[mou-net] Cape May Warbler

[Steven Hansen]

I saw a Cape May Warbler in a mixed species flock in my backyard in White
Bear Lake, Ramsey County this morning.  Other species included Yellow
Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Palm Warbler   I have photographic
evidence of the Cape May and Palm, although the photographs of the Cape May
are valuable for identification only.

Steve Hansen, White Bear Lake


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Re: [mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars

[Derek Bakken]

Great topic idea.

There was something similar recently on the NYT Blog.

http://t.co/176ZAWXE8s

I agree with the idea that anyone out looking at birds is a birder whether
they have a camera, binos, or are just out walking and listening to bird
song.

There are two points I would like to add to the discussion though:

1)  Pro Cameras:  A camera has nearly become mandatory for many birders.
 As birding has become more popular, fewer birders actually know each other
and as a result the level of "trust" in a reported sighting or ID is
diminishing.  This is not meant to criticize anyone, but how many birders
will jump in their car and drive across the state to see a bird reported by
someone they don't know and without some sort of photographic proof?

Cameras also allow birders to take photos of hard to ID species (peeps,
fall warblers, etc..) and get input from others or to allow further study
later on.

Another more obvious benefit of bringing cameras while out birding is the
proliferation of amazing shots on blogs, Flickr, MOU, etc...  Being able to
see a Cliff Swallow scooping up mud or warblers gleaning insects off a leaf
in all it's 500mm glory is something I think most people appreciate.


2)  Against Cameras:  Personally, I worry that some birders are becoming
far too reliant on cameras for purposes of IDing birds.  They risk never
developing a basic level of ID skills (appearance, song, actions) that I
feel enhance the birding experience.

I've been on walks before where someone with only a camera is snapping away
and then asking people to help ID the birds in the photo.  I have no
problem with that - everyone is entitled to enjoy life their own way - but
I feel like they are missing out on half the fun.

As the NYT article mentions, it won't be too many years in the future when
binoculars can ID the bird for you just by looking at it.  There is already
an app due this summer that will allow birders to ID bird calls similar to
the Shazam! app that ID's music.

The rapid growth in portable technology has the potential for both positive
and negative consequences.  I hope birders and all lovers of nature
continue to have discussions like the one Jim is considering writing about.

To update a bible verse:  Technology giveth, and technology taketh away.


-- 
Derek Bakken
spottedtow...@gmail.com
iowagreatlakesbirding.blogspot.com
ornitholature.blogspot.com

Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members
make it!

Also, please report your bird sightings to eBird and/or the IOU/MOU.  The
information gathered is vital to the future of birds.


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Re: [mou-net] iPhone Bird Call App

[Julian Sellers]

Thanks for your replies.  I think the requestor has plenty of good info now.

Julian

From: Julian Sellers 
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 2:22 PM
To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU 
Subject: [mou-net] iPhone Bird Call App

Passing on a request for info:

“I would like advice to select an iphone app with the most accurate pitch of 
bird calls. Other secondary info like a picture would be nice for ID, but I am 
most interested in good sound replication.  I heard a National Geographic bird 
app that sounded nice to my untrained ears, but we could not find it to buy it 
and I realized I should ask you experts about good iphone apps for a beginner.  
Or is there a dedicated device that is better than an iphone app that I should 
consider and where would I obtain it?”

If you have a recommendation, please reply to me at juliansell...@msn.com.

Julian


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[mou-net] Amelionistic red-tailed hawk eden prairie

[Melinda Schaefbauer]

I tried posting this last Thursday, but it didn't seem to work. Last 
Thursday, I saw an amelanistic red-tailed hawk perched in a tree along the east 
side the northbound lane of 494 in Eden Prairie. It was located just north of 
Valley View Rd exit/entrance. It was all snowy white, except for its pale red 
tail. It was beautiful.

Melinda


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[mou-net] Amelanistic

[Melinda Schaefbauer]

I tried posting this last Thursday, but it didn't seem to work. Last Thursday, 
I saw an amelanistic red-tailed hawk perched in a tree along the east side the 
northbound lane of 494 in Eden Prairie. It was located just north of Valley 
View Rd exit/entrance. It was all snowy white, except for its pale red tail. It 
was beautiful.

