This is awesome. My daughter and I were out at the Lilly Preserve Sunday morning and also recorded over 30 species, though a dozen or so different than your list. For instance, no red-headed. But we did see a scarlet tanager.
Mike Koutnik On Tue, May 14, 2024 at 12:35 PM linda whyte < 0000004e7b0e779a-dmarc-requ...@lists.umn.edu> wrote: > At Rachel Lilly Preserve this morning, a Red-headed Woodpecker was scouting > the recently burned main prairie, to the delight of the St. Paul Audubon > group I was leading. Originally, it was spotted in the oak trees on the > west side of the stream before flying off. At that point the walk was due > to end, so many folks headed back toward the cars, but a few stuck with me, > in hopes of better views and also an actual look at the vociferous but > elusive Brown Thrasher. The lingering birders were not disappointed on > either count. > Heading south parallel to the stream with the greening prairie on our west, > we were treated to repeated performances of the Red-Headed > Woodpecker's survey. It flew from one isolated shrub to another, seeming > to glean food from the slender trunks. Between trees, it would drop briefly > into the growing grasses; we couldn't have asked for more or better views. > Apparently, the recent burn made the habitat worth at least a visit by the > species, so kudos to Dodge Nature Center and its volunteers. > As for the Brown Thrasher, we did finally see it, on the south side of the > main prairie, bordering the north side of the lake. It flew from upper > canopy down into shrubs on the hillside, where it was joined by another, > possibly a mate. Meanwhile, we had seen more waterfowl from the lake dock, > which had Wood Ducks, as well as Blue-winged Teal. > As with the Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Tennessee Warbler, > and Common Yellowthroat, the Thrasher was only briefly viewed, though often > heard. More cooperative species included Indigo Bunting, Olive-sided > Flycatcher, Eastern Wood Pewee, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Bluebird, > American Redstart, Tree Swallow, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Gray > Catbird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and Wild Turkey. There were flyovers by > Bald Eagle, Broad-winged Hawk, Green Heron and, for the last few birders, > American Pelican. Some species were heard only, like Eastern Phoebe, Yellow > and Chestnut-sided Warblers, Nashville and Tennessee Warblers, and Red-eyed > Vireo. > There were other, more common and expected, species noted as well, bringing > the species total to over 30. Thanks to the great group of birders, who > made this hike so productive and fun ! > Linda Whyte > > ---- > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social > distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. > -- Mike Koutnik Mobile: 612-963-5551 m.a.kout...@gmail.com LinkedIn: mkoutnik ---- General information and guidelines for posting: https://moumn.org/listservice.html Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.