Re: [mou-net] Snowy Owl ~ Crow Wing County
It is currently on a cupola on one of the fairground buildings. Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes On Dec 26, 2014 10:51 AM, Ken Pam Perry pkpe...@brainerd.net wrote: Ken and I saw one of the Snowy Owls again this morning at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds, just south and east of the Curling Club, by the shooting range. It was perched on top of a pole. This is on the east side of 13th St. --Pam Perry, Brainerd 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] Snowy Owl - Wadena County
There was a Snowy Owl flying west at tree top height at the intersection of Wadena County HWY 18 and 19 just east of Huntersville - I watched it fly off into the distance but wasn't able to relocate the bird. Best, Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes, MN 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] Surf Scoter, Blackwater Lake, Cass County
Today we were pulling docks and boats at the cabin and were treated to a Surf Scoter resting on this small 700 acre lake. I was able to see the bird within 50 feet (no optics but sun at back) - noted the heavy bill and vertical white marking at base of bill. facial pattern with two white patches clearly visible on bird in flight - no white in wings. The bird spent the entire afternoon resting on the southern 1/3 of the main lake only moving when fisherman would approach too closely. First seen at 2:00 pm last seen at about 6:30 (last time I looked). Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes, MN 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] YH Blackbird - Garrison Wayside
Today I was surprised by a calling Yellow-headed Blackbird coming from the north end of the Garrison Wayside Rest Area (the big Walleye). I walked over and after a bit of searching the bird flew down to the sandy beach and began feeding on insects with a group of Grackles - it looked so out of place on a sandy beach with nary a cattail to be seen. Best, Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes, MN 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] Cinnamon Teal - Crow Wing County
This morning at 10:50AM I observed and photographed a probable Cinnamon Teal - The bird was in the flooded fields on the east side of CR 21 about 5 miles south of Business 371 south of Brainerd, MN. Photos at - http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ Conditions were not ideal and bird was observed for only 1 or 2 minutes in driving rain before it took flight to the ponds further east and south. It flew while I was checking the field guide and only saw it disappear over a berm while in flight. Dark rump and light colored bill had me checking the field guide - I believe the lightness of bill was glare, and dark rump appears to be normal for this species, which i have little experience with. Feedback on this bird welcomed. Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes, MN 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] Upland Sandpiper Pequot Lakes
There was an Upland Sandpiper in the grassy fields of the Pequot Lakes Industrial Park today. I have spent many hours and miles searching for this bird in Cass County and now I find my Crow Wing Uppie on my afternoon walk less than 5 miles from the county line - too funny! Best, Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes, MN 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] Great Horned Owl - Pequot Lakes
Last night I took a short bike ride along the Paul Bunyan Trail south of Pequot Lakes in the hopes of adding AMERICAN WOODCOCK to my years Green Birding List - before getting to the spot I was certain they would be displaying a GREAT HORNED OWL flew over the trail and onto a power pole where it remained until I continued along the trail. From the power pole the owl flew out over the Pequot WTP Fields and perched on the irrigation system. The woodcocks came in a close second place for sighting of the day! Best, Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes, MN While entirely true - this post is more a test of a possible Gmail Filter that would allow you to see the posts you make to MOU-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
[mou-net] American Three-toed Woodpecker Crow Wing County
The American Three-toed Woodpecker discovered by Herb Dingman was present today between 2:00pm and 2:30pm in the location he previously described (in the southeast corner of the intersection of CR1 and Low's Lake Rd about 2.3 miles fromthe Aitkin County line). I also spent about two hours searching for the Black-backed Woodpecker reported in this location and while I heard several distinctive taps they all occurred on posted land and thus I was unable to investigate to get a definitive ID. I have uploaded an image on the MOU recently seen page - http://moumn.org/cgi-bin/recent.pl and I have also uploaded a video of the bird flecking away at a tamarac on my blog - http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ Good Birding, Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes, MN 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] Cass County Snowy Owl
Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes, MN 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] Cass County Snowy Owl
This evening at 4:27pm a SNOWY OWL flew over Cass County Road 24 2.5 miles east of MN Hwy 64. I watched it fly south through a field then over the tree line where it disappeared. We also continue to host a flock of between 12-24 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in my Pequot Lakes neighborhood. I have seen this species for three consecutive weeks on my Sunday afternoon bird walks through town. Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes, MN Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes, MN 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] Bohemian Waxwings Pequot Lakes
Today on a walk before work I spotted two Bohemian Waxwings in a crabapple tree in Pequot Lakes. These birds were exceedingly approachable and kind enough to perch within inches of a flock of about 6 Cedar Waxwings offering wonderful comparisons. Good Birding, Andrew Birch Pequot Lakes, MN 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] Interesting Owl Behavior
Dear Linda, I am sorry I was not clear, but it was a not a Night Hawk. It was an owl - I assumed it was a Great-horned Owl but could not get any field marks that could definitively eliminate Barred - other than the shear unlikeliness that it was a barred. I certainly wouldn't confuse a nighthawk with an owl - the parking lot lights allowed me to see. 1. This bird had rounded wings 2. This bird was hawking prey from a perch 3. This bird had pale under-wings - I would have clearly seen the wing-bar if it were a night hawk. After posting this I was even able to share the sighting with two other non-birding coworkers (at about 12:15am) and they could tell by the way the bird flew and it's short fat head that it was an owl. After seeing it a second time I was also quite convinced that it was in fact a Great-horned Owl. If anyone else is interested in trying to observe this behavior it was hunting in the cell tower next to the Pequot Lakes High School. Best, Andrew Birch Blackwater Lake - near Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota -- Blackwater Birds http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ - My personal birding / nature blog -- Birding is something that we do for enjoyment; so if you enjoy it, you're a good birder. If you enjoy it a lot, you're a great birder. - Kenn Kaufman On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 7:44 AM, linda whyte bi...@moosewoods.us wrote: Since you couldn't see it, could this bird have been a Nighthawk instead? (You didn't mention its size at all, but I know nighthawks have returned to the metro area, and I've seen them hunting that way around light sources elsewhere.) Linda On Fri, Jun 3, 2011 at 11:15 PM, Andrew Birch andrewlbi...@gmail.com wrote: Tonight at 10:15pm while standing outside my workplace in Pequot Lakes a large owl caught my eye as it hurled it self off of the cell phone tower in our parking lot, caught a prey item , and then returned to perch again on the cross bars of the cell tower. I was able to watch the owl hawking prey four times. The owl was hunting in this way between the top and second highest flashing red lights. I would guess the height to be 75-150'. While I had heard of owls hawking insects I have never seen the behavior firsthand and I was not aware that they would use a cell tower especially at that height to aid in their hunting. I assume it was hawking large moths and other insects but for the dignity of the owl I hope it was not hunting those disgusting June Beetles : ) As to the identification of the owl - I cannot say definitively. I was never able to see the bird through my binoculars and the distance was too great to see field marks with the naked eye as it perched . Oh yeah, and it was dark - the owl was being lit only by the parking lot lights well below it. Best work break ever! Andrew Birch Blackwater Lake - near Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota -- Blackwater Birds http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ - My personal birding / nature blog -- Birding is something that we do for enjoyment; so if you enjoy it, you're a good birder. If you enjoy it a lot, you're a great birder. - Kenn Kaufman 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
Re: [mou-net] Interesting Owl Behavior
