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Updated on Thursday, November 19 at 10:27 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


American Dipper,©Shawneen Finnegan

19 Nov Re: Long-tailed Ducks [David Lambeth ]
19 Nov Shadehill, SD CBC [Ron Martin ]
19 Nov Long-tailed Ducks [Ron Martin ]
19 Nov Pacific Loon [Ron Martin ]
19 Nov Yardbirds [Sherry ]
18 Nov Special Birdclub Presentation! [Corey Ellingson ]
18 Nov Pine Siskins [Rick ]
17 Nov Long-tailed Ducks [Ron Martin ]
17 Nov Cass Co. Snow Buntings [Patrick Beauzay ]
17 Nov RBA: North Dakota, November 17, 2009 [Jane Kostenko ]
16 Nov Minot Lagoons and Minot CBC [Ron Martin ]
16 Nov Waxwings [Bernice Houser ]
16 Nov snowy owl [Larry Jones ]
16 Nov F/M CBC ["Robert O'Conner" ]
16 Nov Yardbirds [Sherry ]
15 Nov Pacific Loon [Ron Martin ]
15 Nov Long-tailed Duck at Kellys Slough [Sandy Aubol ]
14 Nov Long Lake NWR & Sweet Briar Lake [Clark Talkington ]
14 Nov redpoll [carol ]
13 Nov Upper Souris NWR [Ron Martin ]
12 Nov Christmas Bird Counts [Corey Ellingson ]
12 Nov McKenzie Slough and LLNWR [Dan Svingen ]
11 Nov Buffalo Lodge Lake [Ron Martin ]
11 Nov Goose Lake in Northern Wells Co. [Wayne Easley ]
11 Nov Burleigh, Emmons, Logan & Kidder Counties [Clark Talkington ]
11 Nov northern mockingbird [Wayne Easley ]
11 Nov black-billed magpie [JLegge ]
11 Nov Scherr, Paulette is out of the office. [Paulette Scherr ]
10 Nov Christmas Bird Counts [Ron Martin ]
10 Nov Glaucous Gull [Corey Ellingson ]
10 Nov RBA: North Dakota, November 10, 2009 [Jane Kostenko ]
10 Nov Odds and Ends [Corey Ellingson ]
8 Nov Pacific Loon [Ron Martin ]
8 Nov Garrison Dam area [Ron Martin ]
5 Nov Stutsman, Kidder & Burleigh Counties [Clark Talkington ]
4 Nov Tundra Swans with blue neck bands [James Tyler Bell ]
3 Nov RBA: North Dakota, November 3, 2009 [Jane Kostenko ]
2 Nov Long-tailed Duck [Ron Martin ]
2 Nov sparrows [David Lambeth ]
2 Nov Lesser Black-backs [Corey Ellingson ]
2 Nov Red-bellied Woodpecker (Stutsman Co.) [Lawrence D Igl ]
1 Nov McHenry Co. Sunday [Ron Martin ]
2 Nov Sunday surprise [Keith Corliss ]
31 Oct PACIFIC LOON [Corey Ellingson ]
29 Oct Sparrows [Sherry ]
29 Oct RBA: North Dakota, October 27, 2009 [Jane Kostenko ]
28 Oct Minot Lagoons [Ron Martin ]
28 Oct Eastern Bluebirds [Bernice Houser ]
28 Oct north of Bismarck [Lillian Crook ]
27 Oct Bismarck/Mandan area [Clark Talkington ]
26 Oct Update on ND Bird Checklist [Dan Svingen ]
26 Oct Fargo Peregrine [Corey Ellingson ]
26 Oct swans directions correction [Pipestem Creek ]
25 Oct Weekend birds [Ron Martin ]
25 Oct Trefoil Park in North Fargo & vicinity [Dennis Wiesenborn ]
25 Oct swans again [Pipestem Creek ]
24 Oct Bird watching in Renville County. [Rod Fossen ]
24 Oct Ruby-crowned Kinglet [Rick ]
24 Oct Wahpeton birds [Mark Otnes ]
23 Oct swans [Pipestem Creek ]
23 Oct RBA: North Dakota, October 20, 2009 [Jane Kostenko ]
22 Oct Minot area [Ron Martin ]
22 Oct Harlan's Hawk near Devils Lake. [Rod Fossen ]
22 Oct Elmwood again [Keith Corliss ]
22 Oct Re: Hermit Thrush [Corey Ellingson ]
22 Oct Hermit Thrush [Betsy Batstone-Cunningham ]
19 Oct Bis Landfill, Sleepy Hollow [Corey Ellingson ]
19 Oct no whoopers [Janelle Masters ]
18 Oct Bluebirds [Bernice Houser ]
18 Oct Backyard [Carl Stangeland ]
17 Oct Whoopers + [Bernice Houser ]
17 Oct eastern bluebirds [Larry Jones ]
17 Oct Kidder County [Mark Otnes ]
17 Oct Whoopers! [Bernice Houser ]
15 Oct Minot Lagoons [Ron Martin ]
15 Oct Bismarck/Mandan area [Clark Talkington ]

Subject: Re: Long-tailed Ducks
From: David Lambeth <davidlambeth58201 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:27:39 -0800
Sandy Aubol found a Long-tailed Duck at the main pool at Kellys Slough on 
Monday and it was still there today. A second Long-tailed was seen on Tuesday 
and it will still present today as well. 

Dave Lambeth
Grand Forks, North Dakota 




________________________________
From: Ron Martin 
To: ND-BIRDS AT LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU
Sent: Thu, November 19, 2009 7:40:26 PM
Subject: [ND-BIRDS] Long-tailed Ducks


ND-Birders:
 
The two Long-tailed Ducks reported earlier this week from Lake Darling were 
still present today near the west side of the dam at Upper Souris NWR.  

 
Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Shadehill, SD CBC
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:25:46 -0600
ND-Birders:

Dan Svingen has set the date for the Shadehill, SD CBC. It will be held 
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009. If you would like to participate please contact Dan 
at DSvingen AT fs.fed.us, or call 701-250-4443. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Long-tailed Ducks
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:40:26 -0600
ND-Birders:

The two Long-tailed Ducks reported earlier this week from Lake Darling were 
still present today near the west side of the dam at Upper Souris NWR. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Pacific Loon
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:20:36 -0600
ND-Birders:

Keith Corliss was in Minot today and we went to Cottonwood Lake to look for the 
Pacific Loon. It was still present, showing well on the north side of the lake. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Yardbirds
From: Sherry <bird_nd AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:44:45 -0800
Today we have over 70 Pine Siskins at the thistle feeders.  Increasing in 
numbers every day. 

Enjoy,
Sherry leslie
bird_nd AT yahoo.com


      
Subject: Special Birdclub Presentation!
From: Corey Ellingson <crackerjackbirder AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:10:45 -0600
 WHAT:  Pete Leary - Birds of the Midway

WHERE:  Discovery Center - Bismarck Zoo

 WHEN:  6:30pm, November 21st 2009

 

Pete Leary 

After high school I went into the Navy doing nuclear power stuff on a
submarine. It wasn't so great so I got my biology degree from Montana State
University. I then worked for the USDA doing human nutrition research for 8
years. I also got my Master's Degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
from the University of North Dakota. While doing that I also worked for Mr.
Ellie Pooh selling elephant dung paper (google it!) to help the Sri Lanka
elephants. After that, I did the only logical thing with my M.S. and moved
to Cleveland, OH and got a job in security at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
It was great, but I quit my job at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame went to
Midway Atoll for a 1 year temporary job with the US Fish & Wildlife Service.
I loved it so much that I moved about 500 miles away to an even smaller
island, Tern Island to do more bird banding, picking up marine debris, and a
lot of maintenance. 

 

Check out the blogs!   http://ternisland.blogspot.com/ or
http://peteatmidway.blogspot.com/

 

Anyone is welcome to join us.   Any questions, let me know.   (701) 221-0644

 

Corey Ellingson

Bis-Man Birdclub
Subject: Pine Siskins
From: Rick <fholbrook AT CABLEONE.NET>
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:50:20 -0600
This morning 3 Pine Siskins showed up on the niger socks.

-- 

Rick
Fargo, ND
N 46°53'251"
W 096°48'279"


Remember the USS Liberty
http://www.ussliberty.org/
Subject: Long-tailed Ducks
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:47:50 -0600
ND-Birders:

Around noon today there were 2 Long-tailed Ducks visible from the dam on Lake 
Darling at Upper Souris NWR. Also one Red-breasted Merganser. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Cass Co. Snow Buntings
From: Patrick Beauzay <patrick.beauzay AT NDSU.EDU>
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:16:58 -0600
Hello all,

My first Snow Buntings of the season found this afternoon along CR 20 
about 2 miles east of junction with CR 11 (north of Mapleton). Flock of 
about 20 birds. Also two Mourning Doves and two Meadowlarks (presumably 
Western Meadowlarks) hanging around in our sunflower plots near Prosper.

Good Birding!

Pat Beauzay

-- 
Patrick Beauzay
Research Specialist
NDSU Extension Entomology
701-231-7064
patrick.beauzay AT ndsu.edu

Please note that my US Postal Service and UPS, FedEx, etc. shipping addresses 
are different. 


United States Postal Service:

Patrick Beauzay
Entomology Dept.
NDSU Dept. 7650
P.O. Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050


UPS, FedEx, etc.:

Patrick Beauzay
202 Hultz Hall
1300 Albrecht Blvd.
Fargo, ND 58102
Subject: RBA: North Dakota, November 17, 2009
From: Jane Kostenko <jkostenko AT SOMD.LIB.MD.US>
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:59:33 -0500
* RBA

* North Dakota
* Statewide
* November 17, 2009
* NDST0911.17

- Transcript

Hotline: North Dakota Update
Date: November 17, 2009
Number: 701-527-0730
To Report: 701-527-0730
Coverage: Statewide
Compiler: Ken Torkelson
Compiled: November 17, 2009
Transcriber: Jane Kostenko
mailto: tork02 AT juno.com

- Birds Mentioned

Snowy Owl
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Common Loon
Dunlin
American Avocet
Snow Goose
Cackling Goose
Red-necked Grebe
Greater Yellowlegs
Herring Gull
THAYER'S GULL
American Pipit
Snow Bunting
GLAUCOUS GULL
American Golden Plover
Greater White-fronted Goose
Common Goldeneye
Rough-legged Hawk
Surf Scoter
PACIFIC LOON
Greater Scaup
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Common Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
American Goldfinch
Pine Siskin
Dark-eyed Junco
Blue Jay
Northern Flicker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Purple Finch
Cedar Waxwing
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Black-capped Chickadee
Northern Mockingbird
Tundra Swan
Black-billed Magpie
Common Redpoll
LONG-TAILED DUCK
Double-crested Cormorant
Savannah Sparrow
Pectoral Sandpiper
Baltimore Oriole

Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North
Dakota Birding Society. This report was prepared on Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Unless otherwise noted, any phone numbers mentioned are area code 701.

