Re: [mou-net] Jackson County Black-necked Stilts - likely family group of 6
Sorry about the length. This is for those - like me - who do not monitor other forums regarding Minnesota bird observations and may have some interest in the Jackson County Stilt's. I received a call today from a person I understand was one of the initial observers of the stilts. He indicated that there were six birds present today; I went down there for the first time this evening. I saw five birds on multiple occasions including once after one of the birds appeared to fly from the group and not return. At least two of the birds (the two I saw first and perhaps the only two I heard vocalize) appeared to be adults with uniform black upperparts. At least three of the birds appeared to be juveniles; showing a brownish upper side with very conspicuous buff colored edges to the back feathers (apparently all dark feathers). These birds seemed to be duller overall and less contrasting - including bare parts. They also seemed to generally linger in less visible areas. I do not believe they could be separated by from the adults by size. I suspect this is a family group of two adults and four juveniles. My understanding is that they have been dependably visible since initially located. Today they were on private property just north of county highway 36. For those who may be interested in seeing these birds, County 36 is just south of Fish lake (~2 miles south of Windom). I thought that I also saw a sign for 36 north of Fish Lake on the road google maps shows as County 43, but perhaps I was mistaken. I understand they were originally located in Christiania Waterfowl Production Area (I am not sure if it shows on any maps) which is immediately south of County Hwy 36. They have since been located both on the WPA and private property north of Hwy 36. I observed from Hwy 36 today; GPS 43 50 0.5 deg N 95 01 54.6 W - that may help get you in the right area. Brad Bolduan Windom -Original Message- From: Minnesota Birds [mailto:MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU] On Behalf Of Bob Ekblad Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2016 1:12 PM To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Subject: [mou-net] Jackson County Black-necked Stilts At least two (& possibly three of the Black-necked Stilts reported yesterday on facebook and ebird were still at the location today SE of Windom. From Hwy71 go east on CR36 2mi then turn south. The birds were on the west side of the road in the very weedy water. Good spot to look from is by the power pole that has a snowmobile trail stop sign on it. One was also seen from CR36. Sent from Bob Ekblad's iPhone 507-269-7436 Byron, MN - Olmsted County http://www.Birding-Minnesota.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] About the Metro
The soundscape around my house has been evolving. A month ago the Copes treefrogs were a loud drone sound track at night that would have drowned out a rock band with the amps turned all the way up. You could only hear the occasional plunk of the green frogs and the high pitch of the mind numbing hum of the american toads, when the treefrogs would take a momentary pause. Unlike the band, you could not call the police to knock on the door to tell them it was time to call it a night. But, to me it always beat the restless sound of traffic of the old house in Minneapolis. I could imagine the treefrogs could drive urbanites back to city. But, now that is all quiet. For a couple of weeks, perhaps ten days ago, the Broadwing Hawks were circling overhead with a whistling screem for what seemed like hours at a time. I am not sure, if they were calling to the lazy teenaged fledglings to get out of the nest, or trying to drive off some predator that was advancing on the nest. Now they have quieted down and they have been replaced on their post by cirlcing, screeming Red-tailed Hawks. The night soundscape is dominated by hungry Barred Owl fledglings that sound a lot like they are related to the Red-tailed Hawks. I wandered into the backyard to see if I could find a sound to entice them into my yard. Standing on the deck I could hear that I had not one, but two owlets screeming "Feed me!". They came closer to me, but never within the cone of my yard lights. Now that I have come inside they seem to have quieted down. Steve Weston On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN swest...@comcast.net Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
