[mou-net] Benton, Morrison, Stearns, Crow Wing Counties - MBW - 5/18 - 20/2012 - Trip Report
May 18 - 20 2012 While leading a Minnesota Birding Weekend trip, with the help of Herb Dingmann to Benton County and one along the Mississippi River between Brainerd and St. Cloud, our group observed 133 species over the three days. Here are some of the species observed during the weekend: Snow Goose - Benton county - Fly over, with flock of Canada Geese, near Highway 10. Ruffed Grouse - Morrison county - Heard at Charles A. Lindbergh state park. Western Grebe - A single Western Grebe was observed on the back pond at the Gilman sewage ponds. Red-shouldered Hawk - Morrison county - Observed at Charles A. Lindbergh state park. Another was observed in Stearns county at Mississippi River county park. Shorebirds - A total of 13 species of shorebirds were observed with the following locations being the most productive.Benton County - Rice, sewage Ponds, Gilman, sewage ponds, Foley, sewage ponds. The area with the most shorebirds was the Foley sewage ponds.We observed Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated, Least, White-rumped, Baird's and Pectoral Sandpipers, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher and Wilson's Phalarope. There was also a possible Willet at the Gilman sewage ponds. Eurasian Collared Dove - Several were observed in the City of Rice. Barred Owl - Crow Wing county - Heard only Alder Flycatcher - Crow Wing county Western Kingbird - Benton county - At least four Western Kingbirds were observed near the power station on CR 40 , just West of Highway 10. Warblers - 15 species of Warblers were observed, with no rarities observed or any locations that had large numbers of migrants. The best location we had, was Charles A. Lindbergh state park. Where 12 species of Warblers were observed or heard. Sparrows - We observed Eight species of Sparrows, with nice looks at Clay-colored, Field, Vesper, Lark and Swamp Sparrows. Craig MandelMinnetonka, Hennepin countyegretc...@msn.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
[mou-net] Kunkel WMA birding vacation obversations
Yellow-billed Cuckoo Brewster's Warbler, Kunkel WMA, Mille Lacs County. Among 166 species last week in Aitkin, Mille Lacs, Sherburne bit of Crow Wing: * 24 warblers, only missing Blackpoll Canada, no waves, however * 13 shorebirds, only 22 on spring, quiet but much better last few days * Cerulean at Kathio only real surprise, but confirms last year's heard bird * Lack of Yellow Rails Nelsons in Mc Gregor Marsh mildly concerning, but was windy cold, and only single morning of observation * MOU field trips are very worthwhile, opportunity to meet interesting people * Year numbers very normal. Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Sent from my iPhone 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] Connecticut Warbler: Veteran's Park, Richfield, Hennepin Co
Thanks to Scott Meyer's direction, I am listening and seeing a male Connecticut Warbler now at 830-845. Bird actively singing but tends to be eye-level and above. On east side of lake. On middle trail that is south of where biking trail intersects foot path. Landmark on this trail: Seen near large forked cottonwood with cut large trunk positioned between the fork. Also saw: YbFl, TeWa, CsWa, BlWa, MagWa, NoPa, AmRe, WiWa, CoYe. Looking up, Alex Cruz Jr Ramsey Co Sent from Alex's iPhone. 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 County BIG 5/19/2012
Andrew Krenz, Benji Inniger, and I attempted to break the Hey Birders, Andrew Krenz, Benji Inniger, and I attempted to break the record Benji and I set in 2008 for Blue Earth County (157). While coming up short by 12 species, it was definitely one of the best big days I've ever attempted considering the conditions. Summary: 01:00-21:00--145 species: 12 waterfowl, 2 grebes, 3 herons, 7 hawks, 18 shorebirds, 4 owls, 6 woodpeckers, 8 flycatchers, 3 vireos, 6 swallows, 4 thrushes, 11 warblers, 10 sparrows, 10 blackbirds. Significant finds: Common Gallinule (Maple River WMA), Prothonotary Warbler (Minneopa SP/Watonwan WPA), Eastern Screech-Owl, Long-eared Owl, Greater White-fronted Goose (O.A. Vee WMA), Willet (Gilfillin Lake), Ruddy Turnstone (Gilfillin Lake), Eurasian Collared-Dove in a new town (Vernon Center), Gray Partridge, Upland Sandpiper on a nest on the Martin County side of the road (thanks...sort of...Ron Erpelding--not included). Significant misses: Pileated Woodpecker, American Bittern, Least Bittern, non-resident passerines. Here's where it may get a little long. The forecast was for 20-25 mile an hour winds throughout the day and afternoon thunderstorms. After last year's dousing during our Waseca Big Day, I was willing to face bad weather again if it produced the same record results. We significantly altered our record-setting route in order to compensate for the high winds and poor nocturnal listening conditions, selecting protected river valleys and small wetlands with trees on their south side that could break the wind. We also changed our dawn spot from Cobb River WPA to Minneopa State Park to compensate for what has been a relatively poor warbler showing this spring. Our usual migrant trap is completely leafed out and would have been on the windward side (hearing and seeing warblers would have been difficult at best). The river bottoms below the bluff at Minneopa seemed to afford the best chance at