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8 Feb Junco Canadian Rocky Mountain ["JOHN M GRUNDHOFER" ] 8 Feb the hang-out bushes and chirp-ins [Susan Kennedy ] 8 Feb WW crossbills in Detroit Lakes [Beau Shroyer ] 6 Feb FW: Overwintering Robbins ["Cherise Robb" ] 6 Feb Northern Hawk Owl [Ross Lagasse ] 5 Feb Re: Brown Creeper ["JOHN M GRUNDHOFER" ] 5 Feb Re: Brown Creeper [linda whyte ] 5 Feb Re: Brown Creeper [Jim Ryan ] 05 Feb Re: Brown Creeper [Bill Bruins ] 5 Feb Re: Over-wintering American Robins [Tim ] 05 Feb Duluth RBA 2/5/10 ["Jim Lind" ] 5 Feb Re: brown creeper ["Cal Paulson" ] 5 Feb Re: Brown Creeper ["Steve Weston" ] 4 Feb Re: Brown Creeper [linda whyte ] 5 Feb Re: Brown Creeper [] 4 Feb Re: Brown Creeper [Jon Gorder ] 4 Feb Brown Creeper ["JOHN M GRUNDHOFER" ] 4 Feb Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, February 4, 2010 ["Jeanie Joppru" ] 3 Feb Re: What Makes One Bird More Special Than Another? [Pamela Freeman ] 1 Feb female White throated sparrow ["Crownhart, Rachel" ] 1 Feb education opportunity [linda whyte ] 31 Jan N hawk owl. Hwy 200, 10 mi. east of Hill City [Beau Shroyer ] 30 Jan anhingas and oil glands ["dan&erika" ] 30 Jan Fwd: [ia-bird] Re: large, white raptor -- central Iowa [] 29 Jan Re: Birding about the Metro ["JOHN M GRUNDHOFER" ] 29 Jan Re: Birding about the Metro ["Cathy Gagliardi" ] 29 Jan Re: Birding about the Metro [linda whyte ] 29 Jan Re: Birding about the Metro [Jon Gorder ] 29 Jan Re: Birding about the Metro [] 29 Jan Birding about the Metro ["Steve Weston" ] 29 Jan Houston Co and Yucatan [carol schumacher ] 28 Jan Duluth RBA 1/28/10 ["Jim Lind" ] 28 Jan Reducing aircraft-wildlife strikes at airports [Matt Kennedy ] 28 Jan Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 28, 2010 ["Jeanie Joppru" ] 27 Jan Florida birding report ["dan&erika" ] 26 Jan MRVAC meeting Thursday at REI ["Steve Weston" ] 25 Jan W.W. crossbills [Beau Shroyer ] 22 Jan Sax-Zim area, Wednesday-Friday [linda whyte ] 22 Jan Festival of Owls registration open ["Karla Kinstler" ] 21 Jan Duluth RBA 1/21/10 ["Jim Lind" ] 21 Jan Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 21, 2010 ["Jeanie Joppru" ] 21 Jan Re: red-shouldered Hawk ["JOHN M GRUNDHOFER" ] 21 Jan P.S. Re Hawk ["Carrie" ] 21 Jan Red-Shouldered Hawk? ["Carrie" ] 19 Jan Birding in Mexico [] 19 Jan Hawk Owl on ice [Claudia Egelhoff ] 18 Jan Wisconsin birder/photog with a question [Brian Hansen ] 18 Jan Cardinals [] 18 Jan Sax Zim 1-16/1-17 [Kelly Dan ] 17 Jan Brown Creeper [] 15 Jan bird trip question [Mary McGrath ] 14 Jan Duluth RBA 11/14/10 ["Jim Lind" ] 14 Jan Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 14, 2010 ["Jeanie Joppru" ] 14 Jan Sad news [] 14 Jan Sharpshinned or Coopers Hawk? ["Carrie" ] 13 Jan Re: mailing list ["Dan Jackson" ] 13 Jan mailing list [] 12 Jan Re: winter [linda whyte ] 12 Jan winter [scott henkemeyer ] 10 Jan Rough-legged Hawk, St. Paul, Ramsey Co. ["Margevicius, Thomas S." ] 10 Jan Rough-Legged Hawks, Dakota & Olmsted counties [KCTEPO00 ] 9 Jan Wilkie Unit - Scott County - January 9, 2010 ["CRAIG MANDEL" ] 9 Jan Prescott Harlequin AWOL [linda whyte ] 9 Jan Townsend Solitaire ["Sue Weber" ] 8 Jan FESTIVAL OF OWLS EXPLORITAS PROGAM in Houston MN ["Schumacher, Paul" ] 8 Jan Presscott Harlequin Duck [linda whyte ] 8 Jan Please post ["Lamberson, Jennifer S" ] 07 Jan Duluth RBA 1/7/10 ["Jim Lind" ] 7 Jan Recall: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 6, 2009 ["Jeanie Joppru" ] 7 Jan Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 6, 2010 ["Jeanie Joppru" ] 7 Jan Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 6, 2009 ["Jeanie Joppru" ] 7 Jan Fw: LSU ornithologists on PBS Nature program on hummingbirds Sunday night at 7 ["Larry Sirvio" ] 5 Jan Clay County, Sunday/Today [Matt Mecklenburg ] 4 Jan Upcoming free program about birds and the Mississippi [Valerie Cunningham ] 4 Jan Cold weather Cardinals [Kelly Dan ] 4 Jan dakota county gray partridge [james otto ] Subject: Junco Canadian Rocky Mountain From: "JOHN M GRUNDHOFER" <rexgrundhofer AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 14:22:06 -0600 On Sunday and again this morning we had a dark-eyed junco that appears to be the Canadian Rocky Mountain variety according to the Sibley's Guide Birds. I took photos of it yesterday. Connie Grundhofer Lino Lakes Anoka County_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: the hang-out bushes and chirp-ins From: Susan Kennedy <smkennedy_mn AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:01:47 -0800 (PST) I have several mature Euonymus bushes (burning bush) that serve as a hang-out for a mix of 1 - 40 birds, during all daylight hours, all year, in sun and rain and snow.  The largest number is generally House Finches followed closely by House Sparrows, but there are small numbers of Chickadees, Juncos, Cardinals, and Goldfinches.   I have never seen woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Blue Jays or Robins there.  Several times a minute, a bird flies in or out, or changes branches.  Birds do not sort themselves out by their own kind, and do not all face the same way.  They eat snow, even though a heated birdbath is 25 feet away, or, in the summer, pick leaves off the bush until the tops of the bushes are bare.  Sometimes they groom their feathers, or nap, and they are generally silent.  These bushes are around the corner from my feeding station, and within sight of my neighbor's.  It has been quite fascinating to watch them do very little.  Does anyone else see this activity, and do you have any insights into the mix of birds?   There is a separate area about 40 feet away from the hang-out bushes where House Sparrows gather for what I call the chirp-in.  In this area, the only birds welcome are House Sparrows, and they are generally somewhat hidden -- but very obvious by the sounds.  I don't know if just males are chirping, but it is a behavior of HOSP that is quite common.  Chirp-ins aren't an all-day event like the hang-out bushes are.   Susan in Minneapolis   _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: WW crossbills in Detroit Lakes From: Beau Shroyer <beaunshroyerduckbuster AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:29:00 -0600 At approximately 0900 this morning, 2-8-10, I saw a flock of about 15 ww crossbills on the 1200 block of Lake Ave. In Detroit Lakes. They were flying southbound and stopping and feeding in every spruce tree that they encountered. They'd stop for 1-2 minutes, then move on. Also saw the first P. siskins of the winter in D.L. _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469227/direct/01/_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: FW: Overwintering Robbins From: "Cherise Robb" <rcrobb AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:42:43 -0600 -----Original Message----- From: Cherise Robb [mailto:rcrobb AT msn.com] Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 5:48 PM To: 'birdbounces AT lists.mnbird.net' Subject: Overwintering Robbins Hello, all, Around sunset I went outside to bring in my ground feeder as we are expecting lots of snow. I stood still for a few minutes and listened. I could hear robbins to my left and right, and I'm certain they were heading for roosts. I have rarely seen robbins here in the winter but perhaps because of the bumper crop of crabapples and other food sources, they are here. It was so neat to hear the sound of their wings, barely more audible than a whisper, as they flew overhead, some to a roost across the street and some to my left in the spruces that border our property. They were doing their seep seep call and other soft utterances. It brings such joy to my heart at this time of year, especially knowing that I won't be listening for that first robin to appear since many are already present. Also of note: There have been lots of house finches feeding here of late, some of them singing. When I lived in Denver they were always present in the winter, but here there have been few. It has been encouraging to hear those first songs which bring the promise of spring. Stay safe in the snow. Cherise Robb, St. Cloud_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northern Hawk Owl From: Ross Lagasse <on2stix AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 16:53:13 -0800 (PST) The Northern Hawk Owl previously reported near Ada was present today in the same general location, just south of MN 200, just south of the intersection of CR 24 and 27. Bird was sat on top of a telephone pole the entire time I was there. Good Birding, Ross Lagasse Grand Forks, ND _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Brown Creeper From: "JOHN M GRUNDHOFER" <rexgrundhofer AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 15:45:18 -0600 Thank you everyone for your thoughts and information on brown creepers. I've learned that a few people have them most winters in their yard. They are attracted to suet, nuts and sunflower seeds. Apparently not to ours though. Insects make up a large portion of their diet. Some people only see them in deciduous and others in only conifers. They were in our pines when in our backyard. We have seen creepers in deciduous trees in other locations. The have been described as nomadic. The high pitched sound of their voice is hard to hear for some people. Luckily I still can hear high pitches and will listen for what is new in the yard when going outside. Someone from Hastings who does bird surveys equated the brown creepers sound to the sound of a cedar waxwings when first learning it. The counties of Goodhue and Scott have been recorded to have nesting pairs by volunteers from the Breeding Bird Atlas. The Christmas Bird Count has counted 100-300 creepers every year in the east portion of MN. The highest counts are along the Mississippi River and in the southern part. Thank you again and continue to enjoy the great outdoors. Connie Grundhofer Lino lakes, Anoka County. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Brown Creeper From: linda whyte <birds AT moosewoods.us> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 13:57:35 -0600 Interesting, Jim; now that you mention it, I don't usually see the creepers on conifers, but that was the case this week in Sand Dunes. Linda On Fri, Feb 5, 2010 at 12:58 PM, Jim Ryan wrote: > Many times I have seen the trees move - and then it turns into a brown > creeper! > > These camouflaged little cuties just seem to pop up here and there when I > least expect it. > > I have noticed them many times in the ash trees on the boulevards in St. > Paul, including my yard, spring, summer, fall and winter.  Hopefully they > eat Emerald Ash Borers! > > I cannot hear them and have never seen one in a coniferous tree. > > -- > Sincerely, > > Jim Ryan > Saint Paul's Westside > -- > "Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions from insufficient > premises." - Samuel Butler > > "The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape > finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius > (121-180) > -- > > > On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 9:38 PM, JOHN M GRUNDHOFER > wrote: >> >> How many of you have had a brown creeper in your yard? >> How many of you have seen them on a regular basis? >> >> Last Sunday was the first time ever for us to have seen one in our yard. >> We have been doing Project FeederWatch for Cornell University for about 10 >> years. >> Before that there were many years that I would randomly keep a list of >> birds in our yard. >> >> According to the occurrence map of the MOU site they are uncommon visitors >> during >> the winter in the eastern central to eastern southern part of our state. >> >> According to Project FeederWatch there is a very small percentage of >> people who see them in >> our state of MN where they would occur during the winter. There is over 20 >> years of data listed. >> >> I rarely see it on this list. >> So it made me wonder. >> How many of you have seen them? >> >> Connie Grundhofer >> Anoka County >> City of Lino Lakes >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> mnbird mailing list >> mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net >> http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird >> Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s >> > > > > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > > _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Brown Creeper From: Jim Ryan <muchmoredoc AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 12:58:19 -0600 Many times I have seen the trees move - and then it turns into a brown creeper! These camouflaged little cuties just seem to pop up here and there when I least expect it. I have noticed them many times in the ash trees on the boulevards in St. Paul, including my yard, spring, summer, fall and winter. Hopefully they eat Emerald Ash Borers! I cannot hear them and have never seen one in a coniferous tree. -- Sincerely, Jim Ryan Saint Paul's Westside -- "Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions from insufficient premises." - Samuel Butler "The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180) -- On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 9:38 PM, JOHN M GRUNDHOFER wrote: > How many of you have had a brown creeper in your yard? > How many of you have seen them on a regular basis? > > Last Sunday was the first time ever for us to have seen one in our yard. > We have been doing Project FeederWatch for Cornell University for about 10 > years. > Before that there were many years that I would randomly keep a list of > birds in our yard. > > According to the occurrence map of the MOU site they are *uncommon*visitors during > the winter in the eastern central to eastern southern part of our state. > > According to Project FeederWatch there is a very small percentage of people > who see them in > our state of MN where they would occur during the winter. There is over 20 > years of data listed. > > I rarely see it on this list. > So it made me wonder. > How many of you have seen them? > > Connie Grundhofer > Anoka County > City of Lino Lakes > > > > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > >_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Brown Creeper From: Bill Bruins <wmbruins AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:47:22 -0600 We usually see them every winter every two weeks or so according to my PFW notes. The seem to prefer the Bur Oak but do spend time on the elms and spruce. Bill At 09:38 PM 2/4/2010 -0600, JOHN M GRUNDHOFER wrote: >How many of you have had a brown creeper in your yard? >How many of you have seen them on a regular basis? O. William (Bill) Bruins, Jr. Rochester, MN, on the Zumbro River Home phone: Five Zero Seven - Two Eight One - One Six Zero Seven Cell: Five Zero Seven - Two Zero Two - One Two Eight Four _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Over-wintering American Robins From: Tim <tim_wareham AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 09:31:53 -0800 (PST) Does anyone happen to know any places in the Metro where over-wintering American Robins gather at night?  