[mou-net] MOU trip report - South metro area

[Matt Dufort]

Hello all,

Eight hardy birders joined me Saturday morning for a long jaunt through 
the southern Twin Cities suburbs down into southern Dakota County in 
search of interesting breeding birds.  Despite rain off and on 
throughout the day, we had a fantastic day, with most of our target 
species being very cooperative.  The forest areas at Murphy-Hanrehan 
were quiet in the heavy rain.  Big surprises were American Bittern at 
Old Cedar Ave, Black-billed Cuckoo out in the shrubby grassland at Black 
Dog Preserve, and a singing Alder Flycatcher at Murphy-Hanrehan.


Here are some of the highlights:

Old Cedar Ave.
Wood Duck - tons; I counted 303 from the boardwalk
Gadwall - one male out on the marsh before the trip started
American Bittern - one dropped into the marsh along just north of the 
parking lot

cuckoo sp. - one flyby in the parking lot

Black Dog Preserve
Bell's Vireo - at least 3 males singing in the willow/sumac treeline
Black-billed Cuckoo - one very cooperative bird in brushy areas
Willow Flycatcher - 3-4 singing

Murphy-Hanrehan
Alder Flycatcher - one singing near the Horse Camp parking lot
Blue-winged Warbler - several singing west of Horse Camp parking lot
Henslow's Sparrow - one seen well, and ~5 singing, in the grasslands in 
the southwest part of the park (Matthew Schaut, one of the trip 
participants, recently heard some 15-20 Henslow's in this area)


UMore Park area at 155th St & Akron Ave in Dakota County
Dickcissel - many
Eastern Meadowlark

Randolph Industrial Park
Dickcissel - many, sitting up and singing
Bobolink
Grasshopper Sparrow - many, easily seen
Eastern & Western Meadowlark - both present, singing, in same binocular 
field


Other miscellaneous things
Loggerhead Shrike - pair with 3 fledglings along Fischer Ave near the 
start of the pavement (south of 180th St)

Bobolink - many at Laigle Ave in SW Dakota County
Sedge Wren - many, singing at most grassland sites
Clay-colored Sparrow - several sites, adults carrying food to nests
Savannah Sparrow - several sites, adults carrying food (caterpillars) to 
nests

Brewer's Blackbird - one male at 180th St marsh, only one seen all day


Good birding,

Matt Dufort
Minneapolis


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[mou-net] Hello from Oregon w/ loon photo ID help request

[Erik Bruhnke]

Hello everyone! This past weekend I camped along the Oregon coast, and had a
wonderful time. I recently sent out an email with a summary of the birds
that I found. One of the biggest personal highlights was locating and
identifying a Rhinocerous Auklet (observed from shore). They are stunning
little guys. I have so much more to share, but also had a request about
several photos I took of a loon. You'll find the details in the copy of what
I sent out to OBOL, the Oregon birding listserve (it's in the middle of this
email). Comments and thoughts are welcome as always. Oh and in case you want
to see my most recent addition of photos along the coast, go to this link,
and click next (it'll take you through my trips/adventures as they occur)
Enjoy :)
http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/125452927

Thanks for any help you can provide with the loon identification! So far
I've got one vote for Pacific, one for Arctic, and one vote for potential
juv Yellow-billed Loon. Good birding,
Erik Bruhnke

Cottage Grove, OR
NATURALLY AVIAN - Bird photography and guided bird hikes
www.pbase.com/birdfedr
birdf...@gmail.com



"This weekend was one of my most memorable weekends along the coast... I
left Cottage Grove about 4:45am saturday morning, and had some great looks
at a pair of Cinnamon Teal at the Elk-viewing area near Reedsport. I then
headed south towards Bandon, where I got perching shots and flight shots of
the Tufted Puffins, saw a Peregrine Falcon drift by, and observed the beauty
that is 'regular' around there, such as the Western Gulls, Glaucous-winged
Gulls, California Gulls, Pigeons Guillemots, Black Oystercatchers, Osprey,
etc.

