[mou-net] Long-eared Owl, Lauderdale, Ramsey Cty
Yesterday (Monday), I learned of a Long-eared Owl in Lauderdale. It was on private property with no public access. Marcie O'Connor got a couple of good photos, and posted them on her blog at http://aprairiehaven.com/uploads/img494ff14ea6335.jpg and http://aprairiehaven.com/uploads/img494ff1396ce78.jpg. Julian Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Fairmont CBC - Dec 20 Summary
For many of us, including both field parties, the Fairmont count ended when the wind came up at noon. Birds and white cars full of birders suddenly became much more difficult to see though the blowing snow as secondary roads began to accumulate snow drifts. Despite this, eight observers counting on Saturday came up with 33 species including one species new to the count; Herring Gull. Additional observers unable to participate on count day added Bald Eagle and a Red-Shafted Flicker (OK; not a species, but interesting) as Count Week sightings. In addition to Herring Gull; Horned Lark (333), American Goldfinch (86) and Pine Siskin(39) were seen in record high numbers. There were no big surprises, but birds missed in some years included; Rusty Blackbird (2), Lapland Longspur (1), Harris' Sparrow (1), and White-Throated Sparrow (3). Oddly enough; we completely missed Rough-legged Hawk from 1990-2004, but have recorded the species every year since. It may also be worth nothing that our six highest Northern Cardinal counts (42 this year) have occured in the past six years - certainly indicating a trend. Significant misses include; all owls, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Waxwings, Am Robin, and Grackle. Next year's count will be Dec 19, 2009. Brad Bolduan Windom Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Snowy Owl - MSP Airport
Spotted the Snowy Owl at 3:40 today. On top of the first light post on the right, after the first tunnel. Picture available on request. --- Get FREE High Speed Internet from USFamily.Net! -- http://www.usfamily.net/mkt-freepromo.html --- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Black Dog - Dakota County
Today 2:30 to 3:00 pm. 1 Rough Legged Hawk 1 American Tree Sparrow 1 Common Golden Eye (First Winter) 3 Hooded Mergansers (2 Female-1 Male) 1 Common Merganser (Male) 1 American White Pelican (Bad Shape) Buzz and Mary Graves --- Get FREE High Speed Internet from USFamily.Net! -- http://www.usfamily.net/mkt-freepromo.html --- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Pelican - Black Dog - Dakota County
East bridge at Black Dog Lake. I don't know if it's possible to do a rescue, but I Mary took a picture to show the sad shape this American White Pelican is in. It can't live long like this. Picture upon request... --- Get FREE High Speed Internet from USFamily.Net! -- http://www.usfamily.net/mkt-freepromo.html --- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Nicollet County
Late this afternoon as I came back to my St. Peter apartment from running a few errands I heard a harsh, raspy call that sounded like a sapsucker coming from one of the adjacent yards. My suspicion was confirmed as a juvenile Yellow-bellied Sapsucker flew up to a nearby apple tree and began feeding on the fruit. I have posted a photo of it on the MOU showcase page. I've heard of several reports of sapsuckers already this month...a few in the cities and two in nearby Sibley County (plus more I think I'm forgetting). This seems like more potentially overwintering sapsuckers than usual. But I suppose if they've already survived the recent frigid temperatures then they'll be all right for the rest of winter if they can find food. Bob Dunlap, Nicollet County Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] [mou-rba] Duluth RBA 12/23/08
