[mou-net] vulture poisoning in Kenya

[Gordon]

furadan kills vultures in Kenya, diclofenac in India

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_929/9290103.stm



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[mou-net] late season great blue heoron

[keithecarl]

While cross country skiing at Willow River State Park near Hudson, Wisconsin, I
was surprised to find a

Great blue Heron

at the base of Willow Falls at the east end of the park.

At the west end, along Trout Brook trail saw the usual

Trumpeter Swans, and
Mallards

Keith Carlson
Roseville, MN


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Re: [mou-net] Eurasian Collared-Doves-Swift Cty

[ssmorton]

I counted 55 at the elevator in Cottonwood, Lyon County on Tuesday.  They
nested in our backyard this year.

Sue Morton

-Original Message-
From: Minnesota Birds [mailto:mou-...@lists.umn.edu] On Behalf Of Dennis and
Barbara Martin
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 1:11 PM
To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU
Subject: [mou-net] Eurasian Collared-Doves-Swift Cty

Forgot to post this yesterday.  These are very common in this county but
Friday afternoon we found a flock of Eurasian Collared-Doves that numbered
in excess of 28.  They were in 2 trees that are next to the grain elevator
on Hwy 12 in Murdock.  Noticed them as we were driving by and by the time we
got stopped and counted them some had flown to the ground and we couldn't
see them so the count of 28 is low and there are more than that there.

This town has a large open grain storage area that makes it easy for doves
to feed.  We suspect that places like this all over Minnesota hold these
doves in the winter.  A couple of years ago we saw juvenile Eurasian
Collared-Doves in this town so they do stay and breed in these same places.

Dennis and Barbara Martin
Shorewood, MN
dbmar...@skypoint.com


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[mou-net] airport birds

[linda whyte]

An hour-long, late-afternoon check of the airport for Snowy Owls was
not successful. Camouflage always makes it challenging to see them,
and the huge mounds of piled snow we have currently really obstruct
the views of the open areas they prefer.

I did spot a Lapland Longspur at the chip-covered base of a tree on
the east side of the FedEx parking lot. He very quickly disappeared
behind a snow mound along a close runway.
There was also the "usual airport shrike" at the top of a tree on the
east side of the service road that runs parallel to Cedar/77.

Linda Whyte


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[mou-net] Hermit thrush, Hennepin Co.

[Christine Petersen]

I got an unexpected addition to my FeederWatch count this afternoon--a
hermit thrush in the birdbath.

Christine
western Minnetonka


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[mou-net] Slaty-backed Gull- Duluth/Superior

[Karl Bardon]

At 11:01 am this morning, I spotted an adult Slaty-backed Gull in flight over 
the Superior Landfill, Douglas Co., WI, and then around 11:40 am this bird was 
found at Canal Park in Duluth by Peder Svingen. When I joined Peder at Canal 
Park around 1:45 pm, the bird was incredibly tame and we got great photos, one 
of which is posted to recently seen. This could well be the same third-cycle 
bird seen last fall 28 October-13 December 2009 at this same location, now in 
adult plumage.

Karl Bardon
Duluth, MN





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[mou-net] Bohemian Waxwings, Eagan, Dakota County

[Drew Smith]

Returning from some shopping, I had a small group of waxwings fly across the 
road in front of me along Duckwood Drive, just east of Pilot Knob Road. They 
appeared to land in some crabapple trees bordering the parking lanes. I turned 
into the area (a bank parking lot, not many cars here today), and eased my car 
close to the feeding birds. Two were Bohemians mixed in with the Cedars. I 
didn't have binocs with me, but quickly drove home and came back. I found them 
out in front of the Original Mattress Factory store, and studied them for 3-5 
minutes. It seems they are a pair, as one fed the other. Excellent looks with 
the sun behind me, and probably 20-25 feet away. They then flew off to the 
south- east towards a garden or park-like area on the right side of the 
neighboring Anchor Bank. We missed these yesterday on the Bloomington CBC 
(dang!), but at least we'll have them for Count Week.


Drew Smith
Eagan, Dakota County





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[mou-net] Eurasian Collared-Doves-Swift Cty

[Dennis and Barbara Martin]

Forgot to post this yesterday.  These are very common in this county but Friday 
afternoon we found a flock of Eurasian Collared-Doves that numbered in excess 
of 28.  They were in 2 trees that are next to the grain elevator on Hwy 12 in 
Murdock.  Noticed them as we were driving by and by the time we got stopped and 
counted them some had flown to the ground and we couldn't see them so the count 
of 28 is low and there are more than that there.

This town has a large open grain storage area that makes it easy for doves to 
feed.  We suspect that places like this all over Minnesota hold these doves in 
the winter.  A couple of years ago we saw juvenile Eurasian Collared-Doves in 
this town so they do stay and breed in these same places.

Dennis and Barbara Martin
Shorewood, MN
dbmar...@skypoint.com


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[mou-net] E Screech Owl, present Minnetonka, Hennepin Co

[George B Skinner]

Chickadees spotted the owl and drove it down into the box. They
were even clinging to the entry hole and giving alarm calls.