Transcriber's Note: Birds listed in ALL CAPS in the Birds Mentioned
section signify that the Revised Checklist of North Dakota Birds
lists them as Occasional, Accidental, Extirpated, or never having
occurred before for the season being reported.

Some very late birds this week, but also some early birds. And
Christmas Bird Counts are being scheduled.

Clark Talkington found  many of the late ones as well as some
of the early ones. A SNOWY OWL was one of the birds Clark
recorded on Nov. 13 at Sweet Briar Lake in Morton County.
He also saw a PIED-BILLED GREBE and two HORNED GREBES, the
latter being the latest sighting for the Bismarck-Mandan area.
His other "latest" sightings for the day were two COMMON LOONS
and a DUNLIN, while Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge also
held a lone AMERICAN AVOCET. On Nov. 11, Clark birded parts
of Burleigh, Logan, Emmons and Kidder counties. He saw a
total of 61,000 SNOW GEESE, plus 3000 CACKLING GEESE in
Burleigh and Emmons counties. Another "latest" for the
record book was a RED-NECKED GREBE, but he also found HORNED
GREBE and three PIED-BILLED GREBES in Burleigh and Kidder
counties. Burleigh County also produced a GREATER YELLOWLEGS.
Clark counted a total of 31 HERRING GULLS at the Bismarck
landfill and Long Lake refuge, and the landfill also offered
a first-cycle THAYER'S GULL and an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED
GULL. Clark saw eight AMERICAN PIPITS in Kidder County,
which was the latest sighting for the area, and he closed
things out with 80 SNOW BUNTINGS in Burleigh County.
For details, contact Clark at 663-8103.

Corey Ellingson discovered a first-year GLAUCOUS GULL
just south of Bismarck's Expressway Bridge on Nov. 10.
He says it is only the third fall sighting for the species
in the area. You can reach Corey at crackerjackbirder AT bis.midco.net

Dan Svingen recorded an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER in the
northwest corner of McKenzie Slough in Burleigh County
on Nov. 11. Between there and Long Lake refuge, Dan
saw lots of SNOW GEESE and a few dozen or more GREATER
WHITE-FRONTED GEESE in each flock of migrating geese.
Other highlights included a few COMMON GOLDENEYES and
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. Dan is at 250-4443, ext. 107.

Ron Martin reported a SURF SCOTER at the Minot lagoons
on Nov. l6. He adds that the PACIFIC LOON from a week
or so ago was still at Cottonwood Lake in McHenry County
on Nov. 15. On Nov. 13, Lake Darling was hosting 10
GREATER SCAUP, a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER and a BLACK SCOTER.
Back in McHenry County on Nov. 11, Buffalo Lodge Lake had
COMMON MERGANSER, HOODED MERGANSER and 10 RED-BREASTED
MERGANSERS plus four distant loons. You can reach Ron
at jrmartin AT srt.com

Sherry Leslie's feeders near Burlington attracted a
good variety of birds on Nov. 16. The visitors included
37 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, an almost equal number of PINE
SISKINS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, BLUE JAYS, NORTHERN FLICKERS,
HAIRY WOODPECKERS, DOWNY WOODPECKERS and four PURPLE
FINCHES. Contact Sherry at bird_nd AT yahoo.com

A small flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS found the heated water
at Bernice Houser's place near New Town on Nov. 16.
Other recent sightings included RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH,
BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, DARK-EYED JUNCO, DOWNY WOODPECKERS
and HAIRY WOODPECKERS. You can reach Bernice at sanishnd AT rtc.coop

Wayne Easley's feeders near Harvey drew in a NORTHERN
MOCKINGBIRD on Nov.11. He says it was only the second
yard record for the species in eight years. Wayne reports
Goose Lake has been popular with migrating birds lately.
Recent sightings included thousands of SNOW GEESE, 25 TUNDRA
SWANS, several pairs of HOODED MERGANSERS, COMMON LOONS and
COMMON GOLDENEYES. On Nov. 11, Wayne saw a nice flock of
SNOW BUNTINGS near the lake. For more information, call 324-2344.

Larry Jones found a SNOWY OWL in a worked corn field near
Heaton on Nov. 16. For details, it's jljones AT daktel.com

Jean Legge's yard near Valley City was visited briefly
by a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE on Nov. 11. The stopover was the
first yard visit in several years for the species.
Contact Jean at 845-4762.

Another rare visitor. The first COMMON REDPOLL in two
years showed up at Carol Arzt's feeders at Harwood on
Nov. 14. She's at carzt AT far.midco.net

Sandy Aubol discovered a female LONG-TAILED DUCK at
Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge near Grand Forks
on Nov. 15. She reports the duck was in the main pond,
near the refuge sign. Contact Sandy at 218-779-5443.

Eve Freeberg also found good birding in Grand Forks County.
She and Dave Lambeth reported a juvenile THAYER'S GULL from
Nov. 11 through Nov. 13. An immature SNOWY OWL was present
on Nov. 11-12, followed on Nov. 14 by an immature male.
Nov. 11 also produced  a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, while
SAVANNAH SPARROW and AMERICAN PIPIT revealed themselves on
Nov. 12. Another LONG-TAILED DUCK appeared on Nov. 13, and
was present on Nov. 16 with a juvenile. Eve's other sightings
that day included two AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS and four
PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. Eve notes that a BALTIMORE ORIOLE with
a bad wing is visiting a rural Grand Forks feeder. You can
reach Eve at birdwmn AT gra.midco.net

Now the Christmas Bird Count schedule: The Fargo count is
set for Dec. 19. Contact Bob O'Connor at 231-7175. Ron Martin
is coordinating three counts.  The Minot event is set for
Dec. 27. Meet at the Broadway McDonald's at 7:30am. The Garrison
Dam count is Dec. 14. Meet at 7:30 at the Audubon NWR headquarters.
The Upper Souris count is set for Dec. 18. The meeting place
is refuge headquarters at 7:30am. For details on any of those
three, contact Ron Martin at 624-5241. And the Bismarck-Mandan
count is set for Dec. 19, followed by a potluck supper.
Contact Corey Ellingson at crackerjackbirder AT bis.midco.net
That concludes this report from the North Dakota Birding Society.
This report is normally updated each Tuesday.

- end transcript
Subject: Minot Lagoons and Minot CBC
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:10:25 -0600
ND-Birders:

There was a Surf Scoter on cell 5 of the Minot Lagoons today. The Minot CBC 
will be held Sunday, Dec. 27. Meet at the Broadway McDonalds at 7:30 am. Please 
e-mail or call me if you plan to participate. 624-5241 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Waxwings
From: Bernice Houser <sanishnd AT RTC.COOP>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:24:40 -0600
A small flock of Cedar Waxwings, nearly all this year's young, found the 
heated water today.   The resident American Robin wasn't too happy about 
it, but they had him outnumbered.
The little flock of American Goldfinches and Pine Siskins that spent a 
couple days here last week have not shown up lately, but the Red-breasted 
Nuthatch and a few Black-capped Chickadees are very busy at the 
sunflowers, and a lone Dark-eyed Junco comes in several times a day.  
There are also Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.   Not a real exciting fall 
season at the Houser's!

Bernice Houser
Rural New Town
sanishnd AT rtc.coop
Subject: snowy owl
From: Larry Jones <jljones AT DAKTEL.COM>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:29:50 -0600
Hi birders-Spotted a snowy owl 1 mile nw of Heaton in a worked corn field. 
Was able to get a few decent photos.  Larry Jones  Bowdon
Subject: F/M CBC
From: "Robert O'Conner" <robert.oconnor AT NDSU.EDU>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:52:45 -0600
Hi,

This year's Fargo/Moorhead CBC will be held December 19th.  Anyone wishing
to take part should send me an email at robert.oconnor AT ndsu.edu or call me
at 701-231-7175.

Bob O'Connor
Subject: Yardbirds
From: Sherry <bird_nd AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:33:22 -0800
A few of the birds observed at our feeders:
Goldfinch  37
Pine Siskin  quickly catching up if not surpassing the Goldfinch numbers.
Juncos
Blue Jays
Flickers
Hairy and Downys
All the regulars are here in good numbers but a nice change today were 4 Purple 
Finch. 

Good birding at home,
Sherry Leslie
bird_nd AT yahoo.com


      
Subject: Pacific Loon
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:03:42 -0600
ND-Birders:

The Pacific Loon found last Sunday at Cottonwood Lake in McHenry Co. was still 
present today around noon. Like last week, it was near the west end of the lake 
near the boat ramp. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Long-tailed Duck at Kellys Slough
From: Sandy Aubol <egf_baseball AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:51:39 -0800
This morning at 10:45 I found a female Long-tailed Duck at Kellys Slough NWR 
(GF County). It was found in the main pond on the west side of the road not far 
from the big Kellys Slough sign. I observed it for 2-1/2 hours and it was still 
there at 1:15 this afternoon when I left. It was also observed by Eve Freeberg, 
Tim Driscoll and Betsy Batstone-Cunningham. A bit of a stretch for my camera 
but I have put 2 photos on my Flickr site 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39774035 AT N02/?saved=1. 


If you need more information, I can be reached at 218-779-5443.

Sandy Aubol
East Grand Forks MN


      
Subject: Long Lake NWR & Sweet Briar Lake
From: Clark Talkington <ctalkington AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:32:46 -0600
Birders,

Yesterday I birded Sweet Briar Lake in Morton County and
today I birded Long Lake NWR in Burleigh County.

Some of the sightings among the geese and ducks:
  Sweet Briar Lake
   2 - Horned Grebes (Latest for Bis/Man area)
   1 - Pied-billed Grebe (Third latest)
   1 - Snowy Owl (My first for the fall)

  Long Lake NWR
   2 - Common Loons (Latest for Bis/Man area)
   1 - American Avocet (2nd latest)
   1 - Dunlin (Latest)

Good Birding
Clark Talkington
Mandan
Subject: redpoll
From: carol <carzt AT FAR.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:16:11 -0600
Had a common redpoll at my feeder this morning. Its the first I have had in two 
years. Carol Harwood,ND 
Subject: Upper Souris NWR
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:35:29 -0600
ND-Birders:

Among the waterfowl on Lake Darling the following were noted today.

