[mou-net] airport owls follow-up

[linda whyte]

This is an addendum to Brian Barklind's post of a Snowy Owl at the
airport.  There are in fact at least 3 Snowies, and perhaps his sighting is
even a fourth. Three were seen at 3:15 today. One, presumably male judging
by the very white plumage, was atop a lampost. The other two, one also
seemingly male but the other either female or young male, with lots of dark
markings and black cap, were atop the gray metal structures in the area
just south of the first bird's post. They were all easily visible from
Cargo Road, seen on its east side, just after the turn-off into the UPS
facility (right after the long tunnel). Luckily, the UPS turn-off leads, if
you bear left after their parking lot, into a horseshoe semi-circle that
gets you off Cargo Road itself, and close to the birds. It's probably
safest to stop near the exit end of the semi-circle for a look.

TWO CAUTIONS, however. If too many cars gather, or cars stay for too long,
it will attract the negative attention of security. They are in their
rights to ask us to leave, as the road is for private business. Too much
activity may also prompt the trapping and re-location of the owls; they're
considered to be a potential aviation threat, and have been re-located in
the past. Keeping a low profile may let more birders enjoy the owls--and
let the owls enjoy some easy hunting.

Linda Whyte


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[mou-net] Crossbills in Cass County

[MOU admin]

(Posted by Dale A. Yerger  via moumn.org)

Birding with Ben Jacques today we found 3 red crossbills at Cut Lake- west
of Pine River and 7 white winged crossbills just south of the pine river
crossing at Brockway lake. Also 5 flocks of hundreds of redpoles each that
contained 3 hoary redpoles and 7 rough legged hawks along State Hwy 64. No
wind and very sunny!

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[mou-net] Amur Falcon migration and new protection by villages in India (w/ photos)--- NY Times

[Gordon Andersson]

The Amur Falcon moves from E China to S Africa each year and flies non-stop
across the Arabian Sea.  Residents in NE India used to shoot and net
10,000's to sell for food and now wait for birders to offset loss of income.
Interesting to click link "satellite tracking" for more info on falcon on
"African Raptors" site.  

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/05/world/asia/falcon-hunters-become-fervent-p
reservationists-.html?referrer=
 &_r=1

 



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[mou-net] Snowy Owl MSP Airport

[Brian Barklind]

Snowy owl is sitting atop one of the light poles that is in the parking lot
across from the FedEx building on Cargo Rd.


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[mou-net] [mou-rba] Rare thrushes in Blue Earth County

[Heins, Chad]

Hey birders,



A male Varied Thrush has come to my attention in Blue Earth County. The
bird is being seen at a feeding station at 152 Sunset Village north of Good
Thunder.  Visitors are welcome.  The feeding station is visible from the
road, but you could probably talk to the homeowners and get a closer view.
They indicated to me that the bird is irregular and comes most often in the
morning and evening.  It arrived a couple of days ago with the snow.



Additionally, a Townsend’s Solitaire was seen nearby at the Rapidan Dam on
CR9 during our Christmas Bird Count on December 20th.  I have been unable
to relocate this bird so far, but there are lots of cedars in the river
valley and I’m sure the bird is there somewhere.



Happy birding!



Chad Heins

Mankato


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[mou-net] Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Dakota County

[Justin Watts]

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow continues to be seen near the intersection of Orr
Ave and 197th street (15620 197th Street East, Hastings). Viewed from the
street this morning with 2 other birders. Strongly favored the blue feeder
as reported previously.

-
Justin Watts,
Hennepin County


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