migrants. We also needed to visit Gilfillin Lake before the heat of the day to take advantage of this lake that is being drawn down. The route ended up working pretty well. Over 1,000 birds were present that morning on Gilfillin Lake with most being Semipalmated Sandpipers. However, the variety pushed us over 100 species for the day by 9:00am: Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, both yellowlegs, Willet (2), Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone (1), Least, White-rumped, and Pectoral Sandpipers, Dunlin, and Wilson's Phalarope (1). We added Hudsonian Godwit (a couple of locations), Baird's Sandpiper, and Short-billed Dowitcher at other locations to round out the list. We had only 5 migrant warblers (Connecticut, Mourning, Tennessee, Blackpoll, and Wilson's), only 1 migrant thrush (Swainson's), only resident vireos (no Blue-headed or Philadelphia), only resident sparrows (no Nelson's, Le Conte's, Lincoln's, or Zonotrichiaspecies). Flycatchers were the only passerines in which we saw most the migrants (missing only Yellow-bellied). That certainly suggests that 157 species is beatable. We were in awe much of the day. The clouds were spectacular and we saw little rain in spite of the towering thunderheads. We had very few slow periods but also had only two big surges (Minneopa SP and Gilfillin Lake). To God be the glory! Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato P.S. Tom Dahlen alerted me to an American Avocet at Gilfillin Lake on Sunday. I checked it out and found only about 200 shorebirds there including the avocet. But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Long-tailed ducks in Cook Co.
This weekend John and I took a trip up the North Shore to scout a BBA atlas block and do some geology field work - in the rain. Most noteworthy observation was a pair Long-tailed Ducks in breeding plumage at Taconite Harbor on Saturday the 19th and a flock of Long-tailed Ducks - about 30 also in breeding plumage -moving down the shore off the mouth of the Cascade River. Jan 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] Virginia Rail
Was heard, then seen at the 180th st marsh at 1015. Thomas P. Malone Attorney at Law Barna Guzy Steffen Minneapolis Minnesota tmal...@bgs.com (Via BlackBerry)
[mou-net] Polk County recent arrivals
A few recent arrivals in western Polk County (East Grand Forks) include Common Nighthawk, Chimney Swift, Red-headed Woodpecker, and Indigo Bunting. First RT Hummingbird finally showed at my feeders last Friday. Sandy Aubol Polk County East Grand Forks, 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] Springbrook Nature Center (Fridley/Anoka Co) 5/20 Birdbanding Session
The misty rain and cool temps on Sunday morning at Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley (Anoka Co) kept the overall numbers low-at 47 birds-but we did get 22 species in the 4 hours of banding. As was the case two weeks ago, the largest number of birds trapped was rose-breasted grosbeaks, this time at 6. In addition to the grosbeaks, we had: Common yellowthroat, American redstart, and Mourning, Canada, Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, and Wilson's warblers American goldfinch Black-capped chickadee Northern cardinal Brown-headed cowbird Gray catbird Blue jay Trails and least flycatcher White-breasted nuthatch Downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers Veery House wren Thanks, again, to Siah St. Clair, Ron Refsnider, and all the volunteers and visitors for a fun morning.Good birding to all! Kathy Confer Arden Hills/Ramsey Co 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, Lebanon Hills regional Park
I had my Field Ornithology class out this morning (Monday) at the Lebanon Hills Regional Park Visitors Center in Eagan (off of Cliff Road) where we came upon a very loud male Hooded Warbler sitting over the hiking trail. The spot we found him at is along the trail on the south side of Schultz Lake. We saw him about 11:00 am. Right below the Hooded Warbler was a very cooperative Eastern Towhee. Roger Everhart Apple Valley, MN http://minnesotabirdnerd.blogspot.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
[mou-net] Vet's Park Richfield--Connecticut Warbler still there; Brown Pelicans flyover
My wife and I visited Veteran's Memorial Park in Richfield, and found the singing Connecticut Warbler first reported (I believe) by Scott Meyer. This bird was singing quite loudly near the SE corner of the park. We heard and located the bird shortly before noon, and it took us about 15 minutes to see it ten feet up in scrubby trees at the west edge of a small pond just north of 66th (where a small Linder's nursery is set up in a parking lot). We saw a Northern Waterthrush in the same spot. Lots of singing warblers, vireos, and orioles, but we found nothing else remarkable in the park. We did not see the Snowy Egret or the tanagers. Far overhead, though, we saw three soaring Brown Pelicans. This would've been at around 10:30 AM. They were south of the park and were heading south. During the short time they soared above (and somewhat south of) us, we could see their unmistakable shape and bill. From below they appeared uniformly dark, except around their heads, where we could see varying flashes of white as they soared and turned. Steve Bachman and Joann Pfeiffer 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] Long-tailed ducks in Cook Co.
