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Recent Postings from
Minnesota Ornithologists' Union

Updated on Friday, October 19 at 08:02 AM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

Last night was the biggest Birds and Beers yet!  We had 24 people  
show up throughout the evening from all over the metro--people from  
up near Carlos Avery, White Bear Lake, Wayzata, and Woodbury!  We had  
hawk banders, songbird banders, bird and conservation writers, new  
birders, photographers, mildly interested birders, hardcore birders-- 
it was a GREAT mix and so much fun to say hi to bird people I know  
and meet new people.

I want to thank everyone for coming and I hope you had a good time  
and had a chance to connect to more Minnesota birders.

The next two Birds and Beers are scheduled:

Cape May, NJ on Friday, October 26, 2007 at 8pm at Jackson Mountain  
Cafe (may be hard for some MN birders to attend):

http://www.capemayafterdark.com/jacksonmt/jacksonmt-cm.htm


Minneapolis, MN onThursday, November 29, 2007 at 6pm at Merlin's Rest:

http://merlinsrest.com/

Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of people interested in  
birds to have a chance to connect. Anyone interested in birds is  
welcome to attend--from the hard core to the beginner to everyone in  
between. If you want to meet some people, talk some birds and have a  
beverage or two, this it the place for you.

I'm not opposed to moving Birds and Beers around the state (heck, I'm  
having one in New Jersey).  If anyone has an idea of a birding event  
in a different town that we could combine a Birds and Beers with and  
knows a bar or restaurant that has a good atmosphere for  
conversation, please let me know!


Sharon Stiteler
www.birdchick.com
Minneapolis, MN

Last night was the biggest Birds and Beers yet!  We had 24 people  
show up throughout the evening from all over the metro--people from  
up near Carlos Avery, White Bear Lake, Wayzata, and Woodbury!  We had  
hawk banders, songbird banders, bird and conservation writers, new  
birders, photographers, mildly interested birders, hardcore birders-- 
it was a GREAT mix and so much fun to say hi to bird people I know  
and meet new people.

I want to thank everyone for coming and I hope you had a good time  
and had a chance to connect to more Minnesota birders.

The next two Birds and Beers are scheduled:

Cape May, NJ on Friday, October 26, 2007 at 8pm at Jackson Mountain  
Cafe (may be hard for some MN birders to attend):

http://www.capemayafterdark.com/jacksonmt/jacksonmt-cm.htm


Minneapolis, MN onThursday, November 29, 2007 at 6pm at Merlin's Rest:

http://merlinsrest.com/

Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of people interested in  
birds to have a chance to connect. Anyone interested in birds is  
welcome to attend--from the hard core to the beginner to everyone in  
between. If you want to meet some people, talk some birds and have a  
beverage or two, this it the place for you.

I'm not opposed to moving Birds and Beers around the state (heck, I'm  
having one in New Jersey).  If anyone has an idea of a birding event  
in a different town that we could combine a Birds and Beers with and  
knows a bar or restaurant that has a good atmosphere for  
conversation, please let me know!


Sharon Stiteler
www.birdchick.com
Minneapolis, MN



_______________________________________________
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mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net
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-RBA
*Minnesota
*Detroit Lakes
*October 18, 2007
*MNDL0710.18

-Birds mentioned
Snow Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
Blue-winged Teal
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Common Goldeneye
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden-Plover
Pectoral Sandpiper
Dunlin
Little Gull
Bonaparte's Gull
White-winged Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Shrike
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Marsh Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Pipit
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Tree Sparrow
Le Conte's Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
Purple Finch
Pine Siskin
-Transcript

Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: October 18, 2007
Sponsor: Lakes Area Birding Club, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce
Reports:  (weekdays during business hours)
Compiler: Jeanie Joppru (ajjoppru AT wiktel.com)

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, October 18,
2007 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You
may also hear this report by calling  or .

We are definitely in transition to winter now in the northwest - rains
are cold, winds high, and skies are often gloomy, punctuated by
occasional magical sunny warm days that make us forget how unpleasant
some fall weather can be. Migration is winding down with only a few new
species being seen now.

The big news this week is a WHITE-WINGED DOVE reported by Dan and Sandy
Thimgan in Otter Tail County 10 miles north of Fergus Falls at the home
of Marilyn Sanchez. She has agreed to allow birders to visit and can be
reached at  for updates and directions.

Ben Fritchman reported 5 SURF SCOTERS, and 2 BLACK SCOTERS on Lake
Osakis in Todd County on October 14, and John Kroll found two
LONG-TAILED DUCKS there on October 16 when he went to look for the
scoters.

In Greenbush, Roseau County, on October 15, Russ Reisz saw a
BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER in his yard, along with a number of BLACK-CAPPED
CHICKADEES, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, and BROWN CREEPERS.

Larry Wilebski in Kittson County reported a SNOW BUNTING on October 14
and a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK on October 15.

On October 13 Andrew Birch reported a LONG-TAILED DUCK on Leech Lake in
Cass County 3 miles north of Pelican Island, and a SURF SCOTER in front
of Huddle's Resort on Leech Lake. On the 16th, Dale Yerger saw two adult
LITTLE GULLS with the BONAPARTE'S GULLS at the Cass Lake WTP.

