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11 May Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Grey Catbird [Nancy Drew ] 11 May Tundra Swan near arvilla [Daniel Ackerman ] 10 May BC Night Herons [JLegge ] 10 May Ruby throated Hummer north Fargo feeder [Connie Norheim ] 10 May Re: FOY notables [JLegge ] 10 May Male Baltimore Orioles [Linda Gregg ] 10 May Ruby-Throated Hummingbird [Linda Gregg ] 9 May Trefoil Park [Dean Riemer ] 9 May Birds [Bernice Houser ] 9 May Fw: [grandcitiesbirdclub] black necked stilts at Lincoln park holding pond [Betsy Batstone-Cunningham ] 9 May White-Crowned Sparrows [Linda Gregg ] 9 May Roberts and Sargent counties [Mark Otnes ] 9 May Roberts and Sargent counties ["Mark Otnes" ] 9 May Cape May Warbler and Bobolinks Trefoil Park Fargp [Connie Norheim ] 9 May Stutsman and surrounding counties. [Lawrence D Igl ] 9 May migrating sparrows [Diane ] 9 May Re: herons bittern sora [Jlegge ] 9 May hummingbird [Jlegge ] 8 May Re: thrush, Forster's [Jlegge ] 8 May new sparrow [Kim ] 8 May Lark sparrow in the yard [Betsy Batstone-Cunningham ] 8 May RFI - grassland specialties [Richard Schroeder ] 8 May Recommendations on birding Roosevelt Natl Park [Jean Leonatti ] 8 May SD grassland bird tour [Lawrence D Igl ] 8 May Wells County [Misty Thorenson ] 7 May Lions Conservancy Park, Fargo Wednesday [Connie Norheim ] 7 May new yard bird [Betsy Batstone-Cunningham ] 6 May Minot Tuesday [Ron Martin ] 6 May Birding in the west [Magnus Elfwing ] 6 May more badlands birds [Lillian Crook ] 6 May yard Rose-breasted Grosbeak Fargo [Connie Norheim ] 6 May correction Trefoil birds [Connie Norheim ] 6 May Trefoil Fargo Tuesday morning [Connie Norheim ] 6 May badlands birds [Lillian Crook ] 6 May bird guides [Kim ] 6 May migration in Pierce and Wells Counties [Wayne Easley ] 6 May Mickelson pines, Trefoil this a.m. [Patrick Beauzay ] 6 May hermit thrush? [Molly Rodriguez ] 5 May AUDUBON'S Yellow-rumped Warbler [Corey D Ellingson ] 5 May Re: nesting pheasant [Jlegge ] 5 May Yardbirds [Jack Lefor ] 5 May Franklin's Gulls 10 mi. west of Jamestown on I-94 [Daniel Ackerman ] 5 May White-faced Ibis [Todd Larson ] 5 May female pine warbler at Mickelson Pines (N. Fargo) [Dennis Wiesenborn ] 5 May Van Hook [David Lindee ] 5 May Weekend birding [Daniel Rogers ] 5 May osprey [Mark A Gonzalez ] 5 May Tree Swallows [Diane ] 4 May Re: help in identifying a bird ["breuer AT srt.com" ] 4 May Fargo Area [Dean Riemer ] 4 May Water Birds [Bernice Houser ] 4 May help in identifying a bird ["breuer AT srt.com" ] Subject: Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Grey Catbird From: Nancy Drew <ncdrew AT POLARCOMM.COM> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 10:35:52 -0500 I saw my first Rose-breasted Grosbeak on Friday and yesterday saw the Grey Catbird for the first time. Today there were three RB Grosbeaks in the garden at the sunnies. Nancy Drew 1mile west of Clifford ND in SW Traill County Subject: Tundra Swan near arvilla From: Daniel Ackerman <dackman81 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 09:05:41 -0500 Fellow birders, Yesterday (Sat) morning about 11:00 am I observed a lone tundra swan flying to the NW, 1 mi. west of the Arvilla turnoff on Hwy 15. It appeared to be a lone juvenile due to its grayish plumage. Good birding! -- Daniel S. Ackerman 2015 N. 16th St. #14 Bismarck, ND 58501 (C): 701-330-5781 Subject: BC Night Herons From: JLegge <jlegge AT DAKTEL.COM> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 21:35:01 -0500 Hobart Lake, Barnes County West of VC: Black-crowned night herons, a flock of about 10, flushing off the rocks each time a vehicle passed. Snow geese, 2 white and 1 blue-phase, resting on the shoreline of Hobart Lake and another spotted sandpiper. -- Jean Legge 3212 115 Ave. SE Valley City, ND 58072 701-845-4762 j legge AT daktel.com Subject: Ruby throated Hummer north Fargo feeder From: Connie Norheim <cnorheim AT MSN.COM> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 20:14:48 -0600 I had my first Ruby throated Hummingbird, a male, drinking from my nectar feeder this afternoon and again this evening in north Fargo. Connie Norheim 232-4386 Fargo Subject: Re: FOY notables From: JLegge <jlegge AT DAKTEL.COM> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 20:44:25 -0500 First of Year notables today in my yard here north of Valley City, Barnes County: ovenbird least flycatcher rose-breasted grosbeak house wren Swainson's thrush *the ovenbird and thrush were walking around on the edges of the lawn at the same time after the sun came out this afternoon. The Ruby-throated hummer is still here too. From VC to Crystal Springs and back: willet Wilson's phalaropes solitary sandpiper American bittern Caspian tern-Crystal Springs purple martins-Crystal Springs huge flocks of many sparrow types and Myrtle's yellow-rumped warblers -- Jean Legge 3212 115 Ave. SE Valley City, ND 58072 701-845-4762 j legge AT daktel.com Subject: Male Baltimore Orioles From: Linda Gregg <lgregg AT WAH.MIDCO.NET> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 19:07:30 -0500 7:05 p.m....Two male Baltimore Orioles came to the grape jelly feeder. First of the season...what a beautiful sight. -- Linda Gregg lgregg AT wah.midco.net Horace, ND Subject: Ruby-Throated Hummingbird From: Linda Gregg <lgregg AT WAH.MIDCO.NET> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 08:22:20 -0500 As I was filling the suet feeders, on this chilly, misty morning, I was greeted by our first Ruby-Throated Hummingbird of the season. Many more Harris Sparrows are