The owl is now sleeping. There seems to be two pellets in the box.

The Chickadees have forgotten about the owl now, 1:00 pm. The
yard is quiet. Maybe the owl will come up to sit in the entry
later in the afternoon.

Good Luck,

George Skinner and Anne Hanley
15330 Lynn Terrace
Minnetonka, MN
952-936-0811


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[mou-net] Fw: [mou-net] Very Possible Snowy Owl-Clarification

[SCOTT M CLARK]

I want to clarify that the hgwy 5 that I was referring to was the one near Eden 
Prairie Shopping Center--the time that this was seen was at 12.40 p.m.
- Original Message - 
From: Donn Mattsson 
To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU 
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 11:59 AM
Subject: Re: [mou-net] Very Possible Snowy Owl


Regarding Scott Clark's sighting of a possible Snowy Owl on Dec. 18th:

At 11:15 AM on Dec. 18th my son Jon told me that while driving on Clearwater 
Dr. just east of 494 and the Crosstown interchange he saw what he was sure 
was a Snowy Owl.  The bird was standing to the west on an open hillside 
about 60 yards from the road as he drove by at 30mph.  Realizing that this 
was an unusual sighting, and knowing thay he would be grilled by his dad and 
uncle Jim, he turned the car around and drove back to see the bird more 
closely.  As he approached the still sitting bird it took wing and glided 
behind the car and sailed over to the east side of Clearwater Dr. where a 
large parking lot and open field run parallel to the Crosstown Highway. 
This was the last he saw of the bird.  About 2:00 PM I searched around the 
area with no luck to relocate the owl.  Though not a "birder" Jon has always 
had very good observation skills.  He has seen this species a number of 
times in the past.  He mentioned that the bird was mostly white with some 
dark spotting on the head. The round head and body shape were noticed.
Scott Clark's sighting was only about a mile south from where Jon saw his 
bird. Scott didn't say what time he saw the bird, but it seems likely they 
may have seen the same owl.  Hopefully this will help the angst that has 
plagued Scott and also satisfy his avuncular CBC Coordinator

Donn Mattsson









- Original Message - 
From: "SCOTT M CLARK" mailto:smclark5...@q.com>>
To: mailto:MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU>>
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 10:34 AM
Subject: [mou-net] Possible Snowy Owl


This has plagued me for 24 hours. Yesterday after completing my section of 
Eden Prairie for the CBC I believe that I saw a Snowy Owl. As my avuncular 
CBC Coordinator stated we would need complete documentation and I don't have 
it. I was traveling east on Hwy 5, and just before the 494 interchange I saw 
a white bird on the south side of the road. It was in flight, about forty 
yards from the car and about fifty feet in the air, close enough for a good 
non-binocular look. My birding radar was confused since white birds are gull 
types, leucistics, etc. This bird was ghostly white in the gray day and was 
"fat" in body and had a fat cylinder shape to it. Due to the shape and 
general feel it wasn't a gull, hawk, etc. It was flying slow, slow wing 
beats and by the time I was past it, it effectively flew past the back of 
the car north. I recognized that by going north on 494 I may see it again 
and then realized that the shape was an owl.  By this time it was on the 
west side of 494 ( northwest quadrant of 494 and 5) and was obviously to far 
away to see color, etc. However, it was hunting in a harrier pattern, with a 
short few flaps and a glide, all the while circling low to the ground. The 
wings were much broader in shape and pattern than a harrier also. The bird 
circled with a slight dihedral. Attempts to relocate were not successful. If 
you are in the area keep a lookout and I have posted a Starbucks gift card 
as a reward for its sighting. Not documentable but I am 99.99% sure, I know 
that only Steve Weston can properly identify at 60 mph. Scott


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[mou-net] Harlequin Duck/Otter Tail Co.

[Dan & Sandy Thimgan]

The highlight of the Fergus Falls CBC was a female Harlequin Duck  
found by Steve and Diane Millard. We were able to see her later in  
the afternoon (about 4:00) at the same location.


The bird was seen in the area of the railroad trestle near downtown  
Fergus Falls. The trestle is found by turning south off of town's  
main east-west street Lincoln Ave (turn just west of the Service  
Foods store) onto Vine Street. Vine Street deadends in a block and a  
half at the river where the railroad trestle will be obvious. You'll  
pass a couple of auto repair places as the road peters out. The bird  
was seen down in the river just before you actually reach the trestle.


Based on his previous experiences with Harlequins here, Steve  
predicts the bird will stay throughout the winter somewhere along the  
river.


