[mou] Henslow's Sparrow-Stearns

[Milton Blomberg]

On behalf of Brian Jungels (MOU/Audubon member), who reported to me of hearing a loud Henslow's near his home hayfield, I am reporting my observation this morning from 6:30-7:00am.  First, location:  Take CR2 S-SW off of the I94 exit to St. Joseph, MN (left turn)--go to Jacobs Prairie (look for stone Catholic Church on S. side), the next road past turn right on Island Lake Road.  Go up the hill ~1/2 mile, as you crest the hill, two small hayfield plots show up, look for the one with a perimeter cut on the west side.
I had long views of the singing Henslow's (my first visual lifer) perched on the Timothy grass out in the middle, 1/2 way toward the black mailbox (I was able to even get my scope on it).  With worm in mandibles, it finally flew up across the field and over the road and dropped down in the hayfield on the east side of the road, 20-30yds out from the utility pole with an elm sapling next to it.  I watched this flight pattern three times, from the middle of the Timothy and back, so I presume the nest is near the utility pole.  I could barely hear its vocal, but through the scope, its tail would pump once with each squeak, continuing the hold on to the green inchworm.  A rather intriguing bird, the quality of orange color surprised me.  The sedge wrens and catbirds muddle the sound of the Henslows, but I think I heard two of them, perhaps a pair nesting here.  Brian says it has been singing loudly in the evenings.  mjb
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