showing up also. -- Linda Gregg lgregg AT wah.midco.net Horace, ND Subject: Trefoil Park From: Dean Riemer <driemer AT KWH.COM> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 22:36:28 -0500 Greetings This evening I birded trefoil park in north fargo and found the following birds. Blackpoll Warbler (FOY) Yellow-rumped Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Tennessee Warbler Nashville Warbler Yellow Warbler Palm Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Good Birding Dean Riemer West Fargo ND "The Black Desert" Subject: Birds From: Bernice Houser <sanishnd AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 21:13:22 -0500 Well, something happened that we were beginning to think was impossible-- it rained!! Two different days this week! At the present time (9 p.m.) a little snow is coming down, but it is WET!! Was watching the pheasant rooster with his little (4 hen) harem this evening--he has been strutting and puffing up for some time now as he follows them around. Well, this evening he was wet and it was cold and windy and he looked like he was having an awful time trying to be "macho"- -even his hens weren't going where he was trying to head them! I guess there is a word for my putting human male attributes to a non-human creature, but I can't remember the word. He looked "un-macho" to me, anyway. We have a goodly flock of Clay-colored Sparrows with quite a few Chipping Sparrows thrown in, and for several days we have had one American Goldfinch in his best breeding plumage--the only Goldfinch, which was odd. This evening a second one showed up, bright, but not quite as "finished" as the first one. It was too much of an "Ellingson Day" to venture out and get my binocs wet, so birding was from the window, and the feeders were taken over by the Brown-headed Cowbirds--at least 2 and maybe 3 dozen of them--so the only really bright spots were the goldfinches. There are still quite a few White-crowned and a White-throated or 2 Sparrows here yet, also. Happy Birding! Bernice Houser Rural New Town sanishnd AT hotmail.com Subject: Fw: [grandcitiesbirdclub] black necked stilts at Lincoln park holding pond From: Betsy Batstone-Cunningham <batsham AT GRA.MIDCO.NET> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 21:01:37 -0500 Hi, FYI - the pond is S of Lincoln Park along the Greenway. There is a small parking lot at Belmont Ave & 13th Ave. Go over the dike and you will see the pond. The stilts were still there at 8:45 p.m. Betsy Batstone-Cunningham Grand Forks ND 218.791.5079 ----- Original Message ----- From: Julie Abrahamson To: GF Birders Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 8:41 PM Subject: [grandcitiesbirdclub] black necked stilts at Lincoln park holding pond Yet another interesting sighting at the Lincoln Park holding pond tonight after dinner: a pair of black necked stilts! They were poking about in the south end of the pond, not particularly wary of a teen ager sitting on the bank nearby. We watched them for at least 10 minutes before heading away. Maybe they will still be there in the morning if anyone dares the chilly prospects to look? There were the typical blue winged teal, shovelers, mallards, gadwalls, wood ducks, and a pair of green winged teal, as well as several yellowlegs. Also seen along the Greenway tonight again was a kestrel. We've seen them 3-4 times along there this week. There were HUNDREDS of sparrows: white crowned, white throated, chipping, song, Lincoln's; many thrushes (Hermit and ___ Swainson's -- poor lighting, too cool to stand too long). Other notables: brown thrasher brown creeper ruby crowned kinglet yellow rumped warblers (no surprise!) We have seen broad winged hawks 3-4 times (at least) in the area behind the dike from Spruce court this week, and again (probably) tonight. Anyone know of their nesting in the area? Good birding, all!! Julie & Harmon Abrahamson __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Members | Calendar Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity a.. 15New Photos Visit Your Group Y! Sports for TV Access it for free Get Fantasy Sports stats on your TV. Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Yahoo! Groups Join a program to help you find balance in your life. . __,_._,___ Subject: White-Crowned Sparrows From: Linda Gregg <lgregg AT WAH.MIDCO.NET> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 20:07:09 -0500 Today, we had an invasion of the White-Crowned Sparrows...Fun to see! Still have large numbers of White-Throated Sparrows also. -- Linda Gregg lgregg AT wah.midco.net Horace, ND Subject: Roberts and Sargent counties From: Mark Otnes <markotnes AT CABLEONE.NET> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 17:11:42 -0500 I started birding at Hartford Beach in Roberts County at about 6:30 this morning and worked my way up to Milnor in northern Sargent County at 2:30 this afternoon and ended up with 124 species of birds. At Hartford Beach the most unexpected bird was a lone red crossbill quietly probing cones in the in pine trees near the park maintenance building. Other birds at the park were: Blue-gray gnatcatcher - 1 Gray-cheeked thrush - 1 7 warbler species (nothing unusual) Northern cardinal - 6 Rose-breasted grosbeak - 1 Baltimore oriole - 4 Broad-winged hawk - 1 Around Bullhead Lake there were 2 white-faced ibis and 6 Hudsonian godwits. Sica Hollow was very quiet. A wetland in northern Roberts had: American avocet - 8 Willet - 2 Stilt sandpiper - 1 White-rumped sandpiper - 1 Least sandpiper - 5 Western kingbird - 1 In Sargent County, Tewaukon