Melinda


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[mou-net] Orchard Oriole male, Crystal, Hennepin Co, MN

[Alex Cruz]

I am not sure if this would be of interest to anyone but I had two new yard
birds yesterday at my backyard in Crystal: A Northern Waterthrush and male
Orchard Oriole. The Orchard Oriole has been frequenting my oriole feeder in
the backyard since yesterday morning. This is only the 4th time I have seen
this species in the Twin Cities area and a first for my yard!
Lookin' up,
Alex Cruz
Crystal, Hennepin Co, MN


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[mou-net] Westwood Birdwalk

[Vic Lewis]

15 birders braved the cold and wind to find 65 species of Birds at Westwood 
Nature Center today! Highlights included 17 species of Warblers and the best 
looks at a Cerulean Warbler that I have seen in my 44 years of birding!also 
Magnolia, northern Parula, BLACKPOLL,chestnut Sided and Dynamite looks at a 
Wilson's  and Blue Grey Gnatcatcher etal! Also Black Crowned Nite-Heron,broad 
winged Hawk and Harris, White crowned and White throated in same flock made the 
morning walk memorable! Thanks to the staff at Westwood for the Great 
Hospitality and look for next weeks bird walk Day! Vic Lewis Summer Migrant 
from Az!:) Ps great to meet all the new birders who attended! 

Sent from my iPad

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[mou-net] Fw: [mou-net] Carver County White-eyed Vireo

[roy zimmerman]

On Monday, M
The bird was found again today at noon, same location.


On Monday, May 12, 2014 11:41 PM, Dennis and Barbara Martin 
 wrote:
 
Refound the White-eyed Vireo that John Cyrus had yesterday along the old 
>hunting trail on the west side of Rapids Lake.  Note this is not a trail for 
>folks with bad knees and backs as you are constantly climbing over or under 
>fallen trees.
>
>Denny
>
>Dennis and Barbara Martin
>Shorewood, MN
>-Original Message- 
>From: John Cyrus
>Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2014 3:28 PM
>To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU
>Subject: [mou-net] Carver County White-eyed Vireo
>
>I found a White-eyed Vireo along the western shore of Rapids Lake this
>morning.  I uploaded a photo to the MOU site, or you can look here 
>https://www.flickr.com/photos/27446731@N02/with/14158606261/
>
>Otherwise
>I turned up the same but more(a few species less) of 21 warbler species that 
>I saw
>yesterday: Ovenbird, Northern Waterthrush, Golden-winged, Blue-winged,
>Black-and-white, Tennessee(big increase in these compared to yesterday),
>Orange-crowned, Nashville, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Cape
>May, Northern Parula, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Yellow, Chestnut-sided,
>Blackpoll, Palm, Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Green, and Wilson's.
>Other arrivals included Red-eyed Vireo and Henslow's Sparrow(singing
>from remaining limb in burnt grassland).
>
>John Cyrus
>
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>
>
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>
>
>


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Re: [mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars

[Bernard P. Friel]

 Jim, I began bird watching with binoculars in 1963, soon after I built
a couple of feeders I erected in our backyard, and discovered that all those
birds at my feeders were not robins and sparrows...bought my first good
camera in 1965 and quickly discovered that I needed a longer lens for the
birds...and soon thereafter discovered I needed longer and longer
lenses...joined the MOU in 1967 and obtained my first MN bird lists and
began keeping track...and until the early 1990s with the advent of
autofocus, manual focus made all wildlife photography a real challenge and
birds a particular challenge.
 For many years I have considered that I have not really seen the bird
unless I have an acceptable photograph of it, and that does require a lot
more effort and patience.
 Today I'm sitting in a blind at my home next to a water feature waiting
for the warblers to come in to drink, feed (many like suet and jelly) and
bathe, and there has been good results this year with a variety of warblers
and many, many orioles.
 Today the binoculars tell me what I hope will come within photo
distance.

Bernie
-- 
Bernard P. Friel
Motivational Program:
   A Change of Heart-Taking Charge of Your Health
Member:
 North American Nature Photography Association
 International Society of Aviation Photography
 The Explorers Club MN¹ 10
 Grand Canyon River Guides
Web Pages and purchase photographs at:
 http://www.wampy.com




> From: Jim 
> Reply-To: Jim 
> Date: Tue, 13 May 2014 12:08:23 -0500
> To: 
> Subject: [mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars
> 
> Let¹s get more specific: anyone care to comment on what I see as a growing
> number of birders ‹ people interested in birds ‹ who use cameras instead of
> binoculars. Some don¹t even carry binoculars. Are these folks birders? Does
> the equipment define them or limit the definition? I¹m exploring this as
> possible subject of a Tribune article.
> 
> Thanks.
> Jim Williams
> birding blog at 
> http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/blogs/Wingnut.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