I apologize for belaboring this point, but several folks have contacted me off list to insist that Great Horned Owls do not hawk insects. - http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/jrr/v022n03/p00093-p00093.pdf http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/jrr/v022n03/p00093-p00093.pdfBest, Andrew Birch Blackwater Lake - near Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota -- Blackwater Birds http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ - My personal birding / nature blog -- Birding is something that we do for enjoyment; so if you enjoy it, you're a good birder. If you enjoy it a lot, you're a great birder. - Kenn Kaufman On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 7:16 PM, Andrew Birch andrewlbi...@gmail.com wrote: http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/jrr/v022n03/p00093-p00093.pdf http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/jrr/v022n03/p00093-p00093.pdf http://books.google.com/books?id=f1PVJVWbQKwCpg=PA31lpg=PA31dq=great+horned+owls+hawking+insectssource=blots=O44xW0LAoTsig=afH_RHd1bPqpNAStbxe1qm-5edshl=enei=kRvsTanMC-rq0gH7yICQAQsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=4ved=0CDQQ6AEwAw#v=onepageq=great%20horned%20owls%20hawking%20insectsf=false http://books.google.com/books?id=f1PVJVWbQKwCpg=PA31lpg=PA31dq=great+horned+owls+hawking+insectssource=blots=O44xW0LAoTsig=afH_RHd1bPqpNAStbxe1qm-5edshl=enei=kRvsTanMC-rq0gH7yICQAQsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=4ved=0CDQQ6AEwAw#v=onepageq=great%20horned%20owls%20hawking%20insectsf=false Andrew Birch Blackwater Lake - near Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota -- Blackwater Birds http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ - My personal birding / nature blog -- Birding is something that we do for enjoyment; so if you enjoy it, you're a good birder. If you enjoy it a lot, you're a great birder. - Kenn Kaufman On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 7:12 PM, Andrew Birch andrewlbi...@gmail.comwrote: Katherine - it may have been bats as I have been informed by others. Thanks, Andrew Birch Blackwater Lake - near Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota -- Blackwater Birds http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ - My personal birding / nature blog -- Birding is something that we do for enjoyment; so if you enjoy it, you're a good birder. If you enjoy it a lot, you're a great birder. - Kenn Kaufman On Sun, Jun 5, 2011 at 12:18 PM, Katherine Kottke k...@comcast.netwrote: Great Horned owl hawking insects not possible . On Jun 5, 2011, at 12:07 PM, Andrew Birch wrote: Dear Linda, I am sorry I was not clear, but it was a not a Night Hawk. It was an owl - I assumed it was a Great-horned Owl but could not get any field marks that could definitively eliminate Barred - other than the shear unlikeliness that it was a barred. I certainly wouldn't confuse a nighthawk with an owl - the parking lot lights allowed me to see. 1. This bird had rounded wings 2. This bird was hawking prey from a perch 3. This bird had pale under-wings - I would have clearly seen the wing-bar if it were a night hawk. After posting this I was even able to share the sighting with two other non-birding coworkers (at about 12:15am) and they could tell by the way the bird flew and it's short fat head that it was an owl. After seeing it a second time I was also quite convinced that it was in fact a Great-horned Owl. If anyone else is interested in trying to observe this behavior it was hunting in the cell tower next to the Pequot Lakes High School. Best, Andrew Birch Blackwater Lake - near Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota -- Blackwater Birds http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ - My personal birding / nature blog -- Birding is something that we do for enjoyment; so if you enjoy it, you're a good birder. If you enjoy it a lot, you're a great birder. - Kenn Kaufman On Sat, Jun 4, 2011 at 7:44 AM, linda whyte bi...@moosewoods.us wrote: Since you couldn't see it, could this bird have been a Nighthawk instead? (You didn't mention its size at all, but I know nighthawks have returned to the metro area, and I've seen them hunting that way around light sources elsewhere.) Linda On Fri, Jun 3, 2011 at 11:15 PM, Andrew Birch andrewlbi...@gmail.com wrote: Tonight at 10:15pm while standing outside my workplace in Pequot Lakes a large owl caught my eye as it hurled it self off of the cell phone tower in our parking lot, caught a prey item , and then returned to perch again on the cross bars of the cell tower. I was able to watch the owl hawking prey four times. The owl was hunting in this way between the top and second highest flashing red lights. I would guess the height to be 75-150'. While I had heard of owls hawking insects I have never seen the behavior firsthand and I was not aware