We have a cabin on the shore of Lake Superior near Cascade River. Between May 13-16, we also saw a large group of long-tailed ducks, perhaps the same one seen by the Greens. In looking back at records I keep when I'm there, we have seen large concentrations of long- tails most years at this time of year. Jan Wicklund On May 21 2012, John Green wrote: This weekend John and I took a trip up the North Shore to scout a BBA atlas block and do some geology field work - in the rain. Most noteworthy observation was a pair Long-tailed Ducks in breeding plumage at Taconite Harbor on Saturday the 19th and a flock of Long-tailed Ducks - about 30 also in breeding plumage -moving down the shore off the mouth of the Cascade River. Jan 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] Stearns Co. shorebirds
I thought my shorebird search was going to be a bust today - only one at Albany sewage ponds was a spotted sandpiper. That was it! Found one excellent spot, on Stearns CR 4, 1.2 miles south of I-94 at the Meire Grove exit. Floodplain of the Sauk River was bustling with birds - waterfowl, herons, egrets, black terns and a bunch of shorebirds, including 3 marbled godwits, 4 dowitchers (assuming short-billed) and a pile of peeps. Two solitary sandpipers and one stilt sandpiper in the mix. Sorry Milt - no Hudsonian. Betsy Beneke St. Cloud 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] Detroit Lakes/ NW MN Birds?
Never fear Betsy the 15th Festival of birds in Detroit Lakes was as good as ever. There were over 200 birders, workshops on golden-winged warblers and American woodcock, great talks by Carrol Henderson and John Marzluff, and lots of birds including: redheaded woodpeckers at Balmoral Golf Course, red-necked phalarope at Hamden Slough NWR, and 16 species of shore birds at Agassiz NWR including a white-faced ibis. -Original Message- From: Minnesota Birds [mailto:MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU] On Behalf Of Betsy Beneke Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2012 6:10 PM To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Subject: [mou-net] Detroit Lakes/ NW MN Birds? It seems to me there was some big birding event in Detroit Lakes this past weekend, wasn't there? The birding must have been really poor, since I haven't seen a single post about what was found up there. Too bad...I've heard that at one time, it was a pretty cool area to be in during spring migration, and that festival was not to be missed... Betsy Beneke 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] [mou-rba] Morrison/Benton County - 5/21/12
May 21, 2012 Spent the afternoon birding in Morrison and Benton counties. With some nice results. Here are a few of the species I observed today. Snow Goose - Benton County - Observed on the North side of the small pond, in the SE corner of the intersection of CR 13 and CR 1. Note this is the same location that Betsy Beneke had posted for shorebirds on the 19th. While I was there at 1:30 to 2:00 pm the American Avocets were the only shorebirds present on the pond. Gray Partridge - Morrison County - Just North of the town of Little Rock, along the North side of 53rd street, 1/4 mile East of Highway 25. Western Grebe - Benton County - The bird first found by Herb Dingmann is still present at the Gilman sewage ponds. Black Bellied Plover - Morrison County - Five were observed at the Pierz sewage ponds. American Avocet - Morrison County - One American Avocet was observed at the Pierz sewage ponds. Benton County - Two American Avocet was observed at the same location as the Snow Goose. Hudsonian Godwit - Morrison County - A single bird was observed at the Pierz sewage ponds.Red-necked Phalarope - Morrison County - Four Red-necked Phalaropes were observed at the Pierz sewage ponds.Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Benton county - Two Yellow-billed Cuckoo's were heard near the Gilman Sewage ponds.Black-billed Cuckoo - Mille Lacs county - Single bird seen near the Milaca sewage ponds, along the Mountain Biking Trail.Western Meadowlark - Benton County - Several seen and heard, just West of Mayhew lake boat ramp and park. Craig MandelMinnetonka, Hennepin countyegretc...@msn.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
[mou-net] Wright - tricolored heron - no
I spent a couple of hours this morning searching areas near where Milt Blomberg found the tri-colored heron - without success. There's a lot of possible habitat there - some not easily accessed - so I hope others will search too. Thanks, Milt, for your post. Wish I could have found the bird. Betsy 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] Eurasion Collared-Dove in Lake County