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[mou-net] Sparrows and warblers on U of MN St. Paul campus; warblers in Mississippi River Gorge

[David Zumeta]

>From 2:30-3:00 p.m. today on the U of MN St. Paul campus across Buford
Avenue from the bus stop just west of the Student Center, the following
species were present, most feeding on the ground, some on the sidewalk:

2 Swainson's Thrush
3 Tennessee Warbler
8+ Nashville Warbler
10+ Yellow Warbler
1 Chestnut-sided Warbler
5+ Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Blackpoll Warbler (female)
1 Common Yellowthroat
4 Chipping Sparrow
2 Lincoln's Sparrow
1 White-throated Sparrow
2 Harris' Sparrow
2 White-crowned Sparrow

This morning in South Minneapolis, Golden-winged Warbler below 36th Street
and West River Parkway, Blue-winged Warbler and Bay-breasted Warbler plus
13 other species of warblers below stairs by 34th Street and West River
Parkway.
-- 
Dave Zumeta


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[mou-net] Sora in Hennepin County

[Janet Brown]

I'm not sure if this was reported yet but I spotted a Sora at Veteran's 
Memorial Park in Richfield today. This was a lifer for me! It was at the west 
end of the boardwalk in the marsh along the shore. 

Janet Brown 




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Re: [mou-net] Western Tanager in Champlin, Hennepin Co.

[Steven & Cynthia Broste]

The Western Tanager has made multiple appearances today, showing up roughly 
every 30-45 minutes.

Steve and Cindy Broste


On May 13, 2014, at 7:32 AM, Steven & Cynthia Broste wrote:

> We just had a beautiful male Western Tanager at our suet in our backyard in 
> Champlin, in NW Hennepin County.  He hung around for about 5 minutes, but has 
> now disappeared.  I have plenty of photos and will post one on the MOU site 
> when I can.
> 
> Steve and Cindy Broste  


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Re: [mou-net] Bobolinks, Great Western Industrial Park, Dakota Cty

The Bobolinks were still present at noon.  Also saw 3 Wilson’s Phalaropes.

dan


On Tue, May 13, 2014 at 10:06 AM, Laura Coble
wrote:

> At 9:45 am today, I found a flock of singing Bobolinks on a grassy mound
> located at the south side of the west pond, in the Great Western Industrial
> Park (entrance west of Hwy 56, about 1/2 mi. north of  Randolph. I also
> heard a Sora at the same pond.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
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>



-- 
Dan or Erika Tallman
Northfield, Minnesota
daner...@gmail.com

http://dantallmansbirdblog.blogspot.com

" the best shod travel with wet feet...Beware of all enterprises that
require new clothes ”—H. D. Thoreau


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[mou-net] 2 new birds

[John Nelson]

FOY Green Heron at a flooded roadside 1/2 mile east of Perch Lake Cty153 Blue 
Earth Cty
FOY Red-headed Woodpecker at 2:00 checked out all my empty suet logs and peanut 
feeders before perching on the platform feeder 5' from the bay window--very 
special.
Everything now full, hope for a return
- and yes a photo.

John Nelson
Good Thunder MN

Sent from my iPad

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[mou-net] Newbie Report Owatonna

[Matt Boisen]

Hi all
I'm a lifelong bird geek who took ornithology centuries ago in college, but 
not a real birder by any means.  I just finished a biography of Roger Tory 
Peterson and decided to get back in the game, so I dug out my old binocs 
and field guides. I filled the sunflower seed feeders and just put up an old 
oriole orange/jam feeder over the noon hour and had a small flock of 
Baltimore orioles of both sexes converge on it within minutes.  A 
Tennessee Warbler decided to get in on the act as well.  A few minutes 
later, two male Indigo Buntings landed under the seed feeders!  In the 
space of one hour, I had a female Rose Breasted Grosbeak, three 
Cardinals, Goldfinches, Grackles, Chipping and White Throated Sparrows.  
I'm hooked again.


