[mou-net] Belated Report? I-35E Eagles Build new nest...

[Holly Peirson]

Noted late last week:

(but other birders may have already reported on this phenomenon...) 

The eagles who have nested for years in a tree on the east side of I-35E,
just south of the merge with I-35-W, have built a new nest in the same
tree!! 

Both nests are quite huge and clearly visible in winter when there are no
leaves. I have not been down that stretch of the freeway for quite a while.
It would sure have been fun to watch them build it! 

Holly Peirson
Columbus, SE Anoka Co.


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[mou-net] Another N Shore "Jim Lind" Boreal Owl

[sparky stensaas]

Jim Lind strikes again! Or was it Sharon ...or Charlie?


They found a Boreal Owl today along Scenic Hwy 61 about 0.4 mi E (north) of 
Homestead Rd near Fire# 5740/5744. This is just W (south) of Stoney Point 
between Duluth and Two Harbors.


The bird was on the N side of the road. Many were able to see this owl...A 
lifer for Julio from CA and several birders from OH.


The Boreal dozed, then hunted actively...and even plunged in the snow but sadly 
no vole.


As Mike Hendrickson noted, there was some whitewash on the branch so maybe this 
is a regular perch??


Sparky Stensaas 
2515 Garthus Road 
Wrenshall, MN 55797 
218.341.3350 cell 
sparkystens...@hotmail.com

www.SparkyPhotos.com
www.ThePhotoNaturalist.com
www.SaxZim.org
www.StoneRidgePress.com
www.KollathStensaas.com
 
  

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[mou-net] FW: Red headed woodpecker

[Jeanie Joppru]

Jeanie Joppru 
Pennington County, MN 
  

 

> -Original Message-
> From: steve hettig [mailto:stevehet...@hotmail.com] 
> Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2013 6:42 PM
> To: ajjop...@mncable.net
> Subject: Red headed woodpecker
> 
> 
> we have a juvenile red headed woodpecker in our backyard, 
> been around a couple of weeks, also have a red bellied 
> woodpecker visiting our feeders and yesterday a Pilated 
> woodpecker flew by.  we live about 2 miles north of Morton, 
> mn.   Steve & Chris Hettig
> Sent from my iPad
> 


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[mou-net] St. Paul Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

[linda whyte]

Conceding to the need for exercise, we ventured out on a neighborhood walk
just ahead of the precipitation, and were able to see the Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker in Lombard Woods, coming to backyard feeders. We were watching a
suet feeder, but the one in view seemed empty. Instead, it appeared as if
the bird may have made a very quick stop at a seed feeder (black oil
sunflower?), then flew to the utility pole behind the feeders.

We couldn't tell from the view whether it was eating or caching or just
digging there, but it was positioned a few feet below what seemed to be a
frame platform on the pole, partially covered with branches or vine, which
may have offered the bird a bit of protection from the sleet that had
begun. We had sufficient looks  to see a spot of red on the head, the light
throat, some buffy tones, a broad white bar on the wing, and some barring
on the back. After a couple of minutes it flew back to the woods, and we
beat a hasty retreat home.

Linda Whyte


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[mou-net] Morrison County Evening Grossbeaks.

[Frank Gosiak]

Finally, found Evening Grossbeaks in Morrison County. Coming in to a feeder W 
of the 
Cushing Church North of Little Falls on Hwy10. The owner will call back if he 
sees them 
again. He has  seen them 3 times before .


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[mou-net] White-winged Crossbills in Edina

[Joel and Lisa Swanstrom]

I came upon a surprise while walking the dog today. About five crossbills
were on the snow bank and let me get a good look. Then a whole flock flew
out of a nearby tree and they all went off to who knows were.

 

I guess I should always have my binoculars on walks. I was assuming they
were house finches until I got real close.

 

Joel Swanstrom



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[mou-net] International Festival of Owls [No Sighting]

[Alan Stankevitz]

The 11^th Annual International Festival of Owls will be held March 1-3, 
2013 in Houston, MN. Featured speakers will include World Owl Hall of 
Fame award winners Dr. Wolfgang Scherzinger from Germany, Dr. Lucia Liu 
Severinghaus from Taiwan, and if all goes well, Francis Kithure from 
Kenya.  Other speakers include Karla Bloem giving details about the 
future International Owl Center and Alan Stankevitz with a "Whoo's Who" 
in the owl world.


Birders may also be interested in the Friday evening owl prowls and 
Sunday morning birding and natural history bus trip that concludes with 
a lunch at the local German restaurant.


Photographers may be interested in entering the digital owl photo 
contest for amateurs (deadline Feb. 1, first prize $100) or 
participating in one of the highly popular outdoor owl photography sessions.


For more information and to register visit www.festivalofowls.com 
.



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Re: [mou-net] Tips for finding Boreal Owls?

[Bruce W. Stahly]

Having seen 5-6 Boreal Owls here at my house (near Grand Marais) over 
the years, here is what I have noticed:


In the daytime, they like to perch in a conifer, 6-8 feet from the 
ground and about 8-10 inches from the trunk. They are usually well 
hidden, and their camouflage and size makes them difficult to spot even 
if you are looking. A group of mobbing chickadees is the best signal, 
but the chickadees seem to give up after a short time, so it is chancy 
that you will be present when the mobbing is in progress. I spotted the 
Boreal Owl that I reported on Jan 5 because of a group of mobbing 
chickadees. But by the time I went back to the house to get my camera 
and return (less than 10 minutes) the chickadees had given up and left.


At night, check the trees around your feeder--again, about 6-8 feet from 
the ground, but with a clear view and flight path to the area under the 
feeder. They also seem to like a sheltered spot, such as under a deck or 
in an open woodshed. I have found that a Boreal Owl will return multiple 
times to a feeder, but that they don't seem to be  faithful to their 
daytime roosts. In 2005 I had a Boreal Owl come to my feeder for 10 
nights in a row, but I have never seen one twice in the daytime in the 
same roosting spot.


Sorry to say, but as with many things birding, it is mostly luck.

Bruce Stahly
Grand Marais


On 1/27/2013 8:03 AM, Shawn Conrad wrote:

With Boreal Owl reports turning up in Minnesota, there will be a lot of
interest in looking for them in the next few weeks.  Obviously the North
Shore presents the best opportunity, but it seems like there's some
consistency about the type of location these wintering birds are drawn to.
For those of us who feel like we're looking for a needle in a haystack
(which we basically are), I'm wondering if those of you experienced at
finding wintering Boreal Owls could share some tips for finding them on the
listserv.  Seeing someone else's Boreal Owl find would be funfinding my
*own *little owl would be a real *hoot*.

Thanks!




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[mou-net] Bald Eagles on territory Ramsey County

[Manley Olson]

About 3:30 yesterday I saw 2 adults perched in the tree where eagles 
have nested for several years. The tree with the old nest  very visible 
is on the south side of Highway 36 near the intersection with Highway 
61. The view is better from the eastbound lane of 36. Had not seen birds 
there recently.

Manley Olson
Falcon Heights


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