Refuge had: Long-billed dowitcher - 7 Stilt sandpiper - 3 At Borg Lake: White-faced ibis - 2 Sora - 3 Sanderling - 1 Semipalmated sandpiper - 3 Wilson's phalarope - 13 Sedge wren - abundant At Milnor: Wilson's phalaropes - 100 + Red-necked phalaropes - 2 Semipalmated plover - 6 Semipalmated sandpiper - 3 Mark Otnes Fargo ND 701-241-4194 Markotnes AT cableone.net Subject: Roberts and Sargent counties From: "Mark Otnes" <markotnes AT cableone.net> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 17:11:42 -0500 I started birding at Hartford Beach in Roberts County at about 6:30 this morning and worked my way up to Milnor in northern Sargent County at 2:30 this afternoon and ended up with 124 species of birds. At Hartford Beach the most unexpected bird was a lone red crossbill quietly probing cones in the in pine trees near the park maintenance building. Other birds at the park were: Blue-gray gnatcatcher - 1 Gray-cheeked thrush - 1 7 warbler species (nothing unusual) Northern cardinal - 6 Rose-breasted grosbeak - 1 Baltimore oriole - 4 Broad-winged hawk - 1 Around Bullhead Lake there were 2 white-faced ibis and 6 Hudsonian godwits. Sica Hollow was very quiet. A wetland in northern Roberts had: American avocet - 8 Willet - 2 Stilt sandpiper - 1 White-rumped sandpiper - 1 Least sandpiper - 5 Western kingbird - 1 In Sargent County, Tewaukon Refuge had: Long-billed dowitcher - 7 Stilt sandpiper - 3 At Borg Lake: White-faced ibis - 2 Sora - 3 Sanderling - 1 Semipalmated sandpiper - 3 Wilson's phalarope - 13 Sedge wren - abundant At Milnor: Wilson's phalaropes - 100 + Red-necked phalaropes - 2 Semipalmated plover - 6 Semipalmated sandpiper - 3 Mark Otnes Fargo ND 701-241-4194 Markotnes AT cableone.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cape May Warbler and Bobolinks Trefoil Park Fargp From: Connie Norheim <cnorheim AT MSN.COM> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 15:01:41 -0600 Bobolinks flew over the field at Trefoil Park this morning, doing their bubbly thing. Ron Miller found a Cape May Warbler in the cottonwood tree near the port-a-potty. Several Black and white warblers around, a couple Palm Warblers, lots of Yellow-rumps, a Harris's Sparrow, a Clay-colored Sparrow. Connie Norheim Fargo 232-4386 Subject: Stutsman and surrounding counties. From: Lawrence D Igl <ligl AT USGS.GOV> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 15:52:05 -0500 I was in Florida last week, so I apologize for the late reports of the following first arrivals: Sora: First reported at Cottonwood Lake Study Area by Steve Lane on 5/5. Virginia Rail: First reported at Cottonwood Lake Study Area by Steve Lane on 5/3. Semipalmated Plover: First reported by Hal Kantrud near Ypsilanti on 5/5. Western Sandpiper: One adult in breeding plumage reported at Cottonwood Lake Study Area by Steve Lane on 5/8. Upland Sandpiper: First reported at Cottonwood Lake Study Area by Steve Lane on 5/4. Wilson's Phalarope: First reported at Cottonwood Lake Study Area by Steve Lane on 5/3. Least Flycatcher: First reported by Larry and Amy Igl at McElroy Park in Jamestown on 5/6. Northern Rough-winged Swallow: First reported by Larry Igl at Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center on 5/7. Bank Swallow: First reported by Terry and Jill Shaffer near Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center on 5/1. House Wren: First reported near Wimbledon by Steve Lane on 5/7. Marsh Wren: First reported at Cottonwood Lake Study Area by Steve Lane on 5/5. Sedge Wren: First reported at Cottonwood Lake Study Area by Steve Lane on 5/7. Brown Thrasher: First reported by Marsha Sovada southeast of Jamestown on 5/3 and by Steve Lane near Wimbledon on 5/3. Gray Catbird: First reported by Marsha Sovada southeast of Jamestown on 5/3 and by Larry Igl in Jamestown on 5/4. Western Kingbird: First reported at Cottonwood Lake Study Area by Steve Lane on 5/7. Swainson's Thrush: First reported near Wimbledon by Steve Lane on 5/1. Yellow Warbler: First reported at Cottonwood Lake Study Area by Steve Lane on 5/7. Ovenbird: First reported by Alisa Bartos in Jamestown on 5/2. Black-and-White Warbler: First reported by Terry Shaffer near Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center on 5/1. Clay-colored Sparrow: First reported at Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center by Terry Shaffer on 5/1 and near Wimbledon by Steve Lane on 5/3. Harris's Sparrow: First reported near Wimbledon by Steve Lane on 5/1. Other reports of interest: House Finch: When we returned from Florida, Amy and I discovered that a House Finch had laid six eggs in a nest beneath our porch during our absence. Red-breasted Nuthatch: At least one Red-breasted Nuthatch continues to visit our feeders regularly in Jamestown. Pine Siskins: Pine Siskins continue to be common in the Jamestown area and likely are nesting this year. ************************************************************** Lawrence D. Igl, Ecologist U.S.G.S. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 8711 37th Street SE Jamestown, North Dakota 58401-7317 Phone: 701-253-5511 Fax: 701-253-5553 E-mail: larry_igl AT usgs.gov Internet: www.npwrc.usgs.gov ************************************************************** Subject: migrating sparrows From: Diane <bingeman AT MIDSTATE.NET> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 09:54:21 -0600 Harris's sparrows and White-crowned sparrows have arrived. The white-throated cannot be far behind. Diane Bingeman Golden Valley Co. Beach, ND "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas A. Edison Subject: Re: herons bittern sora From: Jlegge <jlegge AT DAKTEL.COM> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 08:39:10 -0500 On the way to school, May 9th American Bittern along Eckelson rd. south of I-94 Black-crowned night Heron Hobart Lake, along Hwy 10. Sora -- Jean Legge 3212 115 Ave. SE Valley City, Barnes County, ND 58072 701-845-4762 Subject: hummingbird From: Jlegge <jlegge AT DAKTEL.COM> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 06:24:21 -0500 Fri, May 9 Barnes County, ND N. of Valley City Ruby-throated hummingbird male at the feeder at 6:15 am today, 39 degrees, pretty chilly! -- Jean Legge 3212 115 Ave. SE Valley City, Barnes County, ND 58072 701-845-4762 Subject: Re: thrush, Forster's From: Jlegge <jlegge AT DAKTEL.COM> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 21:24:13 -0500 Monday, May 5 Barnes County, north of Valley City Upland Sandpipers Wed. May 7 LaMoure County Marion, ND A Swainson's thrush in the city park. Thursday afternoon, May 8 Hobart Lake, Barnes County Forster's terns, several, fishing and dipping along I-94 at Hobart Lake. FOY Jean Legge Subject: new sparrow From: Kim <breuer AT SRT.COM> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 19:30:49 -0500 I had a male white crowned sparrow in my yard the other day... It's always neat for us to see birds other than regular sparrows, finches, siskins, etc... Kim B Subject: Lark sparrow in the yard From: Betsy Batstone-Cunningham <batsham AT GRA.MIDCO.NET> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 18:10:54 -0500 I had a Lark Sparrow in my yard this morning. Another first! Have a great day of birding. Betsy Batstone-Cunningham Elmwood Dr & the Greenway Grand Forks ND Subject: RFI - grassland specialties From: Richard Schroeder <rick_schroeder AT USGS.GOV> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 15:45:43 -0500 Greetings - I will be working in the Bismarck area the week of May 19 and hope to get out a bit to search for some of the ND specialty birds, and a few others. My target list is: LeConte’s sparrow Nelson’s sharp-tailed sparrow Baird’s sparrow Yellow rail Black-billed cuckoo Sprague’s pipit Least bittern I was thinking of heading over to Horsehead Lake and maybe Chase Lake as well. Can anyone on the list provide any specific locations where I might attempt to see or hear these species? Thanks in advance for any suggestions, and good birding to all. Rick Schroeder Fort Collins, CO Subject: Recommendations on birding Roosevelt Natl Park From: Jean Leonatti <jleonatti AT CMAAA.NET> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 13:50:52 -0500 We will be traveling from Missouri to do a self-guided birding trip in North Dakota the last week of May, 2008. As part of our ambitious itinerary, we will spend one day at the south unit of Roosevelt National Park and a little more than half day at the North Unit. We would appreciate any advice from locals on how best to spend our limited time at those two locations. Please feel free to reply off-line if this is not a topic of interest to the entire list-serve. We have received a lot of literature from ND tourism, websites, etc. - but I still think local birders are the best source for up-to-date information on the "birdiest" locations. Thank you in advance for your time in replying. We look forward to visiting your state. Jean Leonatti Boone County Columbia, MO jleonatti AT cmaaa.net Subject: SD grassland bird tour From: Lawrence D Igl <ligl AT USGS.GOV> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 11:11:17 -0500 I am forwarding this on behalf of a colleague: On June 6th and 7th, the SD Grassland's Coalition (http://sdgrass.org/) will be sponsoring a birding tour of a privately owned ranch near Bristol, SD in Day County. The purpose of the event is to provide information to a diverse public by demonstrating the relationship between land stewardship and grassland wildlife populations. In addition to birding tours, the agenda includes speakers on both rangeland and wildlife management and bird photography plus an opportunity to interact with ranchers, birders, and wildlife professionals. For more information on the agenda and registration a brochure is available via the web at http://sdgrass.org/Bird%20Tour/2008%20Bird%20Tour%20Brochure%20(FINAL).pdf Subject: Wells County From: Misty Thorenson <babybirds AT GONDTC.COM> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 02:18:06 -0500 Hello All, It has been a while. Forgot my password and finally found it. There has not been much of interest to post for a while either. The migration birding has dropped off the last few years. I assume it is due to the drought conditions in the area. Wells county is very low on water sources in wet years to begin with. However, we do seem to get some above average birds from time to time. I have been pleased to see some of you taking the time to bird this area in recent months! I have also been thinking about how many of the rarities we miss because most people don't know (or Care, fail to notice... etc...) a bird that is unusual and out of place. So I have a bit of a Challenge for all the read this list. Lets turn some "non-birders" into Birding enthusiasts during the current migration seasons. I challenge everyone to pass along a favorite guide book, a pair of binoculars, a bird feeder or just your time to take someone out to your favorite "Hot Spot" Lets generate some interest where none existed before! The first New recruiting pair that reports a "RARE Bird" before the end of 2009, (From this date of 5/08/2008) I will