Russ Reisz , in Marshall County on October 15 reported BLUE-WINGED TEAL
at Thief Lake WMA, and on the 19th, he saw WESTERN GREBE, GREAT EGRET,
and SNOW BUNTINGS there. The October 14 shorebird survey at Agassiz NWR
found 458 individuals of 11 species including 13 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS,
a melanistic AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, and 214 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS
scattered all over the refuge with most at Tamarac Pool and Webster
Pool. Other species seen included SNOW GOOSE, COMMON GOLDENEYE, and a
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. Gary Tischer mentioned the first ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK,
and 100 SNOW BUNTINGS seen on October 10. A pair of TRUMPETER SWANS with
6 cygnets were found near Thief Bay Pool that day also. Gary reported
the presence of 400 TUNDRA SWANS, and 10000 AMERICAN COOTS currently at
the refuge among a good variety of ducks.

Mel and Elaine Bennefeld in Clay County reported RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH
and PURPLE FINCH at the Ponderosa Gold Club near Buffalo River State
Park on October 16.

Dan and Sandy Thimgan reported that sparrows were many in Otter Tail
County on October 11, including all the common late fall migrants; at
Battle Lake WTP there was a variety of ducks and some BONAPARTE'S GULLS.
Kim Eckert's Minnesota Birding Weekend group found many species
including GREAT EGRET, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER,
AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, DUNLIN, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, NORTHERN SHRIKE,
BROWN CREEPER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, MARSH WREN, both kinglets,
AMERICAN PIPIT, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and LAPLAND LONGSPUR. Teresa
Jaskiewicz mentioned AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, and PINE SISKINS also in
Otter Tail County.

The Minnesota Birding Weekend group in Wilkin County found 2 SURF
SCOTERS at the Breckenridge WTP. Other species seen on the weekend in
Wilkin County included 2 EARED GREBES, PILEATED WOODPECKER, an unusual
number of BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, both kinglets, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH,
HERMIT THRUSH, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, LE CONTE'S
SPARROW, and FOX SPARROW among many other species.

Thanks to Andrew Birch, Ben Fritchman, Dale Yerger, Mel and Elaine
Bennefeld, Gary Tischer, Larry Wilebski, Kim Eckert, Russ Reisz, Teresa
Jaskiewicz, and Dan and Sandy Thimgan for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than
Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT wiktel.com OR call the Detroit Lakes
Chamber's toll free number: . Detroit Lakes area birders
please call . Please include the county where the sighting took
place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, October 25,
2007.

-RBA
*Minnesota
*Duluth/North Shore
*October 18, 2007
*MNDU0710.18

-Birds mentioned
Ross's Goose
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Red-throated Loon
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Sabine's Gull
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Black-backed Woodpecker
Boreal Chickadee
Bohemian Waxwing
Snow Bunting
Pine Grosbeak
-Transcript

Hotline: Minnesota, Duluth/North Shore
Date: October 18, 2007
Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU)
Reports:
Compiler: Jim Lind (jslind AT frontiernet.net)

This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, October 18th, 2007
sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.

At least three different RED-THROATED LOONS are still being seen at Park
Point, including an adult and a juvenile on the 17th at the recreation
area bath house, and one adult at the same time at the Lafayette Square
31st Street access. Dedrick Benz and John Hockema found three
WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS at the Park Point rowing club on the 13th, and
relocated the adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on the 12th on the
Minnesota side of the Superior Entry. They also saw a BLACK SCOTER fly
by the bath house on the 13th. Denny and Barb Martin reported a juvenile
SABINE'S GULL at the bath house on the 15th. They also had a LONG-TAILED
DUCK fly by the McQuade Road access on the 15th. Another LONG-TAILED
DUCK was seen at Lafayette Square on Park Point on the 17th.

An immature ROSS'S GOOSE was seen on the 13th and 14th west of Two
Harbors, along the Stanley Road (CR 9), 3.2 miles west of the Highway 61
4-lane expressway. Jan Green saw what was probably the same bird on the
16th at the Two Harbors golf course near the maintenance garage. It was
seen again on the 17th along CR 2 near the Two Harbors arena.

Twenty-one BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS flew by the Hawk Ridge overlook on
the 13th. Four more were seen at the overlook on the 14th and three were
seen on the 15th. Janet Riegle found a female Black-backed on the 12th
in the red pine woods at Hawk Ridge, along the Superior Hiking Trail
north of Skyline Drive. One was also caught at the banding station on
the 17th. The first PINE GROSBEAK and SNOW BUNTING of the season flew by
the overlook on the 11th.

Shawn Conrad found more than a dozen BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS this week
in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area off the Gunflint Trail (CR 12),
including birds seen at Leg Lake, Brant Lake, and Round Lake. Shawn also
saw an AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER at the north end of Gabimichigami
Lake and BOREAL CHICKADEES at Bat Lake and at the Round Lake access. The
woodpeckers were found in areas burned by the Ham Lake Fire.

Dedrick Benz and John Hockema found an AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER on
the 15th at the Silver Bay Marina parking lot. They found a BOREAL
CHICKADEE on the 14th at the Sugarloaf Cove nature trail between markers
7 & 8, and a flock of about 50 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in Grand Marais.