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[mou-net] iPhone Bird Call App

[Julian Sellers]

Passing on a request for info:

“I would like advice to select an iphone app with the most accurate pitch of 
bird calls. Other secondary info like a picture would be nice for ID, but I am 
most interested in good sound replication.  I heard a National Geographic bird 
app that sounded nice to my untrained ears, but we could not find it to buy it 
and I realized I should ask you experts about good iphone apps for a beginner.  
Or is there a dedicated device that is better than an iphone app that I should 
consider and where would I obtain it?”

If you have a recommendation, please reply to me at juliansell...@msn.com.

Julian


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[mou-net] ALERT: Black-necked Stilt--Faribault County (2nd try)

[Chad Heins]

I sent this last night but it has not arrived in my mailb
Hey birders,

I sent this last night but it has not arrived in my mailbox as of now so I'm 
trying again.

Last night, Tom Dahlen called me and indicated that his big day team found a 
Black-necked Stilt near Minnesota Lake in Faribault County.  Take CR20 west 
from Minnesota Lake.  Turn left onto 490th Ave.  The bird was apparently in a 
wetland south of the T-intersection of 490th and 235th St.

I do not know what time the bird was seen and will repost if I relocate the 
bird.

Chad Heins
Mankato, MN

 
"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


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Re: [mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars

[Janet Brown]

Liz says it perfectly. I only use a camera with a telephoto lens and sometimes 
because of bad light, the only way I can identify the bird is when I upload it 
into Lightroom and remove some of the shadows. I keep a list of what I see each 
month but I don't keep count of how many of each species I have seen on a given 
day. 

I just spent over an hour in Veteran's Memorial Park in Richfield where I took 
over a hundred pictures of an American Redstart flitting over the water eating 
bugs. I also looked for lifer birds such as Soras and Rails and I was fortunate 
enough to see a Sora for the first time! 

So, no binoculars and definitely a birder. 

Janet Brown 


- Original Message -

From: "Liz Stanley"  
To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU 
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 12:31:59 PM 
Subject: Re: [mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars 

I tend to carry my binoculars more nowadays than my camera, but when I do 
have my camera I always have my binoculars too. However one thing I've 
always liked about bird photography is that it usually requires more 
patience and time spent observing a bird, rather than simply looking at it 
from afar with binoculars or a spotting scope, checking it off a list and 
moving on to the next one. If you want to get a good photo of a bird you 
have to learn to approach it closely, sit quietly for long periods in one 
spot and to me that is a more intimate experience. I've learned a lot 
about birds that way and I find it very enjoyable. While there might be 
fewer birds seen on that type of outing, you really get to know the ones 
you do see. I certainly think that qualifies as birding, just in a 
different way. 

On Tue, May 13, 2014 12:08, Jim wrote: 
> Let’s get more specific: anyone care to comment on what I see as a 
> growing number of birders — people interested in birds — who use cameras 
> instead of binoculars. Some don’t even carry binoculars. Are these folks 
> birders? Does the equipment define them or limit the definition? I’m 
> exploring this as possible subject of a Tribune article. 
> 
> Thanks. 
> Jim Williams 
> birding blog at 
> http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/blogs/Wingnut.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 
> 
> 


-- 
Liz Stanley 
Bloomington, MN 
l...@lizstanley.com 
Backyard weather and feedercam: http://www.overlookcircle.org/ 
Photo gallery: http://www.pbase.com/gymell/liz_favorites 
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lizmstanley 

 
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Re: [mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars

[Scott]

I'm with the writer who said birders are anyone interested in observing 
birds. Technology does not define us. Our interest does. Modern cameras 
have superzooms that outdo my binoculars. Sometimes I use my camera as I 
would binoculars to get a closer look. Also sometimes at a distance I 
cannot make an identification or the difference is so slight that it 
takes some time with resources (book or computer, heaven forbid) to be 
sure. My camera has allowed me to take a shot, blow it up on my computer 
and then make an identification. Finally, cameras allows us to share our 
interest with others.  I may carry both but they are just equipment. I 
am the birder.


On 5/13/2014 12:08 PM, Jim wrote:

Let’s get more specific: anyone care to comment on what I see as a growing 
number of birders — people interested in birds — who use cameras instead of 
binoculars. Some don’t even carry binoculars. Are these folks birders? Does the 
equipment define them or limit the definition? I’m exploring this as possible 
subject of a Tribune article.

