of season or unusual location). If I only have seen the common things I would probably say something like "Just the usual stuff" but if I don't know the person, I might follow it up with an inquiry to see if they are looking for something specific or want to know what and where those more common birds are found. Rick Hoyme Hennepin Co >>> "Pastor Al" 10/22/04 02:28PM >>> What's the first question that an incoming birder asks you as you're leaving?: "Any good birds?" How does one answer that question? "They're all good" sounds sanctimonious. Sharing your best bird from the location leaves you open to subtle scorn or a game of one-uppance (you can see it in their eyes, "is that all"?). Replying with a question may only delay the inevitable. So, this leads me to two highly philosophical questions on this rainy afternoon (while stapling membership applications together): * In your opinion, what constitutes a good bird? * How do you answer the question? Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties pastoral@princetonfreechurch.net (55 Bonapartes on a sewage pond were my best birds over lunch hour - but are they "good" birds?) _______________________________________________ mou-net mailing list mou-net@cbs.umn.edu http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net From sharonks@mn.rr.com Mon Oct 25 17:43:39 2004 From: sharonks@mn.rr.com (Sharon Stiteler) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 11:43:39 -0500 Subject: [mou] Birding Event Dates Message-ID: I'm working on a schedule of events for the future that are birding related. What are people's favorite birding events and festivals and are the dates fairly set? For example, I seem to recall that the Detroit Lakes Bird Festival always falls the weekend before Memorial Day Weekend. Does anyone know of other birding events like that. They can even be one day events. Thanks, Sharon Stiteler Minneapolis, MN www.birdchick.com From chickadee@lauraerickson.com Mon Oct 25 15:22:51 2004 From: chickadee@lauraerickson.com (Laura Erickson) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 09:22:51 -0500 Subject: [mou] Another Northern Hawk Owl Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20041025091852.02c425b8@smtp.lauraerickson.com> I just got a phone call from a woman who saw a hawk owl just north of Hawk Ridge yesterday--it was on Beyer Road near Jean Duluth and the Strand Road. Directions: (*Note--Jean Duluth Road is under construction, so don't go that way!) Take Lester River Road north out of Duluth to the Strand Road and turn left (the only way possible). Go past the school, to the Washburn Road, and turn right. When you come to Beyer Road, turn left. It was perched, as hawk owls are wont to do, in a tree that she sees kestrels in during summer. This is shaping up to be a great owl year, isn't it? Laura Erickson Duluth, MN Producer, "For the Birds" radio program FDR managed to keep this nation strong through a horrible Depression, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and World War II by reminding us NOT to be afraid, and by fighting profiteers, not making them Vice President. There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of birds. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature--the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter. --Rachel Carson From dougjohn@lsnmlaw.org Mon Oct 25 16:45:49 2004 From: dougjohn@lsnmlaw.org (Douglas Johnson) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 10:45:49 -0500 Subject: [mou] Great Grey Owl Message-ID: <000001c4baa9$b3bfd730$6600a8c0@MarysComputer> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0001_01C4BA7F.CAE9CF30 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_001_0002_01C4BA7F.CAECDC70" ------=_NextPart_001_0002_01C4BA7F.CAECDC70 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable While driving to Silver Bay to see the Nutcracker, I had a Great Grey = Owl on Sunday morning on St. Louis County Rd. #16 which runs between Makinen = and Brimson. The bird was seen along the extensive spruce bog one mile = west of the entrance road and sign to the Whiteface National Forest Service Campground. Also, I had Long-tailed Ducks (2) at Flood Bay and 8 Surf Scoters in Burlington Bay, all in Lake County. =20 =20 Douglas P. Johnson Bemidji and=20 Moorhead, MN 56560 1 800 450-8585 dougjohn@lsnmlaw.org =20 ------=_NextPart_001_0002_01C4BA7F.CAECDC70 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

While driving to Silver Bay to see the Nutcracker, = I had a Great Grey Owl on Sunday morning on St. Louis County Rd. #16 which = runs between Makinen and Brimson.  The bird  was seen along the = extensive spruce bog one mile west of the entrance road and sign to the Whiteface National = Forest Service Campground.   Also, I had Long-tailed Ducks (2) at = Flood Bay and 8 Surf Scoters in Burlington Bay, all in Lake County. 

 

Douglas P. = Johnson

Bemidji and

Moorhead, MN 56560

1 800 450-8585

dougjohn@lsnmlaw.org=

 

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All three had neck collars - Z85 Black on Yellow; P96 Yellow on Red; and 2T1 Yellow on Red. The number of ducks at the reservoir and also the number of species has increased in the last week but the overall quantity is still fairly low. Bob Ekblad Olmsted County in SE Minnesota http://home.rconnect.com/~ekblad/ From corax6330@yahoo.com Mon Oct 25 23:02:03 2004 From: corax6330@yahoo.com (fred lesher) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 15:02:03 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [mou] Houston Co. Sightings Oct. 25 Message-ID: <20041025220203.1552.qmail@web13424.mail.yahoo.com> Peregrine Falcon-----Hillside Rd. Microwave tower--1 Am. White Pelican----Pool 8 S. of Brownsville----150 Tundra Swan---------- " 75 Greater Yellowlegs---Wildcat Creek delta-----------2 Wilson's Snipe " 6 Killdeer 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch Reno North campsite, Hillside Rd., trail west through pine plantation -8 Purple Finch " -2 Fred Lesher, LaCrosse, Wis. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From david@cahlander.com Mon Oct 25 23:09:31 2004 From: david@cahlander.com (David A. Cahlander) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 17:09:31 -0500 Subject: [mou] Baglafecht Weaver on "Recently Seen" Message-ID: <003c01c4badf$50f603f0$0400a8c0@flash> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0039_01C4BAB5.64D19440 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Even though a Baglafecht Weaver is not an ABA bird, I am posting a photo = of it so others can see it. http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/recent.html --- David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 ------=_NextPart_000_0039_01C4BAB5.64D19440 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Even though a Baglafecht = Weaver is not an=20 ABA bird, I am posting a photo of it so others can see it.
 
    http://biosci.cbs.umn= .edu/~mou/recent.html
---
David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, = MN=20 952-894-5910
------=_NextPart_000_0039_01C4BAB5.64D19440-- From sharonks@mn.rr.com Mon Oct 25 23:33:08 2004 From: sharonks@mn.rr.com (Sharon Stiteler) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 17:33:08 -0500 Subject: [mou] Baglafecht Weaver on "Recently Seen" In-Reply-To: <003c01c4badf$50f603f0$0400a8c0@flash> 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. --B_3181570390_2035022 Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable The b weaver looks like it=B9s wearing a band on it=B9s leg, a sign that it=B9s a formerly captive bird. I also appreciate the irony that the feeder the weaver is eating out of is loaded with milo which most Minnesota birds won=B9t touch and is generally regarded as the worst food possible to put out. I guess if you want to increase your chances of hosting a stake out bird you should feed crap seed ;) --=20 Sharon Stiteler Minneapolis, MN www.birdchick.com on 10/25/04 5:09 PM, David A. Cahlander at david@cahlander.com wrote: > Even though a Baglafecht Weaver is not an ABA bird, I am posting a photo = of it > so others can see it. > =20 > http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/recent.html > --- > David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 >=20 --B_3181570390_2035022 Content-type: text/html; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-transfer-encoding: quoted-printable Re: [mou] Baglafecht Weaver on "Recently Seen" The b= weaver looks like it’s wearing a band on it’s leg, a sign that = it’s a formerly captive bird.

I also appreciate the irony that the feeder the weaver is eating out of is = loaded with milo which most Minnesota birds won’t touch and is general= ly regarded as the worst food possible to put out.  I guess if you want= to increase your chances of hosting a stake out bird you should feed crap s= eed ;)


--
Sharon Stiteler
Minneapolis, MN
www.birdchick.com



on 10/25/04 5:09 PM, David A. Cahlander at david@cahlander.com wrote:

Even though a Baglafecht Weaver is not a= n ABA bird, I am posting a photo of it so others can see it.
  &= nbsp;http://biosci.cbs.= umn.edu/~mou/recent.html
---
David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910


 --B_3181570390_2035022-- From JELLISBIRD@aol.com Tue Oct 26 03:35:00 2004 From: JELLISBIRD@aol.com (JELLISBIRD@aol.com) Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2004 22:35:00 EDT Subject: [mou] Correction Message-ID: To All: Rough Shouldered Hawk is NOT a new species, nor a hybrid, nor a bird that I actually saw. It was two light phase Rough-legged Hawks at Rothsay. Thanks for your graciousness...I didn't get a single correction. John Ellis-St. Paul From Steve Weston" The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) will hold its October meeting on Thursday the 28th at the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge Visitors' Center in Bloomington. Becky and Mark Lystig, longtime MRVAC members, went on a birding tour of the southern latitudes with Field Guides in 1996. Do you wonder what Antarctica is like, or what it is like to be on a small ship in turbulent seas? They will try to give you some idea of the incomparable beauty of the Antarctic area and how wild the ride can be on a small ship in the Drake Passage. The ship was their home for 18 days. They’ll show slides and videos, but spare you the smells. Please, join us at 7:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor’s Center in Bloomington. You are invited to come early (7pm) for the social period with coffee, cookies and committee exhibits. There is no admission. All are welcome. For directions call me (612-978-3993), e-mail me or see our newsletter at: http://home.comcast.net/~mrvac/Sept2004.doc (click on the blank box for directions) or you can visit our website: www.mrvac.org . Steve Weston on Quigley Lake in Eagan sweston2@comcast.net From Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com Tue Oct 26 18:53:00 2004 From: Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com (Chris Fagyal) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 12:53:00 -0500 Subject: [mou] Baglafecht Weaver on "Recently Seen" Message-ID: --=_CCECFE14.88E89A4C Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit A few tidbits of information about this bird. 1) It is a lumped species. Back a few years ago this bird was lumped with Reichman's Weaver. 2) It, as most all weavers as far as I can tell, is pretty sedentary. Weavers as a family of birds build large nesting colonies. I don't believe they ever really migrate, as there really isn't any reason for them to. 3) Weavers as a family of birds are commonly kept caged birds ( I really hate that term. Caged birds should be illegal. Period.) Too bad something like a Hawfinch or Bullfinch or Brambling or some such European vagrant didn't show up instead...now that would have been a lot more interesting :) Cheers, Chris Fagyal Senior Software Engineer United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'til Nov 1) Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1) (763) 572-5320 (408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1) chris.fagyal@udlp.com >>> "David A. Cahlander" 10/25/2004 15:09:31 PM >>> Even though a Baglafecht Weaver is not an ABA bird, I am posting a photo of it so others can see it. http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/~mou/recent.html --- David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 --=_CCECFE14.88E89A4C Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
A few tidbits of information about this bird.
 