pay for both to receive $100 worth of bird related products of their choice. Happy Birding! and God Bless. Misty Will report the Wells County highlights tomorrow.. Subject: Lions Conservancy Park, Fargo Wednesday From: Connie Norheim <cnorheim AT MSN.COM> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 13:16:26 -0600 This morning at the Lions Conservancy Park in south Fargo I had my FOY Empidonax flycatcher. I suppose it was a Least but he spoke not a word. Also had a Great Blue Heron hunting there, and a Tree Swallow. Earlier at Trefoil saw a couple Swainson's Thrushes and 8 species of warblers, but no new ones: Yellow-rumped Yellow Northern Waterthrush Ovenbird Orange crowned Black and white Palm Nashville The Great Horned Owl babies were more visible today at Trefoil, looked like 2 to me. A crow was giving her a bad time but she didn't seem at all ruffled by all his commotion. Connie Norheim 232-4386 Fargo Subject: new yard bird From: Betsy Batstone-Cunningham <batsham AT GRA.MIDCO.NET> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 08:24:15 -0500 There is a red breasted grosbeck at my feeders this morning. A new yard bird for me! Betsy B-C Elmwood Dr & the Greenway Grand Forks ND 218.791.5079 Subject: Minot Tuesday From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 22:05:10 -0500 ND-Birders: The rain today brought a nice flock of shorebirds to the small pond on the south side of the Minot Lagoons. Ten species were seen, including 85 L. Yellowlegs and 140 Pectoral Sandpipers. Other FOY birds at the Lagoons were Red-necked Phalarope and Bank Swallow. New arrivals in Oak Park today: Blue-headed Vireo House Wren Blackpoll Warbler Wilson's Warbler Good birding, Ron Martin Sawyer Subject: Birding in the west From: Magnus Elfwing <magnus.elfwing AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 18:36:13 -0500 Hi all Perhaps I should start to introduce myself. My name is Magnus Elfwing and I moved to Grand Forks in January from Sweden to start my PhD at the biology department, UND. Good, now when thats cleared we can move to birds. I spend the weekend in the badlands together with my visiting family which in part are interested in birds. That being said, the other part of my family have a very mild interest in birding so all the small brown skulkers got minimum attention but I scored 147 species on the trip nevertheless. Im not sure what is of interest on this mailing group and Im not particularly familiar with the status on a lot of species so please spare with me if I mention species of low interest. Along US 85 between Belfield and Amidon 5.3: Burrowing Owl: At least 5 Short-eared Owl: 4 Ferruginous Hawk: 1 Long-billed Curlew: 1 in the 90 degree curve before Amidon, 4 just west of Amidon Upland Sandpiper: 6 Buffalo Springs 5.4: Piping Plover: 1. In the field guides the piping plover seems to be absent from the south west, a rarity? North of Marmarath 5.4: Greater Sage Grouse: 4 males on the lek site and 3 females in the surroundings Burrowing Owl: 1 pair Long-billed Curlew: 1 pair Rhame prairie 5.4: McCowns Longspure: at least 6 singing males Ferruginous Hawk: 1 Swainsons Hawk: One pair on nest just by the road a few miles before the prairie Bowman-Haley Lake 5.4: Ross' Goose: 1 Snow Goose: 1 Black-crowned Night-heron: 1 Harris Sparrow: 1 Wilsons Phalarope: 50-70 Long Lake 5.5 Clarks Grebe: 1 Black-crowned Night Heron: 8 16 species of shorebirds including: Black-bellied Plover: 2 Semipalmated plover: 15 Bairds Sandpiper: Minimum 500 Least Sandpiper: 20 Stilt Sandpiper: 15 Pectoral Sandpiper: 10 Short-billed Dowitcher: 20 Long-billed Dowitcher: 10 Wilsons Phalarope: 60 This was an awesome site literally crawling of peeps and waders! Unfortunately, due to some in my party I only got an hour birding. it took me 45 minute to locate the clarks grebe which left me with 15 minutes to the shore birds. Who knows whats out there! The only sprague pipit I saw was sadly stucked in the grill of a big truck in Belfield. Happy birding! /Magnus Subject: more badlands birds From: Lillian Crook <lilliancrook AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 16:38:21 -0500 5/6/9 badlands birds FOY y. rumped warblers yellow warblers wilson phalarope baird's sandpipers least sandpipers western sandpipers All at Camels Hump lake house swallows-Medora Lillian _________________________________________________________________ Get Free (PRODUCT) RED™ Emoticons, Winks and Display Pics. http://joinred.spaces.live.com?ocid=TXT_HMTG_prodredemoticons_052008 Subject: yard Rose-breasted Grosbeak Fargo From: Connie Norheim <cnorheim AT MSN.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 13:33:01 -0600 Just looked out at my backyard feeder and had a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak eating safflower. I haven't had one in my yard since 1999. Connie Norheim Fargo 232-4386 Subject: correction Trefoil birds From: Connie Norheim <cnorheim AT MSN.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 13:13:59 -0600 Make that Red-bellied Sapsucker a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. My mind was going in two directions at once. Connie Norheim Subject: Trefoil Fargo Tuesday morning From: Connie Norheim <cnorheim AT MSN.