I found one and only one by Sucker Creek at Vadnais Lake. Lots of Yellow-rumps and Palms. Carole Nimlos ----- Original Message ----- From: MOU-NET automatic digest system<mailto:lists...@lists.umn.edu> To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU<mailto:MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU> Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 12:05 AM Subject: MOU-NET Digest - 5 May 2009 to 6 May 2009 (#2009-108)
There are 17 messages totalling 676 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Steele Co Whooping Cranes: Update 2. Sherburne Auto Tour 3. Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival, May 15-17 4. Bird walk in Bloomington, Sat 8am 5. Directions to Cobb River WPA 6. Eagle cam 7. Eurasian Collared-Doves - Lyon County 8. Willets Hennpin County 9. FOY Duluth Birds 10. 9-sparrow flock, Dakota 11. Maple Grove Eagle Lake birding outings 12. Parking lot sparrows 13. Maple Grove Eagle Lake 14. Am. Avocets (Hennepin Co.) 15. south minneapolis song birds 16. Lake Byllesby spring refill planned 17. About the Metro ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 07:56:20 -0500 From: Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer <lisa.gelvin-innv...@dnr.state.mn.us<mailto:lisa.gelvin-innv...@dnr.state.mn.us>> Subject: Re: Steele Co Whooping Cranes: Update Howard, see the website for the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership http://www.b<http://www.b/>= ringbackthecranes.org/ There is a wealth of information on the cranes. Also your reports are needed to help track them. These can be reported = online at http://www.bringbackthecranes.org/what2do.html<http://www.bringbackthecranes.org/what2do.html> There is a link on the right side of the page. Researchers have learned that cranes that become overly tolerant of human = presence are at greater risk to numerous hazards that could endanger their = well-being. =20 The WCEP asks anyone who encounters a whooping crane in the wild to please = view from a distance so they so they can survive and thrive: Their guidance includes: -Do not approach birds on foot within 200 yards; -Try to remain in your vehicle -Use of binoculars or spotting scopes is recommended for viewing -Do not approach in a vehicle within 100 yards.=20 -Please remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the = birds can hear you. -Please do not trespass on private property in an attempt to view = whooping cranes." Again thanks so much for your report! ............................................ Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer Reg. Nongame Wildlife Specialist MN DNR Southern Region Div. of Ecological Resources Nongame Wildlife Program 261 Hwy 15 South New Ulm, MN 56073 phone: ( 507) 359-6033 fax: (507) 359-6018 e-mail: lisa.gelvin-innv...@dnr.state.mn.us<mailto:lisa.gelvin-innv...@dnr.state.mn.us> Web: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/index.html<http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/index.html> >>> Howard Towle <towle...@umn.edu<mailto:towle...@umn.edu>> 5/5/2009 10:29 PM >>> The two Whooping Cranes reported this morning from just south of =20 Owatonna were still present this evening at 6:30 PM in the same field. =20 Does anyone know the origin of these birds? Are they part of the =20 Wisconsin flock that overshot their mark? Thanks Ken! Howard Towle Golden Valley, MN > Two Whooping Cranes were first spotted by Emily Hutchins Monday =20 > night around 7:30. They were flying over the intersection of Hwys. =20 > 218 and 14 on the south side of Owatonna. They landed in a green =20 > meadow on the south side of 18th Street on the eastern edge of =20 > Owatonna. They were still present at 7:30 Tuesday AM. > > Ken Vail > Blooming Prairie ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 09:30:38 -0500 From: Pastor Al Schirmacher <pasto...@princetonfreechurch.net<mailto:pasto...@princetonfreechurch.net>> Subject: Sherburne Auto Tour Harris' Sparrow (among 11 sparrow species) on Sherburne NWR's Auto Tour this morning. Other first of years there included: Least Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Sedge Wren, Gray Catbird, White-crowned Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Baltimore Oriole. Yesterday added Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush (significantly late) and Solitary Sandpiper. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 09:34:28 -0500 From: Debbie Waters <dwat...@hawkridge.org<mailto:dwat...@hawkridge.org>> Subject: Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival, May 15-17 <forwarded by request> As a member of the steering committee, I'm pleased to announce that the = third annual Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival will be held Fri-Sun, May = 15-17, 2009 along the south shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin. For festival = information and registration, please visit our website: http://www.birdandnaturefest.com=20<http://www.birdandnaturefest.com=20/> The festival features over 100 field trips, presentations, workshops, = and youth programs on an incredible variety of topics, ranging from birds to = bears, fish to flowers, dragonflies to bats, fungi to frogs, and much more. This year's = keynote speaker is the great humorist and storyteller, Al Batt. Local legend = Dick Verch will also present on his 30+ years of Chequamegon Bay birding experience. