Re: [mou-net] Minnesota Bird Checklists

[Bill Tefft]

I am getting all of the information straight  and want to make sure that
after raising my questions that I get it right and give due credit both to
Bob for his work and contributions and to the MOU organization and all of
its members that voluntarily support and contribute to all of the knowledge
and services they contribute to the study of birds in Minnesota.

On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 9:31 AM Anthony Hertzel  wrote:

> Bil,
>
> You are confusing MOU’s checklists (and perhaps field cards) with Bob’s
> private enterprise. Bob has offered checklists to anyone who wants them for
> (I think) essentially just printing costs, but he does not do this for the
> MOU and never has. For 50 years, the MOU has offered its own field cards
> and checklists and those are not going anywhere. You can get digital
> versions from our web site for free, or printed copies though our Resources
> Manager for the cost of printing. The checklists we have at the state fair
> are free to the public and are funded by the MOU as part of a budget line
> for all costs incurred by being involved.
>
> > On May 27, 2019, at 9:03 A.M., Bill Tefft  wrote:
> >
> > I appreciate all the effort and cost that goes into producing up-to-date
> > checklists.  Thanks for sharing the information about costs and raising
> the
> > consideration of access to the lists. And I also thank you for your
> > willingness to keep the lists up to date annually.
> > This discussion has made me think more about the lists and a number of
> > questions come to mind as I wonder about how not having printed copies
> > might change things going forward.
> > I am on the MOU Education Committee and the greatest contact with the
> > checklists that I experience is the opportunity to present Minnesota
> Birds
> > to people including children who are not familiar with Minnesota's birds
> > and MOU's role in maintaining and up-to-date record of birds recorded in
> > the state, how they are classified and their current names.
> > I know there are many ways that "birders" keep listing records and that
> MOU
> > and other organizations supported that activity.  I also know that their
> > are many online means of getting information.
> >
> > However, I wonder how the printing cost has been funded in the past.
> >
> > It MOU has contributed to meeting that cost, then what was the cost, what
> > function in MOU would support this cost, has a change been recommended by
> > the Board, Education Committee or part of the organization?
> >
> > Is this a part of a total consideration of what we can provide to inform
> > and recruit none members: a brochure, a bookmark, a checklist etc.?
> >
> > The 2019 State Fair is really just ahead and soon plans and schedules
> will
> > be made to staff and supply MOU's booth at the fair.  Does your message
> > mean that checklists won't be available for the MOU booth?
> >
> > I will check in with others on the Education Committee to see what has
> been
> > planned.
> >
> >
> > On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 7:00 AM Bob Ekblad 
> wrote:
> >
> >> As many of you know, I have been providing birding checklists for
> Minnesota
> >> birds to Minnesota birders for many years. As prices for printing and
> >> mailing have gone up I have tried to keep the costs of the checklists
> at or
> >> even slightly below my costs.  I have decided to make a change to save
> >> costs
> >> for everyone.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I am now providing access to everyone to print the checklists
> yourselves -
> >> effectively reducing your costs to just the paper and printing for the
> >> quantity you want (eliminating mailing costs).
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> You can now obtain a PDF file of the checklist from my website that you
> can
> >> use to print your own checklists when you need them and in the quantity
> you
> >> desire.  There is no charge for using the design I create, which
> includes
> >> having the latest names and taxonomic order established annually by the
> AOS
> >> (formerly AOU) and ABA and the regular, casual and accidental species
> >> assignments as identified by the MOURC that are assigned every 5 years.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> To access the checklist go to my website (below) and check out the
> >> Checklist
> >> info under Minnesota Birding Information.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Enjoy the checklists and good birding.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Bob Ekblad
> >>
> >&

Re: [mou-net] Minnesota Bird Checklists

[Bill Tefft]

My apologies for the confusion about the checklist version.  I now
appreciate even more what Bob does as his checklist is a very useful
checklist for birding in the field and for other uses.