-RBA *Minnesota *Duluth/North Shore *December 23, 2008 *MNDU0812.23 -Birds mentioned Harlequin Duck Long-tailed Duck Sharp-tailed Grouse Red-necked Grebe Cooper's Hawk Peregrine Falcon Thayer's Gull Glaucous Gull Snowy Owl Northern Hawk Owl Great Gray Owl American Three-toed Woodpecker Black-backed Woodpecker Boreal Chickadee American Robin Varied Thrush Cedar Waxwing Golden-crowned Sparrow Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll Evening Grosbeak -Transcript Hotline: Minnesota, Duluth/North Shore Date: December 23, 2008 Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) Reports: (218) 834-2858 Compiler: Jim Lind (jsl...@frontiernet.net) This is the Duluth Birding Report for Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. A total of 57 species was found by about 50 participants on the Duluth Christmas Bird Count on the 20th. A GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was seen on count day at 21 East College Street, although it has not been seen since early on the 21st. Other species of interest included a female-plumaged HARLEQUIN DUCK at the mouth of the French River, 11 LONG-TAILED DUCKS at Brighton Beach, COOPER'S HAWK, two PEREGRINE FALCONS, THAYERS GULL, GLAUCOUS GULL, and three SNOWY OWLS in the Duluth harbor, a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER along Norwood Street, a BOREAL CHICKADEE on the 2700 block of Greysolon Road, and a VARIED THRUSH at Charlotte Street and Eileen Avenue near the UMD campus. Record-high numbers of AMERICAN ROBINS, CEDAR WAXWINGS, and COMMON REDPOLLS were also seen on count day. The Two Harbors CBC on the 21st turned up 39 species including two RED-NECKED GREBES near Knife River and THAYER'S GULL and GLAUCOUS GULL at Two Harbors. Howard Weinberg has had an AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER and BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS in recent weeks at his home 487 Valley Road (CR 11), about three miles west of Two Harbors. Participants on the Sax-Zim CBC found a record-high 35 species on the 22nd. Four GREAT GRAY OWLS were seen at one time along the Sax Road (CR 28), 0.2 mile east of Stickney Road (CR 207). One was seen along the Nichols Lake Road (CR 232), 1.6 miles east of CR 7, and another was along the McDavitt Road (CR 213), 4.2 miles north of the Sax Road. Three NORTHERN HAWK OWLS were seen along the Sax Road between CR 7 and the Stickney Road, and another was seen along the McDavitt Road about 3 miles north of the Sax Road. Nine SHARP-TAILED GROUSE were found at CR 7 and Sax Road, and another was seen at Correction Line Road and CR 29. An AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER, a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER and a BOREAL CHICKADEE were seen along the McDavitt Road, 3.5 miles south of the Zim Road. Two BOREAL CHICKADEES and a HOARY REDPOLLS were seen at the deer-rib feeding station along the Admiral Road (CR 788) north of the Sax Road. Two other HOARY REDPOLLS were seen with flocks of COMMON REDPOLLS along McDavitt Road and along the Poplar Road away from feeders. EVENING GROSBEAKS were seen at the Morse feeding station along the Blue Spruce Road (CR 211), one mile north of CR 133, at the Abramson's feeding station on the Little White Face River Road north of CR 133, and at the intersection of the Dart Road and North Dart Road. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, January 1st. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. Information about bird sightings may be left following the recorded message. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum, e-mail us at m...@moumn.org, or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org. Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Point Douglas area Monday - Harlequin Duck and gulls
The St. Croix River at Point Douglas Park (MN, along US Hwy 10) was almost completely frozen when I visited early Monday afternoon. Likewise, there were only a few small areas of open water underneath the railroad bridge. However, all the birds previously reported from this area were still present in the wide open water viewable from the marina in Prescott, WI (viewed along Front St. a couple hundred yards south of the railroad tracks). Harlequin Duck (male) - in with a group of Goldeneyes on the far (west) side of the open water. Difficult to view given the thick steam rising over the water. The bird was likely in Minnesota waters. The below gulls were all viewed close in to the WI shoreline, but all flew over into MN airspace when a Bald Eagle approached: Great Black-backed Gull (1) - 1st cycle Lesser Black-backed Gull (1) -1st cycle Glaucous Gull (1) - 1st cycle Thayer's Gull (at least 2) - Adult Herring - several Not found by me, an Iceland Gull was also seen in this area by other birders. Scott Loss St. Paul Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Record breaking SAX-ZIM CBC/ 6 Great Grays & 4 N Hawk Owls, etc.