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me (ryanbrad...@hotmail.com<mailto:ryanbrad...@hotmail.com>). Otherwise, tell your friends and I hope to = see you there! --------------------------- =A0 Ryan Brady Grand View, Bayfield County, WI http://www.pbase.com/rbrady<http://www.pbase.com/rbrady> ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 10:11:07 -0500 From: Elijah Parker <m...@elijahparker.com<mailto:m...@elijahparker.com>> Subject: Bird walk in Bloomington, Sat 8am Hello birders! I don't know if this is appropriate for this list or not, so please don't hesitate to correct me if not. My apologies if so! My wife and I will lead a simple, short bird walk starting at Moir Park (near Old Shakopee & Penn in Bloomington) at 8am this Saturday (5/9), so if anyone is interested please email me -- there will be a limit of about 12. It will last about 2 hours on the trails following Nine-mile Creek. It will be geared more for beginners, but of course anyone is welcome. A good chance to brush up on the basics and get into the spring migration. Here are a few of the birds in the last week or so (and I'm hoping for a lot more warblers by Saturday): Cardinal White-throated Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Wood Thrush Hermit Thrush Robin Blue Jay Flicker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Goldfinch Chickadee Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Yellow-rumped Warbler Palm Warbler Eastern Phoebe Easter Pewee Checklists will be provided. Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Morgan+Ave+S+%26+W+104th+St,+Minneapolis,+MN+55431+&sll=44.815512,-93.307502&sspn=0.015952,0.067635&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Morgan+Ave+S+%26+W+104th+St,+Minneapolis,+MN+55431+&sll=44.815512,-93.307502&sspn=0.015952,0.067635&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=16&iwloc=A> Thanks, Elijah & Jackie ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 09:18:41 -0700 From: Chad Heins <oduna...@yahoo.com<mailto:oduna...@yahoo.com>> Subject: Directions to Cobb River WPA Hey birders! A number of people requested directions to the Cobb River WPA. This WPA is relatively large (836 acres) and boasts a list of 183 species since I've been keeping track (Aug-2006). From Mankato take Hwy 22 south to Beauford. Beauford is where CR10 intersects with Hwy 22. Go east on CR10. If you turn south off of CR10 on 586th Avenue (about 1 mile east from Hwy 22), you will come to the western portion which consists of grasslands and wetlands (Bobolinks, Sedge Wrens, American Bitterns, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, LeConte's and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows during migration). The grassland/wetland complex extends east to the Cobb River and the floodplain forest at the center of the WPA. The forest is relatively inaccessible from the west side (unless you have good balance and like crossing muddy rivers over fallen trees). If you turn south off of CR10 on CR16 (a little east from 586th Ave), you will come to the eastern portion which consists of wetlands and restored tallgrass prairie. The eastern portion is broken into a couple of pieces which maycomplicate my directions a little bit. Two parcels are located on the west side of CR16. One has a small parking lot. This is the best access point in order to get to the woodland which can be spectacular during migration for passerine migration. Just follow the trail(s) and you'll find your way. The other smaller parcel is north of here and was just recently added. Essentially there is a pig farm and a field separating these two. I haven't explored this parcel much yet and know little about its possibilities. Another parcel is east of the above parcel and extends from CR16 to Perch Lake. This is where the shorebirding should be spectacular this spring. This has been or will be replanted to prairie by the USFWS. Right now it is wetlands with mud and abandoned soybean fields. This area can also be accessed from 597th Lane which extends north from CR4. Take CR16 south to CR4 and go east. Where CR52 intersects and goes south, 597th Lane goes north. This is a narrow gravel road and there is no turnaround per se. It has been very muddy this spring. Finally, the outlet for Perch Lake was just added to the WPA and this lies at the junction of CR16 and CR168. Both this wetland and the cropland to the north and south (of the wetland) are now part of the WPA. This area is pretty good for waterfowl, herons, and shorebirds in fall. I'm not sure what type of restoration will occur here but I'm assuming it will be restored to grassland/prairie of some sort. Incidently, if you are in the area you should also check out a significant CREP area to the northeast. Take CR168 east from CR16 to its junction with CR169. Before you reach this intersection you will see the lands to the north. The area can be viewed from both CR168 and CR169. Another CREP area can be found by taking CR16 north from CR10 and going west about a mile. This area is normally good for waterfowl, Northern Harrier, and Western Meadowlark. I hope that this is help to out-of-towners. If you do visit the WPA, please share your sightings with me. I am tracking bird sightings from this WPA and sharing my data with the USFWS to help with management of those lands. Any sightings are valuable. Thanks! Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 12:27:44 -0500 From: Craig <cbird55...