On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 9:31 AM Anthony Hertzel  wrote:

> Bil,
>
> You are confusing MOU’s checklists (and perhaps field cards) with Bob’s
> private enterprise. Bob has offered checklists to anyone who wants them for
> (I think) essentially just printing costs, but he does not do this for the
> MOU and never has. For 50 years, the MOU has offered its own field cards
> and checklists and those are not going anywhere. You can get digital
> versions from our web site for free, or printed copies though our Resources
> Manager for the cost of printing. The checklists we have at the state fair
> are free to the public and are funded by the MOU as part of a budget line
> for all costs incurred by being involved.
>
> > On May 27, 2019, at 9:03 A.M., Bill Tefft  wrote:
> >
> > I appreciate all the effort and cost that goes into producing up-to-date
> > checklists.  Thanks for sharing the information about costs and raising
> the
> > consideration of access to the lists. And I also thank you for your
> > willingness to keep the lists up to date annually.
> > This discussion has made me think more about the lists and a number of
> > questions come to mind as I wonder about how not having printed copies
> > might change things going forward.
> > I am on the MOU Education Committee and the greatest contact with the
> > checklists that I experience is the opportunity to present Minnesota
> Birds
> > to people including children who are not familiar with Minnesota's birds
> > and MOU's role in maintaining and up-to-date record of birds recorded in
> > the state, how they are classified and their current names.
> > I know there are many ways that "birders" keep listing records and that
> MOU
> > and other organizations supported that activity.  I also know that their
> > are many online means of getting information.
> >
> > However, I wonder how the printing cost has been funded in the past.
> >
> > It MOU has contributed to meeting that cost, then what was the cost, what
> > function in MOU would support this cost, has a change been recommended by
> > the Board, Education Committee or part of the organization?
> >
> > Is this a part of a total consideration of what we can provide to inform
> > and recruit none members: a brochure, a bookmark, a checklist etc.?
> >
> > The 2019 State Fair is really just ahead and soon plans and schedules
> will
> > be made to staff and supply MOU's booth at the fair.  Does your message
> > mean that checklists won't be available for the MOU booth?
> >
> > I will check in with others on the Education Committee to see what has
> been
> > planned.
> >
> >
> > On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 7:00 AM Bob Ekblad 
> wrote:
> >
> >> As many of you know, I have been providing birding checklists for
> Minnesota
> >> birds to Minnesota birders for many years. As prices for printing and
> >> mailing have gone up I have tried to keep the costs of the checklists
> at or
> >> even slightly below my costs.  I have decided to make a change to save
> >> costs
> >> for everyone.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I am now providing access to everyone to print the checklists
> yourselves -
> >> effectively reducing your costs to just the paper and printing for the
> >> quantity you want (eliminating mailing costs).
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> You can now obtain a PDF file of the checklist from my website that you
> can
> >> use to print your own checklists when you need them and in the quantity
> you
> >> desire.  There is no charge for using the design I create, which
> includes
> >> having the latest names and taxonomic order established annually by the
> AOS
> >> (formerly AOU) and ABA and the regular, casual and accidental species
> >> assignments as identified by the MOURC that are assigned every 5 years.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> To access the checklist go to my website (below) and check out the
> >> Checklist
> >> info under Minnesota Birding Information.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Enjoy the checklists and good birding.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Bob Ekblad
> >>
> >> Olmsted County in SE Minnesota
> >>
> >> http://www.Birding-Minnesota.com
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> 
&

Re: [mou-net] Minnesota Bird Checklists

[Bill Tefft]

I appreciate all the effort and cost that goes into producing up-to-date
checklists.  Thanks for sharing the information about costs and raising the
consideration of access to the lists. And I also thank you for your
willingness to keep the lists up to date annually.
This discussion has made me think more about the lists and a number of
questions come to mind as I wonder about how not having printed copies
might change things going forward.
I am on the MOU Education Committee and the greatest contact with the
checklists that I experience is the opportunity to present Minnesota Birds
to people including children who are not familiar with Minnesota's birds
and MOU's role in maintaining and up-to-date record of birds recorded in
the state, how they are classified and their current names.
I know there are many ways that "birders" keep listing records and that MOU
and other organizations supported that activity.  I also know that their
are many online means of getting information.

However, I wonder how the printing cost has been funded in the past.

It MOU has contributed to meeting that cost, then what was the cost, what
function in MOU would support this cost, has a change been recommended by
the Board, Education Committee or part of the organization?

Is this a part of a total consideration of what we can provide to inform
and recruit none members: a brochure, a bookmark, a checklist etc.?

The 2019 State Fair is really just ahead and soon plans and schedules will
be made to staff and supply MOU's booth at the fair.  Does your message
mean that checklists won't be available for the MOU booth?

I will check in with others on the Education Committee to see what has been
planned.