Greater Scaup - 10
White-winged Scoter - 1
Black Scoter - 1

Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Christmas Bird Counts
From: Corey Ellingson <crackerjackbirder AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:30:51 -0600
Greetings ND-Birders:

   The Bismarck-Mandan CBC will be held on Saturday, December 19th, with a
potluck supper afterwards.   Any of you that have CBCs scheduled, please let
me know so I can post to the ND Birding Society website at the following
link: http://ndbirdingsociety.com/customContent.php?seq=28&title=North
Dakota Christmas Bird Counts

 

Looking over the dates, some of you may be reminded of the horrible
conditions we had last year.   For example, the Garrison Dam CBC was
rescheduled FIVE times before it was finally run on the last possible day
Jan 5th.

 

Thanks,

Corey Ellingson

Bismarck, ND

 

From: Birding Discussion List for North Dakota
[mailto:ND-BIRDS AT LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU] On Behalf Of Ron Martin
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 9:27 PM
To: ND-BIRDS AT LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU
Subject: [ND-BIRDS] Christmas Bird Counts

 

ND-Birders:

 

The Garrison Dam CBC will be held Monday, Dec. 14.  Meet at 7:30 am at the
Audubon NWR HQ.  

 

The Upper Souris NWR CBC will be held Friday, Dec. 18.  Meet at the refuge
HQ at 7:30 am.

 

Good birding,

Ron Martin

Sawyer

 

 

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.425 / Virus Database: 270.14.60/2495 - Release Date: 11/10/09
19:56:00
Subject: McKenzie Slough and LLNWR
From: Dan Svingen <dsvingen AT FS.FED.US>
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:18:48 -0600
Yesterday afternoon, I birded McKenzie Slough and Long Lake NWR, both in 
Burleigh Co.  Like Clark, I found lots of snow geese, with a smattering of 
other species.  This continues to be a good fall for white-fronted geese, 
as I am finding a few dozen or more in each flock of migrating geese. 

A few common goldeneye were scattered about, as were rough-legged hawks. 
The highlight for me was an American golden plover at the n.w. corner of 
the McKenzie Slough Area, along the railroad tracks. 


 Dan Svingen
Grasslands Biologist
Dakota Prairie Grasslands
Bismarck, ND
(701) 250-4443 ext. 107
Subject: Buffalo Lodge Lake
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:42:54 -0600
ND-Birders:

Today at Buffalo Lodge Lake in McHenry Co. I observed all three merganser 
species, including 10 Red-br. Mergansers. Also present were 4 distant loons. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Goose Lake in Northern Wells Co.
From: Wayne Easley <easley57 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:16:24 -0800
Hi,  On my last post in regard to the mockingbird, I should have added we live 
near Harvey, ND in Wells Co..  With the good weather continuing, we have 
enjoyed the 1000s of geese in and around Goose Lake.  Goose Lake is on #3 north 
of Harvey just beyond mile marker #164.  Most of the geese are Snow Geese and, 
at times, the sky is full of them.  Over the same time period, there has been a 
flock of appx. 25 Tundra Swan.  On the lake itself, we have observed several 
pair of Hooded Mergansers along with Common Loons, Goldeneyes, and several 
other species of ducks.  Today (Nov. 11), I saw a nice flock of Snow Buntings 
just to the south of the lake.  Good birding, Wayne Easley in Harvey, ND 
701-324-2344 



      
Subject: Burleigh, Emmons, Logan & Kidder Counties
From: Clark Talkington <ctalkington AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:59:50 -0600
Today I birded the Bismarck Landfill, McKenzie Slough and Long
Lake NWR in Burleigh County; Goose Lake in Emmons County; Lake
McKenna in Logan County and Lake Etta, Lake Isabel, Dewald 
Slough, Alkaline Lake, Dead Buffalo Lake & Horsehead Lake in 
Kidder County.  43 species for the day were tallied.  Some of 
the more interesting sightings were:
 61,000 - Snow Geese - All counties.
  3,000 - Cackling Geese - Burleigh & Emmons
      3 - Pied-billed Grebes - Burleigh & Kidder 
           (1st late for Bis/Man area)
      1 - Horned Grebe - Burleigh (1st late for B/M area)
      1 - Red-necked Grebe - Burleigh (1st late for B/M area)
      1 - Greater Yellowlegs - Burleigh (2nd late for B/M area)
     31 - Herring Gulls - Bis. landfill & LLNWR.
      1 - Thayer's Gull (first cycle)(Bis. landfill)
      1 - Lesser Black-backed Gull (adult) (Bis. landfill)
      8 - American Pipits - Kidder (1st late for B/M area)
     80 - Snow Buntings - Burleigh

Clark Talkington
Mandan
701 663-8103
      
Subject: northern mockingbird
From: Wayne Easley <easley57 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:55:56 -0800
Hi:  This morning (Nov. 11), we had a northern mockingbird at our feeder.  He 
was feeding on buffalo berries we had gathered from the roadside.  Once or 
twice, the bird tried the suet as well.  We were hoping this bird would stay 
around for a while but we have not seem him for the past hour or so.  This is 
only the second yard record over the past 8 years and brings back pleasant 
memories of moonlit nights in Texas when the mockingbird would sing all night, 
it seemed.  Good birding,  Wayne at 701-324-2344  



      
Subject: black-billed magpie
From: JLegge <jlegge AT DAKTEL.COM>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:50:18 -0600
Barnes County, north of Valley City
November 11, 2009

A black-billed magpie visited my yard this morning for about 30 seconds 
before flying off.
They can be seen around here occasionally but I haven't seen any locally 
for several years now.
-- 
Jean Legge
3212 115 Ave. SE
Valley City, ND 58072
701-845-4762
j legge  AT  daktel.com
Subject: Scherr, Paulette is out of the office.
From: Paulette Scherr <Paulette_Scherr AT FWS.GOV>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:01:16 -0700
I will be out of the office starting  11/09/2009 and will not return until
11/17/2009.

I will respond to your message when I return.
Subject: Christmas Bird Counts
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:27:25 -0600
ND-Birders:

The Garrison Dam CBC will be held Monday, Dec. 14. Meet at 7:30 am at the 
Audubon NWR HQ. 


The Upper Souris NWR CBC will be held Friday, Dec. 18. Meet at the refuge HQ at 
7:30 am. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Glaucous Gull
From: Corey Ellingson <crackerjackbirder AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:11:07 -0600
Greetings ND-Birders:
   I looked over the gulls at their roost just south of Expressway bridge 
this evening, and found a first year type GLAUCOUS GULL among 1000 
birds.   This is the 3rd fall sighting for our area (Clark in 10/1995, 
Corey in 11/2004).

Good Birding,
Corey Ellingson
Bismarck, ND
Subject: RBA: North Dakota, November 10, 2009
From: Jane Kostenko <jkostenko AT SOMD.LIB.MD.US>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:36:26 -0500
* RBA

* North Dakota
* Statewide
* November 10, 2009
* NDST0911.10

- Transcript

Hotline: North Dakota Update
Date: November 10, 2009
Number: 701-527-0730
To Report: 701-527-0730
Coverage: Statewide
Compiler: Ken Torkelson
Compiled: November 10, 2009
Transcriber: Jane Kostenko
mailto: tork02 AT juno.com

- Birds Mentioned

PACIFIC LOON
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
LONG-TAILED DUCK
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Common Loon
WHOOPING CRANE
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE
Snow Goose
Ross's Goose
Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle
Cackling Goose
Wood Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Hooded Merganser

Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North
Dakota Birding Society. This report was prepared on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Unless otherwise noted, any phone numbers mentioned are area code 701.

Transcriber's Note: Birds listed in ALL CAPS in the Birds Mentioned
section signify that the Revised Checklist of North Dakota Birds
lists them as Occasional, Accidental, Extirpated, or never having
occurred before for the season being reported.

Another rare loon this week, as well as a very late but not-so-rare
loon.

Ron Martin discovered a juvenile-plumaged PACIFIC LOON on Nov. 8 at
Cottonwood Lake, which is north of Butte in McHenry County. Earlier
that day, Ron saw an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL on the river
below Garrison Dam, a LONG-TAILED DUCK at the north boat landing
on Lake Audubon, which is just off Highway 83, and he heard a
NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL calling near Sawyer. For more information,
contact Ron at jrmartin AT srt.com

Corey Ellingson saw the Cottonwood Lake PACIFIC LOON later that
day and got some photos, and the bird was number 250 on his
McHenry County list. On his way home, Corey observed a COMMON
LOON at New Johns Lake, making it the latest ever for the Bismarck-
Mandan list. He noted that the bird was also present the following
day. On Nov. 7, members of the Bismarck-Mandan Birdclub saw a
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL near Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
For details, contact Corey at crackerjackbirder AT bis.midco.net

Clark Talkington birded Stutsman, Kidder and Burleigh counties
on Nov. 3-4. He recorded five WHOOPING CRANES in the Woodworth
area, a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE at Barnes Lake, and 31,000 SNOW
GEESE, 50 ROSS' GEESE, two BALD EAGLES and a GOLDEN EAGLE
elsewhere in Stutsman County.  His Kidder County stops were
Horsehead Lake and the Dawson area, and his sightings included
21,500 SNOW GEESE, 20 ROSS' GEESE, 1575 CACKLING GEESE, WOOD
DUCK, BLUE-WINGED TEAL and 150 HOODED MERGANSERS. His best
bird at McKenzie Slough in Burleigh County was a first-cycle
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL.  You can reach Clark at 663-8103.

If you see neck-banded or transmitter-equipped tundra swans
this fall, try to get a closer look. If the bands are blue
or white, please contact Craig Ely at cely AT usgs.gov

That concludes this report from the North Dakota Birding Society.  This
report is normally updated each Tuesday.

- end transcript
Subject: Odds and Ends
From: Corey Ellingson <crackerjackbirder AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:31:48 -0600
Greetings ND-Birders:

The Bismarck-Mandan Birdclub made a trip out to Long Lake NWR on Saturday 
morning and observed a Lesser Black-backed Gull loafing in a wetland beside 
the road about 3 miles north and alittle west of the refuge (first gravel 
road west).  Clark and I were speculating that the birds at the Bismarck 
Landfill are flying in from quite a ways along that drainage east (McKenzie 
Slough, Long Lake NWR) to feast.   I checked the Missouri river that 
afternoon and found the usual Ring-bills and Herring Gulls but no Black-
backs.  The Landfill was completely empty of gulls on a check Saturday 
afternoon.