@q.com<mailto:cbird55...@q.com>> Subject: Eagle cam I'm not sure if this was posted on here before but, if it was I = apologize for the double post. Eagle cam which I thought was kind of neat http://www.cbc.ca/bc/features/eaglecam/<http://www.cbc.ca/bc/features/eaglecam/> Craig Menze ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 10:33:41 -0700 From: Roger Schroeder <b...@rohair.com<mailto:b...@rohair.com>> Subject: Eurasian Collared-Doves - Lyon County New(?) locations for Eurasian Collared-Dove in Lyon County include: Tracy, MN (feeder near Morgan and 9th) Taunton, MN (West 4th and Lincoln) Minneota, MN (7th and N. Monroe) Garvin, MN (Polk and 3rd)=20 Roger Schroeder =20 ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 18:25:35 +0000 From: Tom Tustison <tomtusti...@hotmail.com<mailto:tomtusti...@hotmail.com>> Subject: Willets Hennpin County This morning there was a large flock of 47 Willets flying NW over Lake Calh= oun. =20 Tom Tustison _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail=AE has a new way to see what's up with your friends. http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/WhatsNew?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tut<http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/WhatsNew?ocid=3DTXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tut>= orial_WhatsNew1_052009= ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 11:49:17 -0700 From: Michael Hendrickson <mlhendrick...@yahoo.com<mailto:mlhendrick...@yahoo.com>> Subject: FOY Duluth Birds Park Pt: -Forester's Tern -Purple Martin * Harlequin Duck Thanks to Karl Bardon who spotted the duck yesterday and to Peder Svingen in letting me know where it was located. The duck is hanging around the boat launch area at the end of Park Point. * Surf Scoter hanging around in the same area in the small bay area with some scaup. Indian Pt Campground: -Catbird -Brown Thrasher -Rose-breasted Grosbeak -Yellow-rumped Warblers -Palm Warblers -Black & White Warbler -Common Yellowthroat -Ovenbird -Nashville Warbler Mike Mike Hendrickson Duluth, Minnesota Website: http://webpages.charter.net/mmhendrickson/<http://webpages.charter.net/mmhendrickson/> Blog: http://colderbythelakebirding.blogspot.com/<http://colderbythelakebirding.blogspot.com/> ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 13:55:47 -0500 From: Jim Mattsson <matt...@earthlink.net<mailto:matt...@earthlink.net>> Subject: 9-sparrow flock, Dakota Mid-day today (May 6), a nice mixed sparrow flock feeding at the entrance to the Spring Lake RP Archery Range unit on Pine Bend Trail: Lark Harris's White-crowned White-throated Chipping Song Field Clay-colored Vesper What, no Lincoln's??! Also, 12 warbler species. Jim Mattsson Eagan ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 14:24:08 -0500 From: Thomas Maiello <tho...@angelem.com<mailto:tho...@angelem.com>> Subject: Maple Grove Eagle Lake birding outings I will be going on daily birding walks for the next few weeks along the west and south sides of Eagle Lake just southwest of the intersection of HW 169 and I-694. Anyone interested in joining me, please contact me via email with times and days you are interested in. I will get back to you. I have ID'd over 120 species in these areas in the year and a half I have lived here - with many lifer warblers added to my list. Photography is usually very good especially in mid-May based on history. Please contact me if interested. Mid to late mornings and mid to late afternoons are best so far. But things change daily. Can't guarantee a fast email return everytime as I try to be out as much as I can in May. No special warblers yet. The number of species and especially the number of birds has been increasing over the last three days with, among the usual, many, many Palm Warbler practically walking over my feet, more elusive White Throated Sparrows, a few House Wrens, gobs of butter-butts and a lessening variety of water birds - most lately a raft of Ruddy Ducks hiding in the reeds only to be chased into my view by a goose. Toss in flickers, Swamp Sparrows, chippers, Song Sparrows in full aria, RC kinglets and simmer with warbler spices and viola! a viewing feast for royalty (that's us). Thomas Maiello Angel Environmental Management, Inc. Maple Grove, MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 14:29:41 -0500 From: Bruce Baer <saqq...@worldnet.att.net<mailto:saqq...@worldnet.att.net>> Subject: Parking lot sparrows BlankThe parking lot at the Old Cedar Avenue bridge had numerous species = of sparrows this early morning. White-throated White-crowned Harris's Song Swamp Clay-colored Lincoln's Chipping A Prothonotary Warbler has been on the logs since six-thirty this = morning in the pond just west of the parking log on the north side of = the trail. A Cape May Warbler was seen at the Bass Ponds. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 17:52:12 -0500 From: Thomas Maiello <tho...@angelem.com<mailto:tho...@angelem.com>> Subject: Maple Grove Eagle Lake Along dirt Zachary Lane on west side of lake FOYs Wilson's Warbler Black and White Warbler Baltimore Oriole Blue Gray Gnatcatcher Non-FOYs House Wren Bald Eagle White Throated Sparrows Palm Warbler Yellow Rumped Warbler Swamp Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Ruddy Duck Great White Egret Ringnecked Pheasant (scared me half to death taking off when I was a couple of yards away and didn't see it) Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Other residents Suspiciously missing Thrushes of any kind Barred Owl Thomas Maiello Angel Environmental Management, Inc. Maple Grove, MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 18:26:29 -0500 From: alyssa <tiger...