1) It is a lumped species.  Back a few years ago this bird was lum ped with Reichman's Weaver.
 
2) It, as most all weavers as far as I can tell, is pretty sedentary.&n bsp; Weavers as a family of birds build large nesting colonies.  I don't bel ieve they ever really migrate, as there really isn't any reason for them to.
 
3) Weavers as a family of birds are commonly kept caged birds ( I reall y hate that term.  Caged birds should be illegal.  Period.)
 
Too bad something like a Hawfinch or Bullfinch or Brambling or some suc h European vagrant didn't show up instead...now that would have been a lo t more interesting :) 
 
Cheers,
 
 
Chris Fagyal
Senior Software Engineer
United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'til Nov 1)
Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1)
(763) 572-5320
(408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1)
chris.fagyal@udlp.com

>> ;> "David A. Cahlander" <david@cahlander.com> 10/25/2004 15:09:31 PM >>>
Even though a Baglafecht Weaver is no t an ABA bird, I am posting a photo of it so others can see it.
 
---
David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910
--=_CCECFE14.88E89A4C-- From Mark.Alt@bestbuy.com Tue Oct 26 19:00:51 2004 From: Mark.Alt@bestbuy.com (Alt, Mark) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 13:00:51 -0500 Subject: [mou] Baglafecht Weaver on "Recently Seen" Message-ID: <4F3C90DD5ABC32408C70AC50F47942BD6E90BA@ds69mail.na.bestbuy.com> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C4BB85.BB006028 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable And now for the really important question - What is the etymology of Baglafecht? Googling only brings up this bird. =20 Mark Alt=20 Manager of Project Management=20 Supply Chain Transformation Office=20 Best Buy Co., Inc.=20 Mark.Alt@bestbuy.com=20 (w) 612-291-6717=20 (Cell) 612-803-9085=20 ________________________________ From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On Behalf Of Chris Fagyal Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 12:53 PM To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Subject: Re: [mou] Baglafecht Weaver on "Recently Seen" =20 A few tidbits of information about this bird. =20 1) It is a lumped species. Back a few years ago this bird was lum ped with Reichman's Weaver. =20 2) It, as most all weavers as far as I can tell, is pretty sedentary.&n bsp; Weavers as a family of birds build large nesting colonies. I don't bel ieve they ever really migrate, as there really isn't any reason for them to. =20 3) Weavers as a family of birds are commonly kept caged birds ( I reall y hate that term. Caged birds should be illegal. Period.) =20 Too bad something like a Hawfinch or Bullfinch or Brambling or some suc h European vagrant didn't show up instead...now that would have been a lo t more interesting :) =20 =20 Cheers, =20 =20 Chris Fagyal Senior Software Engineer United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'til Nov 1) Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1) (763) 572-5320 (408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1) chris.fagyal@udlp.com >> ;> "David A. Cahlander" 10/25/2004 15:09:31 PM >>> Even though a Baglafecht Weaver is no t an ABA bird, I am posting a photo of it so others can see it. =20 http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/ ~mou/recent.html =20 --- David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 ------_=_NextPart_001_01C4BB85.BB006028 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

And now for the really important = question – What is the etymology of Baglafecht? Googling only brings up this = bird.

 

Mark = Alt
Manager of Project Management
Supply Chain Transformation Office
Best Buy Co., Inc. =
Mark.Alt@bestbuy.com
(w) 612-291-6717 =
(Cell) 612-803-9085 =

From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On Behalf Of Chris Fagyal
Sent: Tuesday, October = 26, 2004 12:53 PM
To: = mou-net@cbs.umn.edu
Subject: Re: [mou] = Baglafecht Weaver on "Recently Seen"

 

A few tidbits of = information about this bird.

 

1) It is a lumped = species.  Back a few years ago this bird was lum ped with Reichman's = Weaver.

 

2) It, as most all weavers = as far as I can tell, is pretty sedentary.&n bsp; Weavers as a family of birds = build large nesting colonies.  I don't bel ieve they ever really migrate, = as there really isn't any reason for them to.

 

3) Weavers as a family of = birds are commonly kept caged birds ( I reall y hate that term.  Caged birds = should be illegal.  Period.)

 

Too bad something like a = Hawfinch or Bullfinch or Brambling or some suc h European vagrant didn't show = up instead...now that would have been a lo t more interesting :)  =

 

Cheers,

 

 

Chris Fagyal
Senior Software Engineer
United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'til Nov 1)
Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1)
(763) 572-5320
(408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1)
chris.fagyal@udlp.com

>> ;> "David A. Cahlander" = <david@cahlander.com> 10/25/2004 15:09:31 PM >>>

Even though a = Baglafecht Weaver is no t an ABA bird, I am posting a photo of it so others can see = it.

 

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

------_=_NextPart_001_01C4BB85.BB006028-- From PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net Tue Oct 26 19:19:08 2004 From: PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net (Pastor Al) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 13:19:08 -0500 Subject: [mou] Duluth - Sax-Zim - Grand Marais trip question/suggestions Message-ID: <02ef01c4bb88$49a31f30$0c01a8c0@PastorAl> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_02EC_01C4BB5E.601CB2F0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable My 12 year old birding son missed the MOU Duluth trip due to cancer in = the family, and he has expressed interest in traveling to the greater = area for birding. Our likely window is this Saturday. I have only = birded Duluth once (afore-mentioned trip), never birded north of Two = Harbors, but do know Sax-Zim to some extent and possess an older copy of = Eckert. His life list needs included Pacific & Red-throated Loons (I = couldn't relocate the RT this weekend on Mille Lacs for him), Northern = Hawk Owl, Boreal Chickadee, Harlequin Duck, Red-necked and Eared Grebes, = and R. Crossbill - but does have most other northern specialties. He is = also a tremendous hawk fan. Any suggestions? Ideas on how to maximize a one day tour? Many thanks! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ------=_NextPart_000_02EC_01C4BB5E.601CB2F0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
My 12 year old birding son missed the = MOU Duluth=20 trip due to cancer in the family, and he has expressed interest in=20 traveling to the greater area for birding.  Our likely window = is this=20 Saturday.  I have only birded Duluth once (afore-mentioned trip), = never=20 birded north of Two Harbors, but do know Sax-Zim to some extent and = possess an=20 older copy of Eckert.  His life list needs included Pacific = &=20 Red-throated Loons (I couldn't relocate the RT this weekend on Mille = Lacs for=20 him), Northern Hawk Owl, Boreal Chickadee, Harlequin Duck, Red-necked = and Eared=20 Grebes, and R. Crossbill - but does have most other northern=20 specialties.  He is also a tremendous hawk fan.
 
Any suggestions?  Ideas on how to = maximize a=20 one day tour?
 
Many thanks!
 
Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne=20 Counties
------=_NextPart_000_02EC_01C4BB5E.601CB2F0-- From Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com Tue Oct 26 19:21:15 2004 From: Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com (Chris Fagyal) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 13:21:15 -0500 Subject: [mou] Baglafecht Weaver on "Recently Seen" Message-ID: --=_775745B5.ACCCBE6C Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Windows-874 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit No earthly idea. I was wondering the same thing. A rather odd name huh? Chris Fagyal Senior Software Engineer United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'til Nov 1) Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1) (763) 572-5320 (408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1) chris.fagyal@udlp.com >>> "Alt, Mark" 10/26/2004 11:00:51 AM >>> st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }And now for the really important question – What is the etymology of Baglafecht? Googling only brings up this bird. Mark Alt Manager of Project Management Supply Chain Transformation Office Best Buy Co., Inc. Mark.Alt@bestbuy.com (w) 612-291-6717 (Cell) 612-803-9085 From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On Behalf Of Chris Fagyal Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 12:53 PM To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Subject: Re: [mou] Baglafecht Weaver on "Recently Seen" A few tidbits of information about this bird. 1) It is a lumped species. Back a few years ago this bird was lum ped with Reichman's Weaver. 2) It, as most all weavers as far as I can tell, is pretty sedentary.&n bsp; Weavers as a family of birds build large nesting colonies. I don't bel ieve they ever really migrate, as there really isn't any reason for them to. 3) Weavers as a family of birds are commonly kept caged birds ( I reall y hate that term. Caged birds should be illegal. Period.) Too bad something like a Hawfinch or Bullfinch or Brambling or some suc h European vagrant didn't show up instead...now that would have been a lo t more interesting :) Cheers, Chris Fagyal Senior Software Engineer United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'til Nov 1) Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1) (763) 572-5320 (408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1) chris.fagyal@udlp.com >> ;> "David A. Cahlander" 10/25/2004 15:09:31 PM >>> Even though a Baglafecht Weaver is no t an ABA bird, I am posting a photo of it so others can see it. http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/ ~mou/recent.html --- David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 --=_775745B5.ACCCBE6C Content-Type: text/html; charset=Windows-874 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
No earthly idea.  I was wondering the same thing.  A rather o dd name huh?
 
