Re: [mou-net] Birder vs golfer, park point saga.....
Nice story. I was at the beach in CA last year and there were some kids throwing rocks at the local Willets. I informed them that San Clemente was a designated bird refuge (not a lie). I also told them that the bird was rare (a little white lie). They stopped throwing the rocks and scampered off. I don't think that they cared at all about the bird but they were just confused and scared that another beachgoer would actually protect them. Either way, I saved the Willets from further unneeded harassment on the crowded beach. I also saw an article in the Duluth News Tribune last weekend about a Kansas tourist visiting Laguna Beach, CA that had been fined $275.00 for assaulting a Heermans Gull. The man apparently beat the gull with a stick for eating his wife's fallen ice cream cone. The gull received a broken wing and later had to be euthanized. The man is now claiming that the gull attacked his wife's head and that is what caused her to drop the ice cream. Witnesses are contesting his testimony. I would love to fly out to CA to personally contest him having formerly worked at an ocean institute as a science teacher (not that this makes me an expert of any sort, but still). A Heermans Gull would be one of the last of the gull species to actually attack a human and I would be highly surprised if any gull would do so. I hope this man losses much more than the $275.00 in further court fees and losses his case. Happy Birding, Jason Caddy Minneapolis j.ca...@hotmail.com > Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 18:16:17 -0400 > From: sc...@aol.com > Subject: [mou-net] Birder vs golfer, park point saga. > To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU > > After working midnights last night I convinced myself it might be a good > idea to buzz Minnesota Point, (Duluth), to see if any birds were about. > Upon reaching the soccer field at Park Point at around 8AM, I immediately > noticed two BLACK BELLIED PLOVERS, two AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS, and one > RED KNOT...Okay, it was a good idea to buzz the point! There was also > a man golfing on the soccer field. Well, I began my approach at the > birds, they are beautiful creatures, particularly in their breeding plumage, > and > one of the american golden plovers was in fantastic breeding plumage. > Things were going well and I was getting a great fix of shorebirds. There is > little else as rewarding for me as crawling on my stomach towards some > amazingly dressed shore birds, might look weird, but I love it and it's a > great > way to get close. Unfortunately the golfer was not impressed. I was quite > aware that he continued to loft balls in my general direction, he also came > close to hitting the red knot at one point. No matter, if the birds were > willing to take their chances, I was willing to take mine. Finally the > golfer had enough and made his way towards me, with purpose! I could sense a > certain tension in the air... :) The golfer approached and asked if I > realized how close he had come to hitting me with his golf shots. I in turn > considered asking the golfer if he realized how close he had come to nailing > one of the more endangered and drastically declining shorebird species in > North America. The thing about it was this, the golfer was clearly in an > agitated state, I could have taken his pulse by watching his temples throb > :) He was also more muscularly endowed than I was, and he had a golf club, > I had a camera...So, I did my best to smile and look preoccupied and > made some mention about looking at birds and how I had not noticed him > hitting > golf balls towards us :) This was clearly all he wanted to hear. He > knew I was focused on the birds and had clearly not considered how dangerous > it might be to cross the path of his golf ball's trajectory. He returned to > golfing, I returned to birding. We were both passionate in our own > endeavors, there was no right or wrong, that area is a public space, for now, > until the city sells it for cash or something, but I digress! I considered > explaining what a shorebird gold experience he might have had if he only > put the clubs down and joined me in watching these amazing long distance > migrants, but there was a divide there between golf and birding, and it > clearly > was not going to be gapped. I cannot say enough about the plumage of the > american golden plover, so beautiful!! Later on in the day I also had > the extreme pleasure of meeting some well known birding legends at the point > who graciously let me look their awesome optical gear at the shorebirds and > an olive sided flycatcher, thanks legends! This left a great taste in my > mouth after meeting..."The Golfer!". > Regards, > Shawn Zierman. > > **An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy > Steps! > (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222377040x1201454360/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=
[mou-net] Park Point update
This evening, June 1, there were 3 Red Knots at the Park Point Recreation Area in Duluth. One of these was still on the ballfield (as Shawn Zierman had seen this morning), along with 1 Am Golden-Plover and 2 Black-bellieds, and 2 more Red Knots were on the beach just N of the bath house. Peder Svingen also told me he had seen a few Whimbrels earlier today along the Sky Harbor airport runway. Kim Eckert Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Re: [mou-net] Mocker in Stilwater
