[mou] She made it though the night!
Although this morning's temperature was 14 degrees, it got down to 6 last night before I went to bed. The hummingbird was at my feeder at 7:23 this morning. I'm obviously very concerned about her, and left the window to my office open for quite a while yesterday, just in case she happened to wander in... She did fly in for a few moments, circled the room giving it a once-over, but then headed back outside. Like Huck Finn, this little bird apparently does not want to be sivilized. Laura Erickson Duluth, MN NOTE address change: blue...@lauraerickson.com Producer, For the Birds radio program http://www.lauraerickson.com/ There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of birds. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature--the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter. --Rachel Carson
[mou] A comment on those Boreal Owl inquiries
Forward by Jim Williams, Wayzata Begin forwarded message: From: Dave DeReamus bec...@fast.net Date: December 3, 2004 12:46:20 AM CST To: birdc...@listserv.arizona.edu Subject: [BIRDCHAT] Fw: MN/Duluth RBA - December 2, 2004 Reply-To: Dave DeReamus bec...@fast.net Hi all, I read this and did a double-take. Note the part in parentheses. - Original Message - From: Minn. Ornith. Union David Cahlander d...@cbs.umn.edu -RBA *Minnesota *Duluth/North Shore *December 2, 2004 Over 300 BOREAL OWLS have been banded in northeastern Minnesota this fall, another astounding number. However, these were all birds that were netted at night, banded, and released immediately. I am aware of no other sightings of this species. Quite a few observers have written to me to ask (and in some cases, demand) that I 'fess up about where the boreals are. If a stake-out bird of this species is located, it will be reported as soon as possible. == Is that crazy or what? At first, I couldn't believe it, but then I thought about some of the situations that I've been put in in the past (rare birds on private property, etc.) and realized that it's becoming more and more expected, even if it is ridiculous for a birder(?) to act that way when they can't get to see a particular bird. What's nextpersonal threats made to the compiler if he doesn't fess up? As far as I'm concerned, any so-called birder who demands to know where a bird is should NEVER be told about ANY rare sightings since it's obvious that this person would do whatever it takes to see the bird. OK, I'm done venting now. Good Birding, Dave DeReamus Compiler of the 'Eastern PA Birdline' Easton, PA bec...@fast.net Eastern PA Birding Website: http://www.users.fast.net/~becard/index.html BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[mou] partial albino GGO
I have this article if anyone would like a copy. On Thu, 2 Dec 2004 byo...@aol.com wrote: Pentti Alaja and Heimo Mikkola have apparently published information about albinism in GGOW, but thus far I have unable to locate this information... Ben and Steve, Albinism in the Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa) and other owls by Alaja and Mikkola was published on pp. 33_37 in: Duncan, J.R., D.H. Johnson, and T.H. Nicholls (eds.). 1997. Biology and Conservation of Owls of the Northern Hemisphere. USDA Forest Service General Technical Report NC-190. The authors note that although total and/or incomplete albinism has been reported in 13 different owl species, the Great Gray is the only species of owl with more than five published records, as follows: 27 March into November 1994, Vesanto, Finland and probably the same bird (based on comparison of photos) 165 km farther north in March 1995 near Kajaani, Finland, incomplete albino (Blue Jay 52:228, Dutch Birding 1/95:19_20). (no dates) 1980 in Targhee National Forest, Idaho, followed by several observations between 1990 and 1992 in SE Idaho about 112 km from the Targhee N.F. site, male incomplete albino, mated with normally-plumaged female and raised normally-plumaged young (Blue Jay 53:197_199). (no dates) two or three partial albino Great Grays in Yellowstone N.P. seen by Terry McEneaney fide D.W. Holt (Canadian Field-Naturalist 109:121_122). prior to mid-1980s, five Great Grays with some abnormal white feathers noted by Herbert Copeland and Robert Nero among 300+ live and 80 dead Great Grays examined (Blue Jay 42:173_174). June 1990 near Norway House, Manitoba, incomplete albino (Blue Jay 49:31). December 1990 different incomplete albino north of Winnipeg (Blue Jay 49:32). The article includes photographs of the Finland and Idaho birds, defines all of the terms referred to above, and lists records of albinism in other species of owls. Based on this information, a note of interest in The Loon regarding the melanistic and albinistic Great Grays seen in Minnesota, especially if accompanied by photographs, would make a fine contribution to the world literature. --- Peder H. Svingen - psvin...@d.umn.edu - Duluth, MN ___ mou-net mailing list mou-...@cbs.umn.edu http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net -- Anthony X. Hertzel -- axhert...@sihope.com
[mou] GGOW shooting
I strongly suggest the birding community follow any developments in the shooting. In the 90's a friend of mine witnessed a GGOW shooting on the upper penninsula of MI. He followed through and had the man brought to court. I can't remember the details exactly, but it happened in this general manner. The jury was taking a few hours to deliberate. The judge called the jury out and said something to the extent of, this is ridiculous, this is over a bird, I want a decision. In spite of the fact that there was an eye witness to the shooting of a federally protected bird, the man responsible was found not guilty. The judge's attitude towards the case seems to have had a strong impact on the verdict. This is an account of the story I was told first hand from my friend who witnessed the shooting and took the man to court. I'm not saying this would happen again, but we can't take for granted that if the shooter is brought to court, justice will be served. Chris Neri