Thanks.
Jim Williams
birding blog at 
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/blogs/Wingnut.html


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[mou-net] Indigo Bunting

[Janice Dunlap]

We've got a gorgeous Indigo Bunting at our back yard feeders today. He's joined 
the pair of Red-breasted Grosbeaks, Baltimore Orioles and plenty of American 
Goldfinches. It's a rainbow in my yard!

 
Jan Dunlap
Chaska

Saved by Gracie "will win your heart and sympathy for every dog waiting to be 
adopted and for every person who needs a dog in his or her life"...Dr. Marty 
Becker, "America's Veterinarian". Watch the book trailer here and order today.
Find me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter
http://www.jandunlap.com

Author of the Bob White Birder Murder Mysteries. Look for Swift Justice in 
September 2014!



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Re: [mou-net] photo web sites

[Bernard P. Friel]

Jim, my website is www.wampy.com. If you are looking for anything in
particular, I do have many hundreds more that I have not yet gotten round to
uploading to the website.

Bernie

Bernie Friel
-- 
Bernard P. Friel
Motivational Program:
   A Change of Heart-Taking Charge of Your Health
Member:
 North American Nature Photography Association
 International Society of Aviation Photography
 The Explorers Club MN¹ 10
 Grand Canyon River Guides
Web Pages and purchase photographs at:
 http://www.wampy.com




> From: Jim 
> Reply-To: Jim 
> Date: Tue, 13 May 2014 11:53:35 -0500
> To: 
> Subject: [mou-net] photo web sites
> 
> I would appreciate receiving the addresses of any web site displaying bird
> photos taken by local photographers.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Jim Williams
> birding blog at 
> http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/blogs/Wingnut.html
> 
> 
> Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net
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Re: [mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars

[Liz Stanley]

I tend to carry my binoculars more nowadays than my camera, but when I do
have my camera I always have my binoculars too. However one thing I've
always liked about bird photography is that it usually requires more
patience and time spent observing a bird, rather than simply looking at it
from afar with binoculars or a spotting scope, checking it off a list and
moving on to the next one. If you want to get a good photo of a bird you
have to learn to approach it closely, sit quietly for long periods in one
spot and to me that is a more intimate experience. I've learned a lot
about birds that way and I find it very enjoyable. While there might be
fewer birds seen on that type of outing, you really get to know the ones
you do see. I certainly think that qualifies as birding, just in a
different way.

On Tue, May 13, 2014 12:08, Jim wrote:
> Let’s get more specific: anyone care to comment on what I see as a
> growing number of birders — people interested in birds — who use cameras
> instead of binoculars. Some don’t even carry binoculars. Are these folks
> birders? Does the equipment define them or limit the definition? I’m
> exploring this as possible subject of a Tribune article.
>
> Thanks.
> Jim Williams
> birding blog at
> http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/blogs/Wingnut.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
>
>


-- 
Liz Stanley
Bloomington, MN
l...@lizstanley.com
Backyard weather and feedercam: http://www.overlookcircle.org/
Photo gallery: http://www.pbase.com/gymell/liz_favorites
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Re: [mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars

[McBride, James E. "Jamie"]

What an interesting question to MOU, a place full of opinions of all things 
birds. Defining a birder according to an insiders preferred style of viewing is 
too limiting. We're all birding!

If someone is out viewing and/or learning about birds then they are birders in 
that moment. Of the group member I led in Minneapolis this morning most had 
binoculars, one took pictures without binoculars, and a few had neither 
binoculars or cameras but were enjoying learning about the birds nonetheless. 
They had interest in the birds of the city and were at least birders for the 
morning. 

That's the educator opinion in me who hopes to inspire more regular birding and 
"birders" of those I lead.

Jamie McBride
Interim Environmental Education Coordinator
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
612-313-7725(desk) or 612-499-9241(cell)


-Original Message-
From: Minnesota Birds [mailto:MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU] On Behalf Of Jim
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 12:08 PM
To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU
Subject: [mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars

Let's get more specific: anyone care to comment on what I see as a growing 
number of birders - people interested in birds - who use cameras instead of 
binoculars. Some don't even carry binoculars. Are these folks birders? Does the 
equipment define them or limit the definition? I'm exploring this as possible 
subject of a Tribune article.

Thanks.
Jim Williams
birding blog at 
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/blogs/Wingnut.html


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Re: [mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars

[Bryand, Monica]

I'll weigh in just a little. I'm a birder, maybe 8-10 years and just started 
using a camera lens (500mm) about a year ago. I sometimes carry binocs and a 
scope depending on where I'm going. I have learned more about birds from my 
photos and have loved sharing them with others to get them interested in 
birding. I now have the luxury of taking a photo and then actually identifying 
what it was I saw.  