On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 7:00 AM Bob Ekblad  wrote:

> As many of you know, I have been providing birding checklists for Minnesota
> birds to Minnesota birders for many years. As prices for printing and
> mailing have gone up I have tried to keep the costs of the checklists at or
> even slightly below my costs.  I have decided to make a change to save
> costs
> for everyone.
>
>
>
> I am now providing access to everyone to print the checklists yourselves -
> effectively reducing your costs to just the paper and printing for the
> quantity you want (eliminating mailing costs).
>
>
>
> You can now obtain a PDF file of the checklist from my website that you can
> use to print your own checklists when you need them and in the quantity you
> desire.  There is no charge for using the design I create, which includes
> having the latest names and taxonomic order established annually by the AOS
> (formerly AOU) and ABA and the regular, casual and accidental species
> assignments as identified by the MOURC that are assigned every 5 years.
>
>
>
> To access the checklist go to my website (below) and check out the
> Checklist
> info under Minnesota Birding Information.
>
>
>
> Enjoy the checklists and good birding.
>
>
>
> Bob Ekblad
>
> Olmsted County in SE Minnesota
>
> 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
>


-- 





*Bill tefftefnb...@gmail.com 218-235-8078*


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[mou-net] Trumpeter Swans

[Bill Tefft]

The first 2 trumpeter swans were reported on Shagawa River in Ely this
morning.

-- 





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Re: [mou-net] Pine Grosbeaks

[Bill Tefft]

We still had two pine grosbeaks this morning and this was the first morning
with no common redpolls.  The rain removed the remainder of snow from the
top of the bald eagle next on County Road 88 north of Ely and two adults
were on the nest this morning.  Also this morning, I joined others who were
watching common goldeneyes courting on Shagawa River above where it crosses
CR 88.

On Thu, Mar 14, 2019 at 8:15 AM Juile Grahn  wrote:

> It looks like at least some Pine Grosbeaks are heading back north.  We
> have had a good size group visiting our feeders all winter.  We had big
> southerly winds on the 12th and we only had one show up that day and none
> since.  Some others in surrounding areas have mentioned they are noticing
> the same thing.
>
> Julie Grahn
> Cook, MN
> 
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>


-- 





*Bill tefftefnb...@gmail.com 218-235-8078*


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[mou-net] Ely Christmas Bird Count

[Bill Tefft]

Each year the number of participating counters grows on the Ely Christmas
Bird Count (CBC).  The count is always scheduled on one of the weekends
closest to Christmas and this year the count will take place on Saturday,
December 22nd.  I have been currently been talking to our cast of  previous
counters and some new participants who are interested in counting in the
Ely CBC 15-mile diameter circle that includes the towns of Ely and Winton
and areas of the surrounding townships and the Superior National Forest in
northern St. Louis and Lake counties.



Organization and assignments will occur through this week up to the Ely
Field Naturalist December monthly, end of the year, winter solstice meeting
scheduled for 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, December 19 at Ely Field
Naturalist Resource Center in HakEly, 41 East Chapman Street, Ely MN.  If
you want to discuss your role in our CBC, please contact me by phone/text
(218-235-8078) or email (efnb...@gmail.com). Counters and others are
welcome to join us on December 19 to explore the maps of CBC circles across
the Arrowhead, to add decorations of field naturalist nature to the Winter
Solstice Tree, and to build a calendar of Ely Field Naturalist activities
for 2019.



This announcement gives you the opportunity to make plans for the day and
possibly travel to Ely and a stay in Ely during the weekend of our count.
Don’t forget that for any CBC a species that is not seen on count day can
be added if it is seen on any of the 3 days before or 3 days after, ie.
Count Week.  Contact me if you would like to join our count and find an
assignment that fits your needs.  People coming into town just before
Christmas may need to find a place to stay that will mesh with their
plans.  To assist making accommodations some local providers of lodging may
offer reduced rates for anyone that is participating in the Ely Christmas
Bird Count.  If you are interest in the weekend, December 21-22, you could
call Stay Inn Ely at 218-365-6010 or the Ely Chamber of Commerce to see
what they have available.



If you would like to participate in this or other area counts this year,
feel free to contact me.  Members of the Ely Field Naturalists are
coordinators or participants on most local counts and we can help you make
contacts and plans.  You can also visit the Minnesota Ornithologist’s Union
website under “Other Resources”  “Minnesota CBCs”  “MN CBC Locations” or
just enter www.moumn.org/CBC/locations_map.php in your browser and get maps
and other information for any of the state’s CBCs.

We hope you can join us in exploring the winter wonders of Minnesota with
us.