 
Chris Fagyal
Senior Software Engineer
United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'til Nov 1)
Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1)
(763) 572-5320
(408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1)
chris.fagyal@udlp.com

>> ;> "Alt, Mark" <Mark.Alt@bestbuy.com> 10/26/2004 11:00:51 AM >>>
< o:SmartTagType name="City" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags">< o:SmartTagType name="place" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags">

And now for the rea lly important question – What is the etymology of Baglafecht? Googling only brin gs up this bird.

 

Ma rk Alt
Ma nager of Project Management
Su pply Chain Transformation Office
Be st Buy Co., Inc.
Ma rk.Alt@bestbuy.com
(w) 612-291-6717
(Cell) 612-803-9085

From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On Behalf Of Chris Fagyal
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 12:53 PM
To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu
Subject: Re: [mou] Baglafecht Weaver on "Recently Seen"

 

A few tidbits of information about this bird.

 < /P>

1) It i s a lumped species.  Back a few years ago this bird was lum ped with Reichm an's Weaver.

 < /P>

2) It, as most all weavers as far as I can tell, is pretty sedentary.&n bsp; Weave rs as a family of birds build large nesting colonies.  I don't bel ieve th ey ever really migrate, as there really isn't any reason for them to.

 < /P>

3) Weav ers as a family of birds are commonly kept caged birds ( I reall y hate that term.  Caged birds should be illegal.  Period.)

 < /P>

Too bad something like a Hawfinch or Bullfinch or Brambling or some suc h European vagrant didn't show up instead...now that would have been a lo t more interesting :) 

 < /P>

Cheers,

 < /P>

 < /P>

Chris Fagyal
Senior Software Engineer
United Defense, L.P. ASD (UDLP-GSD 'ti l Nov 1)
Fridley, MN (San Jose, CA 'til Nov 1)
(763) 572-5320
(408) 289-3840 ('til Nov 1)
chris.fagyal@udlp.com

>> ; ;> "David A. Cahlander" <david@cahlander.com> 10/25/2004 15:09:31 P M >>>

Even though a Baglafec ht Weaver is no t an ABA bird, I am posting a photo of it so oth ers can see it.

 < /P>

    http://biosci.cbs.umn.edu/ ~mou/recent.html

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

--=_775745B5.ACCCBE6C-- From kltk@comcast.net Wed Oct 27 01:49:48 2004 From: kltk@comcast.net (Katherine Kottke) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 19:49:48 -0500 Subject: [mou] Varied Thrush Message-ID: <1A4DBBC2-27B2-11D9-8C5A-000A95B9FA82@comcast.net> Hello everyone , I had a male Varied Thrush in my yard . It took a bath and then fed on the ground under my feeders then flew up to the Highbush Cranberry in the next yard . I have a large group of Robins that bathe each night and also 2 Fox Sparrows and a Hermit Thrush . I saw the bird at 5:15 P.M. Leslie 651-330-4782. From aajensen1@hotmail.com Wed Oct 27 02:01:16 2004 From: aajensen1@hotmail.com (Allison Jensen) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 20:01:16 -0500 Subject: [mou] a few volunteers needed 10/27, Wayzata Message-ID: Greetings: Due to a glitch, the Minnesota Birding issue for November needs to have a sticker attached to each copy. With enough people, this shouldn't take long. If you can join us at the All Seasons Wild Bird Store at 15710 Wayzata Boulevard, Wayzata, tomorrow evening, Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 6, it would be much appreciated. And Sharon is supplying door prizes for participants. Please respond to me individually if you can come help. My phone number at work is 612-624-9912, if you wish to call. Regards, Allison Jensen From thimgan@digitaljam.com Wed Oct 27 02:10:10 2004 From: thimgan@digitaljam.com (Dan & Sandy Thimgan) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 20:10:10 -0500 Subject: [mou] Update: Clark's Nutcracker Message-ID: We were UNsuccessful in attempting to refind the Clark's Nutcracker in Silver Bay today (Tuesday). This doesn't necessarily mean the bird isn't there anymore, it's just that we couldn't seem spot it as we patrolled the neighborhood this afternoon from 12:30 - 3:00, Oct. 26. Additionally, no other birder and no local resident we spoke to had seen the bird today. Serves us right for being Dan-and-Sandy-Come-Latelys! -- Dan & Sandy Thimgan Otter Tail County Battle Lake, MN From david@cahlander.com Wed Oct 27 02:21:06 2004 From: david@cahlander.com (David A. Cahlander) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 20:21:06 -0500 Subject: [mou] Cedar Waxwing crashing into windows Message-ID: <006001c4bbc3$3eb1e800$0400a8c0@flash> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_005D_01C4BB99.529E4130 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable On the SE corner of 28th and Hennipen Ave in S Minneapolis there were = hundreds of Cedar Waxwings today. There are many berry bearing trees = and the birds are just gobbling the fruit down. =20 The entrance to the apartment building has a glass entryway. The person = who runs the apartment building indicated that she had picked up 12 dead = birds, after they slammed into the glass, today. While I was there, = four more birds slammed into the glass and died. She asked for help in = keeping the birds from killing themselves. Can anyone tell how to keep the birds from slamming into the glass? They have put up many Xerox copies of the hawk silhouette on the glass, = but that does not seem to keep the birds away. Oh, yes, I did take some pictures of the Cedar Waxwing.=20 http://pancho.cahlander.com/website/MN/species/Cedar_Waxwing-1.htm --- David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 ------=_NextPart_000_005D_01C4BB99.529E4130 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
On the SE corner of 28th and = Hennipen Ave=20 in S Minneapolis there were hundreds of Cedar Waxwings today.  = There are=20 many berry bearing trees and the birds are just gobbling the fruit=20 down. 
 
The entrance to the apartment = building=20 has a glass entryway.  The person who runs the apartment building = indicated=20 that she had picked up 12 dead birds, after they slammed into the glass, = today.  While I was there, four more birds slammed into the glass = and=20 died.  She asked for help in keeping the birds from killing=20 themselves.
 
Can anyone tell how to keep = the birds=20 from slamming into the glass?
 
They have put up = many Xerox copies=20 of the hawk silhouette on the glass, but that does not seem to keep the = birds=20 away.
 
Oh, yes, I did take some = pictures of the=20 Cedar Waxwing. 
 
    = http://pancho.cahlander.com/website/MN/species/Cedar_Waxwing-1.htm=
---
David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, = MN=20 952-894-5910
------=_NextPart_000_005D_01C4BB99.529E4130-- From drbenson@cpinternet.com Wed Oct 27 03:27:17 2004 From: drbenson@cpinternet.com (David Benson) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 21:27:17 -0500 Subject: [mou] Northeastern Minnesota 10/26/04 Message-ID: Chris Wood found a first-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at the mouth of the Knife River this afternoon. Steve and Diane Millard found 7 NORTHERN HAWK OWLS in the Sax-Zim area over the past two days, including at least two birds not far from the sod farm on Cty Rd 7 north of 133 and another bird on Stone Lake Rd (Cty Rd 319) about a mile east of Cty Rd 7. Dave Benson Duluth From david@cahlander.com Wed Oct 27 04:09:10 2004 From: david@cahlander.com (David A. Cahlander) Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 22:09:10 -0500 Subject: [mou] Birds of the World website Message-ID: <001101c4bbd2$57783b00$0400a8c0@flash> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_000E_01C4BBA8.6B692810 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I have been working on a web site to display pictures of birds that I = have taken around the world. http://pancho.cahlander.com/website/index.html is the Birds of the World portion of the website. The base of the web = site is: http://www.cahlander.com/ --- David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 ------=_NextPart_000_000E_01C4BBA8.6B692810 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I have been working on a web = site to=20 display pictures of birds that I have taken around the = world.
 
