Re: [mou-net] Wayzata Bay
Looking north from Excelsior Commons Park, there are hundreds of common mergansers...gathering on Lake Minnetonka about at least a hundred yards out. Eagles perched near the shoreline and flying overhead. Quite the site. Just wish my scope wasn't in for repair! Beth Potter Excelsior On Mon, Dec 4, 2023 at 2:03 PM Howard Towle < 2fdb906c067f-dmarc-requ...@lists.umn.edu> wrote: > Expanding a little on what Kim has said, Common Mergansers stage in late > fall every year on Lake Minnetonka and remain until the lake freezes over. > The Excelsior Christmas Bird Count includes most of Lake Minnetonka and on > about 1/4 of our counts, a portion of the lake (particularly Smith and > Browns bays) will be open. On those years, we often count well over a > thousand mergansers. The record year was 2015 when a count of approximately > 13,000 Common Mergansers was estimated. The biggest problem, as others have > noted, is there is essentially no public space on which to view these bays. > > Howard Towle > Golden Valley, MN > > > On Dec 4, 2023, at 12:12 PM, Kim R Eckert wrote: > > > > Based on today's and other recent reports on mou-net, there is little or > no doubt in my mind that the posting of a second-hand report a few days ago > about “thousands" of Common Loons at Lake Minnetonka actually involved > misidentified Common Mergansers. I have frequently witnessed non-birders > and beginners mistake mergansers for loons. – Kim Eckert, Duluth > > > > > > On Dec 4, 2023, at 10:55 AM, Jim Williams wrote: > > > > Mics-morn Wayzata Bay 100s common mergs stretched across mid-bay east to > west. Too distant and hazy to distinguish loons. Unusual, no eagles seen > hunting or in trees at bay entrance. Did not check Cty Road 15 shore. > > > > Jim Williams > > Birding columnist > > Minneapolis StarTribune > > startribune.com/variety/homeandgarden > > > > > > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice > social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. > > > > > > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice > social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. > > > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social > distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. > General information and guidelines for posting: https://moumn.org/listservice.html Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
Re: [mou-net] Aitkin County Field Trip, June 10th
I’m assuming we bring our own snacks and lunch, right? Looking forward to this! Beth On Tue, May 30, 2023 at 10:57 AM Patrick Conway < 3925fc0fb671-dmarc-requ...@lists.umn.edu> wrote: > I can’t attend but we stayed at the Stardust a while back to bird Sax Zim > and it’s a great little place. > Also the food at Main Street Station was really good. > > Sent from my iPhone > > > On May 30, 2023, at 8:58 AM, Trey Weaver wrote: > > > > All, > > > > I will be leading a field trip through Aitkin County on June 10th. We > will meet in the town of Floodwood (exact rendezvous TBD) at 6AM, starting > the morning on Hedbom Road to the West of town, carpooling with ideally 2 > vehicles at most. We will then go back to Floodwood and caravan around > Aitkin county in a counter clockwise route until reaching Rice Lake NWR for > an evening birding session to end the day. > > > > Participants would be encouraged to get lodging or find a campground > nearby the night before as we will meet at 6AM sharp. There is a place > called the Stardust Motel in the town of Floodwood currently with 6 rooms > left as of 8:30AM on 5/30. With taxes my room came to ~$92, making this an > affordable and convenient choice. > > > > While you're up in the area and feel like you can handle a nocturnal > birding session before waking up early the next day, McGregor Marsh is a > great location for hearing Yellow Rails. > > > > This will be limited to seven participants (with five slots left) and > registration via Signup Genius event is required. Please see the following > link for more information and to register: > https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f48a9ac2fa5ffce9-aitkin#/ > > > > I hope you'll consider joining me. Please reach out to me with any > questions. > > > > Best, > > > > Trey Weaver > > > > > > > > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice > social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. > > . > > > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social > distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. > General information and guidelines for posting: https://moumn.org/listservice.html Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
Re: [mou-net] LeConte's Sparrow Veterans Park Richfield, Hennepin County Sunday April 16
Finally found it this evening. Such an adorable, tiny little thing! Thanks to all for sharing your sightings! On Mon, Apr 17, 2023 at 7:06 PM Dan Ahlman wrote: > The LeContes sparrow is still here! Just got great looks at it on the same > area. > > Sent from my iPhone > > > On Apr 17, 2023, at 11:40 AM, Alicia Waters wrote: > > > > Refound today - looking at it right now! > > > >> On Sun, Apr 16, 2023, 12:19 PM Scott Meyer > wrote: > >> > >> Linda Burns, Jim Eller and I found a LeConte's Sparrow on the Southside > of > >> Veterans Park this morning. It was with a group of Song Sparrows just > east > >> of the BandShell on the edge of Legion Lake and in the short grass by a > >> park bench. This is just west of the island Black-crown Night-herons > are > >> often found through the summer. The bird was often seen on the path > and in > >> the short grass field. > >> > >> Also in the park were White-throated, Fox, Song and Savannah Sparrows, > >> Hermit Thrush and a small flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers among other > >> migrants. > >> > >> Scott B. Meyer > >> Hennepin County > >> > >> > >> General information and guidelines for posting: > >> https://moumn.org/listservice.html > >> Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > >> > >> During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice > social > >> distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. > >> > > > > > > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice > social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. > > > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social > distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. > General information and guidelines for posting: https://moumn.org/listservice.html Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
Re: [mou-net] Curt Rawn (memorial poem)
Such a beautiful tribute, Linda, for this wonderful man. Everyone was drawn to Curt, even me. When he asked if I was interested in going to the Paper Session, I jumped at the chance. I’m a newer birder and never attended before. Seeing in his element, connecting with all of you was touching. Your smiles, joyful greetings, and shared laughs made his day. Oh how he thrived on connecting with old friends and new. He was in heaven. Rest In Peace, Curt. We’re all better for knowing you. Beth Potter On Tue, Dec 28, 2021 at 9:26 AM linda whyte < 004e7b0e779a-dmarc-requ...@lists.umn.edu> wrote: > Curt Rawn > > A gentle giant, Curt Rawn, > > Tall in stature, if short on brawn; > > Quick to smile, and ready with humor > > Wordy and whimsical, taming rumor > > With honesty, spoken cleverly, > > Delivered plainly, in that mainly > > Even, ever-so quiet voice > > An arresting voice, held back listening, > > Something you did so well, Curt– > > Sometimes because hearing was > > Your physical challenge, but mostly > > Because you listened thoughtfully > > To the words beneath the words, > > Whether from strangers or friends > > You made connections with others > > And between others, in a huge way; > > We bonded over birds and birding > > But with you, it was about much more; > > For many of us, it exemplified what the > > Grace of selfless kindness can restore > > When we face tough situations > > Ever quick with assistance > > Of any kind, when you saw the need > > And the opening, you shared expertise, > > Beauty in birds and photographs, but the > > Wisdom of your life’s experience as well; > > Generous always, not quick to complain > > About the pain of what befell you > > And those of us who love you > > So we toast you with gratitude > > For our time together, and hope > > To share your attitude, listening > > To the birds and more, to the words > > Beneath each other’s words, spoken > > Or not, though heart-broken for now; > > We will celebrate beauty and kindness > > With fellowship and joy, in your memory > > (Linda Whyte) > > > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social > distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. > General information and guidelines for posting: https://moumn.org/listservice.html Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