-- 





*Bill tefftefnb...@gmail.com 218-235-8078*


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[mou-net] Ely Christmas Bird Count

[Bill Tefft]

Each year the participation grows on this count which always gets bird
counters together in Ely on the weekend nearest to Christmas.  This year
the count is on Saturday, December 23rd and I am currently getting
volunteer requests to count in areas of Ely, Winton, and the surrounding
Superior National Forest of St. Louis and Lake County.

Organization and assignments will occur through this week to enable
participants to plan their day and in some cases travel and lodging.
People coming into town just before Christmas may need to find a place to
stay and mesh with their other plans.  With recognition of the interest in
this count, some places like Stay Inn Ely has offered a discounted rate for
Christmas Bird Counters.

If you would like to participate on this or other area counts this year,
feel free to contact us as members of the Ely Field Naturalists are
coordinators or participants on most local counts and we can help you make
contacts and plans.

-- 





*Bill tefftefnb...@gmail.com 218-235-8078*


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Re: [mou-net] Owl ID Help- Carlton County

[Bill Tefft]

All of the sightings that I experienced over the years in northern St.
Louis County were in summer in either early morning or evening dusk.
I don't know much about the species breeding range in the state, but if
they breed in Carlton County, then they could very likely be extending
hunting hours beyond nocturnal I the interest of feeding young.
Your description and seemingly initial impression that it did not look like
a great horned owl is probably to be trusted.
It's an exciting experience to find one. And it may continue to hunt that
same area when there is enough light for you to see it again.
On Jun 19, 2016 12:56 AM, "Jason Caddy"  wrote:

> Around 9:50-10:00pm as I was driving south on I-35 in southern Carlton
> county I saw a bird perched on a snag on the side of the freeway. I could
> only make out a black silhouette because of the lighting but it appeared to
> be a crow-sized bird that was relatively slender and had obvious ear tufts.
> From the brief view I had it appeared that the tufts were closer together
> on the head than they would be on a Great Horned Owl. If both the Long
> Eared Owl and the Great Horned Owl were common birds in that county I would
> certainly chalk the sighting up as a Long Eared Owl because the shape,
> size, and ear tufts would point me in that direction but of course
> Long-eared Owls are exceedingly difficult to find in Minnesota in the
> summer so I want to get ideas on the possibility of that species. Great
> Horned Owls have been reported twice in the general vicinity in the past on
> eBird, the last report coming from 2012.
>
> The location was due east of Moosehead Lake, just before the CR-137 exit
> on the west side of the road in what I guess is Moose Lake State Park.
>
> Any thoughts? (I know most people will lean GH Owl but is there even the
> slightest chance this could be a LE Owl?)
>
>
> Jason Caddy
>
> Minneapolis
>
> j.ca...@hotmail.com
>
>
> 
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[mou-net] Northern Mockingbird - Ely

[Bill Tefft]

This morning there was a northern mockingbird on the Vermilion Community
College courtyard from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

-- 





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Re: [mou-net] Ivory Gull in Ely

[Bill Tefft]

Many people have an interest in knowing whether there there were pictures
taken that would answer the possibility that this bird was the Duluth bird
moving on north.
The answer is that all their interest was focused on the welfare of the
bird, they were not aware of its significance, and they didn't take any
photos.
On Jan 12, 2016 10:59 AM, "Bill Tefft" <efnb...@gmail.com> wrote:

> A bird was being mobbed in an Ely backyard this morning.  This ivory gull
> was on the ground and seemed a bit traumatized not by mobbing birders but
> by mobbing ravens.  Not thinking of this as just and amazing addition to a
> yard list, Muff Shumacher and her neighbor teamed up to box it and take it
> to the vet clinic for examination and subsequent consultation with the
> local wildlife rehabilitator.
>
> By the time I arrived at the vet clinic to see if it needed to be
> transported, it had recovered and promptly flew off when given the
> opportunity for release.  Hopefully, it can get out of town before the
> feisty ravens are able to relocate it.
>
> Although, I didn't see it, it was reported to have 1st winter plumage like
> the Duluth ship canal bird that I observed last Friday.
>
> --
>
>
>
>
>
> *Bill tefftefnb...@gmail.com <efnb...@gmail.com>218-235-8078
> <218-235-8078>*
>
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[mou-net] Ivory Gull in Ely

[Bill Tefft]

A bird was being mobbed in an Ely backyard this morning.  This ivory gull
was on the ground and seemed a bit traumatized not by mobbing birders but
by mobbing ravens.  Not thinking of this as just and amazing addition to a
yard list, Muff Shumacher and her neighbor teamed up to box it and take it
to the vet clinic for examination and subsequent consultation with the
local wildlife rehabilitator.