?Greetings - The N. Mockingbird was on location at 7pm tonight. Thanks Barb & Denny! That was my second try, the first being the other morning. With regards, Mark S Citsay, Washington Cty, Lake Elmo -Original Message- From: Dennis and Barbara Martin To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Sent: Sun, 31 May 2009 5:53 pm Subject: Re: [mou-net] Mocker in Stilwater Refound the mockingbird this PM. Goodwill is on the east side of Lowes on 36, about 1/2 mile east of Stillwater Blvd. While we were there the mockingbird spent all its time in the housing developement to the south side of Goodwill. It favored the green light poles and the small planted spruce trees, as well as feeding on the ground With apparently no residents in the developement it is possible to see the bird with no traffic. Not an easy task in Washington County.? ? Denny? ? Dennis and Barbara Martin? Shorewood, MN? dbmar...@skypoint.com? - Original Message - From: "Robert Bystrom" ? To: ? Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 11:43 AM? Subject: [mou-net] Mocker in Stilwater? ? >A northern mockingbird was present this morning at and near the Stillwater >>Goodwill Industries driveway entrance just south of Hwy. 36. Also check >on >and around the adjacent electrical high line.? >? > Bob Bystrom? >? > ? > Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net? > Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.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? 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] Shorebirds in Kandiyohi County
Dan and Barbara Williams, who are visiting from Illinois, asked me to post this report of the shorebirds they found at Olson Lake WPA in Kandiyohi County. They reported that the total number of birds was about 3000. Included in the 20 species they saw were: 11 Hudsonian Godwits 1 Ruddy Turnstone 3 Sanderlings 7 Red-necked Phalarope 1 American Golden Plover 2 Black-bellied Plovers 4 Dowitchers - at least 1 or 2 were Long-billed Dowitchers In addition there was one Snow Goose, and one Greater White-fronted goose. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, 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] corrected Park Point plover/spring birds gallery
http://www.stoneridgepress.com/Newsletter35.htm Sparky Stensaas _ Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_BR_life_in_synch_052009 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] Park Point Pluvialis plovers & photo gallery
Duluth, MNPark PointLake Superior side of the Bath houseSat. May 30I, like Shawn Zierman, had the pleasure of spending a couple hours with a nearly adult plumaged American Golden Plover and two Black-bellied Plovers on the beach at Duluth's Park Point this weekend. But unlike Shawn, I had the beach to myself at 6am. [I think this is the second time in May that Shawn has had golf balls hit at him and the birds he was photographing!]I crawled on my belly to within 12 feet of the Golden Plover who basically ignored mesitting in the sand, preening, yawning. The Black-bellied wanted nothing to do with me...staying 50 yards beyond. But curiosity got the better of him and he eventually approached me! Here are some of the photos (and other spring birds..TX, SD, ND too) Sorry the header is screwed up.http://www.stoneridgepress.com/Newsletter35.htmEnjoy! Sparky Stensaas 2515 Garthus Road Wrenshall, MN 55797 218.341.3350 cell sparkystens...@hotmail.com www.stoneridgepress.com www.kollathstensaas.com www.sparkyphotos.com _ Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_BR_life_in_synch_052009 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] Birder vs golfer, park point saga.....
After working midnights last night I convinced myself it might be a good idea to buzz Minnesota Point, (Duluth), to see if any birds were about. Upon reaching the soccer field at Park Point at around 8AM, I immediately noticed two BLACK BELLIED PLOVERS, two AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS, and one RED KNOT...Okay, it was a good idea to buzz the point! There was also a man golfing on the soccer field. Well, I began my approach at the birds, they are beautiful creatures, particularly in their breeding plumage, and one of the american golden plovers was in fantastic breeding plumage. Things were going well and I was getting a great fix of shorebirds. There is little else as rewarding for me as crawling on my stomach towards some amazingly dressed shore birds, might look weird, but I love it and it's a great way to get close. Unfortunately the golfer was not impressed. I was quite aware that he continued to loft balls in my general direction, he also came close to hitting the red knot at one point. No matter, if the birds were willing to take their chances, I was willing to take mine. Finally the golfer had enough and made his way towards me, with purpose! I could sense a certain tension in the air... :) The golfer approached and asked if I realized how close he had come to hitting me with his golf shots. I in turn considered asking the golfer if he realized how close he had come to nailing one of the more endangered and drastically declining shorebird species in North America. The thing about it was this, the golfer was clearly in an agitated state, I could have taken his pulse by watching his temples throb :) He was also more muscularly endowed than I was, and he had a golf club, I had a camera...So, I did my best to smile and look preoccupied and made some mention about looking at birds and how I had not noticed him hitting golf balls towards us :) This was clearly all he wanted to hear. He knew I was focused on the birds and had clearly not considered how dangerous it might be to cross the path of his golf ball's trajectory. He returned to golfing, I returned to birding. We were both passionate in our own endeavors, there was no right or wrong, that area is a public space, for now, until the city sells it for cash or something, but I digress! I considered explaining what a shorebird gold experience he might have had if he only put the clubs down and joined me in watching these amazing long distance migrants, but there was a divide there between golf and birding, and it clearly was not going to be gapped. I cannot say enough about the plumage of the american golden plover, so beautiful!! Later on in the day I also had the extreme pleasure of meeting some well known birding legends at the point who graciously let me look their awesome optical gear at the shorebirds and an olive sided flycatcher, thanks legends! This left a great taste in my mouth after meeting..."The Golfer!". Regards, Shawn Zierman. **An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222377040x1201454360/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=Jun eExcfooterNO62) 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] Blue Earth, Brown, Nicollet MOU trip report