The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, October
25th. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is
. 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.

-RBA
*Minnesota
*Minnesota Statewide
*October 18, 2007
*MNST0710.18

-Birds mentioned
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
Cackling Goose
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Little Gull
Black-headed Gull
White-winged Dove
Boreal Chickadee
Bohemian Waxwing
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Common Redpoll
Pine Siskin
-Transcript

Hotline: Minnesota Statewide
Date: October 18, 2007
Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) http://moumn.org
Reports:
Compiler: Anthony Hertzel (axhertzel AT sihope.com) 

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, October 18th 2007.

A WHITE-WINGED DOVE has been present in Otter Tail County since the
15th. It's visiting the feeders of Marilyn Sanchez her home on Long Lake
about ten miles north of Fergus Falls. Please call Marilyn at
 for directions.

The BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen again at the north end of Spirit Lake in
Jackson County on the 12th.

LITTLE GULLS were seen in Cass County on the 16th, one each at the
Walker sewage ponds and the Cass Lake sewage ponds.

Two BOREAL CHICKADEES were seen on the 13th about two miles north of the
Mille Lacs County town of Onamia on the frontage road of U.S. Highway
169, across from the yellow billboard for "Unclaimed Freight".

An immature ROSS'S GOOSE was west of Two Harbors in Lake County on the
13th. It was in a farm field on the south side of the Stanley Road, 3.2
miles west of State Highway 61.

On the 13th, a LONG-TAILED DUCK was about three miles north of Pelican
Island at Leech Lake in Cass County, as were a few unidentified SCOTERS.
Lake Osakis in Todd County had two BLACK SCOTERS, five SURF SCOTERS, and
a LONG-TAILED DUCK on the 14th. All the birds were seen from the road on
the eastern shore of the lake. I also have numerous reports of GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, SNOW GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, BOHEMIAN WAXWING,
COMMON REDPOLL, and PINE SISKIN. And a male BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER
was at the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge area of Bloomington, Hennepin County
on both the 17th and 18th, at the first boardwalk west of the parking
lot.

The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, October 25th 2007.

HAWK RIDGE
DULUTH, MN

> The Upcoming Weekend:
> Fun, fun, fun with FAMILIES!  We're looking forward to a wonderful
> weekend, weather-wise, bird-wise and visitor-wise, because it's MEA
> weekend.  Yep, that's right�families all over the state are headed out for
> a long weekend of fun and we're hoping a bunch of them stop up at the
> ridge.  Here's a peek at what's on the menu (all offerings are free and
> meet at the main overlook):
> 
> Nest Box Building
> Due to the great response we had last year, we are again offering nest box
> building at the overlook.  The materials were donated by The Home Depot
> and time to prepare the kits was donated by our fantastic volunteers.  The
> boxes are FREE and we've got all the tools to make 'em on the spot.  And
> band-aids for folks that are less-than-handy with a hammer.  
> 
> Songbird Stroll 
> Saturday, October 20
> 7:30 a.m.
> 
> Snags & Deadfalls 
> Saturday, October 20
> 11 a.m.
>  
> Eyes on the Skies: hawkwatching for beginners
> Saturday, October 20
> 1 p.m.
>  
> Night & Day: owl adaptations
> OWL RELEASE!  A rehabilitated Northern Saw-whet Owl will be released back
> into the wild after the program.  Bring your camera!
> Saturday, October 20
> 9 p.m.
> 
> Eyes on the Skies: hawkwatching for beginners
> Sunday, October 21
> 11 a.m.
>  
> Veggie Trails
> Sunday, October 21
> 1 p.m.
> 
> Happy hawkwatching!
> Debbie
> 
> __________________________ 
> Debbie Waters
> Education Director
> Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
> P.O. Box 3006
> Duluth, MN  
> 
> dwaters AT hawkridge.org 
> www.hawkridge.org 
> 
> What's the current fall raptor count? 
> www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=288 
> 
> Need info on visiting Hawk Ridge? 
> www.hawkridge.org/visit/visit.html 
> 
> 

DO NOT REPLY TO JIM WILLIAMS
REPLY TO PAT VALENTIK AT jettpakk AT GMAIL.COM

Begin forwarded message:

From: J Pat Valentik 
Date: October 18, 2007 2:06:35 PM CDT
To: BIRDCHAT AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU

Does anyone have a recommendation
for Gray Partridge in N Iowa or S Minnesota in the next  two weeks?

J Pat Valentik
Huntsville, AR 72740



forward by Jim Williams
Wayzata

I wouldn't call this bird a hybrid for the following reasons:

The "clean white head" of a Ross's Goose is not diagnostic; Snow Geese  
can also have very white heads, with little or no yellowish wash in  
the face. The amount of yellow that Sibley shows on the heads of Snow  
Geese is quite liberal and perhaps even exaggerated in some of his  
illustrations.

The bill's shape and size, including the "grin patch," appear to be  
the correct  dimensions of the average Snow Goose bill.

If it were a hybrid, I would expect the size of the bird to be  
noticeably smaller than it appears to be. I would also look for a  
stubbier bill with a less noticeable "grin patch."