I then headed south after spending most of the day at *Coquille Point* in
Bandon, and continued birdwatching at Cape Blanco yesterday afternoon. I
witnessed another Peregrine Falcon just drifting on by, at times pumping the
wings with great force as it cut through the wind. They are truly
incredible. On a side note, it's interesting noting how well certain raptors
cope with flying into a strong headwind. While working at Hawk Ridge back in
northern MN, most raptors have a relatively difficult time flying into a
strong northern wind during the fall migration, due to wing-structure,
aerodynamics, etc. Peregrine Falcons and Merlin in particular can just slice
through the wind, with what appears to be little efforts, whereas the buteos
and even accipiters tend to struggle a bit. Pretty cool! Oh and last night I
camped out at Sixes campground, and had Swainson's Thrushes singing all
over, a lone singing Western Wood-peweeand a Barred Owl sung me to sleep
last night.

This morning I headed straight to *Battle Beach* (I think it's called),
which is the beach adjacent to the Port Orford information center. Here I
had at least 3 species, potentially 4 species of loon!! Four Red-throated
Loons were seen as well as 3-4 Pacific Loons and a few distant Common Loons
as well. There was one loon in particular that stood out...

-When I first saw the bird, my impression was Pacific Loon due to the
elongated neck and gradually-curved head (not blocky like the Common Loon's
head).
-The bill size wasn't huge like a Common Loon's bill , however it was thick
and easily visible through the scope from the distance which the bird was
observed (I've noticed Red-throated Loons bills seem to almost dissapear
when viewed at great distances, as a result of their bill being so slender
and petite).
-When the wave motion was just right, I could see the loon's flanks/sides,
and the pale flanks contrasted with the folded wings.
-My overall impression of this bird is that it was too robust to be a
delicately-sized/proportioned Red-throated Loon, and as a result of the
slightly heavier bill and white flanks, my gut feeling was Arctic Loon. The
pictures don't represent the flanks as clearly as what I saw through the
scope. Also the sun was behind the bird, so the head looks extra
pale-silvery compared to what I saw at times.

Loon photos
http://www.pbase.com/image/125565916
http://www.pbase.com/image/125565924
http://www.pbase.com/image/125565982

Comments and feedback are appreciated with this one!

Throughout the rest of the day today, I birdwatched at the main overlook at
*Cape Blanco*, as well as throughout their several miles of trails. The
Evergreen Huckleberry and Oregon Irises are just gorgeous! Wrentits,
Stellar's Jays, Chestnut-backed Chickadees and some Pacific-Slope
Flycatchers were observed. Oh and two of my favorite (yet common birds)
American Robin and White-crowned Sparrow were observed as well. Both birds
have a spectacular song and are so radiant and just wow, such a beautiful
part of nature :) Along the trails were several 'bunches' of Red Crossbills,
which I heard but didn't see. Their song is a burst of sweet chatters, and
their call consists of 'krip - krip - krip' with varying amounts of 'krips'
per call phrase.

I birdwatched at Coquille Point today around noon, and on the drive home I
stopped at *Fe

[mou-net] Cook county last weekend

[stivl...@cpinternet.com]

My wife and I birded around Cook County the past few days
between showers and on mostly wet, slippery trails.  We were
not complaining, however, as the area had below average
snowfall last winter, lake levels are still low, and the
rain was most
welcome. The highlight was in the Bearskin Lake area,
thanks to the excellent guiding by Kate Kelnberger.  

Saturday:

Birds seen:

   At the Caribou Overlook by West Bearskin 

Black-throated Blue Warbler (several heard and one seen
briefly by my wife).
Canada Warbler
Black-and-White Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Bald Eagle
Song, Chipping Sparrows
Red-eyed Vireo
American Redstart
Least Flycatcher
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

  West Bearskin/Hungry Jack lake:

Northern Parula
Black-and-White Warbler
Northern Waterthrush

  Other items of interest:

Possible Pileated WP nest, a very large hole in a Norway
Pine.
A moose along the Gunflint (again spotted by my wife).
Red squirrel licking Sapsucker drillings.
Semi-tame crow, dubbed "Big Bird", visiting my friend's
feeders and "begging"
from the deck.