Participants on the Blue Earth, Brown, and Nicollet MOU trip this past weekend found a composite total of 151 species. Here are the highlights: Saturday in Nicollet County -Western Grebes on Swan Lake -Black-crowned Night-Heron at Nicollet WMA -Dunlins and White-rumped Sandpipers at Nicollet WMA -Caspian Tern at Swan Lake -Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos at Seven-Mile Creek County Park - excellent looks at Yellow-billed pair near the second bridge going west from the parking lot on trail 1 -Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied, and Alder Flycatchers (latter two singing) at Seven-Mile Creek -Western Kingbird along CR 62 / 506th St. -Veery and Wood Thrush at Seven-Mile Creek -Connecticut Warbler at Seven-Mile Creek - EXCELLENT looks by all -Mourning and Canada Warblers at Seven-Mile Creek -Lark Sparrows at the gravel pits along 506th St. -Dickcissel singing along CR 62 / 506th St. Saturday in Blue Earth County -Western Grebes on Perch Lake -Peregrine Falcon flying over east side of Cobb River WPA -American Golden-Plover, Hudsonian Godwits, White-rumped Sandpipers, and Dunlins at Cobb River WPA -Franklin's Gull and Common Tern at Cobb River WPA Sunday in Blue Earth County -Kentucky, Mourning, and Blue-winged Warbler at Williams Nature Center Sunday in Brown County -Gray Partridge northwest of Sleepy Eye -Eared Grebes at Sleepy Eye sewage ponds -Sharp-shinned Hawk along CR 10 -Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, White-rumped Sandpipers, Dunlins, Wilson's and Red-necked Phalaropes at Sleepy Eye sewage ponds -Common Terns at Sleepy Eye sewage ponds -Eurasian Collared-Doves in both Comfrey and New Ulm -Wood Thrush along CR 10 -Cerulean, Mourning, and Canada Warblers along CR 10 -Scarlet Tanager along CR 10 -Henslow's Sparrow northeast of Comfrey Some of the group also relocated two Prothonotary Warblers near the Traverse Des Sioux Treaty Center in St. Peter late Sunday afternoon. Bob Dunlap, Nicollet County -- Bob Dunlap Naturalist, Linnaeus Arboretum Manager, Nobel Hall Greenhouse Gustavus Adolphus College 800 West College Ave. Saint Peter, MN 56082 507-933-7199 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] Aitkin
Nate & I will be leading the MOU Aitkin trip on Saturday 6/13, running from 7:30 to about 5:00 (optional afternoon portion). Certainly there are areas that must be covered - Rice Lake Refuge, CR 18 & 5 at the very least. CR 1 also makes some sense. But then there are multitudinous options. We would like to find the very best spots for the 23 who are signed up. Which areas might be best in the early summer, particularly for a group that has strong Twin Cities ties? All feedback greatly appreciated. (We do own a copy of the Risens' book on Aitkin County). Thanks! 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
[mou-net] Hooded Warbler - Carver County
This morning there was a singing Hooded Warbler on the Rapids Lake/Carver Trail at the Rapids Lake unit of the MVNWR. It's about half way along Rapids Lake where I put a three inch limb across the trail as a marker. It is a long walk if you are interested. Also in the are were Yellow-billed Cuckoo, two Mourning Warblers, Olive-sided Flycatcher, four Willow Flycatchers. 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] Cliff Swallow Site close Minneapolis
Doe anyone know of a good Cliff Swallow site close to Minneapolis? I am working on getting flight shots of swallow species in MN and would appreciate hearing about any close to town. Thanks in advance. Terry Terry Brashear Hennepin County, MN http://www.naturepixels.com birdnird AT yahoo.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
Re: [mou-net] Douglas Cnty Birds-- VARIED Bunting???
Is this merely a hurried typo, or was a Varied Bunting seen somewhere??? Thanks for any clarification. Drew Smith -Original Message- From: John P. Ellis To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Sent: Sun, 31 May 2009 9:31 pm Subject: [mou-net] Douglas Cnty Birds Was too late for the Varied Bunting on Friday and did not hear about the Brown Pelican? until a half hour ago. Had a good mix of shorebirds at the Osakis sewage ponds including 4 Red-necked Phalaropes, about 45 Dunlin, a Hudsonian godwit, a few Least, and several Semipalmated SP, 4 Stilt, at least one White-Rumped, and a Caspian Tern. At Douglas 15 and 56 there were 4 BB Plover, 1 Am. Golden Plover, several Semi-Palmated Plover, and 7 other species. Had a Black-billed Cuckoo near my cabin where two nested several years ago. John Ellis- 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 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] Olive-sided Flycatcher still present; Common Moorhens missed
Olive-sided Flycatcher still present at Kunkel WMA this morning (west of Princeton on 95), we are on the southern edge of their breeding range...? Black-billed Cuckoo feeding along the trail as well. Common Moorhens were not seen on Sherburne Refuge's Auto Tour on Saturday. Orchard Orioles and a late Wilson's Warbler were highlights. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Refuge Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