    http://pancho.cah= lander.com/website/index.html
 
is the Birds of the World = portion of the=20 website.  The base of the web site is:
 
    http://www.cahlander.com/
---
David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, = MN=20 952-894-5910
------=_NextPart_000_000E_01C4BBA8.6B692810-- From watsup@boreal.org Wed Oct 27 16:45:04 2004 From: watsup@boreal.org (Steve and Sherry Watson) Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 08:45:04 -0700 Subject: [mou] hawk owl, great-black-backed gull Message-ID: <000d01c4bc3b$ee5d49c0$130f46d8@m7z0w8> Hello All, My dad and I had the opportunity yesterday to visit Duluth and get a little birding time in though spent most of the time running errands and getting my sister's pre-brace's in. We began through Silver Bay and up CR-16 in hopes of a hawk owl, great grey, or something like that but failed to see anything interesting. From their we stopped in Sax Zim and re-found the hawk owl part way down the Sax road where it flew from an aspen top re-alighting upon another much closer for excellent viewing and picture taking. After about 15 minutes we headed on up to Mcdavit's road and found another hawk owl. That was about all or most of all the excitement that took place their except tons of rough-legged hawks including a dark phase or two and a mature bald eagle perched on the road side ten feet from our car...They look about twice as large as usual. On the way down Lake Superior looked superb for viewing but by the time our errands and stuff were done after the Sax Zim visit it was extremely rough and made for difficult viewing at Wisconsin Pt. I found a 1st winter Thayer's gull among many herrings and a ring-billed or two, but was having difficulty finding my prime target... a black-backed gull. But finally I prevailed and found a nice 2nd year bird on the Minnesota break wall topping off an exciting day of birding. Good birding to all, Josh Watson Grand Marais --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.776 / Virus Database: 523 - Release Date: 10/12/04 From smithville4@charter.net Wed Oct 27 21:23:12 2004 From: smithville4@charter.net (Mike Hendrickson) Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 15:23:12 -0500 Subject: [mou] PALO and Scoters Message-ID: <004901c4bc62$c88df560$46a47044@FAMILYCOMPUTER> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0046_01C4BC38.DF647630 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Today I saw a very close PALO at Park Pt. just south of the bath house = on Lake Superior. It was a winter adult loon. Yesterday at 37th St. along Park Point. I saw 3 Surf Scoters and one = Balck Scoter hanging around with some scaup/goldeneyes. Other birds: Black-bellied Plovers (12) Ball field at PPt. Pectoral Sandpipre (1) Bal Field at PPt. Bonaparte Gulls (2) Lake Superior ** Looked for the Northern Hawk Owls today at Sax Zim and went home = seeing zip. Saw one Black-billed Magpie and a 3 Trumpeter Swans on = Stone Lake. Mike Hendrickson ------=_NextPart_000_0046_01C4BC38.DF647630 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Today I saw a very close PALO = at Park Pt.=20 just south of the bath house on Lake Superior. It was a winter adult=20 loon.
 
Yesterday at 37th St. along = Park Point. I=20 saw 3 Surf Scoters and one Balck Scoter hanging around with some=20 scaup/goldeneyes.
 
Other birds:
Black-bellied Plovers (12) = Ball field at=20 PPt.
Pectoral Sandpipre (1) Bal = Field at=20 PPt.
Bonaparte Gulls (2) Lake=20 Superior
 
** Looked for the Northern = Hawk Owls=20 today at Sax Zim and went home seeing zip.  Saw one Black-billed = Magpie and=20 a 3 Trumpeter Swans on Stone Lake.
 
Mike=20 Hendrickson
------=_NextPart_000_0046_01C4BC38.DF647630-- From corax6330@yahoo.com Wed Oct 27 23:16:19 2004 From: corax6330@yahoo.com (fred lesher) Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 15:16:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [mou] Great R. Bluffs Pk.,Winona Co; Wildcat Landing, (Brownsville),Houston Co. Message-ID: <20041027221619.77592.qmail@web13423.mail.yahoo.com> Great River Bluffs today Oct. 27: Barred Owl---1 Northern Shrike--1 E. Bluebird-----4 Wildcat Landing: (From Hwy 26) Killdeer----2 (same as Oct. 25) Greater Yellowlegs---2 (same as Oct. 25) Common Snipe---------18 (more by 12 since Oct. 25) Fred Lesher, LaCrosse, Wis. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From bluebill@surfbest.net Wed Oct 27 21:02:50 2004 From: bluebill@surfbest.net (bluebill@surfbest.net) Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 20:02:50 -00 Subject: [mou] RE: [mnbird] Update: Clark's Nutcracker Message-ID: <410-220041032720250633@surfbest.net> A Carolina wren has been showing up at a feeder on west Holdridge Road in Wayzata in late afternoons, since last Saturday. The bird stays only a brief time-- just a minute or so -- eats a little suet, checks out the other feeders as if looking for something, and then disappears. I saw the bird, and a digital photo has been taken, but it is fuzzy. I am trying to get my daughter to send it to me. There is no mistake on the id -- a large wren, roufus in color, with a white eye stripe. Don Grussing Minnetonka, Minn. >>mnbird mailing list >>mnbird@lists.mnbird.net >>http://www.mnbird.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mnbird >> From axhertzel@sihope.com Thu Oct 28 01:58:17 2004 From: axhertzel@sihope.com (Anthony X. Hertzel) Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 19:58:17 -0500 Subject: [mou] MOU RBA 28 October 2004 Message-ID: --============_-1113197393==_ma============ Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, October 28th. Much of the birding news this week comes from the North Shore of Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota. The CLARK'S NUTCRACKER continues to be seen fairly regularly in Silver Bay, Lake County. Check the yards near 144 Edison Boulevard but also check houses along nearby streets in the neighborhood. Five CATTLE EGRETS were in in Two Harbors, Lake County, on the 23rd, at the ball fields along Lake County Road 2, two blocks north of State Highway 61. A HARLEQUIN DUCK was seen on the same day near the campground at Burlington Bay and two more were in the Grand Marais harbor in Cook County on the 23rd. Chris Wood found a first-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at the mouth of the Knife River in Lake County on the 26th, and a PACIFIC LOON was off the recreation area of Park Point in Duluth, St. Louis County, on the 27th. The first SNOWY OWL of the season was found October 23rd at Paradise Beach in Cook County, about 14 miles northeast of Grand Marais. On the 24th, a GREAT GRAY OWL was along St. Louis County Road 16 between Makinen and Brimson. The bird was in the vicinity of the extensive spruce bog one mile west of the entrance to the Whiteface National Forest Service Campground. As many as seven NORTHERN HAWK OWLS were reported on the 25th and 26th from the Sax-Zim Bog Are of St. Louis County. Two of these were near the sod farm on St. Louis County Road 7 north of county road 133. Another Northern Hawk Owl was seen on the 24th just beyond Hawk Ridge in east Duluth. It was reported from the junction of Beyer and Strand Roads. Also from the North Shore of Lake Superior I have recent reports of SURF SCOTER, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, BLACK SCOTER, LONG-TAILED DUCK, THAYER'S GULL, and BOHEMIAN WAXWING. Elsewhere, two Pacific Loons were found over the weekend in north-central Minnesota. One was seen on the 23rd on the west side of Mille Lacs Lake at Wigwam Bay, and the other was seen the following day at the Plughat Point public access on Lake Winnibigoshish in Itacsa County. The Lesser Black Backed Gull was seen again on Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis on the 23rd. A GOLDEN EAGLE was over Carver Park in western Hennepin County on the 24th. A CAROLINA WREN has been visiting a feeder on west Holdridge Road in Wayzata, Hennepin County since the 23rd. And in Ramsey County, Leslie Kottke had a VARIED THRUSH visit her St. Paul backyard on the 25th. 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. 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, November 3rd. -- Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com --============_-1113197393==_ma============ Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" MOU RBA 28 October 2004
This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, October 28th.

Much of the birding news this week comes from the North Shore of Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota. 

The CLARK'S NUTCRACKER continues to be seen fairly regularly in Silver Bay, Lake County. Check the yards near 144 Edison Boulevard but also check houses along nearby streets in the neighborhood.
Five CATTLE EGRETS were in in Two Harbors, Lake County, on the 23rd, at the ball fields along Lake County Road 2, two blocks north of State Highway 61. A HARLEQUIN DUCK was seen on the same day near the campground at Burlington Bay and two more were in the Grand Marais harbor in Cook County on the 23rd.

Chris Wood found a first-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at the mouth of the Knife River in Lake County on the 26th, and a PACIFIC LOON was off the recreation area of Park Point in Duluth, St. Louis County, on the 27th.

The first SNOWY OWL of the season was found October 23rd at Paradise Beach in Cook County, about 14 miles northeast of Grand Marais. On the 24th, a GREAT GRAY OWL was along St. Louis County Road 16 between Makinen and Brimson. The bird  was in the vicinity of the extensive spruce bog one mile west of the entrance to the Whiteface National Forest Service Campground. 

As many as seven NORTHERN HAWK OWLS were reported on the 25th and 26th from the Sax-Zim Bog Are of St. Louis County. Two of these were near the sod farm on St. Louis County Road 7 north of county road 133. Another Northern Hawk Owl was seen on the 24th just beyond Hawk Ridge in east Duluth. It was reported from the junction of Beyer and Strand Roads.

Also from the North Shore of Lake Superior I have recent reports of SURF SCOTER, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, BLACK SCOTER, LONG-TAILED DUCK, THAYER'S GULL, and BOHEMIAN WAXWING.

Elsewhere, two Pacific Loons were found over the weekend in north-central Minnesota. One was seen on the 23rd on the west side of Mille Lacs Lake at Wigwam Bay, and the other was seen the following day at the Plughat Point public access on Lake Winnibigoshish in Itacsa County.

The Lesser Black Backed Gull was seen again on Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis on the 23rd.
A GOLDEN EAGLE was over Carver Park in western Hennepin County on the 24th.

A CAROLINA WREN has been visiting a feeder on west Holdridge Road in Wayzata, Hennepin County since the 23rd.

And in Ramsey County, Leslie Kottke had a VARIED THRUSH visit her St. Paul backyard on the 25th.

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, November 3rd.