   Birds heard:  

 At the Caribou Overlook:

Swainson's Thrush
possible Hermit Thrush
Blue-headed Vireo
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Ovenbird
Black-throated Green Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Pileated Woodpecker
Winter Wren


  Friday:  

Veerys - at the beaver pond and trail north of
Kah-ne-Tah 

   Sunday:  

  Lutsen Mountains ski area and Caribou
Highlands
sewage treatment ponds:

Savannah, Song, Chipping sparrows
Spotted Sandpiper
Mallard with duckings.
Ovenbirds
Black-throated Green Warblers
Indigo Bunting
the rest of the usual suspects.

Lake Superior pretty quiet except for 4 female Goldeneyes,
one Loon, Herring Gulls, and Common Mergansers


   Sunday (at dusk):

One Am. Woodcock in Tofte, along the road in the old airport
residential area.

Sid and Gail Stivland
Plymouth


 


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[mou-net] Afton State Park

[Larry Sirvio]

After being held prisoner for 3 days, I had to get out when the rain finally 
quit this afternoon.
At Afton SP I still did not see Henslow's sparrow. Pam Albin had told me she 
thought she had heard them a few days ago. I did hear and record some songs 
which apparently were Henslow's sparrows. Unlike last year, when they were 
easily seen, they are not showing themselves at all. They are in the same 
place. North entrance trail. Go south about 100-200 yards. They were on the 
east side of the trail. Just to confuse the issue, eastern meadowlarks in this 
area give a similar call. Most of the time the meadowlarks call is 3 or 4 notes 
- unlike the Henslow's which is 2 notes. Sometimes the meadowlarks call only 2 
notes. I suppose someone with good ears would not confuse the two because the 
Henslow's is higher frequency.

Later I continued on and thought I heard the summer tanager. I thought I was 
hearing the exact call that Julian Sellers recorded last July at that location 
(I have it saved on iPOD). When I got home I could not find any recordings that 
I could identify as summer tanager. Wind interference made it difficult.  I'll 
have to try again on a quite day.

Other birds see were - eastern towhee, rose breasted grosbeak (not too 
different from the summer tanager song), clay colored sparrows, eastern 
meadowlarks, field sparrows, eastern bluebirds, brown thrasher.


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[mou-net] Eastern Bluebirds

[john c. nelson]

Our E Bluebird pair which lost their first nestlings has renested in a  
different house and we found 5 eggs  today, which would indicate she  
will begin setting at any time.
Our concern is the box 50' down the fence line occupied by HSP. We had  
removed the first HSP eggs from that house a while ago, but they have  
apparently renested
as we see only the male at the house. I'm sure the EBB will be at risk  
but unsure as to what course of action I should take. Remove the nest  
and possibly have the HSP
go after the house occupied by the EBB? I'm sure the bluebird nest  
will be at risk at some point, but I don't want to create a problem.  
My main concern is the safety of the female
bluebird. Once she sets she will be in danger from the HSP. Any  
suggestions would be appreciated from those who have had a similar  
experience. Closing the HSP box is

an easy option, but I'm not sure what the male might do in that event.

John Nelson
Good Thunder, MN 
 



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Re: [mou-net] Recording birds inexpensively

[Julian Sellers]

That kind of device works pretty well for loud, relatively low-frequency 
sounds.  For example, I got a pretty good Whip-poor-will recording using 
one.  They don't do well with high-pitched or distant songs.


Julian

--
From: "Peter Johnson" 
Date: Monday, June 14, 2010 5:14 PM
To: 
Subject: [mou-net] Recording birds inexpensively

I was wondering if anyone might recommend a cheap hand held recorder one 
might use to record a bird song or call on one of those occasions when you 
hear something new or different. I noticed Sony makes a small hand-held 
voice recorder for around $50.00-65.00. Anyone tried something like that? 
It wouldn't have to be really great quality.


_
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[mou-net] Recording birds inexpensively

[Peter Johnson]

I was wondering if anyone might recommend a cheap hand held recorder one might 
use to record a bird song or call on one of those occasions when you hear 
something new or different. I noticed Sony makes a small hand-held voice 
recorder for around $50.00-65.00. Anyone tried something like that? It wouldn't 
have to be really great quality.
  