[mou-net] Interesting Owl Behavior
Tonight at 10:15pm while standing outside my workplace in Pequot Lakes a large owl caught my eye as it hurled it self off of the cell phone tower in our parking lot, caught a prey item , and then returned to perch again on the cross bars of the cell tower. I was able to watch the owl hawking prey four times. The owl was hunting in this way between the top and second highest flashing red lights. I would guess the height to be 75-150'. While I had heard of owls hawking insects I have never seen the behavior firsthand and I was not aware that they would use a cell tower especially at that height to aid in their hunting. I assume it was hawking large moths and other insects but for the dignity of the owl I hope it was not hunting those disgusting June Beetles : ) As to the identification of the owl - I cannot say definitively. I was never able to see the bird through my binoculars and the distance was too great to see field marks with the naked eye as it perched . Oh yeah, and it was dark - the owl was being lit only by the parking lot lights well below it. Best work break ever! Andrew Birch Blackwater Lake - near Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota -- Blackwater Birds http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ - My personal birding / nature blog -- Birding is something that we do for enjoyment; so if you enjoy it, you're a good birder. If you enjoy it a lot, you're a great birder. - Kenn Kaufman 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] Cape Mays - Cass County
Today between showers I found at least three Cape May warblers in my yard feeding in the mature Spuce trees. There was also a flock of about 75 Pine Siskins. It was quite a noisy yard! Other Warblers in the yard this weekend: Ovenbird Black-throated Green Nashville Northern Parula Yellow Common Yellowthroat Black-and-White Yellow-rumped Warbler Palm Pine Andrew Birch Blackwater Lake - near Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota -- Blackwater Birds http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ - My personal birding / nature blog -- Birding is something that we do for enjoyment; so if you enjoy it, you're a good birder. If you enjoy it a lot, you're a great birder. - Kenn Kaufman 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] Nelson's Sparrows - Cass County
Tonight I spent some time in the marsh to the north of Boy Bay on Leech Lake - I didn't stay out late enough to listen for Yellow Rails. I posted a map and explanation of this location on my blog (see link below). Highlights: Nelson's Sparrow - hard to estimate number given light conditions American Bittern - 3 Sora - 1 --also personal FOYs-- Sedge Wrens Swamp Sparrows First nice wave of warblers this morning around the house included Yellow-rumped Palm Orange-crowned Nashville Black-and-White Northern Parula Andrew Birch Blackwater Lake - near Hackensack, MN -- Blackwater Birds http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ - My personal birding / nature blog -- Birding is something that we do for enjoyment; so if you enjoy it, you're a good birder. If you enjoy it a lot, you're a great birder. - Kenn Kaufman 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] Cass County Great Gray Owl - pics
Went back to try to get pics of the Great Gray Owl - eventually the bird was refound some 3 miles north of where I initially saw it. Pics at my blog - http://blackwaterbirder.blogspot.com/ Andrew Birch Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep 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] Great Gray Owl - Cass County
Tonight there was a Great Gray Owl in Cass County (finally, now I just need a Boreal Owl in Cass and I will no longer regret not coming home for the owl invasion) - I watched it hunt a small opening for 10 minutes, and when I left it was in a large spruce along the road looking in the general direction of three Ruffed Grouse on the other side of the road. I left the scene so as to not disturb this amazing bird. I think this finally proves to me that the best way to find rare or elusive birds is to forget your camera or in my case tonight - your compact flash memory card at home!!! - This bird was in perfect light not 50 yards from my car - Doh! Also tonight I briefly saw what I believe may have been a Great Horned Owl of the subspecies *subarcticus. *This bird was seen flying and briefly at rest for a total of about 45 seconds, but the overall impression was of a very pale bird. In flight it could easily have been mistaken for a snowy owl, but as soon as it perched the tell tale ear tufts popped up. Andrew Birch Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep 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] Redpolls and a question.