--
Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhertzel@sihope.com
--============_-1113197393==_ma============-- From drbenson@cpinternet.com Thu Oct 28 02:40:36 2004 From: drbenson@cpinternet.com (David Benson) Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 20:40:36 -0500 Subject: [mou] Duluth RBA 10/27/04 Message-ID: <5D99F436-2882-11D9-A8AD-000A95AC3AF2@cpinternet.com> This is the Duluth Birding Report for Wednesday, October 27, 2004,=20 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. We may be at the beginning of a large irruption of northern owls. Steve=20= and Diane Millard found 7 NORTHERN HAWK OWLS in the Sax-Zim area on=20 Monday and Tuesday, including several birds along Cty Rd 7 north of 133=20= and another bird a mile east of Cty Rd 7 on Stone Lake Rd. Another bird=20= was reported on the Beyer Rd near Jean Duluth Rd and the Strand Rd on=20 the 24th. The Millards also found a GREAT GRAY OWL on Cty Rd 83, 2.5 miles south=20= of 27. Jim Lind found another today on the Stanley Rd (Cty Rd 9) about=20= 4 miles west of Hwy 61 and the Two Harbors Ford dealership. Doug=20 Johnson found another along Hwy 61 one mile west of Flood Bay. Yet=20 another Great Gray was seen along Cty Rd 16 between Makinen and=20 Brimson. The bird =A0was in the vicinity of the extensive spruce bog one=20= mile west of the entrance to the Whiteface National Forest Service=20 Campground. Uwe Kausch had a GREAT GRAY OWL at his house northeast of=20 Duluth. The first SNOWY OWL of the season was found October 23rd at Paradise=20 Beach in Cook County, about 14 miles northeast of Grand Marais. The CLARK'S NUTCRACKER in Silver Bay was seen by many observers through=20= the 24th, but to my knowledge it has not been seen since. Mike Hendrickson saw a PACIFIC LOON and a BLACK SCOTER on Lake Superior=20= off Park Point today. Chris Wood found a first-winter LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at the mouth=20 of the Knife River on the 26th. Jim Lind found a first-winter THAYER'S=20= GULL there on the same day. Peder Svingen and Phil Chu found 5 CATTLE=20 EGRETS in Two Harbors on the 23rd. The birds were on the ball field=20 along Hwy 2, two blocks north of 61. They were still present on the=20 24th. A HARLEQUIN DUCK, a LONG-TAILED DUCK, and SURF SCOTERS have been=20= seen in Burlington Bay at Two Harbors at various times this week. Two HARLEQUIN DUCKS were seen at Grand Marais over the weekend, and=20 SURF SCOTERS and WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS were observed at Paradise Beach=20= during the last week. Several THAYER'S GULLS and at least two GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS have=20 been seen at the Superior Entry between Minnesota and Wisconsin Points=20= earlier this week. Mike Conley had an albino AMERICAN ROBIN in Proctor=20= on the 21st and 22nd. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, November=20= 4. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-728-5030.=20 Information about bird sightings may be left following the recorded=20 message. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota=20 Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more=20 information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum to=20 mou@cbs.umn.edu, or visit the MOU web site at mou.mn.org.= From jslind@frontiernet.net Thu Oct 28 02:47:19 2004 From: jslind@frontiernet.net (Jim Lind) Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 20:47:19 -0500 Subject: [mou] Lake Co. L. Black-backed Gull relocated Message-ID: <41800957.3422.4E1FFF15@localhost> This evening Tom Auer and I relocated the 1st-winter Lesser Black- backed Gull at the mouth of the Knife River, originally found yesterday by Chris Wood. Although I've never seen one in this plumage, we saw most of the field marks including darker mantle, rounder head, and slightly smaller body size than Herring Gull, pale rump, a thin all-black bill, and lack of obvious "windows" on the inner primaries in flight. At dusk there was a lone Cattle Egret at Agate Bay in Two Harbors roosting on the old concrete pier. It might be one of the five birds seen in town over the weekend. Jim Lind Two Harbors From smithville4@charter.net Thu Oct 28 03:25:23 2004 From: smithville4@charter.net (Mike Hendrickson) Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 21:25:23 -0500 Subject: [mou] Owls Message-ID: <001d01c4bc95$6157a7a0$46a47044@FAMILYCOMPUTER> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_001A_01C4BC6B.784AB120 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I been keeping tabs on Northern Hawks Owls, Snowy Owls and Great Grey = Owls. So far the here are the following numbers Northern Hawk Owls: 13 seen so far by various birders. The chunk of the = sightings are in the Sax Zim Bog area NW of Duluth. There might be more = but there were no directions given to all the 7 seen yesterday and = Monday. So I would assume some of the birds seen yesterday might be some = of the birds seen by a group from WI over the weekend. Great Grey Owls: 14 seen so far this Fall season. Many of the owls are = from Sax Zim bog east to Lake Co. there hasn't been any owls seen north = of Co. Rd 16. Its interesting to see Great Grays are working there way = along the north shore. Snowy Owls: 2 so far. One owl in Polk Co. and another in Cook Co. I been = looking around and seen that so far Snowy Owls were seen in Nebraska and = Kansas.=20 Boreal Owls: I see that Bill lane on his web site is near 15 or so = netted. So when the snow falls and begins to pile up unfortunately there = are going to be a lot of starving Boreal Owls around. Many of these = sightings will be near feeders. These totals are just for October. We haven't approached November yet = and the rest of the winter months.=20 Mike H. ------=_NextPart_000_001A_01C4BC6B.784AB120 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I been keeping tabs on = Northern Hawks=20 Owls, Snowy Owls and Great Grey Owls.
 
So far the here are the = following=20 numbers
 
Northern Hawk Owls: 13 seen = so far by=20 various birders. The chunk of the sightings are in the Sax Zim Bog area = NW of=20 Duluth.  There might be more but there were no directions given to = all the=20 7 seen yesterday and Monday. So I would assume some of the birds seen = yesterday=20 might be some of the birds seen by a group from WI over the=20 weekend.
 
Great Grey Owls: 14 seen so = far this Fall=20 season. Many of the owls are from Sax Zim bog east to Lake Co. there = hasn't been=20 any owls seen north of Co. Rd 16. Its interesting to see Great Grays are = working=20 there way along the north shore.
 
Snowy Owls: 2 so far. One owl = in Polk Co.=20 and another in Cook Co. I been looking around and seen that so far Snowy = Owls=20 were seen in Nebraska and Kansas.
 
Boreal Owls: I see that Bill = lane on his=20 web site is near 15 or so netted. So when the snow falls and begins to = pile up=20 unfortunately there are going to be a lot of starving Boreal Owls = around. Many=20 of these sightings will be near feeders.
 
These totals are just for = October. We=20 haven't approached November yet and the rest of the winter months. =
 
Mike H.
 
 
------=_NextPart_000_001A_01C4BC6B.784AB120-- From david@cahlander.com Thu Oct 28 04:56:31 2004 From: david@cahlander.com (David A. Cahlander) Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 22:56:31 -0500 Subject: [mou] Cedar Waxwing cradhing into windows Message-ID: <001601c4bca2$1fb02d60$0400a8c0@flash> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0013_01C4BC78.333AB780 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Thanks for all the suggestions about how to keep the birds from hitting = the windows. I may not have described the geometery of the walkway. It = looks like: | | bird |_______V__________ glass Building / =20 / walkway / ___________________ glass | | =20 With the bird able to see outdoors through the parallel planes of glass. I forwarded the notes to Brian at the Kenwood Isles apartments. Here is = the note that he sent to me. --- David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, MN 952-894-5910 ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Brian Neidt=20 To: David A. Cahlander=20 Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 3:09 PM Subject: Re: Cedar Waxwing cradhing into windows David, I think we finally figured out how to save the birds...we had to = resort to hanging blankets and sheets in the windows but since we have = done it we havent lost one bird. Hopefully our good fortune continues! = Thanks for your help and advice! Brian=20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------= ------- ------=_NextPart_000_0013_01C4BC78.333AB780 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Thanks for all the = suggestions about how=20 to keep the birds from hitting the windows.  I may not have = described the=20 geometery of the walkway.  It looks like:
 
          &nbs= p;  =20 |            =   =20 | bird
          &nbs= p;  =20 |_______V__________  glass
Building /  =
          &nbs= p;=20 /    walkway
           /=20 ___________________  glass
          &nbs= p; =20 |
          &nbs= p;  |         &nbs= p;     
With the bird able to see = outdoors=20 through the parallel planes of glass.
 
I forwarded the notes to = Brian at the=20 Kenwood Isles apartments.  Here is the note that he sent to=20 me.
---
David Cahlander david@cahlander.com Burnsville, = MN=20 952-894-5910
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Brian = Neidt
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 3:09 PM
Subject: Re: Cedar Waxwing cradhing into windows

David,

I think we finally figured out how to save the birds...we had to = resort=20 to hanging blankets and sheets in the windows but since we have done = it we=20 havent lost one bird.  Hopefully our good fortune = continues! =20 Thanks for your help and advice!

Brian =

------=_NextPart_000_0013_01C4BC78.333AB780-- From EgretCMan@aol.com Thu Oct 28 06:29:55 2004 From: EgretCMan@aol.com (EgretCMan@aol.com) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 01:29:55 EDT Subject: [mou] MRVAC - Mille Lac's Lake - Field trip report - 10/26/2004 Message-ID: <1a9.2a53f2dd.2eb1ddd3@aol.com> -------------------------------1098941395 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 10/26/04 We encounter 53 species of birds on and around Lake Mille Lac's with the following being some of the more unusual species encountered. @ Pacific Loon - 12:10pm - This bird was observed from CR 35 on the South side of Vineland Bay. The bird was actively diving about mid way in the bay. We tried to get a closer view from the North side of the bay, but the viewing was much better from the South side and we were unable to relocate the bird after that. @ Black-bellied Plover, Sanderling & Dunlin - CR 35, just before it heads back to Hyw 169 along Vineland Bay. @ Northern Shrike - Several were observed South of the town of Cove @ Common Raven - CR 27, 1/2 mile East of Hyw 169. @ Townsend's Solitaire - 8:45am - This bird briefly observed perched on the East side of the Public Access at the town of Cove on the South West side of Lake Mille Lac's and then observed in flight by the group. We searched the area West and South of the boat access for the next hour or so without success in relocating the bird. Craig Mandel - EgretCMan@aol.com - Minnetonka, MN -------------------------------1098941395 Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
10/26/04
 
We encounter 53 species of birds on and around Lake Mille Lac's with th= e following being some of the more unusual species encountered.
 