Sharon Lind found a Eurasian Collared-Dove this evening in our yard at 320 2nd Avenue in Two Harbors. If accepted, this would be the first record for Lake County. The only other records I know of for northeast MN are a bird in Kim Eckert's yard in Duluth May 9, 2008, and a small number of birds seen on a semi-regular basis in Grand Rapids since 2007. Jim Lind Two Harbors 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] Monday birding
50 species at TCCAP today including 3 solitary sandpipers and a Wilson's Warbler.We walked the 2 mile loop between Cty Rd H and I just east of 35W. --- Ben Wilson (651) 332-1362 mobile http://bnwilson.com b...@bnwilson.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
[mou-net] Sax-Zim Bog today - Connecticut, Mourning, Blackburnian and much more (with photos)
I arrived at Sax-Zim Bog around 5am this morning to show a visiting birdwatcher around the area. The birding trip was so much fun! Our day started off by walking through the peat trails which meander through the tamarack black spruce bog areas. Upon setting foot in the peat trails around civil twilight, the full spectrum of songbird vocalizations began! Three Connecticut Warblers and four Mourning Warblers were observed today. We had an impressive spectrum of warblers all-round, as well as flycatchers, a fly-by American Bittern (plus other bittern as the day progressed), and much more. It was neat to see a thick layer of frost in the early morning hours. The eBird list below is of today's sightings while birding in Sax-Zim Bog. Below the eBird list are a few of my favorite photos from the day. Canada Goose 2 Redhead 1 Ring-necked Duck 2 Ring-necked Pheasant 1 call was heard Ruffed Grouse 2 both observations were auditory, from grouse drumming Common Loon 1 American Bittern 3 Great Blue Heron 1 Turkey Vulture 2 Bald Eagle 1 Northern Harrier 2 Both sightings were adult males Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 2 American Kestrel 1 Sandhill Crane 1 Killdeer 1 Wilson's Snipe 2 Rock Pigeon 3 Mourning Dove 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker 1 Olive-sided Flycatcher 1 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1 Alder Flycatcher 8 Least Flycatcher 5 Eastern Phoebe 2 Eastern Kingbird 1 Blue-headed Vireo 2 Red-eyed Vireo 4 Gray Jay 2 Blue Jay 4 American Crow 10 Common Raven 14 Tree Swallow 6 Barn Swallow 4 Cliff Swallow 1 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper 1 Winter Wren 3 Sedge Wren 6 Marsh Wren 6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 Eastern Bluebird 2 One pair was observed Veery 2 Hermit Thrush 8 American Robin 4 Gray Catbird 2 Brown Thrasher 1 European Starling 4 Ovenbird 4 Northern Waterthrush 2 Golden-winged Warbler 3 Black-and-white Warbler 5 Tennessee Warbler 1 Nashville Warbler 16 Connecticut Warbler 3 Mourning Warbler 4 Common Yellowthroat 15 American Redstart 2 Cape May Warbler 1 Northern Parula 1 Magnolia Warbler 1 Blackburnian Warbler 2 Yellow Warbler 4 Chestnut-sided Warbler 5 Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 Canada Warbler 1 Eastern Towhee 2 Chipping Sparrow 4 Clay-colored Sparrow 6 Savannah Sparrow 8 Song Sparrow 3 Lincoln's Sparrow 5 Swamp Sparrow 5 White-throated Sparrow 20 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Bobolink 7 Red-winged Blackbird 4 Brewer's Blackbird 3 Common Grackle 2 Brown-headed Cowbird 5 Purple Finch 3 American Goldfinch 5 House Sparrow 1 Chipping Sparrow http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/143480402 Lincoln's Sparrow http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/143480401 Mourning Warbler http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/143480413 Northern Flicker http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/143480417 Sunrise http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/143480428 Good birding, Erik Bruhnke Duluth, MN -- *NATURALLY AVIAN* - Guided Birdwatching Trips and Bird photography www.pbase.com/birdfedr www.naturallyavian.blogspot.com birdf...@gmail.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
[mou-net] Eastern Bluebirds Fledged
All five of our eastern bluebird youngsters successfully fledged earlier today. This would not be particularly noteworthy save for the fact the male has fed and cared for them all by himself the past 10 days. The female disappeared seven days after hatching five eggs. We have continued to provide mealworms and the male all but takes them from the can. He is feeding them in the nearby trees and it has been difficult to see the fleglings at this point. In cleaning out the nestbox we found no feces but a number of live mealworms he had apparently brought while or after fledging. As we were gone when the young birds left the nestbox we will not know how many have survived until we hopefully see them at the feeders. We observed a female in the area this afternoon, it will be interesting if he will be interested in another romantic relationship after his ordeal the past week and a half. John Nelson Good Thunder 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