There were no less than 4 Hoary Redpolls under my feeders today, and while I was processing the photos of the Hoaries I was surprised to find a Common Redpoll that appears to be an aberrant plumage coloration. The pink / red parts appear to be yellow / orange. I have seen this in House Finches but not Redpolls Photos can be seen here - http://bit.ly/ictqea - please reply off-list or on the blog if you have an opinion on this bird. Also of note today were 10 Trumpeter Swans in various small open water spots around Longville and 30+ Evening Grosbeaks near Man Lake. Andrew Birch Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep 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] Cass County Birds
Finally, a nice day that corresponded with a day off! Took advantage by birding around the western portions of Cass County up to just north of Walker. Highlights (not in taxonomic order): Bald Eagle - 5 Rough-legged Hawk - 3 Black-backed Woodpecker - 1 (west of Swamp Lake on Cass Line Rd.) Northern Shrike - 4 Black-billed Magpie - 6 (County 19) Gray Jay - 1 (west of Swamp Lake on Cass Line Rd.) Common Redpolls - 26 Hoary Redpoll - 1 (same bird that has been coming to my feeder for about a week - http://bit.ly/fgYfPt) Pine Grosbeaks - 11 (near Longville) Bohemian Waxwings - 21 (Longville) Horned Lark - 7 (one flock of 4 and another of 3) Snow Buntings - 12 Andrew Birch Hackensack, MN -- 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] Black-backed Woodpecker - Cass County
Watched a Black-backed Woodpecker fleck away on one spruce for about an hour today. The bird was on the Cass County (East) side of Cass Line Road just west of Swamp Lake which is about 6 miles north of Walker. Andrew Birch Hackensack, MN 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] Ross's Goose, Cass County
Yesterday afternoon on my way to work I spotted 4 white geese mixed in a flock of primarily Canada Geese east of Pine River. Upon further inspection three of them proved to be Snow Geese of various plumages and the other an apparent Ross's Goose. The Ross's Goose associated closely with a Cackling Goose and appeared to have the short stubby bill of a Ross's. I am including a couple of poor quality pictures of the bird since (somewhat surprisingly) this appears to be a first county record. - http://bit.ly/9N7JV3 http://bit.ly/9N7JV3The bird was seen by one other observer but the flock had dispersed by late in the evening when a third person made an attempt at seeing the bird. Good Birding, Andrew Birch Hackensack, MN 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] Brainerd Arboretum
FOY Highlights of a very short walk at the Northland Arboretum in Brainerd: Blue-headed Vireo Orange-crowned Warbler Northern Waterthrush Good Birding, Andrew Birch Hackensack, MN -- MNLEP - A list for Butterfly Enthusiasts in Minnesota http://groups.google.com/group/mnlep 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] Ducks - Cass County
Hello All, Yesterday - I spent some time at Federal Dam in Cass County - besides a cooperative mink - http://bit.ly/aidsB8 - there was much waterfowl activity. Highlights: Horned Grebe Pied-bill Grebe American Black Duck Northern Pintail On Monday along the Crow Wing River between Pillager and Brainerd- Highlights: Redhead Lesser Scaup Ring-billed Gull -- Andrew Birch Blackwater Cabins Hackensack, MN 56452 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] McKinley Magpies
Two Black-billed Magpies flying back and forth over Cass County 19 in McKinley Twshp east of Pine River this afternoon. Best, Andrew Birch Hackensack, MN 56452 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] Boreal Chickadee in Cass County
Found a Boreal Chickadee near Zion Harbor Road in Cass County today. New county bird for me! Also saw my FOY Rough-legged Hawk flying north along County 8. Best, Andrew Birch Hackensack, MN 56452 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] Cass County Birds
Beautiful day for birding around the north eastern third of Cass County - Highlights: Northern Hawk Owl - (2) - Both within .5 mile of the intersection of County 73 and 12th Ave NE. Northern Shrike - Also on County 73 near intersection with County 8 - slow year for this species? Gray Jay - (7) Most I have seen in Cass in one day. Three pairs and a single bird observed at various sites with appropriate habitat. Andrew Birch Hackensack, MN 56452 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] Brainerd White-winged Crossbills
This morning there were about a dozen White-winged Crossbills noisily feeding in the spruces around Gregory(?) Park - about 2 blocks east of St. Joe's Medical Center. Good Birding, Andrew Birch Hackensack, MN 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] Cass County sightings 1/12