@ Pacific Loon - 12:10pm - This bird was observed from CR 35 on the Sou= th side of Vineland Bay.  The bird was actively diving about=20= mid way in the bay.  We tried to get a closer view from the North=20= side of the bay, but the viewing was much better from the South side an= d we were unable to relocate the bird after that.
 
@ Black-bellied Plover, Sanderling & Dunlin - CR 35, just before it= heads back to Hyw 169 along Vineland Bay.
 
@ Northern Shrike - Several were observed South of the town of Cove
 
@ Common Raven - CR 27, 1/2 mile East of Hyw 169.
 
@ Townsend's Solitaire - 8:45am - This bird briefly observed perch= ed on the East side of the Public Access at the town of Cove on the South We= st side of Lake Mille Lac's and then observed in flight by the group. &= nbsp;We searched the area West and South of the boat access for the nex= t hour or so without success in relocating the bird.  
 
 
 
 
Craig Mandel - EgretCMan@aol.com - Minnetonka, MN
-------------------------------1098941395-- From PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net Thu Oct 28 15:15:35 2004 From: PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net (Pastor Al) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 09:15:35 -0500 Subject: [mou] Weather Message-ID: <00b301c4bcf8$9a8f4b50$0c01a8c0@PastorAl> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_00B0_01C4BCCE.AE9D0F30 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable While preparing for our staff meeting, I find myself contemplating the = pouring rain and the impact it will have on my birding later today. = It's easy to simply cancel plans & wait for better weather - considering = the impact on me, my optics and, supposedly, the birds. But wait a minute. Haven't some of the best birds come during inclement = weather? Wasn't I being poured on while contemplating a state early = Blackburnian Warbler in WI? Haven't some of the northern specialties = come during less than ideal winter conditions? Haven't conditions been = "cold as sin" while watching unique gulls along the Great Lakes? How about you? What have been some of your best foul weather (pun = semi-intended) birds? Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties pastoral@princetonfreechurch.net ------=_NextPart_000_00B0_01C4BCCE.AE9D0F30 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
While preparing for our staff meeting, = I find=20 myself contemplating the pouring rain and the impact it will have on my = birding=20 later today.  It's easy to simply cancel plans & wait for = better=20 weather - considering the impact on me, my optics and, supposedly, the=20 birds.
 
But wait a minute.  Haven't some = of the best=20 birds come during inclement weather?  Wasn't I being poured on = while=20 contemplating a state early Blackburnian Warbler in WI?  = Haven't some=20 of the northern specialties come during less than ideal winter = conditions? =20 Haven't conditions been "cold as sin" while watching unique gulls along = the=20 Great Lakes?
 
How about you?  What have been = some of your=20 best foul weather (pun semi-intended) birds?
 
Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne = Counties
pastoral@princetonfreech= urch.net
 
------=_NextPart_000_00B0_01C4BCCE.AE9D0F30-- From cbutler@lcp2.net Thu Oct 28 17:04:00 2004 From: cbutler@lcp2.net (Cindy Butler) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 11:04:00 -0500 Subject: [mou] Owls Aitkin Co Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.20041028110400.00ff2d10@mail.lcp2.net> Just an addition to Mike's post, in eastern Aitkin County in an area north of the town of Tamarack in the past couple of weeks there has been a Northern Hawk Owl, two Northern Saw-whet Owls, a Long-eared Owl and a Great Gray Owl. Unfortunately I have not seen them, as they were found in the Tamarack/Spruce bogs and not close to the roads, but they are out there and maybe I will get a chance to see some owls one of these days too. My brother-in-law in Chisago County said he saw a white owl near the river east of Rush City this week. He's not much of a birder, but a white owl in the daylight hours is hard to miss and most likely a Snowy Owl. It certainly is starting out to be a good winter for finding owls, it is interesting to see where they are being found. Have fun birding, Cindy Butler Tamarack, Aitkin County, MN From Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com Thu Oct 28 17:06:50 2004 From: Chris.Fagyal@udlp.com (Chris Fagyal) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 11:06:50 -0500 Subject: [mou] Re: [mnbird] Weather Message-ID: --=_BA9A770B.C3A3D039 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hmm...This is an interesting question...and one that takes some pondering... Most of my best "foul weather" birds have probably not even been observed in the US. One that sticks in my mind is Golden-crowned Spadebill in Costa Rica at Los Cusingos right before it absolutely dumped torrential rains. Another would be Snowcap and Black-crested Coquette in torrential rains that same trip a few days later at Rancho Naturalista. It rained so hard that we almost exclusively birded from the balcony at Rancho because the trails were too dangerous to be on. I haven't actually done any wonderous birding in miserable conditions in MN. At least not that I can immediately recall. It was cold 2 weeks ago for the Clark's Nutcracker, but I wouldn't call it horrendous. Maybe the King Eider in April a few years ago up in Duluth...but again, it was really only cold and drizzly..not horrible. Chris Fagyal Senior Software Engineer United Defense, L.P. ASD Fridley, MN (763) 572-5320 chris.fagyal@udlp.com >>> "Pastor Al" 10/28/2004 07:15:35 AM >>> While preparing for our staff meeting, I find myself contemplating the pouring rain and the impact it will have on my birding later today. It's easy to simply cancel plans & wait for better weather - considering the impact on me, my optics and, supposedly, the birds. But wait a minute. Haven't some of the best birds come during inclement weather? Wasn't I being poured on while contemplating a state early Blackburnian Warbler in WI? Haven't some of the northern specialties come during less than ideal winter conditions? Haven't conditions been "cold as sin" while watching unique gulls along the Great Lakes? How about you? What have been some of your best foul weather (pun semi-intended) birds? Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties pastoral@princetonfreechurch.net --=_BA9A770B.C3A3D039 Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Hmm...This is an interesting question...and one tha t takes some pondering...
 
Most of my best "foul weather" birds have probably not even been observ ed in the US.  One that sticks in my mind is Golden-crowned Spadebill in C osta Rica at Los Cusingos right before it absolutely dumped torrential rains.&nbs p; Another would be Snowcap and Black-crested Coquette in torrential rains that same trip a few days later at Rancho Naturalista.  It rained so hard th at we almost exclusively birded from the balcony at Rancho because the trails w ere too dangerous to be on.
 
I haven't actually done any wonderous birding in miserable conditions i n MN.  At least not that I can immediately recall.  It was cold 2 we eks ago for the Clark's Nutcracker, but I wouldn't call it horrendous.  May be the King Eider in April a few years ago up in Duluth...but again, it was rea lly only cold and drizzly..not horrible.
 
 
 
Chris Fagyal
Senior Software Engineer
United Defense, L.P. ASD
Fridley, MN
(763) 572-5320
chris.fagyal@udlp.com

>> ;> "Pastor Al" <PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net> 10/28/2004 07:15:35 AM >>>
While preparing for our staff meeting, I find myself contemplating the pouring rain and the impact it will have on my bird ing later today.  It's easy to simply cancel plans & wait for better weather - considering the impact on me, my optics and, supposedly, the birds.
 
But wait a minute.  Haven't some of the be st birds come during inclement weather?  Wasn't I being poured on while contemplating a state early Blackburnian Warbler in WI?  Haven't s ome of the northern specialties come during less than ideal winter conditions?&n bsp; Haven't conditions been "cold as sin" while watching unique gulls along the Great Lakes?
 
How about you?  What have been some of you r best foul weather (pun semi-intended) birds?
 
Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
 
--=_BA9A770B.C3A3D039-- From mattjim@earthlink.net Thu Oct 28 18:53:56 2004 From: mattjim@earthlink.net (James Mattsson) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 12:53:56 -0500 Subject: [mou] Scoters, etc. Dakota Co. Message-ID: <410-2200410428175356603@earthlink.net> ------=_NextPart_84815C5ABAF209EF376268C8 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII The weather today prompted me to go scoter "hunting". I found 10 White-winged Scoters on Lake Byllesby. Nine juveniles and one adult (probably a female). They were in a tight raft toward the east end of the lake. When first found, they were north of the center line of the lake (Dakota Co.), but eventually swam west into Goodhue. Best viewed from the small County pullout near Gaylord St. Lighting was horrible due to the mist and low ceiling. But eventually I saw most of the group wing flap, revealing large white specula. Also, shorebirds present on the mudflats at the west end were Dunlin (10), White-rumped (5); Baird's (1); Pectoral (2). James Mattsson mattjim@earthlink.net Why Wait? Move to EarthLink. ------=_NextPart_84815C5ABAF209EF376268C8 Content-Type: text/html; charset=US-ASCII

The weather today prompted me to go scoter "hunting".  I found 10 White-winged Scoters on Lake Byllesby. Nine juveniles and one adult (probably a female). They were in a tight raft toward the east end of the lake. When first found, they were north of the center line of the lake (Dakota Co.), but eventually swam west into Goodhue. Best viewed from the small County pullout near Gaylord St.   Lighting was horrible due to the mist and low ceiling. But eventually I saw most of the group wing flap, revealing large white specula.
 