I chased the Pacific Loon Ron found on Sunday evening, and got some 
photos.  This was McHenry county bird #250 for me (thanks Ron).  As I 
worked on a photo, a Great Egret flew by, seems rather tardy but the 
weather has been quite balmy lately.  A check of New Johns Lake on the way 
home yeilded a Loon but it was "only" a Common.  It was the latest ever 
record for Bismarck-Mandan however, and Clark and I observed it Monday 
afternoon again.

I have been told a Red-bellied Woodpecker has returned to a feeder north of 
Bismarck (where it has been off and on the last 5 years).  I am curious 
whether this species resides along the Missouri in summer, or if this is 
another winter wander on the western plains from the eastern woodlands 
(Sheyenne River Valley, or Red River Valley).   I would like to hear of 
other wanderers in the western part of the state if there are any.

Minnesota has had two first state records in the last week (Black Guillemot 
on Superior and now Acorn Woodpecker at Crow Wing SP).   I wonder what else 
is on the plains of North Dakota since there are so few of us birders to 
find them.

All I have for now, Good Birding,
Corey Ellingson
Bismarck, ND
Subject: Pacific Loon
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 16:38:11 -0600
ND-Birders:

This afternoon there was a juv. plumaged Pacific Loon at Cottonwood Lake in 
McHenry County. The lake is about 4 miles north of Butte. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Garrison Dam area
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:11:07 -0600
ND-Birders:

There was an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull on the river below Garrison Dam 
this morning. A Long-tailed Duck was at the north boat landing of Lake Audubon 
off of Hwy 83. A N. Saw-whet Owl called a few times this evening at my house 
near Sawyer. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Stutsman, Kidder & Burleigh Counties
From: Clark Talkington <ctalkington AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:55:29 -0600
On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week I birded Barnes Lake and
Meander Lake as well as the Woodworth area in Stutsman County.
I also finished up by birding Horsehead Lake and the Dawson area
in Kidder County and McKenzie Slough in Burleigh County.  Here
are some of the sightings:
  STUTSMAN
   31,000 Snow Goose
       50 Ross's Goose
        2 Bald Eagle
        1 Golden Eagle
        5 Whooping Crane (Woodworth area)
        1 Black-legged Kittiwake (Barnes Lake)

  KIDDER
   21,500 Snow Goose
       20 Ross's Goose
    1,575 Cackling Goose
        1 Wood Duck
        1 Blue-winged Teal
      150 Hooded Merganser
 
  BURLEIGH
        1 Lesser Black-backed Gull (McKenzie Slough)
           (First Cycle)

Clark Talkington
Mandan
701 663-8103
Subject: Tundra Swans with blue neck bands
From: James Tyler Bell <jtylerbell AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 06:24:20 -0800
Below is some information about neck banded Tundra Swans that observers should 
be on the lookout for. Please report sightings to: 


Craig Ely                                          
Phone: (907) 786-7182                                
cely AT usgs.gov

Thanks!

Tyler Bell
jtylerbell AT yahoo.com
California, Maryland

TUNDRA SWANS WITH BLUE NECK BANDS FROM ALASKA 
                        
TUNDRA SWANS WERE MARKED IN WESTERN AND NORTHERN ALASKA IN THE SUMMERS OF 
2006-2009 WITH CODED NECK BANDS AS PART OF AN EFFORT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 
TIMING OF MIGRATION AND MOVEMENTS OF SWANS RELATIVE TO BREEDING AREA. 

NECK BANDS HAVE A FOUR-DIGIT CODE THAT BEGINS WITH A LETTER.  CODES  ARE READ 
FROM BOTTOM TO TOP.  BANDS ARE BLUE WITH WHITE DIGITS, EXCEPT CODES T3##, WHICH 
ARE WHITE WITH BLACK DIGITS.  

______________________________________________________
                                                                          
                                                         No. Collared 

Marking Location          Codes                  2006 - 2008   2009   Total
YukonDelta                K###                       227        100    327
Alaska Peninsula(North)   P###                       148        105    253 
Alaska Peninsula(South)   T4##                       155        ---    155
Koyukuk Drainage  T213-228, U075-U120, U390-U399      66        ---     66
North Slope               T201-212,T3##               58        ---     58
Kotzebue Sound            U###                       390        197    587
Totals                                              1045        402   1446
______________________________________________________               
In 2008, 50 swans were implanted with satellite transmitters, many of which are 
still functioning.  Birds with transmitters were not collared, but have a black 
antenna exiting near the base of the tail.  The movements of these swans can be 
followed at our web site: 
http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/avian_influenza/TUSW/index.html 

 
PLEASE REPORT ANY OBSERVATIONS TO YOUR LOCAL CONSERVATION OFFICER, OR TO:
   
Craig Ely                                          
AlaskaScience Center                                
4210 University Drive                        
Anchorage, AK 99508                                
Phone: (907) 786-7182                                
                                                        
EM: cely AT usgs.gov                                       
 
WE WILL PROVIDE ALL OBSERVERS WITH A BRIEF
HISTORY OF THE BANDED SWAN THEY OBSERVED.


     
Subject: RBA: North Dakota, November 3, 2009
From: Jane Kostenko <jkostenko AT SOMD.LIB.MD.US>
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:56:02 -0500
* RBA

* North Dakota
* Statewide
* November 3, 2009
* NDST0911.03

- Transcript

Hotline: North Dakota Update
Date: November 3, 2009
Number: 701-527-0730
To Report: 701-527-0730
Coverage: Statewide
Compiler: Ken Torkelson
Compiled: November 3, 2009
Transcriber: Jane Kostenko
mailto: tork02 AT juno.com

- Birds Mentioned

PACIFIC LOON
Common Loon
Northern Goshawk
Swamp Sparrow
Yellow-Rumped Warbler
Golden Eagle
Prairie Falcon
Pectoral Sandpiper
Long-Billed Dowitcher
Red-Breasted Merganser
Bohemian Waxwing
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
California Gull
THAYER'S GULL
Surf Scoter
Hooded Merganser
Rough-Legged Hawk
Greater YellowlegS
Common Raven
Common Redpoll
Long-Tailed Duck
Sandhill Crane
Bald Eagle
Cackling Goose
Snow Goose
Tundra Swan
Eastern Bluebird
Dark-Eyed Junco
Harris's Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Purple Finch
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
American Goldfinch
Pine Siskin
Common Grackle
Northern Cardinal
Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North
Dakota Birding Society. This report was prepared on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Unless otherwise noted, any phone numbers mentioned are area code 701.

Transcriber's Note: Birds listed in ALL CAPS in the Birds Mentioned
section signify that the Revised Checklist of North Dakota Birds
lists them as Occasional, Accidental, Extirpated, or never having
occurred before for the season being reported.
One of the best birds of fall for two veteran birders.

Corey Ellingson and Ron Martin watched as a PACIFIC LOON landed with three
COMMON LOONS at Bowman-Haley Reservoir in southwestern North Dakota on
Oct. 30.  They also saw three other COMMON LOONS at the site, as well as an
adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK.  At Lake Tschida that day, they saw SWAMP
SPARROW and two YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS.  Hettinger County brought
views of seven GOLDEN EAGLES and a PRAIRIE FALCON, while Cedar Dam in
Slope County held a PECTORAL SANDPIPER and three LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS.
A return to Bowman-Haley the next day revealed only one COMMON LOON,
while White Lake in Slope County produced four RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS
and four PRAIRIE FALCONS.  In Dickinson, they saw a BOHEMIAN WAXWING
at the NDSU Experiment Station. Corey also had success at the Bismarck landfill 

on Nov. 2.  Over the noon hour, he saw two adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS
side-by-side, a CALIFORNIA GULL and a first-cycle THAYER'S GULL, but no
Franklin's gulls. For details, contact Corey at crackerjackbirder AT bis.midco.net 


Ron Martin found a SURF SCOTER at the Minot lagoons on Oct. 27 and 28.
Birding in McHenry County with David Walsh on Nov. 2, Ron added another
SURF SCOTER, 110 HOODED MERGANSERS and COMMON LOON at Round
Lake, NORTHERN GOSHAWK near Sawyer, plus four ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS,
three GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 10 COMMON RAVENS and COMMON REDPOLL.
On Nov. 2, Ron found a LONG-TAILED DUCK at the Minot lagoons.  You can
reach him at jrmartin AT srt.com

Lillian Crook saw two flocks of about 100 SANDHILL CRANES each plus six
BALD EAGLES at Cross Ranch State Park on Oct. 28.  Between Washburn and
Wilton, she reported 2000 CACKLING GEESE plus SNOW GEESE.  On the
Missouri River west of Washburn, she reported 50 TUNDRA SWANS.
Contact Lillian at lilliancrook AT hotmail.com

From New Town, Bernice Houser saw four EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in her
yard on Oct. 27, although she was down to two DARK-EYED JUNCOS.
Overall, Bernice is noticing a scarcity of fall migrants.  She's at
sanishnd AT rtc.coop

The end of October meant the end of  most of the sparrows in Dave
Lambeth's yard in Grand Forks.  In late October, he saw HARRIS'
SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, TREE SPARROW, SONG
SPARROW and FOX SPARROW plus five PURPLE FINCHES, but all that
remained on Nov. 1 was the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.  However,
on Halloween on the UND campus, Dave saw a flock of 16-WHITE-
THROATED SPARROWS, and noted that the species has over-wintered
there in the past.  Dave''s feeders still hosted RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH,
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, PINE SISKIN, two COMMON GRACKLES and
two NORTHERN CARDINALS.  A visit to Kellys Slough National Wildlife
Refuge on Oct. 31 revealed five ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS.  You can
reach Dave at davidlambeth58201 AT yahoo.com

Keith Corliss saw only his second COMMON RAVEN in Cass County in
the past 20 years on  Nov. 1.  Birding with Dean Riemer, Keith saw the
raven near the lagoons in north Fargo.  For details, it's
koolhand AT juno.com

Larry Igl forwards a report from Hal Kantrud, who saw a female RED-BELLIED
WOODPECKER in his yard southeast of Jamestown on Nov. 1.  You can
reach Larry at 253-5511.

That concludes this report from the North Dakota Birding Society.  This
report is normally updated each Tuesday.

- end transcript
Subject: Long-tailed Duck
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 22:35:17 -0600
ND-Birders:

There was a Long-tailed Duck at the Minot Lagoons today.

Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: sparrows
From: David Lambeth <davidlambeth58201 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 18:33:53 -0800
Hi all,

As recently as 3 days ago I had Harris's, White-throated, Tree, Song, and Fox 
Sparrows (one of each) at the feeders. Except for White-throated, all left with 
the north winds we had over the weekend. At that time also had 5 Purple Finch 
for one day only. At the Chester Fritz Library on UND Campus, I counted 16 
White-throated Sparrows on Saturday. This is where double-digit numbers have 
overwintered in recent years and perhaps this group is going to stay. Anyone 
know of any place in North Dakota where a 10 or more White-throated Sparrows 
overwinter? Its puzzling to me why they like this particular spot since there 
are many places around the state where food is provided. 


Other species being seen at the feeders include Red-breasted Nuthatch, American 
Goldfinch, Pine Siskin (five or fewer most days), and two Common Grackles that 
have been here for weeks. Cardinals appear sporadically and two were seen 
today. 


Saw about 5 Rough-legged Hawks on Saturday when I birded the Kellys Slough 
area. 


Good birding everyone!
 Dave Lambeth
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Subject: Lesser Black-backs
From: Corey Ellingson <crackerjackbirder AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 13:32:23 -0600
Greetings:
   I visited the Bismarck Landfill over the nooon hour and observed two 
adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLs side by side.   Also present was a 
California Gull and Thayer's Gull first cycle.   Appears the Franklin's 
Gulls have departed here.

Good Birding,
Corey Ellingson
Bismarck, ND
Subject: Red-bellied Woodpecker (Stutsman Co.)
From: Lawrence D Igl <ligl AT USGS.GOV>
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 11:43:38 -0600
Hal Kantrud reported that he had a female Red-bellied Woodpecker at his 
feeders (southeast of Jamestown, Stutsman Co.) on 1 November.  Reports of 
redbellies at feeders in Stutsman Co. have been largely non-existent 
during the past couple of years.


**************************************************************
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:    ligl AT usgs.gov
Internet:     www.npwrc.usgs.gov
**************************************************************
Subject: McHenry Co. Sunday
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 21:10:45 -0600
ND-Birders:

David Walsh and I birded Round Lake and Buffalo Lodge Lake in McHenry Co. this 
morning. Not many birds, despite all of the open water. 


Surf Scoter - 1 at Round Lake.
Hooded Merganser - 110 at Round Lake.
Com. Loon - 1 at Round Lake.
N. Goshawk - 1 at my house near Sawyer.
Rough-legged Hawk - 4
Gr. Yellowlegs - 3
Com. Raven - 10
Com. Redpoll - 1

Quite a few Snow Geese were going over the house this evening.

Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Sunday surprise
From: Keith Corliss <koolhand AT JUNO.COM>
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 01:50:13 GMT
For just the second time since moving back to the Fargo area nearly 20 years 
ago I saw a common raven in Cass County, only this time someone else was along 
to enjoy the 90 seconds of excitement. 

Dean Riemer and I were by the lagoons in north Fargo this morning when a raven 
appeared over the bean field to the west and lazily followed the wind east 
toward the Red River. Once passed the lagoons it was mobbed by about 8 American 
crows giving us a great size comparison. The bird never stopped, never landed 
and was probably in Clay Co., Minn., within a minute or two after heading out 
of sight. 

Sometimes the kismet of it all is astounding isn't it? Had it been just a few 
seconds later we would have never seen this bird. Makes you wonder just what 
all we are missing. 

 
K. Corliss
West Fargo
Subject: PACIFIC LOON
From: Corey Ellingson <crackerjackbirder AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:50:08 -0500
Greetings ND-Birders:

   Ron Martin and I made a trip to the southwest for Friday and Saturday
after the winter weather went through this week.   The highlight of the
weekend was watching a PACIFIC LOON fly into and landing on Bowman-Haley
Reservoir with 3 Common Loons showing an excellent comparison.  The bird was
not found Saturday morning however.   We were joined by Jack Lefor for the
day on Saturday.   

 

The following are the highlights for the two days - overall quite slow!

 

Friday:

Lake Tschida (below the dam):

Swamp Sparrow

Yellow-rumped Warbler (2)

 

Hettinger county:

Golden Eagles (7)

Prairie Falcon

 

Cedar Dam - Slope county:

Pectoral Sandpiper

Long-billed Dowitcher(3)

 

Bowman-Haley Reservoir:

PACIFIC LOON

Common Loon (6)

Northern Goshawk - adult

 

Saturday:

Bowman-Haley Reservoir:

Common Loon - only (1) that departed while viewed

 

White Lake - Slope county:

Red-breasted Merganser (4)

Prairie Falcon(4)

 

Dickinson:

Bohemian Waxwing (NDSU Research station)

 

I am sure I missed some things.. Good Birding,   

 

Corey Ellingson

Bismarck, ND

 

 

 
Subject: Sparrows
From: Sherry <bird_nd AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:35:39 -0700
Who would have ever thought that the "lowly" House Sparrow could lighten  up 
ones day. 

Being confined at Abbottt Northwestern and now Sister Kenny, I was thrilled 
when a few Sparrows landed on the tree branch outside my window, so never 
underestimate the healing powers of such an ordinary bird. 

Sherry Leslie
bird_nd AT yahoo.com


      
Subject: RBA: North Dakota, October 27, 2009
From: Jane Kostenko <jkostenko AT SOMD.LIB.MD.US>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:03:25 -0400
* RBA

* North Dakota
* Statewide
* October 27, 2009
* NDST0910.27

- Transcript

Hotline: North Dakota Update
Date: October 27, 2009
Number: 701-527-0730
To Report: 701-527-0730
Coverage: Statewide
Compiler: Ken Torkelson
Compiled: October 27, 2009
Transcriber: Jane Kostenko
mailto: tork02 AT juno.com

- Birds Mentioned


Hermit Thrush

Orange-crowned Warbler

Fox Sparrow

Greater White-fronted Goose

Snow Goose

Ross's Goose

Blue-winged Teal

American White Pelican

Snowy Egret

Black-crowned Night Heron

Gray Partridge

Bonaparte's Gull

Cattle Egret

Dunlin

Long-billed Dowitcher

Franklin's Gull

Wood Duck

Northern Flicker

Yellow-wumped Warbler

Lincoln's Sparrow

Ferruginous Hawk

Lesser Scaup

Great Egret

Herring Gull

Thayer's Gull

Common Tern

American Pipit

American Bittern

Sanderling

Burrowing Owl

White-winged Scoter

Common Loon

American Golden-Plover

Prairie Falcon

Surf Scoter

Red-tailed Hawk

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Smith's Longspur

Bald Eagle

Northern Harrier

Northern Shrike

Great Horned Owl

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Dark-eyed Junco

Tundra Swan

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Winter Wren

Marsh Wren

Cooper's Hawk

Northern Cardinal

Red-bellied Woodpecker

American Tree Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-throated Sparrow

Harris's Sparrow

Swamp Sparrow

Purple Finch

House Finch

Merlin

Brown Creeper

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Pileated Woodpecker

American Woodcock

Eastern Phoebe

Chipping Sparrow


Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North
Dakota Birding Society. This report was prepared on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Unless otherwise noted, any phone numbers mentioned are area code 701.

Transcriber's Note: Birds listed in ALL CAPS in the Birds Mentioned
section signify that the Revised Checklist of North Dakota Birds
lists them as Occasional, Accidental, Extirpated, or never having
occurred before for the season being reported.



Seasonal firsts continue to make their appearances.

Corey Ellingson counted at least five HERMIT THRUSHES, his first of the

fall, on Oct. 21 at Sleepy Hollow Park in Bismarck. Other sightings there

included ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, Corey's latest ever.  His other seasonal

first was a FOX SPARROW in the Highland Acres area, just south of Bismarck

State College. You can contact Corey at crackerjackbirder AT bis.midco.net

Clark Talkington  found a good variety of bird life on Oct. 26. In the

Woodworth area, he saw 150 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, about 12,000 SNOW

GEESE, 12 ROSS'S GEESE, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, two SNOWY

EGRETS, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, 17 GRAY PARTRIDGE and eight BONAPARTE'S

GULLS. In the Dawson area, Clark recorded another BLUE-WINGED TEAL, two

SNOWY EGRETS, CATTLE EGRET, two DUNLINS, 12 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, three

FRANKLIN'S GULLS and two BONAPARTE'S GULLS. On Oct. 25, the Tesoro Refinery

in Mandan held eight WOOD DUCKS, two red-shafted NORTHERN FLICKERS, two

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and Clark added a FERRUGINOUS

HAWK in southeastern Morton County. In the Dawson area on Oct. 23, he

observed about 10,000 LESSER SCAUP and four GREAT EGRETS, while Horsehead

Lake offered HERRING GULL, THAYER'S GULL, COMMON TERN and four AMERICAN

PIPITS. McKenzie Slough held AMERICAN BITTERN on Oct. 22 and 25 plus two

SANDERLINGS. Clark discovered two BURROWING OWLS in southeastern Morton

County on the 22nd. You can reach him at 663-8103.

Ron Martin saw two WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS at the Minot lagoons on Oct. 23.

On the following day, he saw six COMMON LOONS at Round Lake in McHenry

County, plus two GREAT EGRETS and a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON in Pierce

County, plus a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER at Antelope Lake. At the Minot lagoons

on Oct. 19, Ron saw a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, followed on the 20th by 60

AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, and on the 21st by a PRAIRIE FALCON, SURF SCOTER

and immature Harlan's RED-TAILED HAWK. Ron's yard near Sawyer was visited

by a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL on Oct. 18, and Ron was part of a group that saw

150 SMITH'S LONGSPURS in a pasture in Foster County, and about 20 more in

Stutsman County. For details, contact Ron at jrmartin  AT srt.com

Rod Fossen had better luck birding than hunting north of Minot in Renville

County on Oct. 24. He saw three BALD EAGLES including one juvenile, five

NORTHERN HARRIERS, NORTHERN SHRIKE, a very  pale GREAT HORNED OWL, plus

two SHARP-TAILED GROUSE in Ward County and 40 more in Renville County.

Rod's travels took him to the Devils Lake area on Oct. 21 and 22, where

he saw a dark Harlan's RED-TAILED HAWK northeast of Devils Lake. He

reported that DARK-EYED JUNCOS are common in the area, and he also

recorded an adult BALD EAGLE near Norwich. You can reach Rod at

rfossen AT min.midco.net

From the Carrington area, Ann Hoffert says TUNDRA SWANS have been hanging

around for a couple of weeks. She counted 150 on Oct. 25, along with lots

of SNOW GEESE. She's at pipestem AT daktel.com

Betsy Batstone-Cunningham saw a pair of HERMIT THRUSHES in her back yard

on the Grand Forks Greenway on Oct. 22. She's at batsham AT gra.midco.net

A RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET landed in Rick Holbrook's Fargo yard on Oct. 24.

