[mou-net] parts of Ft Snelling SP closed due to flooding

[Gordon Andersson]

from a DNR News Release---

 

Flooding from spring thaw closes parts of Fort Snelling State Park

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has closed significant areas
of Fort Snelling State Park due to flooding. The park-one of Minnesota's
busiest, and a popular local destination for hikers, bikers, and birders-is
located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, which are
both experiencing rising waters from the spring thaw.

Most facilities within the park are closed and key park locations, including
Picnic Island and Pike Island, are not accessible. Various trails are
underwater and the main park road is currently closed just past the beach,
limiting parking options and access to the park. As with all state parks,
accessible portions of Fort Snelling State Park remain open for day use
during Gov. Tim Walz's Stay at Home order.

"We know how eager folks are to get outside and do their social distancing
in nature now that spring has finally arrived, so reducing access in
response to seasonal flooding is particularly difficult this year," said
Fort Snelling State Park manager Nadine Meyer. "But our first priority is
ensuring the safety of the public and our staff, so these are steps we have
to take."

Other recreational facilities around the state also have been impacted by
melting snow, heavy rain and flooding. Some roads and trails in state
forests, state parks, recreation areas, and wildlife management areas will
be closed temporarily because they are not firm enough to support vehicle
traffic without causing damage.

Some spring flooding- and thaw-related closures could remain in effect until
sometime in May, depending on weather conditions. People should check the
 DNR's closure webpage for current conditions before visiting.

During the Stay at Home order, visitors to state parks and other public
recreation lands are urged to:

*   Stay as close to home as possible.
*   Practice social distancing (stay at least 6 feet from people from
other households).
*   Explore the range of nearby public lands available to avoid
over-loading busy areas.
*   Visit early or late in the day, when there are fewer people.
*   Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
*   Stay home if sick.

 



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] Wednesday birding, Rusty Blackbirds and more, Dakota/Goodhue C.

[linda whyte]

An afternoon of car birding in hopes of shorebirds yielded none of those,
but plenty more. Jirik Sod Farm was devoid of the targets, but led to a
much-coveted (by me, anyway) and often denied sighting of Rusty Blackbirds.
Luckily, Rob suggested checking the short, dead-end stretch of Blaine,
north of 66, across from the sod farm, at least as far as the bridge over
the Vermilion River.
Just over the bridge is a WMA, where we noticed some flooded backwater.
There was little of note on the river, but we could hear blackbird voices
that were definitely not Red-wings'. As we pulled into the little parking
area, a flock rose from the shallows of the flooded edges, beyond our
sights. Returning after several minutes, they gave us ample time to observe
their wet foraging, and then hear their chorus songs when they rose  to the
trees---until a Sharp-shinned Hawk sent them packing.
After that we headed to Randolph and L. Byllesby. The Industrial Park
presented nothing new, though we did enjoy N. Flickers and a Kestrel. The
boat ramp on the south side of Byllesby, however, was quite productive of
waterfowl FOYs. Searching unsuccessfully for Loon, we managed against the
wind, to scope numerous Ruddy Ducks, some American Wigeon, some Horned
Grebes, and around 6 American Pelicans, among other species seen on an
earlier visit. On the drive home we enjoyed a N. Harrier at the 180th St.
Marsh, and then some FOY Tree Swallows that have our sympathies during this
wintry-weather regression.  If anything sets us a survivalist example we
need, it has to be birds!
Linda Whyte


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] FOY Yellow Rumped Warblers

[Keith Carlson]

saw a couple of Yellow Rumped Warblers on the Winchell Trail (below W.
River rd.) between 38th and 44th St. in Mpls. Wednesday.  Also a
magnificent mature Bald Eagle at eye height  just 15 ft away in the crown
of an oak on the bluff  besides the trail

Keith Carlson
Roseville, MN
keitheca...@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] Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Fillmore Co.)

[Alyssa DeRubeis]

Yesterday Todd Mitchell photographed two Eurasian Tree Sparrows in Fillmore 
County. To my knowledge, the birds were seen in someone’s yard but it’s 
adjacent to a public park (location used on eBird), so birders can look there. 
eBird list below:

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) (2)
- Reported Apr 08, 2020 17:48 by Todd Mitchell
- Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, Rushford Village US-MN 
43.83078, -91.76884, Fillmore, Minnesota
- Map: 
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8=p=13=43.830781,-91.768835=43.830781,-91.768835
- Checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S66840539
- Media: 9 Photos
- Comments: "Pics.  Life bird for me."

Good birding!

Alyssa DeRubeis
Montreal, QC

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