Bob Dunlap






Quoting Jason Bolish :

> I looked over a few of the Canada Goose flocks in the area this morning &
> didn't see the Snow Goose.
> Thanks for all of the comments on this bird!  Latest consensus has been a
> SnowXRoss Hybrid (great analysis in the Sibley Book page 79.)  Pure white
> head of a Ross's with a larger bill of a Snow.  Here is a closup of the bird
> & other shots:
>
> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng8rc1017closeup.jpg
> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng4rc1017.jpg
> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng6rc1017.jpg
>
> Jason Bolish
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rdunlap AT gac.edu [mailto:rdunlap AT gac.edu]
> Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 9:12 AM
> To: Steve Weston
> Cc: Jason Bolish; Minnesota MOU
> Subject: Re: [mou] Snow Goose - Locke Park (Anoka County)
>
>
> At least in the first photo it does appear that the bird is somewhat
> smaller than the Canada Goose; however, notice that this bird is
> behind the Canada Goose in the same image, and thus its size is
> distorted by perspective. In the next two images, its size looks
> appropriate for a Snow Goose.
>
> Also, the bill has the quite noticeable "grin" patch of a Snow Goose,
> and is not short and stubby as on a Ross's Goose.
>
> Bob Dunlap
>
>
>
>
>
> Quoting Steve Weston :
>
>> I can not see enough detail and it may be larger than it appears, but
>> from the pictures this looks like a Ross's Goose to me.
>>
>> Steve Weston
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jason Bolish"
> 
>> To: "Minnesota MOU" 
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 9:50 AM
>> Subject: [mou] Snow Goose - Locke Park (Anoka County)
>>
>>
>>> Right now there is a Snow Goose with a flock of Canada Geese in the
> parking
>>> lot on the North side of Columbia Arena in Fridley (University Ave & 69th
>>> Ave.)  I noticed a bright white Goose in with the Canada's when they were
>>> landing.  With the GWF Goose showing up in Eden Prairie this week with
>>> Canadas, who knows what will be next.
>>>
>>> There are some pics with comparison to Canada Goose here:
>>> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng1rc1017.jpg
>>> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng2rc1017.jpg
>>> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng3rc1017.jpg
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>
>

I looked over a few of the Canada Goose flocks in the area this morning &
didn't see the Snow Goose.
Thanks for all of the comments on this bird!  Latest consensus has been a
SnowXRoss Hybrid (great analysis in the Sibley Book page 79.)  Pure white
head of a Ross's with a larger bill of a Snow.  Here is a closup of the bird
& other shots:

http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng8rc1017closeup.jpg
http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng4rc1017.jpg
http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng6rc1017.jpg

Jason Bolish


-----Original Message-----
From: rdunlap AT gac.edu [mailto:rdunlap AT gac.edu]
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 9:12 AM
To: Steve Weston
Cc: Jason Bolish; Minnesota MOU
Subject: Re: [mou] Snow Goose - Locke Park (Anoka County)


At least in the first photo it does appear that the bird is somewhat
smaller than the Canada Goose; however, notice that this bird is
behind the Canada Goose in the same image, and thus its size is
distorted by perspective. In the next two images, its size looks
appropriate for a Snow Goose.

Also, the bill has the quite noticeable "grin" patch of a Snow Goose,
and is not short and stubby as on a Ross's Goose.

Bob Dunlap





Quoting Steve Weston :

> I can not see enough detail and it may be larger than it appears, but
> from the pictures this looks like a Ross's Goose to me.
>
> Steve Weston
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jason Bolish"

> To: "Minnesota MOU" 
> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 9:50 AM
> Subject: [mou] Snow Goose - Locke Park (Anoka County)
>
>
>> Right now there is a Snow Goose with a flock of Canada Geese in the
parking
>> lot on the North side of Columbia Arena in Fridley (University Ave & 69th
>> Ave.)  I noticed a bright white Goose in with the Canada's when they were
>> landing.  With the GWF Goose showing up in Eden Prairie this week with
>> Canadas, who knows what will be next.
>>
>> There are some pics with comparison to Canada Goose here:
>> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng1rc1017.jpg
>> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng2rc1017.jpg
>> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng3rc1017.jpg
>>
>>
>>

At least in the first photo it does appear that the bird is somewhat  
smaller than the Canada Goose; however, notice that this bird is  
behind the Canada Goose in the same image, and thus its size is  
distorted by perspective. In the next two images, its size looks  
appropriate for a Snow Goose.

Also, the bill has the quite noticeable "grin" patch of a Snow Goose,  
and is not short and stubby as on a Ross's Goose.