-Original Message-
From: Minnesota Birds [mailto:MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU] On Behalf Of Jim
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 12:08 PM
To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU
Subject: [mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars

Let's get more specific: anyone care to comment on what I see as a growing 
number of birders - people interested in birds - who use cameras instead of 
binoculars. Some don't even carry binoculars. Are these folks birders? Does the 
equipment define them or limit the definition? I'm exploring this as possible 
subject of a Tribune article.

Thanks.
Jim Williams
birding blog at 
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/blogs/Wingnut.html


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[mou-net] using a camera instead of binoculars

[Jim]

Let’s get more specific: anyone care to comment on what I see as a growing 
number of birders — people interested in birds — who use cameras instead of 
binoculars. Some don’t even carry binoculars. Are these folks birders? Does the 
equipment define them or limit the definition? I’m exploring this as possible 
subject of a Tribune article.

Thanks.
Jim Williams
birding blog at 
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/blogs/Wingnut.html


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[mou-net] photo web sites

[Jim]

I would appreciate receiving the addresses of any web site displaying bird 
photos taken by local photographers.

Thanks.

Jim Williams
birding blog at 
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/homegarden/blogs/Wingnut.html


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[mou-net] Pope and Douglas County birds

[Sid Stivland]

Spent most of last week in Pope and Douglas Counties but got in very little 
birding due to weather and family obligations (celebrating my mother’s 100th 
birthday).

Lake Latoka in Alexandria – for 4 days, the lawn was covered with more than 40 
Yellow-rumped Warblers and a few others (Palm, Black-and-White, and Yellow).  
While the existence of Yellow-rumps was not remarkable, their close proximity 
to the house was and provided the best opportunity to introduce the grand-kids 
to the “little gray and yellow birds” we have had in a long time.  The warblers 
were hawking insects right off the windows giving the kids a close up view – 
great!  

Also on the lawn – 

- 5 Spotted Sandpipers 
- Chipping Sparrows  
- Robins 
- Mallards.

On Lake Latoka – 

 - 3 Common Loons
 - 3 Horned Grebes
 - 1 Pied-billed Grebe
 - 3 White Pelicans
 - a pair of terns (I think they were Caspians).

On the way home in the rain on Monday –  

Lake Minnewaska  - 

   -  Pair of Loons
   -  a single Loon in non-breeding plumage 

South of Glenwood – 

-  a pair of Bald Eagles in a  tree
-  Gray-cheeked Thrush
-  Swainson’s Thrush
- many pairs of Blue-winged Teal and Wood Ducks
-  Spotted Sandpipers
- Yellowlegs sp
-  Redhead
-  Killdeer
-  Palm, Yellow, Yellow-rumped Warblers

And the bird of the day – and a new Pope County bird for us – Blackpoll Warbler!

Sid Stivland
Plymouth MN (and Pope County)


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[mou-net] Whip-poor-will in Dakota County

[Steve Weston]

A friend of mine, who I believe is still living in Lakeville, was surprised
to hear a Whip-poor-will calling this morning at about dawn.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
swest...@comcast.net


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[mou-net] Hubbard County worm-eating warblers

[marshall or janet howe/mcmillen]

This is a re-send of a note that was rejected at the time of the apparent
server malfunction on the 11th:

I have a belated and very credible report of two worm-eating warblers
sighted Saturday, May 10th, on Hubbard County 13, about 5 miles south of
Nevis, at this highway's second crossing of the Crow Wing River.  The birds
were seen by John and Marlene Weber during a Big Day effort on a day when
there was a huge influx of migrants.

If accepted, this would be the first record of worm-eating warbler for
Hubbard County.

Marshall Howe


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[mou-net] Bobolinks, Great Western Industrial Park, Dakota Cty

[Laura Coble]

At 9:45 am today, I found a flock of singing Bobolinks on a grassy mound 
located at the south side of the west pond, in the Great Western Industrial 
Park (entrance west of Hwy 56, about 1/2 mi. north of  Randolph. I also heard a 
Sora at the same pond. 

