[mou] Clark's Nutcracker update

[Jim Lind]

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