Also, shorebirds present on the mudflats at the west end were Dunlin (10), White-rumped (5); Baird's (1); Pectoral (2).
 
 
James Mattsson
Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.
 

------=_NextPart_84815C5ABAF209EF376268C8-- From kreckert@cpinternet.com Thu Oct 28 20:14:34 2004 From: kreckert@cpinternet.com (Kim R Eckert) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 14:14:34 -0500 Subject: [mou] Lesser Black-backed Gull / Knife River Message-ID: <9AA748AC-2915-11D9-80D6-000A95E02230@cpinternet.com> The first-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull found by Chris Wood on Tuesday was still present this morning at the gravel beach at the mouth of the Knife River in Lake Co. Jim Lind and I saw it and took additional photos. - Kim Eckert From aybear@hickorytech.net Thu Oct 28 22:39:03 2004 From: aybear@hickorytech.net (Michael Hebert) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 16:39:03 -0500 Subject: [mou] 3-Owl-Species Day!! Message-ID: Tuesday, October 26, 2004. Barred Owl-- along cty rd 133 near the intersection of cty rd 7 in the Sax-Zim area at 7:20 a.m. Northern Hawk Owl --along hwy 2, 7 miles west of the town of Floodwood at 2:30 p.m. Great Gray Owl--along cty rd 18, north of Palisade at 4:45 p.m. All three owls were in trees, alongside the road and were watching the culverts below, apparently searching for prey. We had excellent looks at the Northern Hawk Owl through the scope and watched it dive into the grass, then fly up and back into the woods, apparently with some type of prey. Karen Hebert St. Peter, Mn From ajjoppru@wiktel.com Fri Oct 29 01:55:02 2004 From: ajjoppru@wiktel.com (Jeanie Joppru) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 19:55:02 -0500 Subject: [mou] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Friday, October 29, 2004 Message-ID: <000001c4bd51$f0d5a370$bbd5aec6@main> This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, October 29, 2004 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. The last week's wet and gloomy weather seems to have speeded up the migration, and at the same time kept some birders inside. There are fewer reports this week, but we are getting second hand reports of owls. Please keep a look out for northern owls, as this is shaping up to be an invasion year. News from the north indicates that the rodent population has crashed, so owls will be moving south for food. Gretchen Mehmel reports that small mammal surveys in the Red Lake WMA indicate that the rodent populations have also hit a low there, so we hope there won't be starving when we see them. Duane and Marilyn Olson reported a SNOW BUNTING from southern Becker County near Cormorant on October 27th. >From Benjamin Fritchman who was birding in Clay County on October 23rd comes a report of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 113 AMERICAN PIPITS feeding in a yard in the northern part of the county, and a large flock of LAPLAND LONGSPURS numbering in the hundreds. Bill Unzen observed a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER on Lake Bemidji in Beltrami County on October 23rd, and also found two BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS on the campus of BSU in the city of Bemidji . In Polk County, Bruce Flaig reported TRUMPETER SWAN, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. On a North Dakota listserve a SNOWY OWL was reported by Dick Kappedal about 10 miles east of East Grand Forks in Polk County this week- I have no confirmation , or news of anyone else finding this bird. Two EARED GREBES spent much of the week at the 8th Street bridge over the Thief River in Thief River Falls in Pennington County. I have a secondhand report of a SNOWY OWL seen on October 19th in Excel township of Marshall County two miles west from CR 12 along CR 7, and 2 1/2 miles south. Mary and Steve Broten saw a flock of 20-30 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS about six miles south of Newfolden on October 23rd. At Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge on October 24th, I found two BALD EAGLES, a MERLIN, TWO GREATER YELLOWLEGS, a NORTHERN SHRIKE, and a flock of twenty SNOW BUNTINGS. A large assortment of AMERICAN COOTS and ducks that included a large number of AMERICAN WIGEON was also there. Diana Morkassel has four immature and two adult NORTHERN CARDINALS at her place near Warren, along with RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, HARRIS'S SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and other migrants. Melanie Torkelson reported that one of the employees of the Roseau River WMA found a GREAT GRAY OWL one mile east of the intersection of CR 118 and State Highway 89. This report was received October 28th, but the date of the sighting was not given. Thanks to Bill Unzen, Benjamin Fritchman, Mary Broten, Duane and Marilyn Olson, Cliff Steinhauer, Melanie Torkelson, Diana Morkassel, and Bruce Flaig 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, November 5, 2004. From watsup@boreal.org Fri Oct 29 05:43:15 2004 From: watsup@boreal.org (Steve and Sherry Watson) Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 21:43:15 -0700 Subject: [mou] not much around Message-ID: <000001c4bd71$ceb8fb00$840f46d8@m7z0w8> Hello All, The last couple day's I've been out and about around the Grand Marais Cook County area but haven't seen a whole lot. This morning there were several bohemian waxwings in Boulder Park feeding on the many mountain ash berries. There are also great numbers of white-winged scoters around, their were about 15-20 in the east bay in the Grand Marais harbor and about a dozen at Paradise beach as well as another half dozen in Chicago bay near Hoveland. About 15 surf scoters were at Paradise beach yesterday as well and a good dozen long-tailed ducks this afternoon. And last but not least a single black scoter at Chicago Bay as well. 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: 6.0.776 / Virus Database: 523 - Release Date: 10/12/04 From 19063707582@mms.dobson.net Fri Oct 29 19:09:13 2004 From: 19063707582@mms.dobson.net (19063707582@mms.dobson.net) Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2004 18:09:13 GMT Subject: [mou] N. Hawk Owl - Park Point - St. Louis Message-ID: ------=_Part_29430_16515840.1099073353481 content-type:text/plain;Charset=UTF-8 content-transfer-encoding: base64 T24gdGVsZXBob25lIHBvbGUgb24gcmlnaHQgYXMgeW91IGVudGVyIHBhcmsuICAgIFRvbSBBdWVy ------=_Part_29430_16515840.1099073353481-- From Michelle_McDowell@fws.gov Fri Oct 29 19:43:41 2004 From: Michelle_McDowell@fws.gov (Michelle_McDowell@fws.gov) Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2004 13:43:41 -0500 Subject: [mou] Northern hawk owl, mountain bluebird - Aitkin Co. Message-ID: This is a multipart message in MIME format. --=_alternative 0066D1E186256F3C_= Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" We just had a couple of birders report a Northern hawk owl on Aitkin Co. Rd. 18 (north of Palisade) and a mountain bluebird on Co. Rd. 5 (south of Palisade). Stop by the refuge if you get chance. This week's waterfowl numbers were >200,000, mostly ring-necked ducks. A group of tundra swans and a family of trumpeters are using the refuge too. Cheers! Michelle McDowell Wildlife Biologist Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge McGregor, MN 218-768-2402 --=_alternative 0066D1E186256F3C_= Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII"
We just had a couple of birders report a Northern hawk owl on Aitkin Co. Rd. 18 (north of Palisade) and a mountain bluebird on Co. Rd. 5 (south of Palisade).  Stop by the refuge if you get chance.  This week's waterfowl numbers were >200,000, mostly ring-necked ducks.  A group of tundra swans and a family of trumpeters are using the refuge too.

Cheers!

Michelle McDowell
Wildlife Biologist
Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge
McGregor, MN
218-768-2402 --=_alternative 0066D1E186256F3C_=-- From boreal_finch@yahoo.com Fri Oct 29 20:51:00 2004 From: boreal_finch@yahoo.com (Dan Amerman) Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2004 12:51:00 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [mou] Knife River Gulls, Lake County (& St. Louis County) Message-ID: <20041029195100.20838.qmail@web53009.mail.yahoo.com> I did the quick drive up the Shore for lunch hour each of the last two days, and was fortunate enought to see the Lesser Black-backed Gull at the mouth of the Knife River yesterday. I was not able to refind it today, but that doesn't mean much, as there are lots of places in the area it can be besides the river mouth. I did however see a fairly pale 2nd winter Thayer's Gull that is worth checking out, whether the LBBG is there or not. The mantle and scapulars were mottled pale gray and light tan color. The primaries were on the light side of medium brown, with pale fringes. On Tuesday the 26th, I found a Pacific Loon on Agate Bay, quite a ways out, I had to go to the end of the breakwater to get some decent scope views. On Wednesday the 27th I found an adult Thayer's Gull on the MN side of the Superior Entry, as well as a 1st winter Thayer's Gull at the Superior Landfill, where I also refound the large, particularly pale 1st winter Glaucous Gull, as well as a smaller white primaried gull that flew before I could ID it. The gulls of course go back and forth between the Entry and the landfill, and can be either WI or MN birds in any given hour. Dan Amerman Duluth, MN __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From bwieland@care2.com Fri Oct 29 22:33:38 2004 From: bwieland@care2.com (Ben Wieland) Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2004 16:33:38 -0500 Subject: [mou] Cass County Northern Hawk Owl Message-ID: <821D714498CD65F48A4BB209AE7E1FB0@bwieland.care2.com> A Northern Hawk Owl showed up near Deep Portage Learning Center on 10/29. The bird stuck around for a while, allowing for some great looks. Deep Portage is located between Hackensack and Longville on the shores of Big Deep Lake. The bird was located in a clearcut aspen stand near the main lodge and cooperated for some great close-up looks. Ben Wieland Deep Portage Bird Observatory Care2 make the world greener! Support Care2 Email: 1,400 whales may be killed this year. Take action! http://www.care2.com/go/z/17954 From Plaxo Contact Update for Warren Woessner" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --_-------==62546997 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="_--=======426522266" --_--=======426522266 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit mou-net@cbs.umn.edu, I'm updating my address book. Please take a moment to update me with your latest contact info. Click the following link to correct or confirm your information: https://www.plaxo.com/edit_contact_info?r=8590756500-59085463-1777941235 Name: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Job Title: Company: Work E-mail: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu Work Phone: Work Fax: Work Address Line 1: Work Address Line 2: Work City, State, Zip: Mobile Phone: Home E-mail: Home Phone: Home Fax: Home Address Line 1: Home Address Line 2: Home City, State, Zip: Birthday: P.S. I've included my Plaxo card below so that you have my current information. I've also attached a copy as a vCard. +----------------- | Warren Woessner | WWoessner@slwk.com | | Schwegman Lundberg Woessner & Kluth PA | 121 S 8th St (1600) | Minneapolis, MN 55402 | work: (612) 373-6903 | fax: 612 339 3061 +------------------------------------- ____________________________________________________________ This message was sent to you by WWoessner@slwk.com via Plaxo. To opt out: https://www.plaxo.com/opt_out?r=8590756500-59085463-1777941235 Plaxo's Privacy Policy: http://www.plaxo.com/support/privacy --_--=======426522266 Content-Type: text/html; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Your Contact Info

