[mou-net] Raptor Species?
Hi All, Yesterday at about 2 pm I heard a very vocal group of crows from my home office. I went outside thinking they were mobbing a red tail or owl in the spruces in the side yard. As I left the house I saw the group of 6-8 crows harassing a large raptor. I only got the briefest of looks but the raptor had a crow in it's talons! I jumped into the car and tried to relocate the birds to no avail. I live just 2 short blocks from Lilydale park and the bluffs along the Mississippi in St. Paul and my guess is that they went straight into 1 of the many wooded areas. My question is - What local raptor would take a crow? As I said, all I really got a glimpse of was the crow in the talons as the group disappeared behind the tree line. Just the impression of white(or light-colored) belly. I can't ever remember seeing a bird of prey with a crow. Any ideas as to species?Just curious. _ The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendarocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_5 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] Carver County
Usually I have pretty good luck.Today, not so much. Or we are far enough along into spring that my birding standards have changed, and what I considered to be a great day 3 weeks ago is now just kinda lackluster. The Cinnamon Teal and Blue-winged Teal were nowhere to be seen along Salem Ave.The farmer was working the fields with his tractor this morning so that may have had something to do with it, and a large construction vehicle went by scaring the few things that were around. All the Bonaparte's Gulls have left with only a few Ring-billed remaining. I only noticed a single Greater and a single Lesser Yellowlegs in that area. In a field along Post Rd. there were 9 Pectoral Sandpipers with a Wilson's Snipe(also seen in field along Cty. Rd. 50). Rapids Lake MVNWR wasn't overly active this morning(or I just didn't hit the right spot).3 American Woodcock were right along the loop trail. I got a 2nd hand report of the first Palm, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lark, and Henslow's Sparrow over the last week at the refuge, but I didn't see any of those today. Both Yellow-rumped Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet were less numerous this morning. The only lingering waterfowl in the area were Gadwall, Shoveler, and Lesser Scaup. More Ruddy Duck have moved onto Winkler Lake, and there are now 5 Red-necked Grebes on Assumption Lake. 3 Sora were at Spring Peeper Meadow earlier in the week. Yellow-headed Blackbird returned to Chevalle wetlands earlier in the week and were at Rapids Lake today. I only saw Eastern Meadowlark at the refuge this morning but a Western Meadowlark has been in a similar location for the past week northeast of Assumption Lake. _ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2 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] New MOU Field Trip
New MOU field trip: South Metro Beyond We'll start out in the Minnesota River Valley, then move to Murphy-Hanrehan, prairie areas in rural Dakota County, and more. Possible species include Bell's Vireo, Acadian Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, Prothonotary/Hooded/Cerulean Warblers, and Henslow's Sparrow. Trip is Saturday June 12, meeting at 7:00 AM. Further details available upon request. Contact Matt Dufort at zelodo...@gmail.com For other field trips, check www.mounmn.org/trips/html The Sherburne Aitkin trips are currently full. Thanks! Al Schirmacher, Field Trip Chair 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] Bald Eagle in St. Paul.
Good afternoon, A bald eagle was at about 100' above Shepard Road at about 10a. Flying ESE between Alton and Homer s/he was joined by another bird over the bluffs above Crosby Park. I'm not sure of the other bird, but it had a similar size and shape. I'm not an expert in identification, however, all the characteristics in Peterson's were there: white hood, white tipped wings, yellow beak, wings extended, not bent. Right size too. Lee in 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] Cinnamon Teal present as posted
Linda Whyte just texted : Cinnamon Teal Present as Posted 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] Prairie Chicken Festival in central Wisconsin
Two of us attended the Prairie Chicken Festival in central Wisconsin, near Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids, on April 17-18. From a blind, we were able to see prairie chickens displaying on the booming ground. What a thrill! As I understand it, the season for displaying is nearing the end. However, you may want to contact Carl Flaig, 714-570-0782, who is a farmer who has private blinds. He is very helpful. This website is: http://www.prairiechickenviewing.com/ The website for the festival is: http://www.goldensandsrcd.org/pcfest/index.htm Next year the days are April 15-17, 2011. Rosie from 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] Cinnamon Teal and shorebirds, Carver Co.
Hi all, The Cinnamon Teal was still in the drainage ditch along Salem Ave this afternoon at 5:00. There are quite a few flooded fields in the area, with a few ducks and a lot of shorebirds. Solitary Sandpiper and Snipe were in the flooded corn field near where the teal was hanging out. Further south on Salem Ave, a field on the east side of the road, just north of County Road 50, had at least 80 Greater Yellowlegs, 30 Lesser Yellowlegs, and 60 Pectoral Sandpipers. Another flooded area, on the south side of CR 50 just west of CR 41, had 40+ Pectoral Sandpipers. Both of these spots looked very promising for other shorebird species, but I was in a hurry and didn't have much time to scrutinize them. Matt Dufort Minneapolis Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
