[mou-net] Gallery pics
I put some bird pics on the MOU gallery - Ecuador section. One week in Ecuador with Tropical Birding Inc - Andean Intro tour. Good birds - lots of rain and washed out roads caused some problems. Lighting for photography was mostly atrocious - camera screaming for more light. http://www.moumn.org/gallery/index.php?region=EC 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] Reposting Long-tailed Duck records
Apologies for the hard to read formatting in my recent posting. SR=Seasonal Report in The Loon. Here are the data arranged in columns: count -- date -- location -- reference. 1000s fall 1948 17 mi NE Grand Marais Abbott, SR 21:115 1,000+ 12-Feb 1961 Tofte-Grand Marais, Cook County Green 1975 800 12-Feb 1950 near Cascade River S.P., Cook County Barrett 1950 750 19-Feb 1949 Cook County Hayward 1949 700 Feb 1948Gooseberry Falls S.P., Cook County Hayward 1949 700 Feb 1948near Two Harbors, Lake County Hayward 1949 500 appr. 25 Dec 1952 within 20 mi of Grand Marais Hanlon et al., SR 25:39 452 8-Dec 1999 Cascade River to Hovland, Cook County Bardon, SR 72:146 348 16-Dec 1995 Grand Marais CBCSR 68:146 300+late Dec 1984 Cook County Hoffman, SR 57:124 300 28-Nov 1981 Cook County LaFond, SR 54:117 300 11-Nov 1965 Cook County Allin, SR 38:49 250 15-Feb 1964 3 locations, Lake County Green, pers. records 250 2-Jan 1960 Duluth CBC fide G. Kuyava Flicker 32:83 233 28-Dec 1956 Grand Marais CBCFlicker 30:95 232 6-Mar 2009 Stoney Point, St. Louis County Svingen, SR * -- Peder Svingen Duluth, 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
[mou-net] 232 Long-tailed Ducks at Stoney Point, St. Louis County
Earlier this week, nearly all of Lake Superior was covered with ice as shown at: http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.cgi/modis?region=s&page=1 Balmy temperatures and west winds today created open areas of water along the North Shore, which helped concentrate waterfowl in a few areas. Late this afternoon, I was fortunate to find no fewer than 232 Long-tailed Ducks on Lake Superior off Stoney Point, St. Louis County. The birds were initially in two large flocks which eventually coalesced into one noisy, bobbing raft of bathtub toys. Their loud vocalizations were easily heard from a distance of 1/4 mile. This is by far the largest flock of Long-taileds that I have seen in the Duluth area. Jan Green kindly supplied a compilation of records of this species from the North Shore and I combined those records with high counts from Karl Bardon's Occasional Paper from several years ago. As most of you know, the highest counts of Long-tailed Ducks in Minnesota are from Cook County. As far as I can determine, only one previous count from St. Louis County exceeds my total from today -- 250 on the Duluth CBC, 2 Jan 1960 (Flicker 32:83). There is also a count of 397 Long- taileds during a winter count from Fond du Lac (St. Louis County) to Knife River (Lake County), 2 January 1956 (Flicker 28:159). It is unknown whether either of these two totals consisted of single flocks, and the latter count may have included birds from two different counties. Here are the counts of ≥ 230 birds from these sources. I thank Jan Green and Karl Bardon for compiling these data. 1000s fall 1948 17 mi NE Grand Marais Abbott, SR 21:115 1,000+ 12-Feb 1961 Tofte-Grand Marais, Cook County Green 1975 800 (one of 17 flocks in two days) 12-Feb 1950 near Cascade River S.P., Cook County Barrett 1950 750 19-Feb 1949 Cook County Hayward 1949 700 Feb 1948 Gooseberry Falls S.P., Cook County Hayward 1949 700 Feb 1948 near Two Harbors, Lake County Hayward 1949 500 appr. 25 Dec 1952 within 20 mi of Grand Marais Hanlon et al., SR 25:39 452 8-Dec 1999 Cascade River to Hovland, Cook County Bardon, SR 72:146 348 16-Dec 1995 Grand Marais CBC SR 68:146 300+ late Dec 1984 Cook County Hoffman, SR 57:124 300 28-Nov 1981 Cook County LaFond, SR 54:117 300 11-Nov 1965 Cook County Allin, SR 38:49 250 15-Feb 1964 3 locations, Lake County Green, pers. records 250 2-Jan 1960 Duluth CBC fide G. Kuyava, Flicker 32:83 233 28-Dec 1956 Grand Marais CBC Flicker 30:95 232 6-Mar 2009 Stoney Point, St. Louis County Svingen, SR * -- Peder Svingen Duluth, 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
[mou-net] Boreal Owl - Grand Marais
Today around 1:30 pm, Don Brown and I enjoyed viewing a healthy Boreal Owl at the feeder of Gine Meissner near Grand Marais. The owl was extremely cooperative and has been there daily since Sunday. Gine not only went out of her way to help us see the bird, but she has graciously allowed me to post her owl and contact information should anyone want to give it a try. The owl has been there at different times but is most consistant near dusk. Gine's phone number is 218-370-8189 and her email address is gin...@boreal.org Thanks also to Bruce Stahly for helping make this contact happen. We also saw a flock of 40-50 Bohemian Waxwings (and one Evening Grosbeak) off of Shagawa Rd in Ely. We found 20 Evening Grosbeaks on Lake County 2 at what must be the first residence south of FR 11. I should have also mentioned the Northern Shrike on the very south side of Ely that I believe we viewed from Wilson Street yesterday afternoon. -- Shawn Conrad http://users.2z.net/itasca_chippewa_birding/ 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] Duluth, MN: spring raptor count 2009