Bob Dunlap





Quoting Steve Weston :

> I can not see enough detail and it may be larger than it appears, but
> from the pictures this looks like a Ross's Goose to me.
>
> Steve Weston
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jason Bolish" 
> To: "Minnesota MOU" 
> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 9:50 AM
> Subject: [mou] Snow Goose - Locke Park (Anoka County)
>
>
>> Right now there is a Snow Goose with a flock of Canada Geese in the parking
>> lot on the North side of Columbia Arena in Fridley (University Ave & 69th
>> Ave.)  I noticed a bright white Goose in with the Canada's when they were
>> landing.  With the GWF Goose showing up in Eden Prairie this week with
>> Canadas, who knows what will be next.
>>
>> There are some pics with comparison to Canada Goose here:
>> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng1rc1017.jpg
>> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng2rc1017.jpg
>> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng3rc1017.jpg
>>
>>
>>

Saw two Red-throated Loons off the 2nd boardwalk from the airport buildings at 
Park Point. One of the loons swam fairly close to beach and I was able to 
determine it was a imm. loon and the other loon was adult going into a 
transitional molt between breeding plumage and winter plumage. The throat 
looked real botchy on the adult bird and I was able to detect some reddish 
coloration on the throat a few times. 

    
 Also I saw 8 Snow Buntings behind the West Duluth Kmart store today and on 
Monday I had some Bohemian waxwings fly over my house. 

   
   


Mike Hendrickson
  Duluth, Minnesota
  Website: http://webpages.charter.net/mmhendrickson/
  Local Bird Guide
  Lake Superior Birding Boat Trips
   

 __________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
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All,

Nothing to report.

But we have recently (past year)  re-located  to Minnesota & Twin Cities 
(e.g. I am a native New Yorker - from NYC).   [And I will remind you - 
if you travel to NYC - you must get to the Jamaica Bay Refuge - another 
great Atlantic flyway.  This is where I first experienced my Spring 
Woodcock mating dance - during the first spring full moon.  Such a 
beautiful experience - male Woodcocks thrusting themselves straight into 
the air hundreds of feet.  That such oddity existed within the confines 
of New York City - was unbelievable.  Just recently - upon moving to 
Minnesota - did I discover that Woodcock is a hunted bird.  Sounds odd 
to me. Willing to listen to those who know better.]

So far -  this past year in MN has been a birding blast.

We bought a small home in South Minneapolis - as it feels like we are 
the interlopers (an amazing feeling in a city)  as there are lots of 
"wild-life" in our backyard - maybe more active than we are.  ;-)

In any case- we have been off exploring Sherburne Refuge and Carlos 
Avery Refuge - as well as the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge 
in Bloomington. 

A solitary female RUBY CROWNED KINGLET has been in my backyard for past 
two weeks.  And such a solitary bird was in my backyard back in the 
spring.  I would like to think this is the same (exact) bird?  And this 
afternoon - I spent some time watching a BELTED KINGFISHER fishing from 
the trees of  Lake Hiawatha in Minneapolis.  Again - for you all nothing 
to report.  For me - something special.

I have never been able to say this before.  You Minnesotans are truly 
"birding" fortunate.

E




















On 10/16/2007 11:00 AM, mou-net-request AT moumn.org wrote:
> Send mou-net mailing list submissions to
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> Today's Topics:
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>    1. Surf Scoter - Leech Lake (Andrew Birch)
>    2. Greater White-fronted Goose-- Hennepin (drewbec AT aol.com)
>    3. Lauderdale Ramsey Co Yardbirds (Clay Christensen)
>    4. Re: Greater White-fronted Goose-- Hennepin (WWoessner AT aol.com)
>    5. North Shore 10/13 - 10/15 (Dedrick Benz)
>    6. RFI for Visit to MN (McLean, Patty (CDC/CCHP/NCCDPHP))
>    7. Nemesis Bird (Pastor Al Schirmacher)
>    8. Long-tailed Ducks-Lake Osakis (Benjamin Fritchman)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:37:
> From: "Andrew Birch" 
> Subject: [mou] Surf Scoter - Leech Lake
> To: mou-net AT cbs.umn.edu
> Message-ID:
> 	<19ac00220710151037r3314d1bem1038034d7cb496de AT mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> At 11:50 this AM there was an individual Surf Scoter on Leech Lake in
> Cass County in front of Huddle's Resort seen from Whipholt Beach Road.
>
>   

I can not see enough detail and it may be larger than it appears, but from 
the pictures this looks like a Ross's Goose to me.

Steve Weston

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jason Bolish" 
To: "Minnesota MOU" 
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 9:50 AM
Subject: [mou] Snow Goose - Locke Park (Anoka County)


> Right now there is a Snow Goose with a flock of Canada Geese in the 
> parking
> lot on the North side of Columbia Arena in Fridley (University Ave & 69th
> Ave.)  I noticed a bright white Goose in with the Canada's when they were
> landing.  With the GWF Goose showing up in Eden Prairie this week with
> Canadas, who knows what will be next.
>
> There are some pics with comparison to Canada Goose here:
> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng1rc1017.jpg
> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng2rc1017.jpg
> http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng3rc1017.jpg
>
>
> 

Drove out to Osakis Lake after school was let out this evening. Six Surf 
Scoters in with a small group of coots, another alone....along the east side 
frontage road along Hwy27, none w/ stark male plumage. Others, Common Loons, 
Bonaparte's, Pied-Billed, 15 Western Grebes, a few thousand coots. Did not 
locate the Long-tailed Ducks. Ran out of time to catch the northern sector. mjb 

Drove out to Osakis Lake after school was let out this evening. Six Surf 
Scoters in with a small group of coots, another alone....along the east side 
frontage road along Hwy27, none w/ stark male plumage. Others, Common Loons, 
Bonaparte's, Pied-Billed, 15 Western Grebes, a few thousand coots. Did not 
locate the Long-tailed Ducks. Ran out of time to catch the northern sector. mjb 
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I spent 3 days in the BWCA off of the Gunflint Trail, mainly in the area burned 
during this summer's Ham Lake Fire. The burned area was evident from the entry 
point at Round Lake all the way to Gabimichigami Lake (and probably beyond). 
Here are some of the highlights: 

 
- Three-toed Woodpecker seen at the north end of Gabimichigami Lake.
- Black-backed Woodpeckers seen at Leg Lake, Brant Lake, and Round Lake.
 