Sent from my iPhone

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[mou-net] Black-throated Blue

[Sid Stivland]

Warbler #25 on our yard list here at the Stivland ranch in Plymouth – 
Black-throated Blue Warbler.  He is currently coming to my neighbor’s Oriole 
jelly and orange half feeder.  Now if we can just get a Cerulean – well we can 
hope, can’t we?

Sid Stivland
Plymouth, MN


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[mou-net] Westwood Cerulean

[roymz...@yahoo.com]

Today during the Westwood bird walk we had a very cooperative cerulean warbler 
feeding on the ground beside the path between the parking lot and the visitors' 
center.  Photo later.

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android




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[mou-net] Wabasha County Big Day/174 sp. (long)

[Dedrick Benz]

Sometimes Big Days are planned months ahead of time.  Sometimes Big Days are 
kept on a tight schedule, allocating a certain amount of time per location and 
species.  Sometimes they run midnite to midnite.  Sometimes sane people call 
them off, when the forecast is for a ridiculous amount of rain.  Sometimes.
I've always wanted to a Wabasha County Big Day, but in many years, there is 
little shorebird habitat, so I have warned folks that when there is a good 
shorebird year in Wabasha county, I will call an audible (it is not often that 
I am confused with Peyton Manning), and a Big Day will happen fast.
While I love birding my home county (Winona), I have to admit Wabasha excites 
me, perhaps not unlike a mistress, what with her giant Lake Pepin, and quality 
prairie habitat at Weaver Dunes.  I've birded it a lot, and figured we could 
pretty much wing an itinerary.  With the changeover of shorebirds at County 
Roads 24 and 30, we thought it would be a good idea to hit this area more than 
once.  
Andy Nyhus and I started at 5:30 AM, a very civil time in the Big Day scheme of 
things, and ended before 10PM on Monday May 12, 2014.  We found no Casual or 
Accidental species, but were able to relocate many rare regular species that 
had been found on the 2 preceding days, and made a few serendipitous 
discoveries on Big Day itself.  For a complete list of species seen, go to 
moumn.org, and query the sightings database for ANy (Andrew Nyhus).  
Summary by family:
Ducks:  14 (lucky to have some late lingerers)Shorebirds:  19 (not including 
White-faced Ibis)Raptors:  8Warblers:  23Sparrows:  15Swallows:  All 
6Woodpeckers:  All 7
The Day:
CR 29 (US 61 to Winona County line):
This road is the first good area when coming from Winona.  We had Ruffed 
Grouse, Wild Turkey, a smattering of songbirds, and, an unplanned bonus was 
hearing Sora and Virginia Rail, as birds singing from the marshy sloughs of the 
Whitewater River below are audible.  Common Nighthawk was also nice to pick up 
at this early hour.  A local landowner came up to see what we were up to, and 
when Andy started explaining a Big Day, the landowner said, "Yeah, I've seen 
the movie; have a good day fellas."  I'm surprised (and somewhat grateful) how 
many non-birders watched the Big Year.
MN 74 (US 61 to Winona County line):MN 74 runs along the north side of the 
Whitewater River and it's fantastic marshes (the Dorer pools) and unlike CR 29, 
it runs quite close to the wetlands.  Black Tern, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and 
Common Gallinule nest here most years (the wetter the better, generally), and 
these species were found in short order.   A winnowing Wilson's Snipe and a 
singing Orchard Oriole were nice birds found en route.  Total species so far: 
77 (7AM)
Flooded fields along CRs 24 and 30:We were a little dismayed to find out how 
much the nights rain had raised the water levels, and how many birds had left 
one field, but most of these species were refound in nearby fields.  17 of our 
19 species of shorebirds were found here, including Hudsonian Godwit, Willet, 
Black-bellied and American Golden Plovers.  The White-faced Ibis found the day 
before was still there.  Birds that don't probe the mud, like Bobolink and 
Savannah Sparrow, of course were in the area, too, adding to the day's total.  
Peterson Lake:A large backwater of the Mississippi, this spot had some key 
species of lingering waterfowl, including Common Loon, Red-breasted Merganser, 
Canvasback, Common Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck and Lesser Scaup.  Being a weekday, 
there was little boat traffic, which we believe contributed to our success.  We 
drove around some pines in the area, and lucked into a Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Krueger Recreation Area:An immense forest, we thought we would really clean up 
on woods birds here.  As it turned out, Warblers came gradually throughout the 
whole day, and Krueger played a relatively small role.  It was here we ran into 
Pat Pagel, who mentioned her regular Tufted Titmice at her feeders.  We were 
unsure about soliciting tips during the Big Day, but as this was not a "hot 
tip" (Titmice are year-round residents in Wabasha County), we reluctantly 
accepted general directions to the general area where she lives, and later in 
the day were able to find a singing bird away from anyone's feeders.
Greenfield Cemetery:Just west of Kellogg along CR 18, Andy had discovered this 
spot yesterday, and had a singing Pine Warbler.  It was still singing away in 
some pines just outside the eastern edge of the cemetery fence.  There are huge 
White Pines here, and it is gated, set back from the road a bit.  A gem.  We 
also added Cedar Waxwing and Cape May and Palm Warblers for the day.  
Plainview, Carley State Park:Driving to and from these areas was an excuse to 
pick up more agricultural birds (Western Meadowlark, Red-tailed Hawk, American 
Kestrel, Ring-necked Pheasant) and represents some of our only time very far 
away from Hwy 61.  Plainview has been 