I have been told they congregate in night-time roosts, then disperse to look for food during the day times.   Thanks!   Tim West St. Paul _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Duluth RBA 2/5/10 From: "Jim Lind" <jslind AT frontiernet.net> Date: Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:10:43 -0600 This is the Duluth Birding Report for Friday, February 5th, 2010 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. NORTHERN HAWK OWLS are still widespread and numerous across the region. Six were seen on the 3rd along the North Shore at five locations including Flood Bay, Gooseberry State Park, a mile east of Little Marais, Cook County Road 7, 1.5 miles north of MN 61, and two a mile east of Sugar Loaf Cove. One was seen on the 31st along Lake County Road 2, one mile south of Forest Highway 11, and another was along the Stony River Forest Road near the railroad tracks. One was reported on the 30th near the Two Harbors airport. Recent NORTHERN HAWK OWL locations in the Sax-Zim Bog include CR 7 just north of the Sax Road (CR 28), CR 7 at CR 133, CR 7 a mile north of CR 133, and along the Stone Lake Road 1.25 miles east of CR 7. Individuals have also been reported along US Highway 53 at Cotton, and at mile marker 51 about 10 miles north of Cotton. Beau Shroyer saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL in Aitkin County on the 29th along MN Highway 200 east of mile marker 184, about 10 miles east of Hill City. Warren Nelson saw one on the 30th along US Highway 169, 0.75 mile south of CR 18, and two more along CR 18, 0.6 mile west of Pietz's Road and 0.7 mile west of CR 5. Joshua and Peter Yokel saw a BOREAL OWL on the 1st in their yard in Cotton, but it has not been seen since. Dave Gilbertson heard a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL on the 29th at his home in Lakewood Township. Jan Green heard one on the 1st along Old North Shore Road (CR 290) in Duluth Township. Al Schirmacher saw a GREAT GRAY OWL in Aitkin County on the 30th along CR 18, 0.5 mile west of Pietz's Road. Al also saw five SHARP-TAILED GROUSE along Kestrel Avenue 3 miles north of Tamarack, and three a mile south of Tamarack. An adult RING-BILLED GULL was seen on the 4th at Agate Bay in Two Harbors. A GREATER SCAUP was seen on the 1st on Burlington Bay in Two Harbors and it was still present on the 4th. Two LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen at Burlington Bay on the 1st and one was seen on the 4th at Agate Bay. Two LONG-TAILED DUCKS were found on the 3rd at Father Baraga's Cross in Schroeder. Three HORNED GREBES were at the mouth of the Stewart River on the 3rd. Mike Hendrickson saw an adult THAYER'S GULL on the 31st at Canal Park. Frank Berdan reported a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER on the 1st at 9327 Scenic Highway 61, about 10 miles northeast of Duluth. Michael Furtman saw a GADWALL on the 31st along the Lakewalk near Canal Park, as well as a SCAUP on the 3rd. Michael had a FOX SPARROW on the 3rd at his feeders in Hunter's Park, and Pat Thomas had a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD on the 4th at her feeders along East Superior Street. Many large flocks of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen along MN Highway 61 in Cook County on the 3rd. A mixed flock of about 260 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and CEDAR WAXWINGS is still being seen along South Avenue in Two Harbors. A flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS was still being seen near Miner's Lake in Ely as of the 1st. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, February 11th. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. 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, e-mail us at mou AT moumn.org, or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: brown creeper From: "Cal Paulson" <calorie AT hickorytech.net> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 08:21:52 -0600 We are seeing a brown breeper every few weeks. One of our maples is just outside the front window and another just outside the kitchen window. These are the two maples it prefers, although we have seen it on other trees. A couple of weeks ago when I looked out the kitchen window I saw a strange bird hopping around on the ground beneath the maple. I noticed it was brown above and yellowish/buff below. I could see a slightly curved bill. Just as I was about to get the field guides, the bird flew to the base of the tree, flattened itself against the bark and proceeded to spiral up the tree. A bown creeper. I'd never before seen one hopping on the ground. It looked like an entirely different bird. Delores Paulson 6 miles south of Mankato Blue Earth County_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Brown Creeper From: "Steve Weston" <sweston2 AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 01:50:07 -0600 Hi Connie, I find them every winter, but they are difficult to find. their song is high pitched and I have birded with many who can not hear them. they are also cryptic in plumage. their brown color camouflages them. I personally describe them are partially invisible and often hear them without being able to locate them. they are highly nomadic, so that finding them in one grove, is no indication that you can find them there the next time. Interestingly, I have found them both in deciduous and coniferous woods. This last summer volunteers for the Breeding Bird Atlas located them nesting in Frontenac State Park in Goodhue County and Murphy-Hanrehan Park in Scott County. they are more common in the summer in the northern half of the state. They can be found anywhere in the state in the winter. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN sweston2 AT comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: JOHN M GRUNDHOFER To: mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 9:38 PM Subject: [mnbird] Brown Creeper How many of you have had a brown creeper in your yard? How many of you have seen them on a regular basis? Last Sunday was the first time ever for us to have seen one in our yard. We have been doing Project FeederWatch for Cornell University for about 10 years. Before that there were many years that I would randomly keep a list of birds in our yard. According to the occurrence map of the MOU site they are uncommon visitors during the winter in the eastern central to eastern southern part of our state. According to Project FeederWatch there is a very small percentage of people who see them in our state of MN where they would occur during the winter. There is over 20 years of data listed. I rarely see it on this list. So it made me wonder. How many of you have seen them? Connie Grundhofer Anoka County City of Lino Lakes ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Brown Creeper From: linda whyte <birds AT moosewoods.us> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 23:42:33 -0600 I've seen them at Crosby park in St. Paul in winter months. Just yesterday there was one up at Sand Dunes State forest, too. Linda Whyte On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 9:38 PM, JOHN M GRUNDHOFER wrote: > How many of you have had a brown creeper in your yard? > How many of you have seen them on a regular basis? > > Last Sunday was the first time ever for us to have seen one in our yard. > We have been doing Project FeederWatch for Cornell University for about 10 > years. > Before that there were many years that I would randomly keep a list of birds > in our yard. > > According to the occurrence map of the MOU site they are uncommon visitors > during > the winter in the eastern central to eastern southern part of our state. > > According to Project FeederWatch there is a very small percentage of people > who see them in > our state of MN where they would occur during the winter. There is over 20 > years of data listed. > > I rarely see it on this list. > So it made me wonder. > How many of you have seen them? > > Connie Grundhofer > Anoka County > City of Lino Lakes > > > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > > _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Brown Creeper From: ElkinsEcon AT aol.com Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 00:16:20 EST Connie, I saw one in my backyard earlier this winter for the first time. However, I have been able to regularly find them in winter over the years along the Minnesota River on the trail leading west from the Old Cedar Ave Bridge in Bloomington. Regards, Steve Elkins Bloomington, MN City Council, District 3 8709 Sandro Rd Bloomington, MN 55438-1228 612-578-2103 Cell 952-835-2118 Home 952-835-2118 Fax (Call Ahead) In a message dated 2/4/2010 10:58:26 P.M. Central Standard Time, rexgrundhofer AT msn.com writes: How many of you have had a brown creeper in your yard? How many of you have seen them on a regular basis? Last Sunday was the first time ever for us to have seen one in our yard. We have been doing Project FeederWatch for Cornell University for about 10 years. Before that there were many years that I would randomly keep a list of birds in our yard. According to the occurrence map of the MOU site they are uncommon visitors during the winter in the eastern central to eastern southern part of our state. According to Project FeederWatch there is a very small percentage of people who see them in our state of MN where they would occur during the winter. There is over 20 years of data listed. I rarely see it on this list. So it made me wonder. How many of you have seen them? Connie Grundhofer Anoka County City of Lino Lakes _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Brown Creeper From: Jon Gorder <jngorder AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 20:44:27 -0800 (PST)             I've seen them on almost a yearly basis in my St. Paul front yard and this year about a month ago while on a job in Mendota Heights I saw one spiraling up a tree. I didn't know some of them stayed this late. Are they not real migrators, just mosiers like Eagles?                                                     Jon Gorder                                                          St. Paul How many of you have had a brown creeper in your yard? How many of you have seen them on a regular basis?   Last Sunday was the first time ever for us to have seen one in our yard. We have been doing Project FeederWatch for Cornell University for about 10 years. Before that there were many years that I would randomly keep a list of birds in our yard.   According to the occurrence map of the MOU site they are uncommon visitors during the winter in the eastern central to eastern southern part of our state.   According to Project FeederWatch there is a very small percentage of people who see them in our state of MN where they would occur during the winter. There is over 20 years of data listed.   I rarely see it on this list. So it made me wonder. How many of you have seen them?   