(Numerous--I mean numerous--Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers heard, at 
least one at every other lake for a 22 lake trip. If you're looking for these 
species, head for the Gunflint now!) 

 
- Boreal Chickadee at Bat Lake and 3 at the Round Lake access (Gray Jays here 
too and the BBWP was nearby), very cooperative with good looks. 

- Northern Shrike at West Fern Lake.
- Lone American Black Duck at Seahorse Lake.  
- A nice bull moose with 2 Gray Jays hanging around it at Brant Lake.
 
- A few Snow Buntings along the Forest Road 11 here and there. Shawn 
Conradhttp://users.2z.net/itasca_chippewa_birding/ 

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There is a Wing-winged Dove visiting the feeders of MOU member Marilyn
Sanchez in Otter Tail County in west-central Minnesota.

The bird was first spotted on 10/15 at her residence on Long Lake (about 10
miles north of Fergus Falls).  We were able to see and photograph the bird
on 10/16.

She confirmed this evening that she's OK with visiting birders.  Call
Marilyn at  for updates/directions.

--Dan & Sandy Thimgan
-- 
Thimgans
Otter Tail County
Battle Lake MN

There is a Wing-winged Dove visiting the feeders of MOU member Marilyn
Sanchez in Otter Tail County in west-central Minnesota.

The bird was first spotted on 10/15 at her residence on Long Lake (about 10
miles north of Fergus Falls).  We were able to see and photograph the bird
on 10/16.

She confirmed this evening that she's OK with visiting birders.  Call
Marilyn at  for updates/directions.

--Dan & Sandy Thimgan
-- 
Thimgans
Otter Tail County
Battle Lake MN

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Ben Wieland and Mark Jungens refound an adult Little Gull at 3 PM today
at the Cass Lake Wastewater Treatment Ponds - off of Cass County Rd.
146 (where the pavement ends).

-- 
Andrew Birch
_________________________
A. Birch Photo
http://abirchphoto.com

I am having a few 'Cassiar' Juncos mingling with my Slate-coloreds browsing 
below my feeders east of Lake Nokomis. Thie race of Junco is apprently an 
intermediate between the our typical Slate-colored variety and the more western 
Pink-sided and Oregon types. The females are showing brown, not pink, sides and 
the male I've spotted has an ever so darker, but noticeably contrasting, gray 
head than the rest of his body. Neither showed the more marked contrast and 
much darker head/brown body combination of a typical Oregon. The link 
http://www.oceanwanderers.com/JuncoID.html has a good write-up on this subgroup 
and how to tell them from what is typically seen at each extreme. The Sibley 
guide shows a male and female of each on the bottom of page 501 and describes 
them as a distinct group but does not use the Cassiar name. 


The seem to be regular visitors at this point, if anyone is interest Viewing 
might be possible if I am home (wooden fence around the yard). I also have some 
dark pics digibinned through a dirty window if anyone is interested. 


-Bob Ellis, Minneapolis, Hennepin Co.
ellisbob AT comcast.net

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I think the fact that Jeff can use a 20 power is a testament to his  
strength and steady hands!

Hey, I'm having Birds and Beers tomorrow night at Merlin's Rest at  
6pm.  If you're coming, why not bring your binoculars and we can test  
and compare what we have!  The bar is a  little dark, so it would be  
perfect for comparing light gathering ability!  I'll bring mine!   
It'll be a great way for new comers to identify the birder table.

Hope to see some of you there.

Birds and Beers and a gathering of birders to get to know each  
other.  Your birding ability doesn't matter, if you're interested in  
birds, you're invited.  It's not sponsored by any company and I get  
no financial gain.  I'm just looking for  way to get to know more  
local birders.



