[mou-net] Common Eider in Canal Park, Duluth

[Stephen Greenfield]

A female Common Eider was at Canal Park in Duluth on Sunday afternoon, with
Mallards near and on the shore between the south parking lot and the
"channel". 

 

I apologize for not posting earlier, but I was told it was on the area
Saturday and presume it is the same bird that was in the area (but not this
accessible!) for a month or so.

 

The area had plenty of Glaucous, Thayer's, Iceland, and Herring Gulls at
close distance. (I can't imagine there is an easier place to study gulls...)

 

Also FYI, I stopped at 44th and Regent but did not see the Golden-crowned
Sparrow.

 

Stephen Greenfield

Minneapolis

  tapacul...@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] California Gull in Duluth

[Karl Bardon]

A first-cycle California Gull appeared at Canal Park in Duluth today while
I was counting gulls. Although missed for the Duluth CBC yesterday, this is
the latest date for this species in Minnesota, with the previous latest
date an adult bird in Duluth on 15 December 1984. Interestingly, today’s
California Gull is the same individual that was present at the Superior
Entry and Wisconsin Point from 19-22 October 2014, but the bird had not
been reported for two months.  I was able to determine that it was the same
bird by comparing my photos to photos that Peder Svingen had taken back in
October, specifically looking at the detailed pattern of each uppertail
covert feather. A photo of this bird was posted on MOU Recently seen and
additional photos can be seen at
http://www.pbase.com/karlbardon/california_gull_2014.



Today was a phenomenal day for gulls at Canal Park, with over 1600 Herring
Gulls, 29 Glaucous Gulls (18 first-cycle, 4 second-cycle, 2 third-cycle,
and 5 adults), 15 Thayer’s Gulls (5 first-cycle, 2 second-cycle, and 8
adults), and 1 Iceland Gull (first-cycle). There were also 2 adult and 1
first-cycle Iceland/Thayer’s Gulls, birds that appeared to be Iceland Gulls
at first but detailed examination of the wingtip pattern showed potential
gene flow with Thayer’s Gull. This is the second highest count of Glaucous
Gulls in Minnesota, and I was able to find two additional hybrid
second-cycle Nelson’s Gulls (Glaucous x Herring) among them, with photos of
these birds at http://www.pbase.com/karlbardon/nelsons_gull_2014



The continuing Common Eider in Duluth has become a fixture at Canal Park
the last few days where it can be approached within a few feet. A detailed
photo study from today is at http://www.pbase.com/karlbardon/common_eider



Karl Bardon

Duluth, MN

www.pbase.com/karlbardon


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] Evening Grosbeaks - St. Louis County

[Tanya Beyer]

They were heading north, a group of maybe 20, over Meadowlands Twp.
yesterday morning, identifiable by call. A hard-to-forget voice if you
remember the numerous evening grosbeaks of the mid and late 1970s, probably
in Minnesota and certainly to the northeast in Ontario, where flocks would
occupy the fruiting pin cherry and juneberry trees of August, a little bit
suggestive of gold parrots in a different kind of forest.
*Tanya Beyer*

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EpiphaniesAfield


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] CBCers Surprised

[Kathy Mattsson]

After many years of fairly uneventful Christmas Bird Counts, Donn and I 
were surprised to come across a bedraggled but resplendent peacock as he 
stalked across several yards in a quiet residential area of Eden Prairie.  No 
bands.  New state record???  (Just kidding) Kathy Mattsson


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] Snowy Owl - Chippewa County

[ssmorton]

Thrilled that you got him on your count!  Lac qui Parle count is tomorrow.

Sue

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 20, 2014, at 10:32 PM, Josh Wallestad  wrote:
> 
> This morning as we gathered for the Willmar CBC, we learned that Andrew 
> Halbritter had 
> seen three Snowy Owls on his drive from Madison, MN to Willmar on 12-19-14.  
> One owl 
> was at the Lac qui Parle Valley High School, and two different owls (one a 
> white male, 
> and one a juvenile/female) were seen together in Chippewa County along MN 40 
> right 
> where MN 29 heads north to Benson.  
> 
> Late this afternoon I followed up on Andrew's report, though I did not go as 
> far as LqPV 
> HS.  I refound the male Snowy perched on a pole top along MN 40/29 at mile 
> post 16.  
> This is two miles west of where MN 29 heads north to Benson and about 8 miles 
> from 
> where Sue Morton reported a male Snowy on MN 277 at mile marker 8 a few days 
> ago.  
> Hwy 40 is very busy, and there is no shoulder.  The owl didn't mind the 
> traffic, though, as 
> it swooped down to grab a mouse just off the shoulder.  It flew to the field 
> where it 
> consumed its meal and then flew back to a pole to resume hunting.  
> 
> Here's a picture of the owl:
> http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20969809
> 
> The most notable bird in the Willmar CBC is a continuing American Black Duck 
> in the 
> Crow River below the dam in New London.  Look below the dam or follow Central 
> Ave 
> where the river runs along the road.  Sightings have been sporadic.  It was 
> first found by 
> Coralie Jacobson a few weeks ago.
> 
> Josh Wallestad
> http://www.aboywhocriedheron.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
> 
> 


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] Townsend's Solitaire Duluth

[sparky stensaas]

Hi all,
Tim Bates found a Townsend's Solitaire during the Duluth CBC yesterday (Tim is 
a Townsend's Solitaire/Varied Thrush magnet!)

It was between 4059 and 4066 Nelson Rd on the south side feeding on sparse 
crabapples in front of a blue trailer home.

The bird would also disappear for stretches back in the spruces and pines on 
the south side.

Nelson Road is an E-W road between Howard Gnesen Rd and Arnold Rd north of 
Martin Rd (north of Duluth)


Be aware that the blue mobile home is right near the road, so please respect 
the owners and don't walk on their land.

Good luck!

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

www.ThePhotoNaturalist.com
www.KollathStensaas.com
www.SaxZim.org

Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net
Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html