Connie Grundhofer Anoka County City of Lino Lakes       -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Brown Creeper From: "JOHN M GRUNDHOFER" <rexgrundhofer AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 21:38:53 -0600 How many of you have had a brown creeper in your yard? How many of you have seen them on a regular basis? Last Sunday was the first time ever for us to have seen one in our yard. We have been doing Project FeederWatch for Cornell University for about 10 years. Before that there were many years that I would randomly keep a list of birds in our yard. According to the occurrence map of the MOU site they are uncommon visitors during the winter in the eastern central to eastern southern part of our state. According to Project FeederWatch there is a very small percentage of people who see them in our state of MN where they would occur during the winter. There is over 20 years of data listed. I rarely see it on this list. So it made me wonder. How many of you have seen them? Connie Grundhofer Anoka County City of Lino Lakes _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, February 4, 2010 From: "Jeanie Joppru" <ajjoppru AT q.com> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 20:46:09 -0600 This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, February 4, 2010 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 an average winter weather week in the northwest, and today it seems to be warming up a bit with temperatures reaching the late teens above zero. Birds and birders have been active, and one can hear the spring songs of black-capped chickadees every morning. Timothy Barksdale, a visiting birder, reported a NORTHERN HAWK OWL in Norman County , first observed during the week of January 20. Shelley Steva and I located it in the original location on Sunday, January 31. The location is about two tenths of a mile south of the intersection of Norman CR 24 and Cr 27, two miles south of MN 200. The bird was hunting from a large tree at the second farmstead south of the corner. Timothy also reported seeing two SHORT-EARED OWLS hunting there also, but they were not in evidence on Sunday. Beth Siverhus in Roseau County reported an AMERICAN ROBIN and 24 PINE SISKINS on January 29, while on January 31 there were WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in her yard. Jeff Siverhus found a GREAT GRAY OWL along CR 9, four miles south of Hayes Lake. In Lake of the Woods County on February 1, Beth Siverhus saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL one mile north of the Beltrami County line on MN 72. Beth's sightings in Beltrami County included two BALD EAGLES and a NORTHERN SHRIKE, all along MN 72. I found a covey of 9 GRAY PARTRIDGES in Pennington County along MN 1 about 3 miles east of the Goodridge corner on January 30. Shelley Steva reported that about 8 GRAY PARTRIDGES can be reliably seen near the intersection of Red Lake County 1 and CR 5 most mornings. Polk County sightings reported by Sandy Aubol included a GREAT HORNED OWL on February 3, and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK and an AMERICAN ROBIN on February 4. On January 31, Shelley Steva and I saw a flock of SHARP-TAILED GROUSE in Polk County along MN 32. Barb and Dennis Martin found two BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS in Hubbard County on January 30. One was 0.5 miles south of CR 44 on 191st Ave, and one was about 200 yards east of 185th Ave on CR95. EVENING GROSBEAKS were seen at the Lake George feeders, and a GRAY JAY, and RED CROSSBILLS were on 191st Ave. Brad and Dee Ehlers reported two NORTHERN FLICKERS and two PILEATED WOODPECKERS at their feeders in Otter Tail County this week. >From Douglas County, John Ellis reported BROWN CREEPER, 3 NORTHERN SHRIKES, SNOW BUNTINGS, six RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, and ten WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS on January 30. The crossbills were seen at a cemetery just west of Alexandria, while the blackbirds were feeding in a corn food plot near his cabin. Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Brad and Dee Ehlers, Barb and Dennis Martin, John Ellis, Sandy Aubol, Shelley Steva , and Timothy Barksdale for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, February 11, 2010. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: What Makes One Bird More Special Than Another? From: Pamela Freeman <gleskarider AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 10:02:38 -0600 I love the friendliness of chickadees. Yes, they are common, but very amusing and interesting to watch. And you gotta love a bird that will alight in your hand should you stay steady and hold a sun flower seed there. I am awed, every time, when seeing a great raptor, especially hunting. Crows, as has been discussed, may be common and often not seen positively, but they are intelligent and amazing birds. And when you take the time to look, enrobed in black as they are, quite striking. Blue jays, too - again common, but if we didn't know them and viewed them in some other country, we would think them very beautiful. I enjoy watching them work in teams to distract and rid my feeders of squirrels so they can come eat. Herons and egrets... are not they all special, in some way? Pamela Freeman Never give up on a dream just because of the length of time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. On Mon, Feb 1, 2010 at 5:07 PM, Erika Sitz wrote: > Canada Jays - "The opportunity to enjoy their specific features from ten > feet away was a rare treat." Never been in the Boundary Waters, eh? LOL > > I'll go with the Great Gray Owl and I'll add Sandhill Cranes. I will never > tire of their show at Sherburne and Crex in the fall. And we're going to > Nebraska next month; three years is about as long as we can go between > trips > there. > > Erika Sitz > Ramsey, north Anoka County > > -----Original Message----- > From: mnbird-bounces AT lists.mnbird.net > [mailto:mnbird-bounces AT lists.mnbird.net] On Behalf Of Pastor Al > Schirmacher > Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 1:58 PM > To: mou-net AT lists.umn.edu; mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > Subject: [mnbird] What Makes One Bird More Special Than Another? > > Saturdays' Great Gray Owl - as well as the much more common Gray Jays - > stuck with me through today. > > The Great Gray was due to its absence/rarity, 13 months since my last > sighting, and at least a couple of years since I last had one on Aitkin 18 > (which I visit nearly monthly). Its "presence" (size, face/eyes, > coloration, silence, jizz and probably other factors) also contributed to > the overall joy. > > The Gray Jays were due to their proximity, and unique calls. The > opportunity to enjoy their specific features from ten feet away was a rare > treat. > > For me, coloration and markings mix tend to leave lasting impressions. The > first Scarlet Tanager, Blackburnian/Golden-winged/Black and White Warblers, > Ruddy Turnstone and a few others each year linger in my mind. > > How about you? > > Al Schirmacher > Princeton, MN > Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties > > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s >_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: female White throated sparrow From: "Crownhart, Rachel" <rcrownhart AT hastings.k12.mn.us> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 16:51:53 -0600 I observed this bird (only saw one) scratching through sunflower seeds at a bird-feeding station in Elmwood, WI. (45 miles east of St. Paul, MN) My parents have 40 acres of woods, they feed the birds daily. I realize it's out of its range, but I couldn't identify it as anything different. Have others seen white throated sparrow this far south? Rachel Crownhart 8th Grade Science Hastings Middle School rcrownhart AT hastings.k12.mn.us _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: education opportunity From: linda whyte <birds AT moosewoods.us> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 08:27:40 -0600 Maybe I missed a message somewhere and you already know about this, but I just read about it this morning. There's an ongoing National Park Service study of 60 eagle pairs, from the Apostle Islands and on down along the St. Croix to Hastings, that has been tracking the presence of lesser-known pollutants in bald eagles. The chemicals studied include a couple of common, widely-used flame retardants that were manufactured by 3M. The monitoring group is holding a workshop at Crex Meadows next Saturday that's designed for teachers or educators at any level "to draw attention to the riverway as a learning laboratory through field work, observations, resource materials, and lesson plan development." To register, you call Ranger Branda Thwaits at 715-635-8346, ext. 425, but it has to be done by Tuesday. (It especially caught my attention, coming on the heels of a recent article alledging that a particular common flame retardant is associated with disturbances in the endocrine system.) Linda Whyte _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: N hawk owl. Hwy 200, 10 mi. east of Hill City From: Beau Shroyer <beaunshroyerduckbuster AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:29:27 -0600 My wife and I saw a N. Hawk owl on the north side of State Hwy 200 approximately 1/4 to 1/2 mile east of mile marker 184 approximately 10 miles east of Hill City (Hwy 169 intersection) on 1-29-10 at approximately 2:00 pm. _________________________________________________________________ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390709/direct/01/_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: anhingas and oil glands From: "dan&erika" <danerika AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:03:00 -0600 I have written up what I know about Anhingas on my bird blog. http://dantallmansbirdblog.blogspot.com simply delete this e-mail if you have no interest in either :-) dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Northfield, Minnesota http://sites.google.com/site/tallmanorum http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika danerika AT gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet" "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ...."--Thoreau_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Fwd: [ia-bird] Re: large, white raptor -- central Iowa From: rvjesse AT aol.com Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:00:50 -0500 Thought Minnesota birders would enjoy this Red-tail Hawk. Bob Jessen -----Original Message----- From: Aaron Brees To: IA-BIRD Sent: Fri, Jan 29, 2010 9:34 pm Subject: [ia-bird] Re: large, white raptor -- central Iowa Paul was able to relocate the bird and it is a Red-tailed Hawk. It's a great looking bird. A few photos are posted here: http://www.angelfire.com/ab6/birdpics/images/RTHA1.jpg http://www.angelfire.com/ab6/birdpics/images/RTHA2.jpg http://www.angelfire.com/ab6/birdpics/images/RTHA3.jpg Aaron Brees Des Moines, IA http://www.flickr.com/photos/abrees/collections/ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.--- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/membership.asp. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: rvjesse AT AOL.COM _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Birding about the Metro From: "JOHN M GRUNDHOFER" <rexgrundhofer AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:18:04 -0600 Many years ago I had witnessed a mouse (European) running as fast as possible across the main road with a crow in hot pursuit. The mouse had won by reaching the tall grass next to a pond. Connie _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Birding about the Metro From: "Cathy Gagliardi" <patcatgags AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:30:47 -0600 Hi Steve, Up at our cabin in NW WI, our 2 dogs love to hunt mice, chipmunks and SQ's - they have been quite successful too. We try to discourage them but the "lab" in them says hunt, hunt, hunt ...even though we are not hunters ourselves. A couple of years ago, I took a 2x2 foot piece of plywood and screwed it down to the top of a low-lying tree stump. We called it the "alter" and had many offerings of the perished critter kind. We found that the Blue Jays had no problem carrying off and consuming the mice, but the Crows would come in too and grabbed any (or all) of the 3 different critters. I once saw a Crow chasing a bat, pecking at its wings and he eventually caught it. What shocked me most, this was in the middle of the afternoon, so I would guess the Crow found the bat's hiding place and woke him up. Amazing corvids they are..... It was so nice finally meeting you last week at WBU, stop in again when you can. Cathy ----- Original Message ----- From: Steve Weston To: mnbird ; Mou-net Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 9:57 AM Subject: [mnbird] Birding about the Metro Yesterday I spotted a Crow carrying a recently killed Deer or White-footed Mouse. This is the first time I have every seen evidence of Crows hunting mammals. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN sweston2 AT comcast.