Details at fholbrook AT cableone.net

Dennis Wiesenborn has been birding north Fargo and Moorhead. On Oct. 25,

Trefoil Park held WINTER WREN, two MARSH WRENS, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET,

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and COOPER'S HAWK. The previous day, he saw male

and female NORTHERN CARDINALS and a female RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, plus a

large flock of sparrows in Mickelson Park. The flock was mainly DARK-EYED

JUNCOS, but included many AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, SONG SPARROWS and

WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, but also several FOX SPARROWS and one or two

HARRIS'S SPARROWS, SWAMP SPARROWS and LINCOLN'S SPARROWS plus some PURPLE

FINCHES and HOUSE FINCHES. The weekend brought sightings of ORANGE-CROWNED

WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, GREAT HORNED OWL, MERLIN, NORTHERN SHRIKE,

BROWN CREEPER, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, HERMIT THRUSH, PILEATED WOODPECKER

and male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. Dennis also reported hundreds of FRANKLIN'S

GULLS overhead. Contact him at d.wiesenborn AT ndsu.edu

Keith Corliss birded Elmwood Park in West Fargo on Oct. 22, and saw his

first NORTHERN SHRIKE and two AMERICAN WOODCOCKS of the season. He also

recorded nine FOX SPARROWS, two EASTERN PHOEBES, 12 HERMIT THRUSHES and

a WINTER WREN. Keith is at koolhand AT juno.com

Mark Otnes found good birding along the river in Wahpeton on Oct. 23.

He tallied EASTERN PHOEBE, five HERMIT THRUSHES, three FOX SPARROWS,

two CHIPPING SPARROWS, five HARRIS'S SPARROWS, and "abundant" WHITE-THROATED

SPARROWS and DARK-EYED JUNCOS. However, he reported very little going on

at the Mooreton pond. Contact Mark at 241-4194.

That concludes this report from the North Dakota Birding Society. This
report is normally updated each Tuesday.

- end transcript
Subject: Minot Lagoons
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:33:26 -0500
ND-Birders:

Yesterday and today there was a Surf Scoter at the Minot lagoons.  

Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Eastern Bluebirds
From: Bernice Houser <sanishnd AT RTC.COOP>
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:31:49 -0500
There were still 4 Eastern Bluebirds in the yard yesterday (10/27).
And 3-4 days ago the juncos left,  all at the same time apparently,  and 
the past 2 days we have had 2.  I don't think I have ever seen such a 
scarcity of fall migrants as we had this year.   Alvin keeps checking 
Sanish Bay, which 10 years ago used to be full of ducks in the fall, and 
every day he comes home and reports that there 'was not even one duck'.   
Of course, our end of the bay was dry for the 8 or so years prior to 2009, 
so maybe they gave up on it.   
A question--do birds migrate as much at night in the fall as they do in 
the spring?  Could numerous very large gas flares in the oil fields affect 
their migration at night?   They are visible for an unbelievable 
distance.  (I guess that's 2 questions.)  

Bernice Houser
Rural New Town
sanishnd AT rtc.coop
Subject: north of Bismarck
From: Lillian Crook <lilliancrook AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:29:27 -0500
Today. Cross Ranch State Park. Two flocks of about a hundred each of sandhill 
cranes. Six bald eagles, one directly over us, very low. 


 

About 2,000 lesser Canada and Snow geese between Washburn and Wilton, field on 
the east side of the highway. Fifty tundra swans on the Missouri west of 
Washburn. 

 		 	   		  
_________________________________________________________________
Windows 7: It helps you do more. Explore Windows 7.

http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen3:102009 
Subject: Bismarck/Mandan area
From: Clark Talkington <ctalkington AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:19:58 -0500
Hi to all,

The last few days of birding brought some interesting sightings,
those being:

10/26
 Woodworth Area:
  Greater White-fronted Goose - 150
  Snow Goose - 12,170
  Ross's Goose - 12
  Blue-winged Teal - 1
  American White Pelican - 1
  Snowy Egret - 2
  Black-crowned Night Heron - 1
  Gray Partridge - 17
  Bonaparte's Gull - 8
 Dawson Area:
  Blue-winged Teal - 1
  Snowy Egret - 2
  Cattle Egret - 1 
  Dunlin - 2
  Long-billed Dowitcher - 12
  Franklin's Gull - 3
  Bonaparte's Gull - 2

10/25
 Mandan Tesoro REfinery:
  Wood Duck - 8
  Red-shafted Flicker - 2
  Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2
  Lincoln's Sparrow - 1
 Southeast Morton County:
  Ferruginous Hawk - 1
  
10/23
 Dawson area:
  Lesser Scaup - 10,000\
  Great Egret - 4
 Horsehead Lake:
  Herring Gull - 1
  Thayer's Gull - 1 
  Common Tern - 1
  American Pipit - 4

10/22
  McKenzie Slough:
   American Bittern - 1 (and agin on 10/25)
   Sanderling - 2
  Southeast Morton County:
   Burrowing Owl - 2

Clark Talkington
663-8103


 

Subject: Update on ND Bird Checklist
From: Dan Svingen <dsvingen AT FS.FED.US>
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:47:17 -0600
Birders - just FYI. 

On 27 December 2006, I responded publicaly to a list-serve query from Dr. 
Craig Faanes regarding an update to the official North Dakota bird 
checklist. 

Updating the checklist is a responsibility of the North Dakota Birding 
Society's Bird Records Committee, of which I am currently chairperson. 

As I explained in December 2006, Ron Martin (past chair), Dr. Larry Igl 
(current secretary), and I planned to update the list once the backlog of 
accumulated rare bird records had been processed.  Ron and I just approved 
author proofs for the committee's "Third Report" manuscript in the journal 
Prairie Naturalist. 

It will soon be time, therefore, to update the checklist.  Ron, Larry, and 
I have started that process.  We are on draft #2 at the moment.  I 
anticipate draft #3 by mid-December.  We will be contacting past committee 
members and other reviewers for their input after that. 

The new checklist will contain results of committee action through 2005. 
It will be the first update since 1982. 

I know folks have been waiting for the new checklist.  It is coming.  As 
chair, I accept responsibility for delaying its release until the 
committee reports were published.  I did not want to get things 
out-of-order (i.e. publishing the conclusions before publishing the data). 
  However, I do hope that our records committee will provide another 
checklist update well before another 28 years pass!

dan. 

Dan Svingen
Grasslands Biologist
Dakota Prairie Grasslands
Bismarck, ND
(701) 250-4443 ext. 107
Subject: Fargo Peregrine
From: Corey Ellingson <crackerjackbirder AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:46:21 -0500
Greetings ND-Birders:
   I found this on the Manitoba Listserve and thought it may be of interest 
to some of you.

Good Birding,
Corey Ellingson
Bismarck, ND

Subject: Mystery Peregrine at the Radisson
From: "T. Maconachie" 
Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:54:15 -0500

From October 5th to the 16th we have had a juvenile peregrine falcon 
(female by the size) hanging out at the Radisson and making a mess 
with "her" meals all over Princess' and Trey's nice, neat east-side 
Radisson sign. Princess and Trey had left for the season so there were no 
conflicts except between our mystery "lady" and the local pigeon 
population. I did get a quick glimpse at "her" band number a few days ago 
but have had to wait until this year's band numbers were published to find 
out who she is and where she was from. Turns out that "she" is a she and 
that she is "Sandy", one of two female chicks that fledged from the First 
Community Bank in Fargo, North Dakota. Checking the records, it appears she 
is also our first confirmation of a "southern" bird coming this far north 
in her hatch year. She looked to be good shape and was definitely an adept 
hunter so with luck she will find her way to a nestsite somewhere (else) in 
the next couple of years. 


And for those of you who remember that a grandchild of T-Rex was the Fargo 
resident female a few years ago, no, Sandy isn't directly related to any of 
the Manitoba birds. Haven't quite worked out if there is an indirect 
relationship yet, but it is possible. 


Happy peregrinations everyone!
Tracy
_______________________________

T. Maconachie, Project Coordinator
Peregrine Falcon Recovery Project (Manitoba)
Ste 69005, 110-2025 Corydon Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada  R3P 2G9
phn:  1-204-931-1618
email:  peregrine AT species-at-risk.mb.ca
website:  www.species-at-risk.mb.ca/peregrines
webcam:  www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/falcon/
Subject: swans directions correction
From: Pipestem Creek <pipestem AT DAKTEL.COM>
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:05:51 -0500
'Sorry-- Hopefully no one went on a wild goose chase looking for the swans.

My directions were correct, except that the first turn beyond Bordulac on 
1st St SE is West, not East.

Ann Hoffert
Pipestem Creek Bed and Birding
7060 Highway 9
Carrington, ND 58421
701-652-2623
pipestem AT daktel.com
www.pipestemcreek.com 
Subject: Weekend birds
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:16:06 -0500
ND-Birders:

On Friday there were 2 White-winged Scoters at the Minot Lagoons. On Saturday, 
on the way to a meeting in Devils Lake I had 6 Com. Loons at Round Lake in 
McHenry Co. 

In Pierce Co. I had 2 Great Egrets and a single Black-cr. Night-Heron. At 
Antelope Lake in Pierce Co. I had one White-winged Scoter. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Trefoil Park in North Fargo & vicinity
From: Dennis Wiesenborn <d.wiesenborn AT NDSU.EDU>
Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:10:19 -0500
Highlights of Trefoil Park this morning:

1 winter wren
2 marsh wrens
1 ruby-crowned kinglet
1 yellow-rumped warbler
1 Cooper's hawk

Yesterday, a male & female cardinal and a female red-bellied woodpecker
were visiting the feeders just north of the south (12th Ave) parking lot. 
A large flock of sparrows south of the toll bridge in Mickelson Park was
mainly juncos, but also had many Am. tree, song and white-throated
sparrows, several fox sparrows, and one or two Harris, swamp and Lincoln's
sparrows.  Several purple and house finches were also in the flock.