[mou] Temperature and the MN CBC
Looking for a CBC to do where you won't freeze you bins? The following locations have the highest average reported temperature on Count Day. _ Two Harbors 33.7 Mankato 32.6 LaCrosse-LaCrescent 30.7 Lamberton29.2 Rochester28.6 Fairmont 28.5 Morris 27.2 NW McLeod Co.26.4 Austin 26.0 Big Stone NWR25.8 Grand Marais 25.3 Excelsior25.2 Little Falls 25.2 New Ulm 25.0 _ Feeling Brave? Got fog-proof binoculars? Here are the CBCs in MN with the coldest average temperature. __ Warren: -4.3 F Isabella: -2.6 F Baudette: -1.8 F Long Prairie:0.5 F Roseau: 2.2 F Itasca S.P.: 2.3 F Hibbing: 2.4 F Beltrami Island: 2.5 F Duluth: 4.5 F Grand Marais:4.6 F __ And if you're feeling brave AND want to take your chances, the following list includes the Top 10 Coldest Recorded Temperatures of all MN CBCs. (NOTE: CY refers to the Nth Year for the Audubon CBC effort. CY 1 was conducted in 1900, therefore CY 74 was the 1973-74 CBC season.) __ Itasca SP: -42 F (CY 74) Aurora: -41 F (CY 81) Itasca SP: -38 F (CY 77) Hibbing: -35 F (CY 94) Roseau: -35 F (CY 93) Sherburne NWR: -33 F (CY 84) Aurora: -32 F (CY 84) Isabella:-31 F (CY 91) Itasca SP: -31 F (CY 79) Grand Rapids:-31 F (CY 84) Cedar Creek Bog: -31 F (CY 84) __ Can't forget about wind-chill in Minnesota. According to the revised wind-chill index formula (2001), the following events were conducted in the most severve temperature conditions... not for the faint of heart! _ Roseau: -68 (CY 93) Tamarac NWR: -64 (CY 90) Aurora: -60 (CY 84) Grand Marais: -60 (CY 44) Cedar Creek Bog: -58 (CY 68) Mountain Lake-Windom: -55 (CY 74) International Falls: -54 (CY 74) Cedar Creek Bog: -54 (CY 84) Grand Rapids: -54 (CY 84) Roseau: -53 (CY 91) Hibbing: -53 (CY 59) Warren: -53 (CY 82) St. Paul (NE suburb): -53 (CY 76) _ For those that can't get to the Tucson CBC, bundle up and keep that hot chocolate ready upon you're return. The Minnesota CBC... Still Counting after all these years.
[mou] Hawk owl- Chippewa county
One of those buggers finally got down this way! I have not seen this bird but it was reported from the refuge manager at Lac que Parle Wildlife Refuge as being present for the past several days. Directions are from the refuge headquarters, located on county road 33. From the headquarters go east on cty 33 for 1/2 mi Take a left (N) on 32 go down the hill and across the bridge The bird is about 1/2 mi past the bridge and has been hunting from power lines and power poles Again, I have not been here, so hope these directions make sense. Randy Frederickson Willmar P.s. Thanks to our local DNR guys for giving me/us a heads up!
[mou] bohemian waxwings and another ggow
Hello All, This morning around 8:15 my dad and I found another great grey owl along the grade less than a mile from the McDonald Lake access between their and the ball club road. It was perched on the edge of a large clear cut and allowed us great views. There was also a large flock of about thirty bohemian waxwings in Grand Marais. Good birding Josh Watson Grand Marais --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.802 / Virus Database: 545 - Release Date: 11/26/04
[mou] Hummingbird gone?
After the extremely cold night, the hummingbird came this morning at 7:23 and fed often while I was watching until 9:25. It's a cloudy day, but the temperature rose into the 30s, and it's supposed to be rather mild for several days. I had some errands to run, and returned at 11, but I haven't seen her at all since then, though I've been keeping close watch, as have some birders who drove a long way to see her. I'm disappointed they didn't get to see her, but with luck, she can cover a long distance today. Of course, if she doesn't find any food, she may well turn around and come back, so I'll keep the feeders out there and ready for her. But unless she shows up again, this will be the last hummingbird update. Laura Erickson Duluth, MN NOTE address change: blue...@lauraerickson.com Producer, For the Birds radio program http://www.lauraerickson.com/ There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of birds. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature--the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter. --Rachel Carson
[mou] Chippewa County Hawk Owl
Lac qui Parle Refuge Manager Dave Trauba has seen this bird three times since early November. The directions by Randy Fredrickson are correct. However, better directions are as follows: From the junction of Chippewa County Road 32 and MN Highways 7 and 59 (There are signs here directing you to the LQP Refuge Headquarters) go south on County Road 32 approximately 1/2 mile. This junction is located about 2 miles SE of the city of Milan. It is located in habitat that is anything but what is their normal habitat but as Dave pointed out some adjacent evergreen plantings make it LQP's equivalent to the boreal forest apparently. Because it is in marginal habitat, please show respect and give this bird plenty of room. Dave already has pictures of the bird for documentation. Hopefully, this bird will stick around until after the LQP Christmas Bird Count which is scheduled for December 22. John Schladweiler New Ulm
[mou] 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, L. Calhoun
Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls (one adult and one 2nd-winter) were roosting on Lake Calhoun (Hennepin Co.) Friday evening (3 Dec.). The 2nd-winter bird was present from at least 4:00 p.m. to dusk; the adult probably arrived about 4:30. Bruce A. Fall, Minneapolis
[mou] great gray owl, Cook Co.
One great gray owl sitting on a telephone cable across from Birch Grove School on Highway 61 in Tofte, Cook Co. about 1:30 p.m. Carol Jim Tveekrem Schroeder