Sharon Stiteler
www.birdchick.com
Minneapolis, MN




On Oct 17, 2007, at 11:35 AM, jeff fischer wrote:

> For the record I do use my camera to bird a lot more then I use my  
> binos. So I am prolly not a good example of a typical birder.  
> WhatSharon says makes sense because I can not effectively hand hold  
> my scope either, but my 20x 60 binos are not as long as a scope and  
> so they are easier to hold. Maybe part of the reason why I do not  
> have trouble hand holding such high powered binos is because I am  
> used to hand holding a SLR camera with a 100 to 400 mm lens. The  
> 20x60 binos are small and light compared to the camera. So  
> likeSharon suggests the best advice is to find out what works best  
> for you. Maybe look for a retailer who has a good return policy and  
> keep your receipt and packaging. Then when you get a pair go out  
> and do some birding and decide if they will work for you. If  
> possible take them on a long outing because carrying them for a  
> long period of time may be factor in to your final decision. The  
> bino harnesses are also a nice thing to have for those long  
> outings. Good luck I hope that you find a pair that will work for you
>
> Jeff Fischer
> http://ecobirder.blogspot.com/
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I am pleased to announce a field trip opportunity on November 3rd in
Houston County led by Fred Lesher.  He will be focusing on the
Mississippi River from the MN side beginning at the rest area at Lock &
Dam #7 off Interstate 90/US 14/Hwy 16 just north of La Crescent, MN
south along Hwy 26 towards the Iowa border.  Species that will be seen
include Tundra Swans, waterfowl(including Canvasbacks) and
raptors(especially Bald Eagles).  This trip is free and open to the
public.  Those interested should contact Fred at corax6330 AT yahoo.com.
Birders will meet at the rest area at 8:30am and will bird until about
3pm.  This field trip is in conjunction with the Coulee Region Audubon
Society but there is plenty of space available at this time.
Bob Williams, Field Trip Coordinator

I am pleased to announce a field trip opportunity on November 3rd in
Houston County led by Fred Lesher.  He will be focusing on the
Mississippi River from the MN side beginning at the rest area at Lock &
Dam #7 off Interstate 90/US 14/Hwy 16 just north of La Crescent, MN
south along Hwy 26 towards the Iowa border.  Species that will be seen
include Tundra Swans, waterfowl(including Canvasbacks) and
raptors(especially Bald Eagles).  This trip is free and open to the
public.  Those interested should contact Fred at corax6330 AT yahoo.com.
Birders will meet at the rest area at 8:30am and will bird until about
3pm.  This field trip is in conjunction with the Coulee Region Audubon
Society but there is plenty of space available at this time.
Bob Williams, Field Trip Coordinator
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Right now there is a Snow Goose with a flock of Canada Geese in the parking
lot on the North side of Columbia Arena in Fridley (University Ave & 69th
Ave.)  I noticed a bright white Goose in with the Canada's when they were
landing.  With the GWF Goose showing up in Eden Prairie this week with
Canadas, who knows what will be next.

There are some pics with comparison to Canada Goose here:
http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng1rc1017.jpg
http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng2rc1017.jpg
http://www.bolioshot.com/photography/images/sng3rc1017.jpg

Dale Yerger and I found adult Little Gulls today, 10/16, at both the Walker and 
the Cass Lake sewer ponds. Both birds were mixed in with flocks of between 
100-200 Bonaparte's Gulls. 


Ben Wieland


Ben Wieland
Deep Portage Learning Center
2197 Nature Center Dr. NW
Hackensack, MN  56452  
       
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All you have to do is buy a pair of binoculars.

No financial interest in this. I just think it's a fine idea. I wish  
more vendors
working in the birding field would do the same. Duck-stamp money buys
bird habitat.

 From a message I received earlier today:

If you buy a particular brand of Steiner Binoculars, you will be
given a duck stamp and a membership in the National Wildlife Refuge
Association.

Information can be found at:
http://www.steiner-binoculars.com/special/documents/
SteinerNWRADuckStampPromotion.pdf

Jim Williams
Wayzata, Minnesota

All you have to do is buy a pair of binoculars.

No financial interest in this. I just think it's a fine idea. I wish  
more vendors
working in the birding field would do the same. Duck-stamp money buys  
bird habitat.

 From a message I received earlier today:

If you buy a particular brand of Steiner Binoculars, you will be  
given a duck stamp and a membership in the National Wildlife Refuge  
Association.

An informative two-page brochure can be found at:
http://www.steiner-binoculars.com/special/documents/ 
SteinerNWRADuckStampPromotion.pdf

Jim Williams
Wayzata,  Minnesota

I received a message this morning about birders driving into the 
Supervalu Corporate property and looking for the goose. This is private 
property, and is signed as such at the entry, and is patroled by 
security. It is advised that birders DO NOT enter that property looking 
for the Greater White-fronted Goose, regardless of the actions by a 
birder yesterday afternoon.

The bird was seen early this morning in the Supervalu parking lot by a 
birder employee, and so  is still in the area. Please keep your 
searching activities on public property, and be respectful at area 
business' parking lots and of their employees.

Drew Smith
Eagan, Dakota County


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In between the rain, I found a couple of late surprises at Purgatory Creek. A 
small flock of warblers was feeding along the trail near Anderson Lakes Pkwy. 
This included 5 Orange-crowned(2 were showing their crown which is rare for 
me), 2 Nashville, 2 Cape May, and a Yellow-rumped. 2 Hermit Thrush were along 
the trail, and I could only find 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Sparrows seemed more 
scarce those being White-throated, Lincoln's, Swamp, and Song. From the blind 
and pond nearby, there were a few more Green-winged Teal but nothing else 
different. 