It has been a delightful Fall for finding winter wrens in North
Fargo/Moorhead.  A pair of winter wrens has been in my backyard (in MN,
across from Mickelson Park) for about the past week, and a third was south
of my yard yesterday.  Other notable yard birds this weekend were
orange-crowned and yellow-rumped warbler, great horned owl (heard),
merlin, northern shrike, brown creeper, golden-crowned kinglet, hermit
thrush, pileated woodpecker, and male red-bellied woodpecker.  Hundreds of
Franklin's gulls continue to pass by overhead.

Dennis
Subject: swans again
From: Pipestem Creek <pipestem AT DAKTEL.COM>
Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:07:14 -0500
The swans I mentioned Friday are still here.  Directions---- from Highway 9 
(Hwy 9 is 9 miles South of Carrington off 281), go to the Bordulac road, 
74th Ave SE.  Go past Bordulac until you get to the first paved road going 
East, 1st ST SE.  Then take the first road going North, 73rd Ave SE.  It is 
apx. 2 miles until you get to the water on both sides of the road where the 
swans are.

Today there are about 150 tundra swans there  and lots of snow geese.  It is 
a beautiful site with a corn field in the background.  The sound is awesome. 
There are swans in several areas near here.  I am told there are some at 
Arrowwood Refuge as well.

Ann Hoffert
Pipestem Creek Bed and Birding
7060 Highway 9
Carrington, ND 58421
701-652-2623
pipestem AT daktel.com
www.pipestemcreek.com 
Subject: Bird watching in Renville County.
From: Rod Fossen <rfossen AT MIN.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:15:38 -0500
Didn't have much luck grouse hunting north of Minot, in Renville County,
although there seems to be more S. T. Grouse the farther north you go
probably because last winter was less severe there.  The cold and rain
made hunting unpleasant so we did a little bird watching instead.  
 
Spotted were:
 
            3    Bald Eagles (1 juvenile)
            5    N. Harriers (both male and female)
            1    N. Shrike (fos)
            2    S. T. Grouse (Ward County)
            40  S. T. Grouse (Renville County)
            1     G. H. Owl (very pale)
 
The Owl was so pale that my hunting partner thought that it was a Snowy
Owl.  But it  had ear tufts.  I've seen plenty of G. H. Owls but never
one that pale.  A mature B. Eagle was on a deer carcass next to the road
and flew right in front of my truck as I passed, never been that close
to one before, magnificent.
 
Last hunting season on a typical trip in Ward County I would expect to
see 10 R. N. Pheasants, 30 S. T. Grouse and 30 to 70 Gray Partridge.
This year I've only seen a few Grouse and no Partridge or Pheasants.  I
think for the rest of the season I'll leave the gun home and hunt them
with binoculars and camera.         
                        
 
Rod Fossen, Minot
Subject: Ruby-crowned Kinglet
From: Rick <fholbrook AT CABLEONE.NET>
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:06:29 -0500
I was out looking to see if the lawn was dry enough to mow and a 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet flew by and landed on a Green Ash tree in the 
yard.  First time I have seen on of these guys in the yard.

-- 

Rick
Fargo, ND
N 46°53'251"
W 096°48'279"


Remember the USS Liberty
http://www.ussliberty.org/
Subject: Wahpeton birds
From: Mark Otnes <markotnes AT CABLEONE.NET>
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:32:05 -0500
I decided to check out Wahpeton yesterday afternoon (10/23) and found plenty
of bird activity along the river as is the case in Fargo.  Some of the
highlights were:

 

Eastern phoebe - 1

Hermit thrush - 5

Fox sparrow - 3

Chipping sparrow - 2

Harris sparrow - 5

White-throated sparrow - abundant

Dark-eyed Junco - abundant

 

I checked out Mooreton Pond on the way back and just found a single large
flock of Canada geese and no ducks at all.  That's usually a good spot for
diving ducks but they must not be down yet.

 

I sure didn't expect another wave of migrant birds to be coming on through
after all of the cold snowy weather we had earlier in the month.  

 

Mark Otnes

Fargo ND

701-241-4194

markotnes AT cableone.net

 

 

 

 
Subject: swans
From: Pipestem Creek <pipestem AT DAKTEL.COM>
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:41:35 -0500
For the last 2 weeks, there have been hundreds of tundra swans around.  What 
a thrill the sight and sounds are.

The swans are still around in several areas within 5 miles of our farm, 
located on Highway 9 one mile East of 281.  I can give specific directions 
is someone is interested in the best spot to see them.

Ann Hoffert
Pipestem Creek Bed and Birding
701-652-2623
800-446-1986

701-652-2623
800-446-1986
pipestem AT daktel.com
www.pipestemcreek.com 
Subject: RBA: North Dakota, October 20, 2009
From: Jane Kostenko <jkostenko AT SOMD.LIB.MD.US>
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:58:55 -0400
* RBA

* North Dakota
* Statewide
* October 20, 2009
* NDST0910.20

- Transcript

Hotline: North Dakota Update
Date: October 20, 2009
Number: 701-527-0730
To Report: 701-527-0730
Coverage: Statewide
Compiler: Ken Torkelson
Compiled: October 20, 2009
Transcriber: Jane Kostenko
mailto: tork02 AT juno.com

- Birds Mentioned

THAYER'S GULL
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
Franklin's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Great Horned Owl
Brown Creeper
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Orange-crowned Warbler
American Goldfinch
Pine Siskin
Purple Finch
Swamp Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Burrowing Owl
Ross' Goose
Tundra Swan
Clark's Grebe
Snowy Egret
Willet
Cattle Egret
Vesper Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Smith's Longspur
WHOOPING CRANE
Sandhill Crane
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird
Wilson's Snipe
Snow Goose
Hermit Thrush
Lincoln's Sparrow
American Bittern
Forster's Tern
Barn Swallow
American Avocet
Long-billed Dowitcher
White-breasted Nuthatch
Merlin
Dark-eyed Junco
Cedar Waxwing
Blue Jay
Hairy Woodpecker
Rough-legged Hawk
Rusty Blackbird
Snow Bunting
Baltimore Oriole
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Ferruginous Hawk
Surf Scoter

Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North
Dakota Birding Society. This report was prepared on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Unless otherwise noted, any phone numbers mentioned are area code 701.

Transcriber's Note: Birds listed in ALL CAPS in the Birds Mentioned
section signify that the Revised Checklist of North Dakota Birds
lists them as Occasional, Accidental, Extirpated, or never having
occurred before for the season being reported.
More gulls and more whoopers.

An Oct. 19 trip to the Bismarck landfill brought good gull sightings for
Corey Ellingson.  He recorded an adult THAYER'S GULL, two adult LESSER
BLACK-BACKED GULLS, FRANKLIN'S GULL, RING-BILLED GULL, five CALIFORNIA
GULLS and seven HERRING GULLS.  At Sleepy Hollow Park, Corey added a
GREAT HORNED OWL, BROWN CREEPER, his first GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET
of the season and three late ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS.  Corey's yard
held four species of finches including AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, PINE SISKIN
and a female/immature PURPLE FINCH.  The seven sparrow species included
SWAMP SPARROW.  You can reach Corey at crackerjackbirder AT bis.midco.net

Clark Talkington found some of those same gull species at the Bismarck landfill
on Oct. 14.  He observed six FRANKLIN'S GULLS, CALIFORNIA GULL, three HERRING
GULLS and one LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL.  A FOX SPARROW showed up in
Clark's Mandan yard on Oct. 15.  He saw one BURROWING OWL in southeastern
Morton County on Oct. 14.  On the 13th, Clark birded Barnes Lake in Stutsman
County and Horsehead Lake in Kidder County, finding ROSS' GOOSE, 6067
TUNDRA SWANS, four CLARK'S GREBES, SNOWY EGRET and WILLET.  In the
Dawson area, he counted 46 CATTLE EGRETS.  Around Woodworth, Clark saw
four VESPER SPARROWS, nine SAVANNAH SPARROWS and four SMITH'S
LONGSPURS.  For more information, call Clark at 663-8103.

Dave and Ellin Lindee saw two WHOOPING CRANES west of Ryder on Oct. 17.
Bernice Houser found them later in the day, with a large group of SANDHILL
CRANES near Ryder.  Bernice's yard near New Town hosted RED-BREASTED
NUTHATCHES, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and DOWNY WOODPECKER on
Oct. 16.  On the 18th, she reported two EASTERN BLUEBIRDS checking out
a nest box.  Contact Bernice at sanishnd AT rtc.coop

Janelle Masters looked unsuccessfully for the Ryder whoopers on Oct. 19.
She did see thousands of SANDHILL CRANES, plus MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS,
WILSON'S SNIPES, SNOW GEESE, TUNDRA SWANS and various ducks.
She's at 224-5525.

Mark Otnes saw HERMIT THRUSH, LINCOLN'S SPARROW and two PURPLE
FINCHES at Crystal Springs in Kidder County on Oct. 16.  He said the Dawson
WMA had "nothing."  At South Lake, he recorded AMERICAN BITTERN, three
SNOWY EGRETS, FORSTER'S TERN and BARN SWALLOW.  In Barnes County,
along the Hwy. 10 frontage road, Mark found about 40 of either BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVERS or AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS, as well as AMERICAN AVOCET and
two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS.  Mark is at 241-4194.

Carl Stangeland's back yard in Jamestown attracted a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER
and WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES on Oct. 18.  At the dam, he saw a MERLIN
with a DARK-EYED JUNCO in its talons.  You can reach Carl at carlcs AT daktel.com

From Bowdon, Larry Jones counted 20-25 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS  and a bunch of
CEDAR WAXWINGS in his yard on Oct. 17.  Other visitors included BLUE JAYS
and HAIRY WOODPECKERS.  Contact Larry at jljones AT daktel.com

From Grand Forks County, Eve Freeberg saw a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK on
Oct. 11, followed by RUSTY BLACKBIRD on Oct. 12 and SNOW BUNTING on
Oct. 14.  On the 19th, Eve added BALTIMORE ORIOLE, BUFF-BREASTED
SANDPIPER and FERRUGINOUS HAWK.  Contact Eve at birdwmn AT gra.midco.net

Ron Martin recorded a single SURF SCOTER at the Minot lagoons on Oct. 15.
He's at jrmartin AT srt.com

That concludes this report from the North Dakota Birding Society.  This
report is normally updated each Tuesday.

- end transcript
Subject: Minot area
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:48:47 -0500
ND-Birders:

The following were noted at the Minot lagoons this week.
Monday - one White-winged Scoter.
Tues. - 60 Am. Golden-Plover.
Wed. - one Prairie Falcon and one Surf Scoter.
Thurs. - one Surf Scoter and an imm. Harlan's Hawk.

