[mou-net] Lake Hariett Gulls--Tues eve

[Warren Woessner]

I got to the SE ice shelf almost after dark today, but the Franklin's Gull 
stood out at the north side of the group. Too gloomy to pick out anything else 
unusual tho.

Warren


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[mou-net] BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE St. Louis Co.

[Jason Caddy]

I was in Duluth for the day and decided to look for the Greater Black-backed 
Gull that was reported on the Minnesota entry break wall in Canal Park. There 
were several gulls resting at 10:00am and I did find my "first state" juvenile 
Greater Black-backed Gull which I studied for a long time and compared to the 
Herring Gulls of all ages. A stark white juvenile Glaucous Gull and Ring-billed 
Gulls were also present. I walked back to my car very pleased with the four 
gull species that I had seen and started to write notes about them when 
something caught my eye out the car window. A gull flew over the lake that had 
black wing edges. I had to get back out of the car to see if I was just 
imagining things. While standing on the shoreline I was able to relocate the 
bird flying west over the water towards the city and I immediately noticed a 
bold M pattern on its back. At that point I was thinking it was either a 
Sabine's Gull or Black-legged Kittiwake. Luckily for me the bird starting 
flying back towards the break wall and to my surprise actually started heading 
straight towards me and I began noting its features. It had a very thick and 
distinct black nape and a black mark between the eye and the neck. The head was 
mostly white. The black on the nape formed a distinct collar that is unlike 
that of an adult Sabine's Gull. There was also black at the end of its tail. 
The mantle of the bird was definitely gray and the black M pattern was 
relatively thick. It looked to be around the same size as a Ring-billed Gull or 
slightly smaller. Its flight was more buoyant and tern-like than that of a 
Ring-billed Gull. I continued to have great observations of it as it flew back 
east towards Park Point. This is the first time that I have found a 
casual/accidental species on my own (in the 6 years I have been a birder) 
without somebody else finding it first, so it is a very special bird for me. I 
have only seen Black-legged Kittiwakes once before on a pelagic boat trip out 
of Newport, Oregon. I think I need to submit this to the MOU record committee 
for review.   Good Birding,  Jason Caddy  Minneapolis   
   

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[mou-net] Harriet Alexander Nature Center-Roseville

[Peter J. Makousky]

I had some time to bird at Harriet Alexander today.

Tons of chickadees - and I observed one that looked a bit odd.

It did not have a full black cap. There was quite a bit of white showing
through.

Any idea what is up with that?

I also spotted a Barred Owl. This is the second time I have seen it there.
It appears it has been hanging around for a few weeks.

 

Pete Makousky

Anoka, MN



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[mou-net] Carolina Wren at Wild River State Park - Tues Update

[Rubin Stenseng]

The Carolina Wren at Wild River State Park continues to make somewhat 
regular visits (approximately 1 hour intervals) to the feeder station at the 
Visitor Center.  Best viewed from inside the Visitor Center.  The Visitor 
Center 
should be open each day through the weekend.

Rubin Stenseng
Wild River State Park Volunteer
Chisago County, Minnesota


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[mou-net] MOU grants available

[Bruce Fall]

Each year, the MOU considers funding requests for bird-related projects. 
In 2011, awards included partial funding for the following projects: 
Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory's Peregrine Watch educational project in 
Duluth; Red-headed Woodpecker breeding success and habitat preference at 
Cedar Creek; bird-banding equipment replacement for Carpenter Nature 
Center educational banding program. Grant amounts ranged from $499 to 
$3,280.


Individuals or organizations who are undertaking projects in Minnesota 
that increase our understanding of birds, promote preservation of birds 
and their natural habitats, or increase public interest in birds, may 
submit grant applications to the MOU.  Application information may be 
obtained by emailing: gra...@moumn.org 


The deadline for receipt of grant applications is February 1, 2012.  
Funding recipients will be notified during April 2012.




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[mou-net] Ross's Goose, Brown County

[Brian & Risa Smith]

Hi, birders:

Late this afternoon there was a single Ross's Goose at Sleepy Eye lake.  It was 
in a larger mixed flock of mostly Canada Geese and a few Cackling Geese.

Brian Smith
Sleepy Eye


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[mou-net] White-winged Crossbills in Crow Wing County

[Steve & Jo Blanich]

Two dozen White-winged Crossbills were seen today in spruce trees in north 
Crosby, Crow Wing County


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[mou-net] Sherburne Refuge update

[Betsy Beneke]

Hi Everyone,
 
It's been a very quiet couple of weeks on the refuge - that's why I haven't 
updated.  No snow buntings or redpolls seen, rusty blackbirds are gone.  
Goldfinches remain plentiful, nearly daily.  Purple finches show up 
sporadically, in small numbers.  Bald eagles, red-tailed and rough-legged hawks 
seen daily along CR's 9 and 5.  Occasional northern shrike seen in the area.
 
The Prairie's Edge Wildlife Drive will remain open until the end of December, 
unless we get snow before that time.  If it closes before December 31, I'll 
post here to let you know.  People who have taken the drive have reported very 
little bird activity.
 
Betsy Beneke
Sherburne NWR


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[mou-net] Great Horned Owl - South Minneapolis - Field Neighborhood - December 13 - w/Photos

[Robert Burmaster]

Location: South Minneapolis - Lake Nokomis - Field Neighborhood.
This morning I spotted a very large and noisy band of crows sitting in my 
neighbors' trees as I was taking my son to his school bus stop. They were 
repeatedly swooping at a large pine tree, indicating a strong likelyhood of a 
bird of prey. I got in my car with my camera and waited in front of the 
neighbors' house. Within a few minutes, the crows flushed out a Great Horned 
Owl from the tree. He flew to another nearby tree and perched. He had caught a 
crow for breakfast. I observed the owl fly to several different locations over 
the course of 40 minutes with the crows in hot pursuit each time. And, I 
eventually had to head to work for the day. My very first wild owl encounter 
and my first wild owl photos. Good way to start the day!
A few of the better 
photos.http://www.flickr.com/photos/rburmaster/sets/72157628403172229/ 

Robert BurmasterSouth Minneapolis ResidentLake Nokomis - Field Neighborhood 
  

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[mou-net] White-winged Crossbills

[Al Schirmacher]

Small flock of WW Crossbills present, Blue Hill Trail, Sherburne Refuge, 
conifer section, this morning.

Al Schirmacher

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