Monday, December 22, 2008Sax-Zim CBC (center at intersection of CR 7 and CR52) The thermometer bottomed out at minus-24 degrees at sunrise...And rose to minus-1 degree!18 to 22 inches of snow on the ground.Thirteen hardy souls braved the cold to scour the bog and turn up a record 35 species (Sparky, Dave, Pam, Jonas & Lars Benson, John Hyde, Fud Evans, Sandy Roggenkamp, Ken Zimmer, Mike Hendrickson and Tony Hertzel)...Some even on foot and snowshoe (Josh Yokel and friend) HIGHLIGHTS:6 Great Gray Owls Four (!) visible at one time by Dave Benson and family along Sax Rd (CR28) 0.2 miles E. of Stickney RdOne along Lake Nichols Rd. 1.6 mi East of CR7 (Mike Hendrickson and Sparky's group)One on McDavitt 4.2 mi N of Sax Rd (CR28) (The Bensons) 4 Northern Hawk-OwlsThree along Sax Rd. (CR28) between CR 7 to Stickney (two visible at one time by Tony Hertzel)One on McDavitt about 3mi North of Sax Rd (CR28) (the Bensons)The Benson's watched one grab an ermine (white winter form of a weasel) and swallow it whole! 3 Hoary RedpollsOne at Admiral deer-rib feeding station (The Bensons)One along McDavitt in a flock of Commons (Tony Hertzel)One along CR29 just West of Poplar Rd with flock of Commons (Tony) 1 Black-backed WoodpeckerOn McDavitt 3.5 miles SOUTH of ZIM Rd.on West side.(Note: also workings on E. side) 1 Three-toed WoodpeckerSame spot (same tree!) as above (Lars Benson) 3 Boreal ChickadeesTwo at Admiral deer-rib feeding station (Mike Hendrickson)One at Black-backed Woodpecker spot on W. side of McDavitt 9 Sharp-tailed GrouseEight near intersection of CR7 and Sax Rd (CR28) (Tony and the Bensons)One at intersection of Correction Line Rd and CR29 (Fud Evans) 5 Northern GoshawksMost since 1991! Scattered about the circle. 4 Black-billed MagpiesThree on CR 7 and one on Admiral just N of Sax Rd (CR28) 53 Evening GrosbeaksSurprisingly at several spots...Rare this winter.Feeder at intersection of Dart Rd and North Dart Rd.See Mike Hendrickson's post for other locations. 70 White-winged CrossbillsMany small flocks in many locations...Very common...Just pish loudly in areas of spruces with cones. Also...5 Adult Bald Eagles1 Common Grackle (first since 1990)12 Gray Jays25 Bohemian Waxwings50 Snow Buntings5 Red Crossbills212 Common Redpolls31 Pine Siskins Misses...No Rough-legged Hawks (snow cover too deep)No GoldfinchesSparky Stensaas 2515 Garthus Road Wrenshall, MN 55797 218.341.3350 cell sparkystens...@hotmail.comwww.stoneridgepress.comwww.kollathstensaas.comwww.sparkyphotos.com _ Life on your PC is safer, easier, and more enjoyable with Windows Vista®. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/127032870/direct/01/ Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] p.s. on golden-crowned sparrow (duluth)
Hello, I would like to provide some more detail on the golden-crowned sparrow which came to my backyard this past week in Duluth. I first saw a sparrow (probably THE sparrow, but I am not certain) in a snowstorm on Sunday, December 14. I only had a brief and obstructed view of the bird at the time: I was able to make out its bi-colored beak and clear breast, and thought that it could be an overwintering am. tree sparrow. I was not at home during daylight hours during the week so I did not see the bird again until mid-morning on Saturday, December 20. It was, at this time, that I finally had a good look at the bird and realized that it might be something out of the ordinary. I photographed the sparrow that morning, and sent an image to two individuals who post to this list, asking if I might indeed have a golden-crowned sparrow. Shortly afterwards, I called Kim Eckert for his advice. As you might have read in his earlier post, Kim contacted several members of your group, the sighting was confirmed later in the day by two of them, and Kim was kind enough to post the details to this list that evening. The bird spent much of Saturday eating safflower from a feeder on our back porch although it occasionally spent time on the ground below a feeder (sunflower) in the middle of the yard. I saw the bird again briefly on Sunday morning (Dec. 21) between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. when it made several attempts to eat from the porch feeder. Unfortunately, winds were very strong during the morning, and the bird appeared to be swept away any time that it tried to take seed from the tray of the feeder. I am continuing to keep an eye out, and will be sure to post again if the bird returns. I enjoyed meeting several of you over the weekend, and am sorry that so few had the opportunity of seeing this great bird. Best wishes, Brad Snelling _ It’s the same Hotmail®. If by “same” you mean up to 70% faster. http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_broad1_122008 Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Lincoln's Sparrow
There is a Lincoln's Sparrow that appears to be overwintering in my New Hope yard. Photos can be seen here: http://picasaweb.google.com/lynne11899/LincolnSSparrow Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