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 13:09:30 -0600 I was at Trefoil from 9 to 11 AM this morning. Besides the birds previously reported at Trefoil by Patrick, I also saw an Osprey circling above the NW corner of the park, and 2 Broad-wing Hawks were flying over the river and onto the MN side of the river. Had my FOY female Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Harris Sparrow, a calling Northern Cardinal and a Red-bellied Sapsucker. Connie Norheim 232-4386 Fargo Subject: badlands birds From: Lillian Crook <lilliancrook AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 13:05:54 -0500 Badlands birds: 3 May Twin Buttes suitable for wilderness, Camel Hump lake, TRNP South Unit long-billed curlew long-billed dowitchers horned grebes lesser yellowlegs field sparrow clay c. sparrow song sparrow willets 5 May canoeing the Little Missouri River from Logging Camp Ranch to north of Bullion Butte wood ducks cinnamon teal upland sandpipers pintails prairie falcons Cooper's hawks willets many more Lillian Medora _________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_messenger_052008 Subject: bird guides From: Kim <breuer AT SRT.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 10:58:56 -0500 I have the book "All the Birds of the Dakotas" which has been very helpful. What other bird guides are recommended by those more experienced than I am? Kim Breuer Minot (near where the old Barley Pop used to be) Subject: migration in Pierce and Wells Counties From: Wayne Easley <easley57 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 08:43:43 -0700 Hi: What an exciting time of the year for those of us who love nature and of course the hobby of photography. For the past few days (May 3-5), my wife and I have been concentrating on an area between Harvey and the small town of Esmond, ND. On the 3rd. we found 15 fairly tame Tundra Swans just south of Esmond. These birds continue in the same spot, at least on the 4th and the 5th. About 5 miles east of Esmond on # 19 (marsh is south of the highway) we have seen 5 species of grebes: the Red-necked, Pied, Eared, Horned and Westerns. About 4 miles south of that marsh on the 4th of May, we observed hundreds of Franklin's Gulls using a small pond (no more than 100 by 75 ft.) as a breeding grounds. The pond was full of screaming, paired up Franklins. Since the pond was next to the gravel road, we were afforded excellent photo opportunities. On the 5th, in the same vicinity, we discovered a Western Grebe sitting in a small bit of water at the edge of the road. Forty-five minutes later we had our pictures and had been able to determine what had happened to the grebe and why he was so close to us. I am guessing that that bird had landed in a reed bed impaling himself with a sharp reed about 10 inches long. He could swim fine but could not fly. Unless he is able to free himself, he likely is doomed. Near Wellsberg which is east of Harvey, we watched several hundred Lapland Longspurs, many in breeding plumage as they wheeled and circled in the air, finally coming down to a small wet spot in the field which was no more than 30 ft. across. They reminded me some of the swarms of locusts we used to see in Kenya during the dry periods. In the backyard, I have been able to photograph 6 species of sparrows: White-crowned, Harris', Chipping, Clay-colored, White-throated, and Lincolns. Finally let me tell you about one of those magical moments in nature (it was the 25th of April). We were exploring some in Lone Tree Refuge at Coal Mine Campground, when no less than 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglets put on a display that I have never seen before. We watched and photographed the kinglets which were lit up like a Christmas Tree. All of them! We have seen many many kinglets and occasionally one will flash a good bit of red, but these were spectacular. Wouldn't it be nice if we had migration all year! Good birding. Wayne Easley at 701-324-2344 --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Subject: Mickelson pines, Trefoil this a.m. From: Patrick Beauzay <patrick.beauzay AT NDSU.EDU> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 09:25:18 -0500 Hello all, I birded the Mickelson Pines and Trefoil Park briefly this morning. I could not relocate the female Pine Warbler. This bird was last seen in the ash and elm trees just south of field 3 yesterday evening at about 6:30. Birds this morning: Swainson's Thrush (FOY) Hermit Thrush Tennessee Warbler Nashville Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle's) Ovenbird Black-and-white Warbler Orange-crowned Warbler Common Yellowthroat Northern Waterthrush Winter Wren White-throated Sparrow Ruby-crowned Kinglet - many Good Birding! Pat Beauzay -- Patrick Beauzay Research Specialist NDSU Extension Entomology 202 Hultz Hall 1300 Albrecht Blvd., Box 5346 North Dakota State University Fargo, ND 58105 Work: 701-231-7064 Fax: 701-231-8557 Subject: hermit thrush? From: Molly Rodriguez <molly.rodriguez1106 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 06:45:39 -0700 Hi all, I have a bird visiting my yard that looks exactly like a hermit thrush (according to my bird guides). It has brown spots on a white belly, a black eye, white ring around the eye and runs around like a robin. But according to my books hermit thrushes like thick vegetation and are often hard to see. So, I find it strange that a hermit thrush would be poking around my treeless yard. Does anyone have any thoughts? Is it very unlikely that a hermit thrush is the bird in my yard? Thanks! Molly Minot --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. Subject: AUDUBON'S Yellow-rumped Warbler From: Corey D Ellingson <tcellingson AT JUNO.COM> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 21:56:18 -0500 Greetings ND-Birders: Highlight of my evening birding was seeing (and showing my mother) an Audubon's form of the Yellow-rumped