Today I birded the Northeast corner of Cass County and had the following highlights: Northern Hawk Owl - 1.5 miles west of County 8 on County 73 in tree top on north side of road. Black-backed Woodpecker - 1 female located exactly 1 mile west of County 8 on County 157 (locally known as Toilet Bowl Corner), and both a male and a female on County 158 - 2.4 miles south of County 3 near the Mud/Goose Lake WMA. Barred Owl - 2 Pine Grosbeak - 57 Common Redpolls - 73 Would have liked to get to more tamarack habitat today but ended up spending 1.5 hours watching four Timber wolves playing, sleeping, stretching, and scratching out on Goose Lake. At one point I had all four wolves and two very panicked otters in the same scope field. -- Andrew Birch _ www.abirchphoto.com Hackensack, MN
[mou] Little Gull - Cass Lake WTP
Ben Wieland and Mark Jungens refound an adult Little Gull at 3 PM today at the Cass Lake Wastewater Treatment Ponds - off of Cass County Rd. 146 (where the pavement ends). -- Andrew Birch _ A. Birch Photo http://abirchphoto.com
[mou] Surf Scoter - Leech Lake
At 11:50 this AM there was an individual Surf Scoter on Leech Lake in Cass County in front of Huddle's Resort seen from Whipholt Beach Road. -- Andrew Birch _ A. Birch Photo http://abirchphoto.com http://google.picasaweb.com/andrewlbirch/CassCountyBirds
[mou] Long-tailed Duck, Scoter Sp. - Leech Lake
Today on a boat trip around Leech Lake I located a Long-tailed Duck approximately 3 miles north of Pelican Island. Photos of the bird can be seen at the following URL: http://picasaweb.google.com/andrewlbirch/CassCountyBirds/photo#5120888588475853522 http://picasaweb.google.com/andrewlbirch/CassCountyBirds/photo#5120888588475853538 I also observed three birds that I was only able to identify as Scoter sp. although they were clearly not White Winged. Also of note were my first Snow Buntings of the season on Pelican Island, a large mixed flock of around 200 Scaup, and I counted 114 Horned Grebes. -- Andrew Birch _ Blackwater Cabins www.blackwatercabins.com
[mou] Black-throated Sparrow (photos)
Dale Yerger and I were on the Black-throated Sparrow at the end of Painted Turtle Road in Cass County today between ~8 and 9AM. Photos are posted at http://picasaweb.google.com/andrewlbirch/BlackThroatedSparrow There was also a Franklin's Gull mixed in a large flock of Bonaparte's Gulls on Winnie near the Nodak resort. Good Birding, -- Andrew Birch _ My Favorites @ www.abirchphoto.com
[mou] LT Jaeger Photos (9-1-2007)
Hello All, They aren't great, but here are a few images of the Long-tailed Jaeger from yesterday. http://picasaweb.google.com/andrewlbirch/LongTailedJaeger There is also a map on the bottom left of the page for anyone trying for it today. Jeanie's directions posted a couple of days ago are spot on though! -- Andrew Birch _ Blackwater Cabins www.blackwatercabins.com
[mou] Nighthawk movement
Hello All, Last night at dusk I counted 624 Nighthawks migrating to the SE while sitting on my dock on Blackwater Lake near Hackensack, MN. I estimated an additional 80 nighthawks (not counted in that total) that were feeding along the tree tops. This is my new high count for one evening on the lake. The previous high was ~450 three years ago. The tally might have been higher if I had gotten out earlier - I was out from about 7:30 - 8:30 Good Birding, -- Andrew Birch _ Blackwater Cabins www.blackwatercabins.com
[mou] Leech Lake - Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling
Today a quick trip to Pelican Island on Leech Lake produced 2 Ruddy Turnstones and 23 Sanderlings among the other usual suspects. Yesterday there was a Black-bellied Plover at this location as well. Also worthy of note were three Red-necked Phalaropes at the Walker WTP earlier this week. Photos of some of these birds can be seen here - http://picasaweb.google.com/andrewlbirch/CassCountyBirds -- Andrew Birch _ Blackwater Cabins www.blackwatercabins.com
[mou] Whimbrel - Leech Lake, Cass County
Hello All, Today, while birding Pelican Island on Leech Lake a Bald Eagle flushed a Whimbrel. The bird flew up and down the beach a few times before heading straight east off the north end of the island. Some VERY poor photos can be seen here - http://picasaweb.google.com/andrewlbirch/Whimbrel Also on Pelican Island - Bonaparte's Gulls, Caspian Terns, Lesser Yellowlegs huge numbers of Pelicans, Cormorants, Gulls and Common Terns. Great place to spend a warm day! Pelican island does have a Closed Area, but there are shallows near the island that are outside the closed area from where you can scope. -- Andrew Birch _ Blackwater Cabins www.blackwatercabins.com www.abirchphoto.com