@comcast.net<mailto:tiger...@comcast.net>> Subject: Am. Avocets (Hennepin Co.) There were 8 American Avocets on the west side of Long Meadow Lake (Bass = Ponds in Bloomington) from 4 and up until I left at 5:30.=20 The FWS has been drawing down Long Meadow Lake for a while, and it is = looking awesome for shorebirds. Other shorebird species seen include: -150+ Lesser Yellowlegs -Greater Yellowlegs -Solitary Sandpiper -Wilson's Phalarope -Killdeer I would not be surprised if there were more species, (I would actually = expect it), but the majority of them were on the south side, and the = heat waves didn't help much. Nonetheless, it's a good idea to keep an = eye on it. Strangely, there were only 3 warbler species (didn't relocate Bruce = Baer's Cape May.) There were 6 species of dabbling ducks as well. Other = FOYs include Warbling Vireo, Great-crested Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, = and Gray Catbird. A Barred Owl started calling to the north of the = parking lot as I was leaving. And of course, all other expected species = were seen. On a belated note, apparently a Yellow-headed Blackbird was seen at the = MVR Visitor Center feeder (Bloomington) on May 2nd. I didn't see any = while I was at Bass Ponds though. But I hear they are somewhat numerous = at the Rapids Lake NWR Visitor Center (in Carver, Carver Co.) Good birding! Alyssa DeRubeis Golden Valley, Hennepin Co. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 19:03:44 -0500 From: Donald Jones <dl7jo...@gmail.com<mailto:dl7jo...@gmail.com>> Subject: south minneapolis song birds Seen today (5/6/09) in the 3500 block of 34th ave s; Cedar Waxwings (at least 50 enjoying the left over hackberries) Yellow-rumped Warbler (at least a dozen) White throated Sparrow Chipping Sparrow American Goldfinch House Finch Half a million house sparrows Yesterday I requested info on getting rid of House Sparrows. Thank you to everyone who replied. The result was a near even mix of trapping and euthanizing them and finding non-lethal ways of chasing them away. The non-lethal responses were; getting a decoy owl, put out food that they won't or can't eat and making them as unwelcome as possible. One person suggested I put decoy food out away from the "good" stuff in another part of my yard. I have not made up my mind yet on the best solution so for now I will continue to remove their nests and chase them off. Thanks! Donnie Jones ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 20:33:51 -0500 From: Jim Ryan <muchmore...@gmail.com<mailto:muchmore...@gmail.com>> Subject: Lake Byllesby spring refill planned From the Dakota County Parks website: The annual refill of Lake Byllesby reservoir to the summer elevation is planned to begin on Thursday, *May 15 **or as soon after river flow conditions will allow.* In the fall, the reservoir level is lowered three feet to 853.7 feet, and remains there until May 15 when refilling to the summer elevation of 856.7 feet is permitted to start. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sets these levels, and according to a study, the winter drawdown lowers adjacent groundwater levels, which accommodates local agricultural needs. For more info, go here: http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/LeisureRecreation/News/SummerRefill.htm<http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/LeisureRecreation/News/SummerRefill.htm> -- Sincerely, Jim Ryan 651-308-0234 business cell -- Your life is what your thoughts make it. - Marcus Aurelius http://naturalobservations.blogspot.com/<http://naturalobservations.blogspot.com/> -- ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 22:58:10 -0500 From: Steve Weston <swest...@comcast.net<mailto:swest...@comcast.net>> Subject: About the Metro On Monday night when I drove up to the house on Quiggley Lake, I was = greeted by dueling Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers. One was on my neighbor's = house banging on the metal cover for his chimney. The other was on the = other side of the house, probably on a dead limb. After a while, the = one on the chimney cover moved down to one of my wood duck houses = (probably occupied by a some eggs, but not yet a hen), and the one on = the other side of the house moved up to the chimney cover. Tonight I grabbed my binocs when I heard a Nashville Warbler singing. I = could not find it as it headed deeper into the woods. A Mallard hen was = out with her seven new ducklings, and a Canada Goose was still on her = nest, but five gooslings were scurring about her. Other first were = Chimney Swifts and copes gray treefrogs. Dandalions are popping up in = the yard, along with strawberries and violets. Mostly I am noticing a = small white violets and very few of the larger purple and violet colored = violets. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN swest...@comcast.net<mailto:swest...@comcast.net> ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ End of MOU-NET Digest - 5 May 2009 to 6 May 2009 (#2009-108) ************************************************************ ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html