Warbler. This flashy male sported a navy blue upper breast, bright yellow throat, and double-wide white wingbar. The bird was present in the Ponderosa Pines just west of the Mandan Experiment Station parking lot. Other birds of the evening as my mother and I walked the parks: Mandan Exp Station: Broad-winged Hawk 3 owlets - I presume Great-Horned Owl in a spruce tree Belted Kingfisher on the river Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's) Sibley Park - Bismarck: Broad-winged Hawk - flyover Peregrine Falcon - flying high (toward the capitol building I hope!) Gray-cheeked Thrush - FOY Northern Waterthrush - 3 Solitary Sandpiper - pair Good Birding, Corey Ellingson Bismarck, ND Subject: Re: nesting pheasant From: Jlegge <jlegge AT DAKTEL.COM> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 20:30:57 -0500 Today while birding with my life science and trash-picking with earth science students, we came across a hen ring-necked pheasant sitting tight on a nest in the leaf litter of a wooded lot in the town of Marion. She wasn't going to move and she didn't She was well camouflaged. Does anyone know the usual nesting time for pheasants? We also saw large flocks of Franklin's gulls and a brown creeper. Noticeably absent were kinglets and warblers. There was an odd thing: a blooming boxelder tree covered with loud buzzing bees visiting the flowers. The usual sparrows: Harris' white-throated white-crowned Lincoln's chipping clay=colored song pine siskin-very yellow and heavily sooty-streaked. I've never seen such a wide band of yellow on the wing as this one. Jean Legge LaMoure County, Marin, ND Subject: Yardbirds From: Jack Lefor <jpl AT NDSUPERNET.COM> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 18:09:24 -0500 Stayed home this weekend and picked up some new yard birds. In addition to the more common migrants, I seen Gray-cheeked Thrush, Broad-winged Hawk, and a female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Good birding, Jack Lefor Dickinson Subject: Franklin's Gulls 10 mi. west of Jamestown on I-94 From: Daniel Ackerman <dackman81 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 17:07:31 -0500 Found 3 large flocks of approximately 50 birds each of Franklin's gulls flying over I-94 10 mi. west of Jamestown yesterday (Sunday). These birds still appear to be migrating through. Any one else have an idea whether that is true and the migration for those gulls is still going on? Good birding, Dan Ackerman -- Daniel S. Ackerman 2015 N. 16th St. #14 Bismarck, ND 58501 (C): 701-330-5781 Subject: White-faced Ibis From: Todd Larson <i81.ou812 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 16:05:36 -0500 We were birding near Michigan, Lakota and Stump Lake on Saturday. I couldn't get to my computer til now. 6 White-faced Ibis were in a small slough west of Lake Laretta. (6 miles north of Michigan on Hwy 35, 3 miles west on 48th st ne til it zig-zags around a slough and turns south at 112th ave ne, go south a half mile and it's the first little pond on the west side.) Also at Lake Laretta was a lifer for me - a pair of Red-breasted Merganser. We saw Purple Finches in Michigan, a Great Horned Owl on the nest 1.5 miles north of Michigan, well over 100 Western Grebes as well as all the others, and lots of Sharp-tailed Grouse. Stump Lake didn't turn up much in the heavy waves, but we did see Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Orange-crowned Warbler, and a very flashy Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Todd Larson Subject: female pine warbler at Mickelson Pines (N. Fargo) From: Dennis Wiesenborn <D.Wiesenborn AT NDSU.EDU> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 13:37:57 -0500 This individual was observed from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. in the northernmost pines, between the river and the SE corner of Williams Stadium. I assume this is the same bird Bob reported yesterday. In contrast to the male that appeared Saturday (not seen today), this individual has just a very faint pale yellow wash on the throat (not apparent from some angles). Apart from the dingy-brown overall appearance, I noted two distinct white wing bars on each wing; white belly, lower tail coverts and undertail feathers; no streaking on the back; and faint, broken eye ring. Also in contrast to the male, this individual spent nearly all of its time in pines, methodically probing the base of needle clusters and cones. It appeared to extract seeds from the cones at one point. The sky was overcast, and yet the bird often cooperatively perched in the lowest branches. Dennis Wiesenborn Subject: Van Hook From: David Lindee <daveandellin AT SRT.COM> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 13:04:42 -0500 Lots of birds in the yard at Van Hook on Sunday. Harris, Tree, Song, White Throat, White Crown, Field, Fox sparrows. Yellow rump warblers, Orange Crowned warblers, Brown Creeper, Ovenbird, Gold Finches, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Purple Finches, Chickadees, Slate Colored Juncos, Robins, Grackles (ick), Pine Siskins. It was hard to get any work done! Ellin Lindee Subject: Weekend birding From: Daniel Rogers <Daniel.Rogers AT BSC.NODAK.EDU> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 10:23:55 -0500 Two trips to Ft. Yates over the weekend. 