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Birding about the Metro From: linda whyte <birds AT moosewoods.us> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:42:27 -0600 I have seen crows carry off a very alive baby squirrel, and attempt to snatch a baby rabbit, in the alley and street by my house. I have also seen one pursue and grab a running mouse right off the sidewalk in my backyard. Though I can't guarantee the mouse was in good health, we have never used a poison aimed at killing rodents. Given their affinity for capitalizing on roadkill and their capacity for learning, crows seem perfectly likely to hunt for live sources of protein, especially during breeding season (which is when I witnessed all 3 incidents). Linda Whyte On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 2:32 PM, wrote: >>How do you know the crow hunted and killed the mouse? > Perhaps it  found it dead, on the snow, killed by D-con or something > similar..  However, I have seen in my yard crows attack a summer > (leaf and branches) squirrel nest and fly away with a baby squirrel. > So, even though it was an infant, it was hunted and killed.  As an > aside,one of the other infant squirrels fell to the ground.  I > brought it to a friend of mine whose Springer Spaniel had just lost a > litter of new born puppies.  The spaniel adopted the squirrel, nursed > it to a very plump adulthood, and it was later released. > > Don Grussing > Minnetonka, MN >> >> >>---- Original Message ---- >>From: sweston2 AT comcast.net >>To: mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net, mou-net AT lists.umn.edu >>Subject: RE: [mnbird] Birding about the Metro >>Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:57:00 -0600 >> >>>Yesterday I spotted a Crow carrying a recently killed Deer or >>White-footed Mouse.  This is the first time I have every seen >>evidence of Crows hunting mammals. >>> >>>Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN >>>sweston2 AT comcast.net > > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Birding about the Metro From: Jon Gorder <jngorder AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:36:26 -0800 (PST)       A couple of years ago at the cabin near Aitkin we were having breakfast and gazing out the window when a Red squirrel came tearing down a Spruce. Being totally insane this was not unusual behavior. She grabbed what appeared to be a baby mouse and as we thought "squirrels hunt"?, we realised her baby must have fallen from the nest and she was getting it back.. At this moment a Crow flew in and started harassing the hell out of momma as she tried to climb the tree and in her attempt to fend it off she dropped junior. Crow and squirrel converged on the now grounded  baby at the same instant and the Crow slapped momma aside with a wing, grabbed doomed Junior and took off. Ugly but fascinating. Like Mr. Weston, we had no idea a Crow would perform like that. They're starting to become my favorite bird to watch.                                                  Jon and Lisa Yesterday I spotted a Crow carrying a recently killed Deer or White-footed Mouse.  This is the first time I have every seen evidence of Crows hunting mammals.   Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN sweston2 AT comcast.net -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Birding about the Metro From: bluebill AT surfbest.net Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:32:14 -0000 >How do you know the crow hunted and killed the mouse? Perhaps it found it dead, on the snow, killed by D-con or something similar.. However, I have seen in my yard crows attack a summer (leaf and branches) squirrel nest and fly away with a baby squirrel. So, even though it was an infant, it was hunted and killed. As an aside,one of the other infant squirrels fell to the ground. I brought it to a friend of mine whose Springer Spaniel had just lost a litter of new born puppies. The spaniel adopted the squirrel, nursed it to a very plump adulthood, and it was later released. Don Grussing Minnetonka, MN > > >---- Original Message ---- >From: sweston2 AT comcast.net >To: mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net, mou-net AT lists.umn.edu >Subject: RE: [mnbird] Birding about the Metro >Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:57:00 -0600 > >>Yesterday I spotted a Crow carrying a recently killed Deer or >White-footed Mouse. This is the first time I have every seen >evidence of Crows hunting mammals. >> >>Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN >>sweston2 AT comcast.net _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Birding about the Metro From: "Steve Weston" <sweston2 AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:57:00 -0600 Yesterday I spotted a Crow carrying a recently killed Deer or White-footed Mouse. This is the first time I have every seen evidence of Crows hunting mammals. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN sweston2 AT comcast.net_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Houston Co and Yucatan From: carol schumacher <birdminn AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:58:01 -0800 (PST) Despite snow and cold a few birds were seen today in Houston Co. Most interesting were grounded Bald Eagles: 15 adults and 4 subadults working a field. One Golden was seen briefly in flight. If you've been on my former trips to Houston County, you know there is a crossroads named Yucatan. But that is not the Yucatan of which I speak.  Upon returning from birding the Yucatan MX peninsula last week, our custom tour was a photographer's dream. Small groups are so much fun as we can adjust our schedule in many ways as we go. And it s real value now. Some highlights were no less than 10!! Laughing Falcons, 5 Bare-throated Tiger-herons, Occelated Turkey demonstrating the true meaning of occelating at 3 locations, a Great Currasow pair sauntering across the road, the copulation of Central American Pygmy-Owls and exquisite on the water close up Caribbean Flamingos to die for. The following has been pre-approved by P Schumacher: If you or friends have interest in traveling, give me a call. Most trip leaders get expenses covered but for a few years my expenses are my own yet I make the arrangements and guide. That goes for travel anywhere in Mexico (except for now the NE), Trinidad and Tobago, S. Africa, Namibia, Botswana and anywhere in Ecuador.  Good birding all. Carol carol schumacher   winona,mn   on the mississippi                              Never do I send attachments, photos, or files _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Duluth RBA 1/28/10 From: "Jim Lind" <jslind AT frontiernet.net> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:25:56 -0600 This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, January 28th, 2010 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. The BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was relocated by Bob Ekblad and others on the 28th at Leif Erickson Park in Duluth. Three GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS were seen at Canal Park on the 24th, and ICELAND GULL, THAYER'S GULL, and four GLAUCOUS GULLS were seen on the 23rd. Jan and Larry Kraemer saw an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW on the 26th at their feeders along Maple Grove Road. Bob Ekblad and others saw single GREAT GRAY OWLS on the 28th along the Whyte Road, 2.5 and 4.8 miles east of the Stony River Forest Road. Cynthia Bridge and others saw a GREAT GRAY OWL on the 24th along the Stony River Forest Road, 5.3 miles south of MN Highway 1, and a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 23rd, 5.2 miles south of MN 1. They also saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 24th along CR 2, 18.2 miles north of MN Highway 61. They saw a SPRUCE GROUSE on the 23rd along MN Highway 1, 10.2 miles north of CR 2. Paul Sundberg reported a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 22nd along MN Highway 61, 0.2 mile east of the Flood Bay wayside rest. Sharon Lind saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 23rd along the Stanley Road (CR 9) just west of the St. Louis County line. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS continue to be seen in downtown Two Harbors along South Avenue near Lighthouse Point. The SNOWY OWL in Silver Bay was still present as of the 25th between the entrance to North Shore Mining and the traffic light on MN Highway 61. Cynthia Bridge and others saw two NORTHERN HAWK OWLS in the Sax-Zim Bog on the 21st along CR 7 at the Sax Road (CR 28), and another on the 22nd along the McDavitt Road (CR 233), 2.4 miles north of the Sax Road. They also saw five SHARP-TAILED GROUSE along the Arkola Road (CR 52) just west of the Stickney Road (CR 207). Bob Ekblad and others saw single NORTHERN HAWK OWLS on the 28th along the Stone Lake Road about a mile east of CR 7, along CR 7 1.3 miles north of CR 133, and along CR 133 just west of CR 7. BOREAL CHICKADEES were again seen during the past week at the Admiral Road (CR 788) feeder, and BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS continue to be seen on the east side of the McDavitt Road, 2.4 miles north of the Sax Road. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, February 4th. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. 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, e-mail us at mou AT moumn.org, or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Reducing aircraft-wildlife strikes at airports From: Matt Kennedy <kennedym2009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:13:49 -0800 (PST) Dear fellow birding enthusiasts,     As a lifelong birder and professional aviator for over 16 years, I am conducting a nation-wide study on the level of community support for the mitigation measures used at airports to reduce the wildlife strike hazard to commercial aircraft.  Getting input from different regions of the country is necessary to gauge whether there are regional differences due to varying bird populations or possible high profile incidents involving wildlife strikes on aircraft.      Responses are submitted electronically to a database that does not identify users, so your answers will be completely confidential.  Findings will be released only as analyzed data or summaries in which no individual’s answers can be identified.  Please take a few moments to share your opinions and experiences.  I appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to contribute toward this important research about community views on wildlife mitigation measures at airports.   The survey can be accessed at:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XTVS225   If you would like a summary of my findings, please send me your e-mail address at kennedym2009 AT yahoo.com.  Once the study is complete, I will e-mail the summary to you. Best Regards, Matt Kennedy Graduate student in Aeronautical Science Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 28, 2010 From: "Jeanie Joppru" <ajjoppru AT q.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:18:14 -0600 This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, January 28, 2010 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 big blizzard is over, and the northwest corner of the state lucked out, with little of the freezing rain and not as much snow as the rest of the state got. That is not to say we escaped totally, and the roads and driveways are coated with a slippery coating of ice, so caution is warranted everywhere. The sun shines however, days are getting longer, and for now the wind has diminished. Birds are reappearing at the feeders after hunkering down for several days. Ryan Sansness at Lake Carlos State Park reported two AMERICAN ROBINS at the park feeder during the past week, and four more were seen at the Long Prairie Dam. 15 -20 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, and some PURPLE FINCHES also appeared at the feeder. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was among the more common woodpeckers to visit the feeders. Beau Shroyer reported ten WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS on Granger Road in Detroit Lakes , Becker County on January 25. Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks, Polk County, reported a SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, PILEATED WOODPECKER, one CEDAR WAXWING, one COMMON GRACKLE, some PINE SISKINS, and HOUSE FINCHES in her yard this week. Here in Pennington County near Thief River Falls, there were visits from a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, and a PILEATED WOODPECKER this week. >From Roseau County this week , Beth Siverhus reported that Carol Parker has a female NORTHERN CARDINAL at the feeder in Warroad. This bird has been seen off and on all winter. On January 26, Beth reported ten COMMON REDPOLLS and an AMERICAN ROBIN in Warroad; on January 28, she came home to evidence that crossbills had been in the yard in her absence. Thanks to Beau Shroyer, Beth Siverhus, Ryan Sansness, and Sandy Aubol for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, February 4, 2010. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Florida birding report From: "dan&erika" <danerika AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:31:50 -0600 Erika and I are back from a month in Florida. A short report is on my blog, http://dantallmansbirdblog.blogspot.com/ and I am constantly adding photos to my Picasa site, http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika/Florida dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Northfield, Minnesota http://sites.google.com/site/tallmanorum http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika danerika AT gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet" "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ...."--Thoreau_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: MRVAC meeting Thursday at REI From: "Steve Weston" <sweston2 AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:19:22 -0600 January 28, 2010 at 7:30 pm at REI Bloomington Grey Wolves - The Controversies and the Facts By Peggy Callahan, Wildlife Science Center In the last few years, western Great Lakes states grey wolves have been removed and returned to the Federal Endangered Species list multiple times. Attend a presentation by Peggy Callahan, founder and Executive Director of the Wildlife Science Center, focusing on one of our areas most charismatic predators. This meeting will be held at REI Bloomington store just south of 494 near Lyndale Ave at 750 American Blvd. W, Bloomington. Join us at 7:00 pm for cookies and social hour and 7:30 pm for the speaker. The meeting is free and open to the public. Steve Weston MRVAC Program Chair _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: W.W. crossbills From: Beau Shroyer <beaunshroyerduckbuster AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:19:32 -0600 1317 hours on 1-25-10 on Granger Rd. in Detroit Lakes, MN. Yellow house across from 707 Granger Rd. No numbers on yellow house. Flock of 10 W.W. crossbills in the spruce tree. Beau D. Shroyer _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390706/direct/01/_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Sax-Zim area, Wednesday-Friday From: linda whyte <linda AT moosewoods.us> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:15:33 -0600 (Please excuse the late report---motel internet connection was so slow it kept "timing out.") Weather turned lovely for birding in Sax-Zim Wednesday. Ravens were plentiful, and congregated on or near roads in a couple of places. Two of them seemed to have scored chunks of food that appeared white---perhaps suet, or hare---but flew off before the prizes could be identified. Gray jays were also widely distributed and generous with good views, especially at feeders on Blue Spruce and Admiral roads, and on Nichols Lake Road at and near its intersection with state hwy 7. In general, the concentration of activity was highest at feeders: Along hwy 7, west side, north of Lake Nichols Rd and south of Kelsey/Whiteface Rd., house #8863 (pine grosbeaks, pine siskins, purple finches, chickadees) McDavitt Rd. feeders (many chickadees, and possible boreal, heard only, plus a hairy woodpecker ) Admiral Rd. feeders (again, many chickadees; many red-breasted nuthatches plus a couple of white-breasted, gray jays, and a stunning number of pine siskins; also a pileated woodpecker working and seen in the vicinity). Before reaching these feeders, we encountered a very co-operative ruffed grouse feeding right on Admiral Road; it flew up and perched on a low spruce branch at the roadside. Little Whiteface Rd.: many chickadees, purple finches, goldfinches, pine siskins; also some red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatches, downy woodpeckers, and a couple of passing redpolls Owl Avenue:gray jays, chickadees and pine grosbeaks Thursday we made a second pass through the area. At the Blue Spruce feeders were red-breasted nuthatches, gray jays, chickadees, pine grosbeaks, purple finches, goldfinches, and pine siskins. (The last two species made frequent forays to the roadside snowbanks to pick grit and possibly seed, from or with the snow.) The Little Whiteface feeders hosted the same species, minus the gray jays but plus a few redpolls. Several gray jays and pine grosbeaks were dominating the Arkola feeders, which we had somehow missed the day before; it was on that road that we had also had a brief, unconfirmed encounter with a flock of redpolls. On hwy 7 there was a large flock of snow buntings across from the entry to the Sax Wildlife Management Area with the brown DNR sign. The day was rounded out in late afternoon by a Northern hawk owl, perched on a spruce-top right on the roadside, at the junction of Whyte Forest Rd. and Stoney River Forest Rd. This morning we returned to Stoney River Rd. and refound the hawk owl, or another one, north of the Thursday location, about halfway to the railroad tracks, or halfway between the alder thickets and the tamarack bog. It was again beside the road, perched at the top of a spruce. Shortly thereafter came a lifer mammal sighting: our first lynx. When we approached from afar it was seated in the road, then arose to trot down the road away from us. Seemingly reluctant to leave, it stopped and turned toward us in full profile; there was no mistaking it for bobcat. It left the road then and we stopped to see its tracks, and the many tracks of snowshoe hare around them. (This was 5.5 miles north of Forest Freeway 11.) In a last effort to see a boreal chickadee, we did a stake-out at the Admiral Road feeders, and our patience was finally rewarded. The bird was rather cautious, feeding on the side of the carcass away from us, and at first peeking repeatedly over the top of it. Eventually it gave us full views, and we could see the chocolate-brown cap, the facial white fading into gray, and the russet flanks. Many thanks to all the people maintaining the feeders and reporting on the birds. Linda Whyte _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Festival of Owls registration open From: "Karla Kinstler" <karlaowl AT acegroup.cc> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:13:50 -0600 Owl Festival Registration Open March 5-7. 2010 Houston, MN Registration is now open for the 8th Annual International Festival of Owls! There is plenty to do at the festival without registering in advance including live owl programs, owl prowls to call in wild owls, visiting a Saw-whet Owl banding station, searching for the festival medallion to win the $100 cash prize, owl crafts, and a kids' owl hooting contest. No pre-registration is required for the following presentations: "Intriguing Owls" by Stan Tekiela "A North American Owl Center in Houston: Where are we now?" by Karla Kinstler "From DNA to Conservation Camps: Highlights of the Global Owl Project" by David Johnson Advanced registration IS required, however for the following events: -Cub Scout Pizza Party & Program -Owl Nest Box Building -Owl Pellet Dissection -Banquet and Keynote presentation (includes live auction, World Owl Hall of Fame Award presentations, Conserving Britain's Barn Owls by Colin Shawyer, and keynote presentation, "Owls: Personal Stories of Wonder and Inspiration" by Marge Gibson) - Birding and Natural History Bus Trip and German Lunch -Outdoor Owl Photography Sessions You are strongly encouraged to register early since all of the events that require pre-registration have limited space and most, if not all, are expected to sell out. The photography sessions are already two-thirds filled. We will also be conducting the First Annual National Owl-a-Thon to raise money for the future North American Owl Center and to help participants see all 19 species of North American owls in one calendar year. This event is separate from the Owl Festival and will consist of three trips in March, May and December. Look for more details soon. For a more information, a full schedule of events and to register for the Owl Festival, go to www.festivalofowls.com or contact the Houston Nature Center at 507-896-4668 or nature AT acegroup.cc. Karla Kinstler Director/Naturalist Houston Nature Center 215 W Plum St PO Box 667 Houston, MN 55943 507-896-4668 507-896-5668 FAX nature AT acegroup.cc www.houstonmn.com _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Duluth RBA 1/21/10 From: "Jim Lind" <jslind AT frontiernet.net> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:33:57 -0600 This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, January 21st, 2010 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. The BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was relocated by Peder Svingen on the 15th at Leif Erickson Park in Duluth. Seven GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS, five ICELAND GULLS, two THAYER'S GULLS, and at least 12 GLAUCOUS GULLS were seen at Canal Park on the 16th by Karl Bardon and Peder Svingen. A LESSER SCAUP and a GREATER SCAUP were seen at Canal Park on the 15th. Jan and Larry Kraemer saw a PEREGRINE FALCON on the 18th at Canal Park, and BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS on the 1200 block of Foster Avenue. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS continue to be seen along the West Tischer Road near the Howard Gnesen Road. Mike Hendrickson saw single SPRUCE GROUSE on the 17th along the Whyte Road, 1.0 and 1.5 miles east of the Stony River Forest Road, and another on the Stony River Forest Road, 0.25 mile north of the Whyte Road. Corey Gregory reported a GREAT GRAY OWL on the 17th along the Stony River Forest Road, 5.8 miles north of the Whyte Road. He also saw NORTHERN HAWK OWLS along the Stony River Forest Road 1.1 and 4.0 miles north of the Whyte Road, as well as along the Whyte Road, 2.9 miles east of the Stony River Forest Road. A SNOWY OWL has been seen each evening since the 17th in Silver Bay between the entrance to North Shore Mining and the traffic light on MN Highway 61. Jan Green saw a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK on the 18th in Two Harbors at the east end of town. Peg Robertson saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on 14th and 15th just north of Little Marais along MN Highway 61 between mile markers 66 and 67 Dave Alexander reported a NORTHERN HAWK OWL in the Sax-Zim Bog on the 17th along CR 7 just south of the Stone Lake Road. Dave and others also saw NORTHERN HAWK OWLS further south along CR 7, as well as along the Sax Road (CR 28) just west of the Cranberry Road, and along the McDavitt Road (CR 233). Karen Sussman and Ben Yokel saw a GREAT GRAY OWL on the 17th along the Stone Lake Road, about 0.5 mile east of CR 7. Marilyn and Warren Regelmann reported a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 16th along CR 7 just north of CR 133. Claudia Egelhoff saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 16th along the Nichols Lake Road about a mile east of CR 7. BOREAL CHICKADEES and a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER were again seen over the weekend at the Admiral Road (CR 788) feeder. Karen Sussman found a NORTHERN HAWK OWL south of Cook on the 16th along U.S. Highway 53, 0.5 mile north of mile marker 91. Ben Yokel saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL in the town of Gilbert at the south end of the Clyde Road. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, January 28th. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. 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, e-mail us at mou AT moumn.org, or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 21, 2010 From: "Jeanie Joppru" <ajjoppru AT q.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:14:02 -0600 This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, January 21, 2010 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. Another mild week has flown by, but the weather is changing as I put this report together, and who really knows what will transpire. In late afternoon, it began snowing heavily in Pennington County, but possible freezing rain is still in the forecast. >From Kittson County, Larry Wilebski reported a RUFFED GROUSE on January 17. On the 18th, he spotted a SNOWY OWL two miles east of Humboldt. The very white adult male was still there on January 20. Beth Siverhus saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL in Beltrami County along MN 72 near mile marker 47 on January 17. Also in Beltrami County, Dave Harrington witnessed an interaction between a red squirrel and a PILEATED WOODPECKER, where the squirrel jumped onto the back of the woodpecker which was visiting the suet feeder. Diana Morkassel saw a BALD EAGLE along CR 34 in Marshall County a half mile north of MN 1 on January 21. In Red Lake County on January 17, Shelley Steva and I saw a small group of LAPLAND LONGSPURS along MN 32 , and a NORTHERN SHRIKE along MN 32 right at the Pennington County line - and no, the bird did not fly over the line into the other county! Karen Suldahl in Climax, Polk County, reported PURPLE FINCHES in her yard all winter. Also on January 18 she saw an AMERICAN ROBIN, and on January 20, a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE along MN 220. In Otter Tail County on January 16, Brad and Dee Ehlers saw a NORTHERN FLICKER. Also they reported 100 TRUMPETER SWANS, an AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, and an AMERICAN COOT in Fergus Falls. They noted that this is a great time to get photos of the swans while they are close by. Dennis Barry saw a BARRED OWL in the woods near Fergus Falls Veterans Home on January 19. Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Brad and Dee Ehlers, Dave Harrington, Dennis Barry, Diana Morkassel, Karen Suldahl, and Larry Wilebski for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, January 28, 2010. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: red-shouldered Hawk From: "JOHN M GRUNDHOFER" <rexgrundhofer AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:13:51 -0600 I can not tell you if you had a red-shouldered hawk but know that they are in the area. A friend of mine who lives in White Bear Lake has had a pair of red-shouldered hawks nest in her back yard. In fact one year they had two pair in their area. She had someone from the DNR come out and they confirmed the identification. We have also had a red-shouldered in our yard. It had caught a squirrel. Another year there was a pair who had nested in our neighborhood. Connie Grundhofer Lino Lakes Anoka Co. MN_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: P.S. Re Hawk From: "Carrie" <carriewbl AT pressenter.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:36:20 -0600 The red-shouldered hawk sighting was in my yard...White Bear Lake, Ramsey County. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Red-Shouldered Hawk? From: "Carrie" <carriewbl AT pressenter.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:22:00 -0600 Yesterday a ruckus in my backyard caught my attention. Three crows had coralled a large buteo soon driving it out of sight. With the darting & thrashing around it was hard to note details on the hawk but a full frontal view with wings outstretched showed much reddish brown across the inside top of the wings and some barring below fading to a whitish stomach area. It was significantly larger than the crows. I believe it to be a red-shouldered hawk though it appears we are on the edge of its winter range. Maps vary a bit on this. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Birding in Mexico From: ryanx050 AT umn.edu Date: 19 Jan 2010 20:06:02 -0600 Hi everyone! I am going to Mexico in late winter and want to do some guided birding. I am going to be staying in Troncones Mexico which is in the state of Guerero. It is 20 miles from Ixtapa. I found an eco tour company called Adventours that does a birding day but I am just wondering if anyone has done birding in Mexico and this area in particular or might have any recommendations regarding guides etc. You can respond through the listserv or my email which is ryanx050 AT umn.edu thanks so much and I look forward to hearing more. thanks Char Ryan _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Hawk Owl on ice From: Claudia Egelhoff <cegelhoff AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:32:07 -0600 This past Saturday on Lake Nichols Road in the Sax-Zim bog I watched a Hawk Owl hunt over and land on the ice-filled ditch along the road. This was about one mile east pf Hwy 7 on the north side of the road. This happened shortly after noon and lasted about 30 minutes. I spotted the owl when I stopped the car to watch two Pine Grosbeaks calling from a spruce tree along the road. Then I noticed the owl perched not far from the nervous-seeming grosbeaks. A Blue Jay was also calling loudly nearby and Pine Siskins flew back and forth across the road also calling loudly. The grosbeaks shadowed the owl for about 15 minutes as it flew above the frozen ditch. The owl gradually made its way down to perches closer to the ice. Then it started landing on the ice, in the shallow puddles formed by the warm sun. It would slip and slide, take a few steps around in the water and then fly back up to a low branch overhanging the ditch. In occasionally landed on the snowy edge but more often went on to the ice. I saw it take a drink once but mainly it landed on the ice and walked about, seemingly searching for something. I was very close and had great views. Of course, my camera was at home. When I left, the owl had flown to a small tree across the road and the smaller birds had moved on. Very entertaining and puzzling. -- Claudia Egelhoff Minneapolis, MN_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Wisconsin birder/photog with a question From: Brian Hansen <rawshooter AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:58:45 -0600 Hi All, I am a semi regular on the Wisconsin list but thought I would join over here for while as my buddy and I are coming up to Sax Zim for 4 days the week before the festival. Great info so far. I have a question if you don't mind... We will be staying in Duluth but spending most of our time at Sax Zim. Are they any areas withing 100 miles of there that we shouldn't miss? We are looking for any species that rarely or never migrates as far south as Milwaukee. Thank you, Brian Hansen Milwaukee Wisconsin_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Cardinals From: gkuyava AT aol.com Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:27:15 EST Another first for me was having 2 male Cardinals in my yard at the same time. They were chasing each other inside a group of very thick cedars in ,my front yard. I have never had this before. Another new bird as a single Mourning Dove. I have not seen them since before xmas. Gary Kuyava in NE Duluth_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Sax Zim 1-16/1-17 From: Kelly Dan <theowlprowlers AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:47:01 -0800 (PST) Great weekend, lots of activity. Saturday Highlights Northern Hawk Owl Hwy 7, North of Sax Ave Great Gray Owl At sunset, Blue Spruce Ave, just North of CR 133 WW Crossbills Owl Avenue Large qty of Grouse foraging/roosting in trees Birch Rd off on CR133 Sunday Highlights Boreal Chickadee Arkola Rd & Admiral Rd feeding stations. Red Breasted Nuthatch, large flock of Redpolls high in trees, 10+ Pine Siskins. Admiral Rd feeder. 20+ Pine Grosbeaks at once, flocking at Arkola Rd feeder Northern Hawk Owl Stone Lake Rd. This was a great experience. As we were photographing it, a brave Gray Jay was harassing it,  squawking and flying back and forth in front of it, returning to it's perch, only to swoop down in front of it again and again. We've since read about this behavior being the cause of aggressive defense of a food cache. Large flocks of Snow Buntings on Arkola Rd west of CR 5 and two different locations on CR 7. Non feathered highlight, a Red Fox on Arkola Rd, West of Owl Ave. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Brown Creeper From: gkuyava AT aol.com Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:45:45 EST While I was comtemplating moving a 3 cord pile of fire wood I noticed a Brown Creeper moving up a trunk of a Blue Spruce about 40 feet away from where I was sitting at the entrance of my garage. This the first time I have seen this species at this time of year. Nice to have another odd critter around. Gary Kuyava in NE Duluth_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: bird trip question From: Mary McGrath <mcczm AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:21:53 -0600 Hello, Does anyone know of any short bird trips before March 20 that are either in the morning on weekends or during the week? I have already check MRVAC and I cannot find one that fits. Thanks. Mary McGrath Dakota Co. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Duluth RBA 11/14/10 From: "Jim Lind" <jslind AT frontiernet.net> Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:12:03 -0600 This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, January 14th, 2010 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. The BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK at 6219 East Superior Street has not been reported since the 10th. Karl Bardon saw a COMMON GOLDENEYE x HOODED MERGANSER hybrid and four GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS on the 10th at Canal Park. Mike Hendrickson relocated the SNOWY OWL in the Superior harbor out from Barker's Island on the 8th. He also reported BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS north of Duluth along the West Tischer Road (CR 10) near the Washburn Road (CR 245). Steve Schon found a SPRUCE GROUSE on the 9th along MN Highway 1 at mile marker 303, about 18 miles south of Ely. He also saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL along the Whyte Road, a half mile east of the Stony River Forest Road. Sparky Stensaas saw a GREAT GRAY OWL on the 14th on the Whyte Road, 1.5 miles east of the Stony River Forest Road. Mike Hendrickson saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL in the Sax-Zim Bog on the 8th near the intersection of CR 7 and the Sax Road (CR 28). He also saw BOREAL CHICKADEES and a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER at the Admiral Road (CR 788) feeder. Erik Collins saw a second NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 9th along CR 7 a half mile north of the Sax Road, as well as a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER along the McDavitt Road (CR 233), 2.8 miles north of the Sax Road. Ken and Molly Hoffman saw a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE in Grand Marais on the 9th between the Coast Guard Station and Broadway Street. Four LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen on the 11th at Burlington Bay in Two Harbors. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, January 21st. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. 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, e-mail us at mou AT moumn.org, or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 14, 2010 From: "Jeanie Joppru" <ajjoppru AT q.com> Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:46:18 -0600 This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, January 14, 2010 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. After the cold of New Year's weekend, temperatures have increased until they are flirting with the freezing point. The complete snow cover has so far kept the melting to a minimum, but even warmer temperatures are forecast for the weekend so that may change. For road conditions, we hope that thawing and freezing does not occur to make the roads icy and dangerous. Two out of place birds have been reported this week. On New Year's Day, an EASTERN TOWHEE was found in Lancaster in Kittson County. Larry Wilebski reported tonight that this bird has not been seen for a couple of days, but the length of its stay may mean that it is still around. Farther south, on January 4 and 5, a WESTERN MEADOWLARK was seen in Red Lake County along some gravel roads a few miles south of Red Lake Falls. Marcy Bisson reported two dozen AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS in her yard since January 6 , five miles northwest of Vergas on CR 17. In Polk County on January 8, Karen Suldahl reported RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at the feeder, and a flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS in the fruit trees. Shelley Steva reported 25 LAPLAND LONGSPURS, and a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS north of Oklee in Red Lake County this week. The Thief River Falls Times reported this week a flock of about a dozen AMERICAN ROBINS in the town of Thief River Falls in Pennington County. Maggie Anderson at Agassiz NWR in Marshall County reported two AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES at the headquarters feeders on January 11, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE on January 14. Shelley Steva saw a NORTHERN SHRIKE in Clearwater County near Gonvick on the weekend. Beth Siverhus spotted a RUFFED GROUSE near mile marker 46 on MN 72 on January 9, and PINE GROSBEAKS along MN 11 north of Waskish. An adult BALD EAGLE was seen in Waskish. In Lake of the Woods County, Beth Siverhus saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the west side of MN 72 between mile markers 52 and 53 on January 9. On January 11, Beth reported a PILEATED WOODPECKER and a COMMON GRACKLE in their yard in Warroad , Roseau County. Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Karen Suldahl, Larry Wilebski, Maggie Anderson, Michelle, Marcy Bisson, and Shelley Steva for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, January 21,2010. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Sad news From: Jazzyjane1 AT comcast.net Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:06:23 +0000 (UTC) I'm sending out this note to let the bird watching folks know that Jane Donahue passed away on December 18th.  Jane was involved in a car accident on the 2nd of December and passed away from complications from her injuries.  I know that she enjoyed all of the info shared among the mnbird group.  I know that some of you are probably aware of this sad news already, but she was still gettng emials... and I didn't want to just stop responding.  