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--_--=======426522266-- --_-------==62546997 Content-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=ISO-8859-1; name="Warren Woessner.vcf" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="Warren Woessner.vcf" BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:2.1 X-PLAXO-VERSION:1.0 N:Woessner;Warren;;; FN:Warren Woessner ORG:Schwegman Lundberg Woessner & Kluth PA ADR;WORK;ENCODING=QUOTED-PRINTABLE:;;121 S 8th St (1600);Minneapolis;MN;55402;USA TEL;WORK;VOICE:(612) 373-6903 TEL;WORK;FAX:612 339 3061 EMAIL;PREF;INTERNET;WORK:WWoessner@slwk.com END:VCARD --_-------==62546997-- From tpulles@gbronline.com Sat Oct 30 14:23:59 2004 From: tpulles@gbronline.com (tpulles) Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 08:23:59 -0500 Subject: [mou] north shore birding Message-ID: <418395ef.138.8e0.28988@gbronline.com> My family and I took a one-day trip along the North Shore yesterday (Friday, October 29). Our better sightings included- HORNED GREBE - 1 at Park Point GREATER SCAUP - Park Point SURF SCOTER - 1 at Paradise Beach WHITE-WINGED SCOTER - 3 at Grand Marais, 8 at Paradise Beach NORTHERN GOSHAWK - 1 at Park Point BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER - 8 at Park Point on the beach THAYER'S GULL - 1st winter bird at Grand Marais LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - 1st winter bird at Knife River BOHEMIAN WAXWING - 5 in downtown Grand Marais SNOW BUNTING - Grand Marais Also, in or around my yard recently I've had trumpeter swan, tundra swan, cackling goose, and northern shrike Keith Pulles, Wright County From kentnickell@msn.com Sat Oct 30 19:47:44 2004 From: kentnickell@msn.com (Kent Nickell) Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 13:47:44 -0500 Subject: [mou] FW: Fwd: Merlin at Lutsen Message-ID: >One of the field trips this morning at the Grand Marais birding >festival had a cooperative Merlin along the foggy lake shore. >Have a few photos at http://www.greenbackedheron.com/photo.cfm?setid=1215 > >Good birding, >Kent Nickell >Waterloo, Ia >mountainpath@gmail.com From PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net Sun Oct 31 13:30:45 2004 From: PastorAl@PrincetonFreeChurch.net (Pastor Al) Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 07:30:45 -0600 Subject: [mou] Northern Hawk Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker Message-ID: <001401c4bf4d$d4779410$0c01a8c0@PastorAl> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0011_01C4BF1B.892CBFD0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Nathan & I birded Sax-Zim, Hawk Ridge (only briefly), Knife River, Two = Harbors and Wisconsin Point yesterday. Best finds were a Northern Hawk = Owl in Sax-Zim (2.5 miles north of Sax Road on Highway 7, east side of = road) and a Black-backed Woodpecker (literally blown into the trees = along Agate Bay in Two Harbors). Otherwise, from an unusual bird = viewpoint, we found most of the areas to be relatively quiet. =20 Perhaps the 30+ mile an hour winds blowing "straight out" hampered at = least the Lake Superior birding. Good day, nonetheless. Al & Nathan Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ------=_NextPart_000_0011_01C4BF1B.892CBFD0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Nathan & I birded Sax-Zim, Hawk = Ridge (only=20 briefly), Knife River, Two Harbors and Wisconsin Point yesterday.  = Best=20 finds were a Northern Hawk Owl in Sax-Zim (2.5 miles north of Sax Road = on=20 Highway 7, east side of road) and a Black-backed Woodpecker (literally = blown=20 into the trees along Agate Bay in Two Harbors).  Otherwise, = from an=20 unusual bird viewpoint, we found most of the areas to be relatively = quiet. =20
 
Perhaps the 30+ mile an hour winds = blowing=20 "straight out" hampered at least the Lake Superior birding.  Good = day,=20 nonetheless.
 
Al & Nathan = Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne = Counties
 
 
------=_NextPart_000_0011_01C4BF1B.892CBFD0-- From corax6330@yahoo.com Sun Oct 31 18:30:18 2004 From: corax6330@yahoo.com (fred lesher) Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 10:30:18 -0800 (PST) Subject: [mou] Tundra Swans & waterfowl, Pool 8, Miss. R. Houston Co. MN Message-ID: <20041031183018.41980.qmail@web13424.mail.yahoo.com> To view the following species, drive south of LaCrescent, MN Hwy. 16 then south on Hwy 26 south of Brownsville to Shellhorn Rd. & Bar south to about Mile Marker 12: Hwy 26 has no paved shoulders. The viewing deck south of Brownsville was put there for hwy. safety not for best viewing. Best sites are north and south of the deck. Am. W. Pelican-----150-200 Tundra Swan--------500-600 (you count them) Great Egret--------------1 (Look for uncommon Snow Geese to fill out the great white bird birdlist) Wood Duck, Gadwall, Am. Wigeon, Mallard N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, Gr.-w Teal, Canvasback, Bufflehead, C. Goldeneye. The waterfowl are strung out in rafts and ribbons for miles on Pool 8, best viewed from Minn. You count them! 10,000-20,000? And more to come. Canvasbacks are especially concentrated in distinctive rafts and ribbons extending for two miles in length and in rafts across the river breadth. So far, no scaup of either species. No Redheads. Time for just about any waterfowl to be found by someone! Most of Pool 8 is in Wisconsin. The state line follows the old raft channel which runs within yards of the Minn. shore in places. Fred Lesher LaCrosse, Wis. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Address AutoComplete - You start. We finish. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail From connyb@mycidco.com Sun Oct 31 15:34:03 2004 From: connyb@mycidco.com (Conny Brunell) Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 15:34:03 Subject: [mou] Tundra Swans at Wilkie Unit, Scott Co. Message-ID: Leslie Marcus and I enjoyed watching 40 Tundra Swans at the NWR Wilkie Unit off MN 101 in Shakopee, Scott Co. There were a couple of Great Blue Herons, Pied-billed Grebes, Coots (many), 12 species of Ducks, and a Northern Shrike. Conny Brunell Richfield, Hennepin Cty connyb@mycidco.com From ksussman@lcp2.net Sun Oct 31 22:36:47 2004 From: ksussman@lcp2.net (Karen Sussman) Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 16:36:47 -0600 Subject: [mou] Great Gray/Hawkowls Message-ID: <59B0DF3C-2B8D-11D9-83F0-000A95D84DEC@lcp2.net> --Apple-Mail-2-695923696 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed Today at 1:45pm there was a GGO 3 miles east of Cnty Rd #7 on Arkola Rd (NE SLC) Also between 2-2:30 Pm there were two Hawk Owls: 1 1.6 miles south of Byrne Greenhouse on east side of Cnty Rd #7 1 0.5 miles south of Stone Lake Rd on Cnty Rd #7 on the west side Nothing but the Shrike on Stone Lake Road itself. Didn't go further into the bog as I had already pressed my luck with the other passengers in the car who are not birders. Had I not seen the owls, I'm not sure I would've survived the detour as it was... Karen Sussman ksussman@lcp2.net --Apple-Mail-2-695923696 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/enriched; charset=US-ASCII Hiragino Kaku Gothic ProToday at 1:45pm there was a GGO 3 miles east of Cnty Rd #7 on Arkola Rd (NE SLC) Also between 2-2:30 Pm there were two Hawk Owls: 1 1.6 miles south of Byrne Greenhouse on east side of Cnty Rd #7 1 0.5 miles south of Stone Lake Rd on Cnty Rd #7 on the west side Nothing but the Shrike on Stone Lake Road itself. Didn't go further into the bog as I had already pressed my luck with the other passengers in the car who are not birders. Had I not seen the owls, I'm not sure I would've survived the detour as it was... Times New RomanKaren Sussman ksussman@lcp2.net --Apple-Mail-2-695923696-- From Kent Nickell Sat Oct 30 18:59:37 2004 From: Kent Nickell (Kent Nickell) Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 12:59:37 -0500 Subject: [mou] Merlin at Lutsen Message-ID: One of the field trips this morning at the Grand Marais birding festival had a cooperative Merlin along the foggy lake shore. Have a few photos at http://www.greenbackedheron.com/photo.cfm?setid=1215 Good birding, Kent Nickell Waterloo, Ia mountainpath@gmail.com