--Dan & Sandy Thimgan
--
Thimgans
Battle Lake MN
Otter Tail County



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Re: [mou-net] Very Possible Snowy Owl

[Donn Mattsson]

Regarding Scott Clark's sighting of a possible Snowy Owl on Dec. 18th:

At 11:15 AM on Dec. 18th my son Jon told me that while driving on Clearwater 
Dr. just east of 494 and the Crosstown interchange he saw what he was sure 
was a Snowy Owl.  The bird was standing to the west on an open hillside 
about 60 yards from the road as he drove by at 30mph.  Realizing that this 
was an unusual sighting, and knowing thay he would be grilled by his dad and 
uncle Jim, he turned the car around and drove back to see the bird more 
closely.  As he approached the still sitting bird it took wing and glided 
behind the car and sailed over to the east side of Clearwater Dr. where a 
large parking lot and open field run parallel to the Crosstown Highway. 
This was the last he saw of the bird.  About 2:00 PM I searched around the 
area with no luck to relocate the owl.  Though not a "birder" Jon has always 
had very good observation skills.  He has seen this species a number of 
times in the past.  He mentioned that the bird was mostly white with some 
dark spotting on the head. The round head and body shape were noticed.
Scott Clark's sighting was only about a mile south from where Jon saw his 
bird. Scott didn't say what time he saw the bird, but it seems likely they 
may have seen the same owl.  Hopefully this will help the angst that has 
plagued Scott and also satisfy his avuncular CBC Coordinator


Donn Mattsson









- Original Message - 
From: "SCOTT M CLARK" 

To: 
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2010 10:34 AM
Subject: [mou-net] Possible Snowy Owl


This has plagued me for 24 hours. Yesterday after completing my section of 
Eden Prairie for the CBC I believe that I saw a Snowy Owl. As my avuncular 
CBC Coordinator stated we would need complete documentation and I don't have 
it. I was traveling east on Hwy 5, and just before the 494 interchange I saw 
a white bird on the south side of the road. It was in flight, about forty 
yards from the car and about fifty feet in the air, close enough for a good 
non-binocular look. My birding radar was confused since white birds are gull 
types, leucistics, etc. This bird was ghostly white in the gray day and was 
"fat" in body and had a fat cylinder shape to it. Due to the shape and 
general feel it wasn't a gull, hawk, etc. It was flying slow, slow wing 
beats and by the time I was past it, it effectively flew past the back of 
the car north. I recognized that by going north on 494 I may see it again 
and then realized that the shape was an owl.  By this time it was on the 
west side of 494 ( northwest quadrant of 494 and 5) and was obviously to far 
away to see color, etc. However, it was hunting in a harrier pattern, with a 
short few flaps and a glide, all the while circling low to the ground. The 
wings were much broader in shape and pattern than a harrier also. The bird 
circled with a slight dihedral. Attempts to relocate were not successful. If 
you are in the area keep a lookout and I have posted a Starbucks gift card 
as a reward for its sighting. Not documentable but I am 99.99% sure, I know 
that only Steve Weston can properly identify at 60 mph. Scott



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[mou-net] E Screech Owl, visible, Minnetonka, Hennepin Co

[George B Skinner]

At 11:30 am I looked out the window and saw the
owl is now sitting in the entry hole. Sunlight is
hitting the owl. A good photo op!

It was not present at 8:45 am. So the owl
must have returned to the box sometime
mid-morning. I was not expecting that.

George Skinner and Anne Hanley
15330 Lynn Terrace
Minnetonka, MN
952-936-0811


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[mou-net] Possible Snowy Owl

[SCOTT M CLARK]

This has plagued me for 24 hours. Yesterday after completing my section of Eden 
Prairie for the CBC I believe that I saw a Snowy Owl. As my avuncular CBC 
Coordinator stated we would need complete documentation and I don't have it. I 
was traveling east on Hwy 5, and just before the 494 interchange I saw a white 
bird on the south side of the road. It was in flight, about forty yards from 
the car and about fifty feet in the air, close enough for a good non-binocular 
look. My birding radar was confused since white birds are gull types, 
leucistics, etc. This bird was ghostly white in the gray day and was "fat" in 
body and had a fat cylinder shape to it. Due to the shape and general feel it 
wasn't a gull, hawk, etc. It was flying slow, slow wing beats and by the time I 
was past it, it effectively flew past the back of the car north. I recognized 
that by going north on 494 I may see it again and then realized that the shape 
was an owl.  By this time it was on the west side of 494 ( northwest quadrant 
of 494 and 5) and was obviously to far away to see color, etc. However, it was 
hunting in a harrier pattern, with a short few flaps and a glide, all the while 
circling low to the ground. The wings were much broader in shape and pattern 
than a harrier also. The bird circled with a slight dihedral. Attempts to 
relocate were not successful. If you are in the area keep a lookout and I have 
posted a Starbucks gift card as a reward for its sighting. Not documentable but 
I am 99.99% sure, I know that only Steve Weston can properly identify at 60 
mph. Scott


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[mou-net] E Screech Owl, not present Minnetonka, Hennepin Co

[George B Skinner]

At 8:45 am I checked our video camera and the box was empty.

Yesterday, from 3:45 pm until 5:15 pm, the owl sat in the entry hole.
It then flew out of the box. I turned the camera on at 10 pm and
saw that the owl was not in the box, but had cached a mouse in the box.
This morning the mouse and owl were not present.

Many people have asked about our camera system. We ordered ours
right from the website http://www.birdhousespycam.com/index.php 
These units are very small and can be put in any size box or location.

George Skinner and Anne Hanley
15330 Lynn Terrace
Minnetonka, MN
952-936-0811


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