Hi folks, We're excited to announce that Karl Bardon has once again joined us--this time as official counter for the SPRING raptor count in Duluth! WEST SKYLINE HAWK COUNT The birds fly south in the fall, so they must fly north in the spring, right? Yes! However, they are not found at Hawk Ridge in the spring because of its location on the NORTH side of Lake Superior. Instead, the SPRING COUNT takes place further to the southwest, although still in Duluth. Here's the skinny on the spring migration: The count starts toward mid-March and continues DAILY through the end of May. Timing of species, as you can imagine, is the reverse of what it is in the fall. The first arrivals in the spring are the EAGLES, both bald & golden, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. Not long after that the RED-TAILED HAWKS arrive. BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS begin showing up in April. Here's the peak for each species (high counts listed): Eagles: around March 25 (Bald: 400-500/day; Golden: 10/day) Rough-legged Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 75/day) Red-tailed Hawks: April 10-20 (1,000-2,000/day) Broad-winged Hawks: May 1-10 (3,000-4,000/day) Sharp-shinned Hawks: April 10-20 (up to 450/day) Raptors flying north through our area in the spring are a little more spread out...we don't have as great of a natural funnel for northward migration as we do at Hawk Ridge for the southward migration in the fall. In the spring, smaller birds such as Sharp-shinned Hawks and American Kestrels tend to stay down along the shore, out of range of our counters. The Northern Goshawk route is a bit of a mystery for now--our highest number for goshawks in one day during the spring is four. What about weather? SOUTH or SOUTHWEST winds are best for big numbers of northward migrating raptors. I am happy to report the following: these are usually days with beautiful weather! WEST winds are also good, and the counters report that there are birds "on any wind". Birds are on a mission in the spring: Get To Nesting Territories! This means they're not taking their time waiting for perfect migrating weather. Numbers are, however, greatly reduced in inclement weather such as fog, snow, rain, sleet, or hail. Another spring advantage? GREAT looks! The cold ground doesn't promote the development of huge thermals, so the birds are generally much lower, riding updrafts along the ridge instead. The ground doesn't warm up until late May, so until then the birds will be quite low. Previous counters have reported Bald Eagles within 40 feet of them, riding the updrafts along the ridges! WHERE is the spring count? Good question! The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind. In S, SW, SE, N, NW or W winds: Enger Tower. Directions: From I35N, take the Mesaba Ave Exit in Duluth, and follow Mesaba to a left turn onto Skyline Parkway before Central Entrance. Continue on Skyline to a pullout overlook just below Enger Tower. (You'll come to the Enger Golf Course if you go too far) If you don't see anyone there with binoculars, try the Thompson Hill site. In NE or E winds: Thompson Hill. Directions: On I35S from Duluth, take the Boundary Ave exit. Take the immediate left onto West Skyline Parkway as if going to the Thompson Hill Rest Stop. Drive past the first rest stop entrance to the overlook directly below the rest stop. (You'll come to the second rest stop entrance if you go too far) What ACTIVITIES are going on during the spring count? Counting is the only activity taking place at the spring watch site. Unless busy, the counter(s) will be able to point out "viewable" birds. It can be a great time, especially for those NOT new to hawkwatching. If you're a beginner, however, I highly recommend visiting Hawk Ridge during the fall to take advantage of the services of the volunteers and naturalists. Click here (http://www.hawkcount.org/month_summary.php?rsite=543) to keep an eye on the spring count numbers. The numbers are updated on a regular (usually daily) basis. They are also posted at our hawkridge Yahoo! group when updated. For information on joining the hawkridge group, visit here: http://www.hawkridge.org/about/news.html. Please contact me with any questions! Happy hawkwatching, Debbie Debbie Waters Education Director Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory P.O. Box 3006 Duluth, MN 55803-3006 218.428.3539 dwat...@hawkridge.org www.hawkridge.org Bringing kids and birds together. Over 7,000 times in 2008. Become a MEMBER and support our educational efforts! "I'm an early bird and I'm a night owl, so I'm wise and I have worms." - Michael Scott, The Office 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] Common Redpoll still in Arden Hills