_
The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3

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[mou-net] Fwd: A new method of learning bird ID

-- Forwarded message --
From: Bruce Kirchoff 
Date: Mon, Jun 14, 2010 at 2:34 PM
Subject: A new method of learning bird ID
To: ornit...@si-listserv.si.edu


Over the past several years I have been working to develop a new
active-learning program to teach bird identification. Working with the
website Vireo (http://vireo.acnatsci.org/) we have recently created a survey
to gauge interest in our new approach. Complete the survey and you will be
entered into a drawing to win a copy of the "National Geographic Complete
Birds of North America." You can find the survey linked from Vireo's website
(http://vireo.acnatsci.org/). The survey is 12 questions long and takes less
than five minutes to complete.

Thank you for helping us with this.

Best wishes,

Dr. Bruce Kircohff
UNC Greensboro, Department of Biology
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA
(http://www.uncg.edu/~kirchoff/ )
   and
Metis LLC (http://www.metisllc.com)



-- 
Dan or Erika Tallman
Northfield, Minnesota
http://sites.google.com/site/tallmanorum
http://dantallmansbirdblog.blogspot.com
http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika
daner...@gmail.com

" the best shod travel with wet feet"
"Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes "--Thoreau


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[mou-net] Monday Morning Moorhen

[roy zimmerman]

The moorhen was present this morning at 10:30 on CR 13, 2.8 miles S of US 212 
just east of Brownton.  Also present during a 15-minute stop were yellow-headed 
blackbird, ruddy ducks, ring-necked ducks, pied-billed grebes, red-winged 
blackbirds, marsh wrens, wood ducks.

Nice little pond.


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[mou-net] Aitkin Trip Reminder; Unusual Yellowthroat

[Pastor Al Schirmacher]

Reminder:  the MOU Aitkin County trip meets this Saturday (6/19), 7:30 AM, 
at Rice Lake Refuge on Highway 65 just south of McGregor.  We will park in 
the lot, carpool north to CR 18, then return to the refuge late morning to 
bird there.


Highway 18 has been spectacular (Great Gray, Northern Hawk and Short-eared 
Owls, many breeding warblers, Boreal Chickadees, Yellow-bellied Flycatchers 
et al), hence the change in first location plans.  The previous sentence, 
however, does not constitute a guarantee!:)


The trip is currently full.  If you were on the waiting list, feel free to 
attend.


This morning heard an unusual song from a Common Yellowthroat.  It consisted 
of seven strong, rolling notes (somewhat similar to a House Wren, but louder 
and fuller), bracketed by two partial calls, no full "witcheties" to speak 
of.


Good birding to all!

Al Schirmacher
Princeton, MN
Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties 



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[mou-net] Long eared owl

[Molly Thompson]

Hi everyone,Yesterday, while visiting my BBA block T61R8a (just south of 
Isabella Lake in Lake County) my husband and I had a long-eared owl fly across 
the road in front of us.  My husband (not a birder) actually noted the odd 
flight of the bird.  It flew into a tree over the road and I was able to get a 
good look at it.Molly ThompsonDuluth
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[mou-net] Jackson/Cottonwood County Bird Atlas Foray

[Robert_Russell]

THis weekend!  Come on down, see lots of grassland birds, search for
rarities, add to your county lists and most importantly, help us bust some
priority atlas blocks in these 2 little birded counties.  Make your birding
and twitching and county listing serve a strong conservation purpose to
help complete the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas.  Everyone is welcome to
attend for all or part of this weekend.  Here's the schedule:



Thursday, June 17 - 4 p.m. - meet at the AmericInn (Jackson) lobby
Friday, June 18 - 7 a.m. meet at the AmericInn (Jackson) lobby
Saturday, June 19 - 7 a.m. meet at the AmericInn (Jackson) lobby
Saturday, June 19 - 2 p.m. meet at the downtown Windom post office for
Cottonwood County surveying
Sunday, June 20 - meet at the downtown Windom post office- there could be
additional birding in Cottonwood County



Call Bonnie Sample at 651-739-9332 x 20 or me on my cellphone at
651-373-3900 if you intend to attend.
**
Robert P. Russell
Division of Migratory Birds
Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive
Ft. Snelling, MN 55111-4056
Phone: 612-713-5437  FAX: 612-713-5393

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