John 
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Lake Osakis continues to be good this fall. My grandma and grandpa located 2 
Long-tailed Ducks this morning on Lake Osakis while trying to relocate the 
scoters. They didn't leave too much information other than the birds were seen 
on the south side of the lake near the Welcome To Osakis sign. I don't know 
whether these birds would be in Douglas or Todd County. So far this fall, 
Osakis has turned up Sabine's Gull, Black and Surf Scoters, and Long-tailed 
Duck! Who knows what November will bring! 

Ben Fritchman
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I'll be in MN next week and would like to spend a day or two birding in
your great state. I'll be in Minneapolis during the week and am
considering a trip to Hawk Ridge/Duluth over the weekend of 10/27.
Please send your recommendations for "Must Visit" birding spots.
Thanks!!

Patty McLean
Atlanta GA

This is a "good" Hennepin country bird. I refound it with about 7 Canada 
Geese in the parking lot of the SuperValue headquarters across the street (off 
Market Place Way) at about 445 PM. The best way to find this area is to 
Mapquest 

the address in the original email
Good birding
Warren Woessner


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Here's a summary of sightings here in Lauderdale, western edge of Ramsey Co., 
so perhaps those of you south of us can anticipate... 


White-throated sparrows, daily since 10/3
Ruby-crowned kinglets, through 10/13
Brown creepers, lots on 10/3, last seen 10/8
Red-breasted nuthatches, two still coming to feeders
E. Bluebird in flight, 10/7
Yellow-bellied sapsucker, 10/8
Killdeer in flight, 10/14,  AT  9:35 p.m.
Fox sparrow, 10/15
Pine siskins, two, 10/15
Winter wren, 10/15

It was the winter wren that persuaded me that I should post. They can be very 
persuasive. 


Clay Christensen
Lauderdale, MN
Ramsey Co.

As I was heading out for lunch about 12:30pm, I noticed a GWFG hanging 
out with the Canada Geese on the lawn in front of my office building. 
Don't know exactly how unusual this is for Hennepin, but I doubt 
they're an annual event. For those interested, the address is 11455 
Valley View Road in Eden Prairie. Kind of on the Southeast end of 
Bryant Lake. Or roughly where Hwy 212 intersects Valley View Road. If 
it's not here, it may be on the lake across the street.

Good luck to any chasers!

Drew Smith
Eagan, Dakota County


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At 11:50 this AM there was an individual Surf Scoter on Leech Lake in
Cass County in front of Huddle's Resort seen from Whipholt Beach Road.

-- 
Andrew Birch
_________________________
A. Birch Photo
http://abirchphoto.com
http://google.picasaweb.com/andrewlbirch/CassCountyBirds

Hey birders,

I had a first yesterday. On my Droll Yankee tube I had House Finch, Purple 
Finch, American Goldfinch, and my first Pine Siskin all at the same time. 
Hopefully they'll stick around for the winter. 


Chad Heins
Mankato, MN


       

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I saw the Black-headed Gull at it's usual spot at the north end of Spirit Lake, 
Iowa on Friday. After sitting along the road for two and a half hours I was 
rewarded when it flew across the road into Minnesota about 3 PM. 

 
Also of note, there is a stock pond on east side of Hwy 86 at 730th where a 
large number of geese and blackbirds are congregating. Among them on Friday 
afternoon was a flock of at least 12 Great-tailed Grackles at the edge of the 
pond near the highway. I counted seven males and five females before the flock 
flew with a few Common Grackles mixed in to give a nice size comparison. 

 
Other birds of interest (at least for me) from this weekend:
2 Short-eared Owls flying over the east unit of Plover Prairie in Lac Qui Parle 
county between 6:45 and 7 PM Saturday harassing a Northern Harrier. 

 
Eurasian Collared Dove in Wheaton on Sunday. The bird was in a yard along Hwy 
27 at the corner of 16th street. 

 
Red-Breasted Nuthatches in Pipestone, Lac Qui Parle, Big Stone, and Wilkin 
counties. 

 
6 Snow Buntings along 200th street near the Rothsay WMA in Wilkin county on 
Sunday. 

 
A late Magnolia Warbler and a Winter Wren in an Aspen grove near Rothsay.
 
American Pipits and Harris Sparrows everywhere!
 
 
Joel Claus
Eden Prairie

    Got two decent looks at a (the?) Pacific Loon on Friday late AM out from 
12th St. at Park Point in Duluth. Earlier Bob Eckblad and I had another look 
at the Whimbrel close to the airport and a flock of 9 Sanderlings. The breeding 

plumage Scoters were fun to see. Not much at Rothsay on Saturday. Had my 
first fall Northern Shrike in Douglas Cnty this early PM. Went to Christina 
this 

morning. It is truly impressive again for coot and waterfowl. From the north 
shore you can pick a line any direction across the lake and count 50 to 150 
waterfowl. Then move a few seconds in either direction and do it again. The 
view 

is about 140 or 150 degrees so there are a LOT of waterfowl. At any one time 
there are 50 to 100 ducks in the air and they are constantly up and setting 
again. No W. Grebes seen on either Christina or on Osakis. Lake Carlos had 126 
C. 

Loons on Friday night and Le Homme Dieu had a few. Lake Miltona had about 20 
C. Loons this AM. Many Ring Billed Gulls were migrating with a decent number of 

Franklin's thrown in.
        John Ellis-St. Paul 



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