45 degrees and we still have 30+ Redpoll visiting our Arden Hills feeders. They have been here daily since Feb 6th with some days as many as 400+. Several pictures posted at http://picasaweb.google.com/bnwilson6624/BackyardBirdingFebruary2009# and video at http://picasaweb.google.com/bnwilson6624/CommonRedpollVideo#. --- Ben Wilson 1188 Benton Way Arden Hills, MN 55112 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] Live From Freeborn County
A small contingent of Rusty Blackbirds spent a short time in my yard yesterday. They were just the ticket to help me in my efforts to overcome an addiction to looking for black ice. Al Batt Here in Hartland **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219957551x1201325337/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62) 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] prescott WI
Wondering if anything interesting is being seen in Prescott/Hastings area of late. I'm thinking of going searching for the grey partridge and wanted to take in any other birds of interest while I'm down that way. Ben 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] Freeway I-35W Lino Lakes Eagles
A pair of Eagles can be seen sitting on or near the nest that is visible in a large cottonwood (?) tree to the east of I-35W in Lino Lakes. This is just north of Peltier Lake (in the large marshy area) approximately 2 miles south of the I-35 split into 35E & 35W. This nest has been occupied for many years now. The Eagles have been in the area most of the winter. They sit/roost either in the tree or on the power poles just to the S of the nest tree. Holly Peirson Columbus, Anoka Co. 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] Robins in Forest Lake, Washington Co.
Thursday AM there were quite a few Robins in the bushes next to the Forest Lake High School parking lot. Small flock, perhaps 5-10. Ah, Spring! Holly Peirson Columbus, Anoka Co. Have been feeding quite a nice mixed flock of siskins and goldfinches for the last couple of months... 50 +/- birds a day descend upon the nyger feeder. It doesn't LOOK like that many until I let the dog out and the rest fly up from whatever tree branch they've been resting on! 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] Highway 36 & 61 eagles
The eagles have rebuilt the nest in the tree along Highway 36 at 61 (by Keller golf course, Ramsey County) and have been sitting on the nest for the last couple weeks at least. It is nice to see them back. I have not seen anything posted about this pair so thought I'd put out an update. Gail Gail Wieberdink wiebe...@comcast.net 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] MOU RBA 6 March 2009
-RBA *Minnesota *Minnesota Statewide *March 6, 2009 *MNST0903.06 -Birds mentioned Wood Duck Barrow's Goldeneye Great Blue Heron Townsend's Solitaire Varied Thrush Golden-crowned Sparrow Red-winged Blackbird -Transcript Hotline: Minnesota Statewide Date: March 6, 2009 Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) http://moumn.org Reports: (763) 780-8890 Compiler: Anthony Hertzel (axhert...@sihope.com) This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, March 6th 2009. There is very little to report this week. In Duluth, the immature GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was seen again today at 21 East College Street. Also in Duluth, the male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was still at Canal Park on the 5th. A GREAT BLACK-BACKED-GULL was seen there as well. A VARIED THRUSH has been at a feeder in the town of Dellwood, Washington County since the 27th, at 13 Doral Road. A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was still at the Ann Lake/Sand Dunes campground in Sherburne County on the 2nd. A few additional migrants have been reported, including WOOD DUCK, GREAT BLUE HERON, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, March 12th 2009. 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] Great Blue Heron, Houston Co.
One GBHE at Wildcat Creek delta along Hwy 26 south of Brownsville, Houston Co. March 5. Pool 8 of Miss. R. still largely covered by ice & snow. This will change fast & soon. Fred Lesher LaCrosse, Wis. 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] Golden-crowned sparrow (Duluth)
Another brief appearance in our yard between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. today. As elusive as this bird has been, it has now been seen in each of the past four months. Brad Snelling 21 College St. Duluth _ Express your personality in color! Preview and select themes for Hotmail®. http://www.windowslive-hotmail.com/LearnMore/personalize.aspx?ocid=TXT_MSGTX_WL_HM_express_032009#colortheme Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