Re: [mou-net] Western Tanager in Champlin, Hennepin Co.

[Steven & Cynthia Broste]

Western tanager came back. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 13, 2014, at 7:32 AM, Steven & Cynthia Broste  
> wrote:
> 
> We just had a beautiful male Western Tanager at our suet in our backyard in 
> Champlin, in NW Hennepin County.  He hung around for about 5 minutes, but has 
> now disappeared.  I have plenty of photos and will post one on the MOU site 
> when I can.
> 
> Steve and Cindy Broste  
> 
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[mou-net] Western Tanager in Champlin, Hennepin Co.

[Steven & Cynthia Broste]

We just had a beautiful male Western Tanager at our suet in our backyard in 
Champlin, in NW Hennepin County.  He hung around for about 5 minutes, but has 
now disappeared.  I have plenty of photos and will post one on the MOU site 
when I can.

Steve and Cindy Broste  

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[mou-net] Fw: [mou-net] Ibis--Sherburne County

[roymz...@yahoo.com]

At least 4 ibises present today at 12:30 feeding next to the road just south of 
the culvert.

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android



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[mou-net] Brown Co & vicinity migration

[Kim R Eckert]

In addition to the previously-posted Summer Tanager in Blue Earth Co (first 
found by George Lahr), the Minn Birding Weekends group found a few other 
species of note this weekend, May 10-11. We were mostly along the Minnesota 
River Valley in Brown Co, with some time spent in parts of Renville, Nicollet, 
Blue Earth, and Sibley Co's, and turned up a surprising total of 143 species in 
all.

- Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, and White-rumped Sandpiper were among the 14 
shorebird species seen this afternoon at Sand Lake in Sibley Co, which is along 
the W side of Hwy 15 at 310th St (3 mi N of the Nicollet Co line or 3 mi S of 
Winthrop). This was the only shorebird site of particular note that we found 
(Linda Sparling had briefly scouted it out on Friday en route to the MBW), 
although of interest as well were the 290 Wilson's Phalaropes at the Sleepy Eye 
sewage ponds yesterday.

- Also at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds was an unexpected adult Common Tern.

- We found 17 warbler species in all (the same as our shorebird total), with 
Golden-winged and Cape May probably the best ones on the list. However, there 
were no significant waves or concentrations of warblers or other passerines 
anywhere, so that most of the warbler species were only represented by a few 
individuals.


Kim Eckert, Duluth
http://www.mbwbirds.com



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[mou-net] migrants and owls at Roberts, Minneapolis

[Stephen Greenfield]

There were a lot of migrants in the Roberts sanctuary in Minneapolis
mid-morning on Monday -- at least 19 species of warblers, including 4 each
of Golden-winged and Bay-breasted along with more common species. There were
still Palm, Orange-crowned, and Yellow-rumped, so maybe it's still early in
the migration. Also, in addition to the regular Great Horned Owl, Ann Inouye
pointed out a pair of Barred Owls; I don't know how long those can co-exist
in a small area. (No, the Barreds were not in a photographical location.)

 

Stephen Greenfield

Minneapolis

  tapacul...@gmail.com

 



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[mou-net] Black-throated Gray Warbler not relocated today

[Jesse Ellis]

Hi All-

The original poster near Austen posted an update, saying he could not
refind the warbler today.

Good birding,
Jesse

-- 
Jesse Ellis
Post-doctoral Researcher
Dept. of Integrative and Comparative Biology,
UCLA


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