Last Sunday I had a N. Saw-whet Owl at my house near Sawyer. Also on Sunday, 
Ron M., Corey E., Paulette S., and Stacy W. went searching for Smith's 
Longspurs in Foster Co. We had good looks at a number of birds in flight and 
saw about 150 individuals in one pasture. About 20 more Smith's were seen at 
various places in Stutsman Co. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Harlan's Hawk near Devils Lake.
From: Rod Fossen <rfossen AT MIN.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:11:09 -0500
Greetings,
 
Both yesterday and today I spotted a dark Harlan's Hawk in the same area
NE of Devils Lake.  It's either the first one I've ever seen or the
first one I've been able to ID.    Dark Eyed Juncos are everywhere
around Devils Lake. On my way back to Minot there was an adult B. Eagle
on a telephone pole near Norwich. If I did as much bird watching as I
wanted to while doing my 300 mile daily route I wouldn't have a job
anymore, so I limit myself to what I can safely see while driving.
 
Have a good weekend.
 
Rod Fossen,  Minot
Subject: Elmwood again
From: Keith Corliss <koolhand AT JUNO.COM>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:03:50 GMT
This spring it seemed like Elmwood Park in West Fargo produced quite a few 
"good" birds. Of course virtually every other Fargo area park was unreachable 
due to flood waters so it stands to reason that when you get that many eyes 
looking in one location something will be found. 

Well, this morning was another nice one. The sun was out--first time in many 
days--and so were birds. Of special note were seasonal firsts: northern shrike 
and 2(?) American woodcock. I'm going with two birds; it just seemed like the 
first one flew off in a different direction than where the second bird was. 
(FYI Corey: 243). Still quite a few fox sparrows (9), eastern phoebes (2), and 
hermit thrushes (12), plus a single winter wren. 

(The northern shrike was confusing. But then I'm annually confused when I hear 
the first one of the fall. Their rambling babbling squeaks and squaks bring a 
mimid to my mind. I would have liked to have found a mockingbird but I'll have 
to settle for the shrike). 

Keith Corliss, West Fargo
 
Subject: Re: Hermit Thrush
From: Corey Ellingson <crackerjackbirder AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:09:35 -0500
Greetings Betsy and ND-Birders:
    I have been whining about the birding being so slow this fall.   
Well, it may be also that things are late.   Everything has been two  
weeks late, which is probably a result of a late spring and cold  
summer.  The big rafts of waterfowl have not arrived yet either and  
scoter reports usually start the beginning of October, but are just  
now trickling in. (South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota)

Last night I birded Sleepy Hollow Park and had no less than 5 Hermit  
Thrushes (First of Fall), and I am still seeing Orange-crowned  
Warblers (new late date for me in this area).  In the Highland Acres  
area just south of Bismarck State College I observed a Fox Sparrow  
(First of Fall).

Good Birding,
Corey Ellingson
Bismarck, ND

Quoting Betsy Batstone-Cunningham :

> Good Morning,
>
>
>
> I have a pair of Hermit Thrush in the back yard this morning.  Is it  
>  gettng late for them to be here?
>
>
>
> Betsy Batstone-Cunningham
>
> E Elmwood Dr & the Greenway
>
> Grand Forks ND
>
Subject: Hermit Thrush
From: Betsy Batstone-Cunningham <batsham AT GRA.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:31:29 -0500
Good Morning,

 

I have a pair of Hermit Thrush in the back yard this morning. Is it gettng late 
for them to be here? 




Betsy Batstone-Cunningham

E Elmwood Dr & the Greenway

Grand Forks ND
Subject: Bis Landfill, Sleepy Hollow
From: Corey Ellingson <crackerjackbirder AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:57:34 -0500
Greetings ND-Birders:

                Some birds of interest this afternoon as I checked the
Bismarck Landfill and Sleepy Hollow Park.

 

Bismarck Landfill:

Ring-necked Pheasant rooster, trying to look like a gull among all the rest.

Franklin's Gull

Ring-billed Gull

California Gull - 5

Herring Gull - 7

THAYER'S GULL - adult

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL - 2 adults.   

One bird went flying to the east, (roosting at McDowell Dam?  McKenzie
Slough?) are you ready for this Dean? - never to be seen again.

 

Sleepy Hollow Park:

Great Horned Owl  - about the 3rd or 4th time in the last two weeks, reason
for no Long-eared Owl observed?

Brown Creeper (2nd of fall, first on Oct 01)

Golden-crowned Kinglet - my first of fall

Orange-crowned Warbler - 3 still persist.

 

Yard:

Four species of finch including Am. Goldfinch, Pine Siskin and a fem/imm
PURPLE FINCH

Seven species of sparrows including SWAMP SPARROW (first time in my yard
this fall)

 

Good Birding,

Corey Ellingson

Bismarck, ND

 
Subject: no whoopers
From: Janelle Masters <Janelle.Masters AT BSC.NODAK.EDU>
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:41:16 -0500
A friend and I drove to the Ryder area in search of the whooping cranes.we
found thousands of sandhill cranes, but no certain sitings of whoopers.  We
did encounter some gorgeous mountain bluebirds, snipes, snow geese, swans,
various ducks, longspurs.

 

Janelle

Janelle Masters

Dean of Academic Affairs

224-5525

Office Annex 202

Janelle.Masters AT bsc.nodak.edu

 

 
Subject: Bluebirds
From: Bernice Houser <sanishnd AT RTC.COOP>
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:57:30 -0500
Had two Eastern Bluebirds checking out a nest box today--do you think I 
should install insulation?
Doing a lot of yard/outside work today--birds don't take kindly to mowers, 
etc. so there weren't many around.

Bernice Houser
Rural New Town
sanishnd AT rtc.coop
Subject: Backyard
From: Carl Stangeland <carlcs AT DAKTEL.COM>
Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:49:41 -0500
I had a Yellowed -rumped Warbler in my backyard today, I'm surprised ther'e 
still around after that snowy weather, the White-breasted Nuthatches were busy 
today. I went up to the dam and saw a Merlin with a poor Junco in it's talons. 

Carl Stangeland
Jamestown
carlcs AT dakel.com
Subject: Whoopers +
From: Bernice Houser <sanishnd AT RTC.COOP>
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:20:29 -0500
I know that I have been sending such exciting reports in that you are all 
just waiting to see what comes next--well, yesterday ( and still present 
today) we had a Red-breasted Nuthatch--just one,  and today a Yellow-
rumped Warbler, just one, and a Downy Woodpecker, just one.   I think 
there is a conspiracy going on to keep the birds out of our yard! 
But-- the high point of the day was our trip to the Ryder area to look for 
the Whooping Cranes that Ellin & Dave Lindee spotted earlier today.  We 
left mid-afternoon and finally found them,  west of Ryder, with a very 
large number of Sandhill Cranes, feeding in a field.  It's been a few 
years since we've seen Whooping Cranes in the wild, so it was a real treat.
A few of the Sandhills were even dancing!  Or maybe they were fighting, 
but it looked like dancing.  
And the sun shone and the temperatures rose to a more comfortable degree--
great day for birding!

Bernice Houser
Rural New Town
sanishnd AT rtc.coop
Subject: eastern bluebirds
From: Larry Jones <jljones AT DAKTEL.COM>
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:07:14 -0500
A nice flock of eastern bluebirds numbering 20-25 invaded our yard this 
afternoon,bathing and drinking in the puddles around the yard. Also a bunch 
cedar waxwings. I hung some heads of striped sunflowers by our birdfeeders. 
My how the bluejays and hairy woodpecker enjoy them. Larry Jones  Bowdon 
N.D.
Subject: Kidder County
From: Mark Otnes <markotnes AT CABLEONE.NET>
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:42:42 -0500
I hit a few spots in southern Kidder County on Friday and found a few
interesting things:

 

Crystal Springs:

Hermit thrush - 1

Lincoln's sparrow - 1

Purple finch - 2

 

Dawson WMA: Nothing at all.

 

South Lake:

American bittern - 1

Snowy egret - 3

Forster's tern - 1

Barn swallow - 1

 

Barnes County along the Highway 10 frontage road:

Plover species (black-bellied or American golden) - 1 flock of about 40

American avocet - 1

Long-billed dowitcher - 2

 

I don't know what others think, but I've found 2009 to be a very dreary
birding year.  Winter lasted into late April and after that floods shut down
the Red River, James River, and Sheyenne River valleys.  Early fall wasn't
good and now it looks like we've got an early winter on the way with no sign
yet of any sort of finch invasion.  Even worse, all this happened without my
permission!  Oh well.

 

Mark Otnes

Fargo ND

701-241-4194

markotnes AT cableone.net

 

 

 

 

 

 
Subject: Whoopers!
From: Bernice Houser <sanishnd AT RTC.COOP>
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:53:31 -0500
Dave and Ellin Lindee have spotted two adult Whooping Cranes this morning 
at 11:50 one mile west of Ryder on a county road.   They were located very 
close to the road.

Bernice Houser
Rural New Town
sanishnd AT rtc.coop
Subject: Minot Lagoons
From: Ron Martin <jrmartin AT SRT.COM>
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:21:18 -0500
ND-Birders:

Today (Thursday) there was a single Surf Scoter on cell 3 of the Minot Lagoons. 


Good birding,
Ron Martin
Sawyer
Subject: Bismarck/Mandan area
From: Clark Talkington <ctalkington AT BIS.MIDCO.NET>
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:10:35 -0500
I am posting sightings from 10/12 to 10/15.

10/15
1 Fox Sparrow - my yard in Mandan

10/14
6 - Franklin's Gulls - Bismarck Landfill
1 - California Gull - Bismarck Landfill
3 - Herring Gulls - Bismarck Landfill
1adult - Lesser Black-backed Gull - Bismarck Landfill
1 Burrowing Owl - Haider Ranch, southeast Morton

10/13
1 - Ross's Goose - Barnes Lake, Stutsman County
6,067 - Tundra Swan - mostly HOrsehead Lake, Kidder & Barnes L.
4 - Clark's Grebe - Barnes Lake & Horsehead Lake
1 - Snowy Egret - Barnes Lake
46 - Cattle Egret - Dawson area, Kidder County
1 - Willet - Barnes Lake
4 - Vesper Sparrows - Woodworth area, Stutsman County
9 - Savannah Sparrows - Woodworth area
4 - Smith's Longspurs - Woodworth area

10/12
1 - Barn Swallow - Long Lake NWR, BURLEIGH

Clark Talkington
Mandan
(701)663-8103