Daughter in law Beth Donahue _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Sharpshinned or Coopers Hawk? From: "Carrie" <carriewbl AT pressenter.com> Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:31:37 -0600 Hello Birders, Saw a hawk busily eating a small bird on the ground under a large dogwood in my yard. It later moved to where I could get a rear view. Had a few large white spots on the dark brown back, dark bands on the longish tail, short-rounded wing tips, and a small head. Breast heavily streaked with reddish brown on white up through the throat. Am not a hawk expert but my guess is a sharpshinned hawk possibly still in transition to adult plummage? Your views would be helpful. Carrie Kostroski Ramsey County/White Bear Lake_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: mailing list From: "Dan Jackson" <DanielEJackson AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:24:49 -0600 Brad: There are 2 major birding e-mail lists for the State of Minnesota - MNBird and MOUNet. The location that you are looking at is displaying the messages from MOUNet. Most birding messages for the state are posted to both lists. However, some birders prefer one list or the other and therefore, if you want to see all of the birding related messages for MN, you need to belong to both lists (and you will therefore get duplicates of most posts). The MOUNet list was set up and maintained by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU). Go to the MOU website at: http://moumn.org/ >From that website, you can find instructions for joining the MOUNet list. Good Birding, Dan Jackson Chaseburg, Vernon County, Wisconsin (near La Crosse) www.pbase.com/dejackson community.webshots.com/user/danielejackson From: mnbird-bounces AT lists.mnbird.net [mailto:mnbird-bounces AT lists.mnbird.net] On Behalf Of Brad.Abendroth AT emerson.com Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 8:09 AM To: mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net Subject: [mnbird] mailing list I asked this month ago, but no one responded or maybe didn't understand the question. I will try again and ask it a different way. When I post a message it gets posted here (this list). How does a post get to this list? See link. http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/MNOU.html#1263355089 It's something simple I am missing, but I can't find it. -brad _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: mailing list From: <Brad.Abendroth AT emerson.com> Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:09:10 -0600 I asked this month ago, but no one responded or maybe didn't understand the question. I will try again and ask it a different way. When I post a message it gets posted here (this list). How does a post get to this list? See link. http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/MNOU.html#1263355089 It's something simple I am missing, but I can't find it. -brad _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: winter From: linda whyte <birds AT moosewoods.us> Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:48:01 -0600 It does seem there are fewer juncos in the yard (St.Paul) and on my daily walks than in the past. Linda Whyte On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 1:43 PM, scott henkemeyer wrote: > I live near st.cloud,and i have noticed there hasnt been any juncos since > late fall. Has anyone else noticed this? Has anyone seen any crossbills or > grosbeaks? > > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > > _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: winter From: scott henkemeyer <scotth9 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:43:15 -0800 (PST) I live near st.cloud,and i have noticed there hasnt been any juncos since late fall. Has anyone else noticed this? Has anyone seen any crossbills or grosbeaks? _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Rough-legged Hawk, St. Paul, Ramsey Co. From: "Margevicius, Thomas S." <TSMARGEVICIU AT stthomas.edu> Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:15:03 -0600 Happy New Year, Birders. Sunday morning January 10 around 9:10 am I spotted a Rough-legged Hawk in St. Paul, Ramsey Co. It was soaring over MN Rte. 280 around Como Ave. headed SW in the direction of Minneapolis. Happy Birding! Fr. Tom Margevičius _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Rough-Legged Hawks, Dakota & Olmsted counties From: KCTEPO00 <KCTEPO00 AT smumn.edu> Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:02:22 -0600 Yesterday afternoon while in transit from St. Paul to Rochester I had one Rough-Legged Hawk fly by just north of Cannon Falls and another just north of Rochester. Kyle TePoel St. Paul _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Wilkie Unit - Scott County - January 9, 2010 From: "CRAIG MANDEL" <EgretCMan AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 22:32:53 -0600 January 9, 2010 I led a walk at the Wilkie unit this afternoon and while we did not find anything rare, there were lots of birds there. We hiked from the main parking lot over to Blue lake and the treatment plant. Here are a few of the species of birds we observed. Trumpeter Swan - 71 birds were observed on Blue Lake Gadwall Hooded Merganser Common Goldeneye - 100+ at the Blue Lake Water Treatment plant American Coot Northern Harrier - 1 adult male, was observed along the North West side of Fisher Lake Northern Shrike - 1 adult bird was observed on the South West side of Fisher Lake. American Robin - 100s of American Robins were observed North of the main parking area and in the conifer grove West of the main parking lot. Craig Mandel EgretCMan AT msn.com Minnetonka, Hennepin County_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Prescott Harlequin AWOL From: linda whyte <birds AT moosewoods.us> Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 19:49:36 -0600 Despite diligent searching, the whereabouts of the Prescott Harlequin went unknown today, nor was there any sign of the Barrow's Goldeneye. Only the Long-tailed Duck was re-found, by the slips close to the bridge. For the second day, a large raft of C. Goldeneye (perhaps concealing the Barrow's!) drifted downriver toward the second marina, and engaged in what almost appeared to be synchronized diving. They would travel for a bit in a line, then seemed to gather, or even circle, in one spot, before diving in large numbers. I'm wondering if they were "herding" a school of fish; or perhaps just following one. Linda Whyte _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Townsend Solitaire From: "Sue Weber" <sue AT boreal.org> Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 08:47:53 -0600 Grand Marais: Friday at around 1:30 pm, while parked near the Coast Guard building, wespotted two birds, a Starling and a Townsend Solitaire. Both were feeding on oneof the shrubs planted in the islands of the parking lot and on MountainAsh. Both flew north down Broadway with the starling in the lead and turned ofinto the row of conifers south of the Cobblestone Cove buildings. It was odd tosee the Solitaire follow the starling but it did. >From Molly and Ken Hoffman, Cook County, MN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: FESTIVAL OF OWLS EXPLORITAS PROGAM in Houston MN From: "Schumacher, Paul" <PSchumacher AT winona.edu> Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2010 18:21:01 -0600 This message was approved by Paul Schumacher. FESTIVAL OF OWLS EXPLORITAS PROGAM March 4-8, 2010 in Houston, MN Exploritas is the new name of the organization formerly known as Elderhostel. At this exclusive Festival of Owls Exploritas program you will enjoy interesting programs and special activities of the Festival as well as birding for other species such as bald and golden eagles, various waterfowl and other migratory birds. The Festival began as a way to celebrate Alice the Great Horned Owl's hatch-day and has evolved into a multi day event. Learn owl identification, sounds, conservation and biology from experts in the field. Participate in owl prowls and calling. Examine the role of owls in mythology and culture. The Festival's programs provide an in-depth and up-close experience with owls. An experienced, energetic birder and Exploritas leader will be your guide as you travel by van and discover the areas excellent birding spots. Field trips to various locations will include bird identification and habitat requirements. Great photo and viewing opportunities! This is a small group trip and only 2 spots are currently available. Register before Monday, January 11, 2010 to ensure your spot. Houston, MN is 20 minutes off of I-90 at MN Hwy. 76 making it an easy trip from MSP, La Crosse, WI and Iowa. For more information or to register visit www.exploritas.org and type in Festival of Owls in the search screen or call 1-800-454-5768. Feel free to forward this to other lists and friends. Jenny Lamberson WSU Outreach & Continuing Education Department Somsen 106H 507-457-2963 _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Presscott Harlequin Duck From: linda whyte <birds AT moosewoods.us> Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2010 16:20:12 -0600 The Prescott Harlequin Duck was seen early this afternoon. He was first spotted in the confluence waters downriver of the MN point, and then approached the boat slips just south of the bridge. When last seen, he appeared to be heading toward the railroad bridge. Despite careful searching with scopes, we did not find the Barrow's Goldeneye. It may have been in a raft of Commons that moved toward Freedom Center. However, there was much diving---and fishing success---going on, that might have helped obscure his presence. Thanks to Jean R (please excuse me for not attempting your last name) for telling us the Harlequin was back. The views we got were very satisfying. Linda Whyte (with Laura Coble and Don Harrington) _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Please post From: "Lamberson, Jennifer S" <JLamberson AT winona.edu> Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2010 15:13:35 -0600 This message was approved by Paul Schumacher. FESTIVAL OF OWLS EXPLORITAS PROGAM March 4-8, 2010 in Houston, MN Exploritas is the new name of the organization formerly known as Elderhostel. At this exclusive Festival of Owls Exploritas program you will enjoy interesting programs and special activities of the Festival as well as birding for other species such as bald and golden eagles, various waterfowl and other migratory birds. The Festival began as a way to celebrate Alice the Great Horned Owl's hatch-day and has evolved into a multi day event. Learn owl identification, sounds, conservation and biology from experts in the field. Participate in owl prowls and calling. Examine the role of owls in mythology and culture. The Festival's programs provide an in-depth and up-close experience with owls. An experienced, energetic birder and Exploritas leader will be your guide as you travel by van and discover the areas excellent birding spots. Field trips to various locations will include bird identification and habitat requirements. Great photo and viewing opportunities! This is a small group trip and only 2 spots are currently available. Register before Monday, January 11, 2010 to ensure your spot. Houston, MN is 20 minutes off of I-90 at MN Hwy. 76 making it an easy trip from MSP, La Crosse, WI and Iowa. For more information or to register visit www.exploritas.org and type in Festival of Owls in the search screen or call 1-800-454-5768. Feel free to forward this to other lists and friends. Jenny Lamberson WSU Outreach & Continuing Education Department Somsen 106H 507-457-2963 _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Duluth RBA 1/7/10 From: "Jim Lind" <jslind AT frontiernet.net> Date: Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:31:24 -0600 This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, January 7th, 2010 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. The BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK at Pat Thomas's house at 6219 East Superior Street is apparently still present, although I have not heard any updates since the 3rd. Birders are still welcome to look for the bird, but are asked to limit the number of visitors to five at a time and to stay between the driveway and the back door while looking for the bird. Peder Svingen and Mike Hendrickson surveyed gulls on the 1st between Canal Park, the Superior landfill and the Superior Entry and saw four ICELAND GULLS, three THAYER'S GULLS, a record-high 30 GLAUCOUS GULLS, and a record-high six GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS. Peder relocated the male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE on the 3rd at Leif Erickson Park. The SNOWY OWL in the Superior harbor out from Barker's Island was relocated on the 2nd. Chad Heins and Benji Inniger saw a SNOWY OWL on the 3rd in the Port Terminal along Garfield Avenue at the lumber yard. The GREATER SCAUP was still present in Canal Park on the 1st. Five GREAT GRAY OWLS were seen on the 2nd along the Stony River Forest Road during the Isabella CBC. One was about a mile south of MN Highway 1, one about 4 miles south, another 4.5 miles south, and two at 8 miles south. A NORTHERN HAWK OWL was also seen 8 miles south of Highway 1 and 17 BOREAL CHICKADEES were found between 3 miles and 8 miles south of Highway 1. Kim Eckert and others saw single GREAT GRAY OWLS on the 3rd at 3.6 and at 6.4 miles south of MN Highway 1. Kim's group also saw a GREAT GRAY OWL along CR 2 at the railroad tracks 38 miles north of Two Harbors. One was seen the day before, one mile south of the tracks. Dave Benson and others saw a GREAT GRAY OWL on the 2nd along CR 2, 0.7 mile south of Greenwood Lake. Dave Grosshuesch saw a GREAT GRAY OWL on the 7th along the Stony River Forest Road, about 6 miles north of Forest Highway 11 (CR 15). The southern portion of the Stony River Forest Road was plowed this week, and is now apparently drivable from Forest Highway 11 to MN Highway 1. Becky and Mark Lystig found a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 2nd at mile marker 89 of MN Highway 61 near Tofte. Howard Weinberg saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 5th along MN Highway 61 west of Two Harbors at CR 9. A GREAT GRAY OWL was seen by Harley Hanson on the 5th along MN Highway 61 at Split Rock State Park, but it was found dead on the road the next day. Harley also saw a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER on the 4th at the state park office. Two GREAT GRAY OWLS were seen by several observers over the past week in the Sax-Zim Bog along the McDavitt Road (CR 233) about 3 miles north of the Sax Road (CR 28). Kim Eckert and others saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL along the Kolu Road, between McDavitt and Admiral Road. Denny and Barb Martin saw two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS on the 1st along CR 7 just north of the Arkola Road (CR 52). They also saw a BOREAL CHICKADEE on Owl Avenue (CR 203), a mile south of Arkola Road. Steve Falkowski reported a female GREEN-WINGED TEAL on the 30th at Silver Lake in Virginia, and the bird was still present on the 4th. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, January 14th. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. 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, e-mail us at mou AT moumn.org, or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Recall: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 6, 2009 From: "Jeanie Joppru" <ajjoppru AT q.com> Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 20:42:23 -0600 Jeanie Joppru would like to recall the message, "Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 6, 2009"._______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 6, 2010 From: "Jeanie Joppru" <ajjoppru AT q.com> Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 20:42:49 -0600 This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, January 6, 2009 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. What a cold week it has been, but next week's forecast promises to be warmer.Feeders have been busy, and the last CBC's have wrapped up without incident. In Lake of the Woods County, Susan Olin reported on January 5, that two small flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS have been seen near Zippel Bay State Park, and two pairs of PINE GROSBEAKS have been coming to the park feeder. The Beltrami Island State Forest CBC was conducted on January 1st and 18 species were seen including two SPRUCE GROUSE, one NORTHERN GOSHAWK, one NORTHERN HAWK OWL, two BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES, one BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER, two BOREAL CHICKADEES, and a number of RED CROSSBILLS. On January 3, the Baudette CBC was held and 26 species were seen including 18 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, 4 GREAT GRAY OWLS, one BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER, NORTHERN SHRIKE, 38 EVENING GROSBEAKS, and 81 PINE GROSBEAKS. On January 2, the Roseau CBC took place with 28 species being seen including SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, GREAT GRAY OWL along MN 310 north of Roseau, four AMERICAN 3-TOED WOODPECKERS, 2 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS, six BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, LAPLAND LONGSPURS, SNOW BUNTINGS, PINE GROSBEAKS, and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS. A NORTHERN HAWK OWL was found outside the count circle just east of Warroad along MN 11 on the way to the CBC in Baudette. >From Polk County, Sandy Aubol reported that 20-25 PINE SISKINS showed up at her feeder in East Grand Forks on January 5. On New Year's Day she saw one COMMON REDPOLL, and a PILEATED WOODPECKER. Dave and Betty Hochhalter in Becker County saw one AMERICAN ROBIN in Detroit Lakes and a few SNOW BUNTINGS. A pair of NORTHERN CARDINALS has been at their yard all winter. Herb Dingmann reported some WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in Staples, Todd County , on the Philbrook CBC on December 31. Thanks to Dave and Betty Hochhalter, Herb Dingmann, Sandy Aubol, and Susan Olin for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, January 13, 2010. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, January 6, 2009 From: "Jeanie Joppru" <ajjoppru AT q.com> Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 20:41:16 -0600 This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, January 6, 2009 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. What a cold week it has been, but next week's forecast promises to be warmer.Feeders have been busy, and the last CBC's have wrapped up without incident. In Lake of the Woods County, Susan Olin reported on January 5, that two small flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS have been seen near Zippel Bay State Park, and two pairs of PINE GROSBEAKS have been coming to the park feeder. The Beltrami Island State Forest CBC was conducted on January 1st and 18 species were seen including two SPRUCE GROUSE, one NORTHERN GOSHAWK, one NORTHERN HAWK OWL, two BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES, one BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER, two BOREAL CHICKADEES, and a number of RED CROSSBILLS. On January 3, the Baudette CBC was held and 26 species were seen including 18 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, 4 GREAT GRAY OWLS, one BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER, NORTHERN SHRIKE, 38 EVENING GROSBEAKS, and 81 PINE GROSBEAKS. On January 2, the Roseau CBC took place with 28 species being seen including SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, NORTHERN GOSHAWK, GREAT GRAY OWL along MN 310 north of Roseau, four AMERICAN 3-TOED WOODPECKERS, 2 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS, six BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, LAPLAND LONGSPURS, SNOW BUNTINGS, PINE GROSBEAKS, and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS. A NORTHERN HAWK OWL was found outside the count circle just east of Warroad along MN 11 on the way to the CBC in Baudette. >From Polk County, Sandy Aubol reported that 20-25 PINE SISKINS showed up at her feeder in East Grand Forks on January 5. On New Year's Day she saw one COMMON REDPOLL, and a PILEATED WOODPECKER. Dave and Betty Hochhalter in Becker County saw one AMERICAN ROBIN in Detroit Lakes and a few SNOW BUNTINGS. A pair of NORTHERN CARDINALS has been at their yard all winter. Herb Dingmann reported some WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in Staples, Todd County , on the Philbrook CBC on December 31. Thanks to Dave and Betty Hochhalter, Herb Dingmann, Sandy Aubol, and Susan Olin for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, January 13, 2009. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Fw: LSU ornithologists on PBS Nature program on hummingbirds Sunday night at 7 From: "Larry Sirvio" <lmsirvio AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 10:39:52 -0600 I looked at the link for the trailer - Great slow - mo photography of hummers ----- Original Message ----- From: Ellen Paul To: ORNITH-L AT SI-LISTSERV.SI.EDU Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:58 AM Subject: LSU ornithologists on PBS Nature program on hummingbirds Sunday night at 7 From: James V. Remsen Date: January 6, 2010 4:44:18 PM CST Subject: PBS Nature program on hummingbirds Sunday night at 7 (with LSU connections) This Sunday's "Nature" is on hummingbirds, and having already seen a preview copy, it contains amazing footage on hummingbirds. It also features a brief segment by Yours Truly, plus former MNS student Ethan Temeles (now at Amherst), and local hummingbird-bander Nancy Newfield. Here's the link for the details: http://ow.ly/SGM6 ***************************** J. V. Remsen Museum of Natural Science Foster Hall 119 LSU Baton Rouge, LA 70803 225-578-2855 najamesLSU.edu -- Ellen Paul Executive Director The Ornithological Council Email: ellen.paul AT verizon.net "Providing Scientific Information about Birds" http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET"_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Clay County, Sunday/Today From: Matt Mecklenburg <mattmecklenburg AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 17:05:27 -0500 Hello, Had a Short-Eared Owl sunday afternoon at the SW tract of the Clay County WMA (new tract/not sure the actual tract name) and around noon today had a Black-Billed Magpie come and perch in the snag out our office window. For specifics directions, please reply. Good Birding Matt Mecklenburg Clay County _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222986/direct/01/_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Upcoming free program about birds and the Mississippi From: Valerie Cunningham <valwrites AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 19:42:30 -0600 Everyone is invited to St. Paul Audubon's January meeting, please see below. And Paul Schumacher has approved the posting of this message: Public Service Announcement FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Event Date: Thursday, January 14, 2010 Restoring the Mississippi River for Birds and People with Dan McGuiness, Lifelong River Advocate Dan McGuiness spent his entire career of 41 years going against the flow to preserve two of Minnesota’s finest waterways, the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers. Humans haven’t been kind to rivers and, as Dan points out, the Mississippi has suffered through 300 years of lock and dam building, dredging and human settlement in its watershed—but work is under way to rescue North America’s biggest river. Dan will provide an overview of the Big River, from its headwaters to the Gulf, examples of habitat restoration along its route, and advice on what local citizens can do to help. After all, rivers are important to birds, with more than 300 species nesting along the Mississippi. Since his retirement Dan has been working as a conservation consultant on river issues. Many will recognize him as last year’s St. Paul Audubon president and others know him as the supreme “river rat,” willing to go anywhere, anytime, to preserve rivers and their wildlife. He had been national Audubon’s director of conservation policy for the Mississippi before his retirement in 2008, and currently serves on several conservation organization boards. Everyone is invited to this free Saint Paul Audubon program on Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Fairview Community Center, 1910 West County Road B in Roseville, just west of Fairview Avenue. The event is open to the public, with free parking. Refreshments will be served after the meeting.  For more information, call Tim Nixon at 651-353-0756. Regards, Val Cunningham St. Paul Audubon_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Cold weather Cardinals From: Kelly Dan <theowlprowlers AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 16:39:19 -0800 (PST) Kelly and I have been noticing increasing numbers of Cardinals visiting the feeders. We were excited to see 13 at one time, then 15, then 18 this past Saturday. I kept saying I was shooting for 20 at once, well, that happened tonight! At their usual dinner time around dusk, Kelly counted 12 male and 8 female Cardinals! We have been very excited with the variety and quantity of birds we've seen in the first year at our new home, especially since we are within one mile of downtown Rochester. We moved here from a farmhouse in the country, and never had more than a pair of Cardinals at once. We've also noticed male Cardinals, and some industrious Chickadees, on several occasions grabbing whole shelled peanuts from the Jay feeder. We seldom have crows at the feeders, but this weekend there were 10 crows huddled together on the 4' feeding bench, with many more on the ground and in the trees.  They seemed to be gorging on the corn and sunflower seeds, even fighting with the squirrels over the food.  _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: dakota county gray partridge From: james otto <jlotto1 AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 13:05:56 -0600 Today at 11:00 am, observed 2 Gray Partridge at the corner of 180th and Joan avenue in Dakota county. Jim Otto _________________________________________________________________ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222985/direct/01/_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s