95 species including: 10 Burrowing Owls 6 Dowitchers 4 Willets Northern Water Thrush Orange Crowned Warbler Nesting Piping Plovers Least Sandpiper Upland Sandpipers Marbled Godwit Pied, Horned, Eared, and Western Grebes Says Phoebe Daniel L. Rogers Associate Professor of Theatre Bismarck State College (701) 224-5530 Daniel.Rogers AT bsc.nodak.edu Subject: osprey From: Mark A Gonzalez <markgonzalez AT FS.FED.US> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 10:22:36 -0500 Greetings ND-birders: Took my three youngsters to Double Ditch north of Bismarck to fly kites yesterday afternoon. Spotted an osprey along the Missouri River--nothing unusual in that. But then the osprey came toward us and completed two circles around our three low-flying kites (one kite looks like the silhouette of a swallow-tailed kite) as if to check us out. Kids get a rise out of the encounter. I got two--one over the bird, another over the kids' reaction. Good birding, Mark Mark A. Gonzalez, Ph.D. Program Manager, Soils/Watersheds USDA-Forest Service Dakota Prairie Grasslands 240 W. Century Ave. Bismarck, ND 58503 Phone: 701-250-4443, ext. 106 Cell: 701-202-8636 Fax: 701-250-4454 Subject: Tree Swallows From: Diane <bingeman AT MIDSTATE.NET> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 09:06:51 -0600 Tree Swallows arrived yesterday at their nest sites on our pasture east of town. We have 15 nest boxes out there and all but 2 boxes have birds going in and out. Unfortunately, no bluebird sightings. Looking forward to another successful Tree Swallow nesting season. Diane Bingeman Golden Valley Co. Beach, ND Subject: Re: help in identifying a bird From: "breuer AT srt.com" <breuer@SRT.COM> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 22:53:22 -0500 Thanks to everyone who responded about this--the Cornell link provided enabled me to check things out without having to get my binoculars ready.. I do feel, based on my limited experience but with having viewed the website and especially the input from others, that it was a yellow-rumped warbler. This might sound a bit strange but it was pretty exciting because, as I've said before, all we usually get are hundreds of sparrows, some finches, siskins, an occasional woodpecker... The thing I have noticed for me is that I have to be out there and observant. I heard the "chipping" and clearly recognized it as a bird call I'd not heard before and that's what caught my attention. I appreciate everyone's help! Kim Breuer Minot Subject: Fargo Area From: Dean Riemer <driemer AT KWH.COM> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 22:00:11 -0500 Greetings Today Keith Corliss and I birded the Fargo Lagoons and area parks. Below are some of todays highlights. TRUMPETER SWAN - 1 in the northeast cell of Fargo Lagoons Blue-headed Vireo - 1 at Forest River Harris's Sparrow - 1 at Forest River Willet - 1 at the horse track pond Good Birding Dean Riemer West Fargo ND "The Black Desert" CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, copy, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. Subject: Water Birds From: Bernice Houser <sanishnd AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 21:59:36 -0500 We took a drive south of New Town this evening to see if the White Pelicans had returned to the island in Van Hook Arm, where they had nested last year. And they were back--in substantial numbers, from what we could see from across the lake--there is no close vantage point. But there were lots of pelicans--on land, in the water, in the air. I'm sure their nesting island is safe again this year, unless they empty Fort Peck Dam to bring Sakakawea up to "normal" levels! We drove past a small creek on the way, and with an almost absence of water in the pot holes, a variety of birds was sharing the very small chunk of water. There were Willets, Marbled Godwits, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Shovelers, Redheads, Mallards, Pintails, and more Common Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds than I could count. Also in the area is what used to be a large slough surrounded by a lot of marsh, which was an excellent place to look for water birds. It has been gradually drying up, and last fall a big prairie fire burned it, revealing only a small wet spot in the middle, and this spring the entire area is one big black patch--no water at all! I'm sure it has been dry at some time in the past, but in the 50+ years we have been either hunting or birding it, this is the first we have seen it without any water whatsoever. Lots of birds in the yard today, but no firsts. Happy Birding! Bernice Houser Rural New Town sanishnd AT hotmail.com Subject: help in identifying a bird From: "breuer AT srt.com" <breuer@SRT.COM> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 19:42:46 -0500 I was out on our deck in the back yard this afternoon and saw a bird come to a tree in our feeding area--I think it's a migratory bird as I've never seen anything like it before. The "problem" is I can't identify it--it was dark gray in appearance with a bright yellow patch near the rump/tail area and bright yellow patches on the side-front. The chest had vertical dark gray/black stripes going down the front.. It may have had a yellow spot on its head-not sure as it moved quickly and got out of the way before I could get my binoculars adjusted. It appeared to have a Lone Ranger type of black mask, not too dark. Another thing--while it came to our feeding area it did not partake of the seed or any suet. It instead pecked at the tree branches, probably looking for insects. I parked myself out back a second time later that day and it came to a tree not in our feeding area but once again I didn't get my binoculars up in time to get a better look. Any ideas? Kim Breuer Minot (right by all the construction on Broadway)