By the time I arrived at the vet clinic to see if it needed to be
transported, it had recovered and promptly flew off when given the
opportunity for release.  Hopefully, it can get out of town before the
feisty ravens are able to relocate it.

Although, I didn't see it, it was reported to have 1st winter plumage like
the Duluth ship canal bird that I observed last Friday.

-- 





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[mou-net] Loggerhead Shrike

[Bill Tefft]

Late this afternoon, Steve Schon and I saw a loggerhead shrike working the
softball field complex on Old Airport Road at the east end of Ely

It crossed the road to the Ely Cemetery just before we left at about 4:30
p.m.

This is only the third loggerhead shrike that I have seen in my 38 years in
Ely.  And they were all seen in the spring in St. Louis County.

-- 





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[mou-net] Bohemian Waxwings

[Bill Tefft]

About half of my visits past Zenith Apartments on Camp Street in Ely during
the past week have resulted in a flock of about 15 Bohemian waxwings and
sometimes a couple pine grosbeaks feeding in the heavily fruited crab
apples near the parking along the street.

-- 





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[mou-net] Birding at Darwin S. Myers WMA

[Bill Tefft]

I stopped at the Darwin S. Myers Wildlife Management Area, Embarrass, MN,
St. Louis County just to check the access on Sunday and then returned with
a group on Monday.  On Monday we spent from 8:00 a.m. to noon in the area
from the main entrance to the bridge and then east along the north side of
the Embarrass River.  With mixed levels of experience, a number of birds
were first time sightings for participants.  A relatively small area was
covered as birds were heard and seen with binoculars and in some cases a
spotting scope.  Boreal chorus frogs, wood frogs, spring peepers, American
toads and western painted turtles were also observed along with almost no
biting insects.



*Sunday, May 25*

Broad-winged Hawk



*Monday, May 26*

Canada Goose

Wood Duck

Mallard

Blue-winged Teal

Hooded Merganser

Northern Harrier

Sora (many)

Lesser Yellowlegs (6)

Wilson’s Snipe (many)

Alder Flycatcher

Least Flycatcher

Red-eyed Vireo

Blue Jay

Tree Swallow

Cliff Swallow (many - nest building under bridge)

Winter Wren

Sedge Wren

Gray-cheeked Thrush (one)

American Robin

Gray Catbird

Orange-crowned Warbler (one)

Yellow Warbler (many)

Palm Warbler (one)

Blackpoll Warbler (one)

American Redstart (one)

Common Yellowthroat (many)

Wilson’s Warbler (many)

Lark Sparrow (one)

Savannah Sparrow (one)

Song Sparrow (many)

Swamp Sparrow (many)

White-throated Sparrow

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Red-winged Blackbird (many)

American Goldfinch


-- 





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Re: [mou-net] thirsty robins

[Bill Tefft]

I live in Ely and we have single-digit robins most every winter that eat
mountain ash, crab apple and probably some buckthorn fruit during winter.

On Sunday, February 9 I was driving south on Hwy 63 from Zumbro Falls to
Rochester at about 5:00 p.m. and saw three separate flocks of robins fly
over the roadway from ese to nw as though each was moving towards an
evening roost site.  It seemed much like crows or ravens heading for an
evening roost.

I was wondering how common these flocks of robins are in southern Minnesota
and whether or not they are seen in daytime feeding locations and what they
find as a main winter food.  - maybe buckthorn.

Are there other preferred foods like possibly crab apples, known to
people?  I probably subconsciously hope that there winter world has not
developed around the dark side of buckthorn.




On Mon, Feb 10, 2014 at 5:46 PM, Bernard P. Friel wa...@att.net wrote:

 I had the same circumstance three years ago with robins at my heated bird
 bath. At times the entire perimeter of the bird bath was wing to wing
 robins...mine were feeding on flowering crab apples so I had a red ring
 around the perimeter of the bird bath
 --
 Bernard P. Friel
 Motivational Program:
A Change of Heart-Taking Charge of Your Health
 Member:
  North American Nature Photography Association
  International Society of Aviation Photography
  The Explorers Club MN¹ 10
  Grand Canyon River Guides
 Web Pages:
  http://www.wampy.com




  From: Tom Bell bell.to...@gmail.com
  Reply-To: Tom Bell bell.to...@gmail.com
  Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2014 16:50:57 -0600
  To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU
  Subject: [mou-net] thirsty robins
 
  Eleven American Robins have invaded our heated bird bath and I have never
  experienced such thirsty birds. They crowd around the bird bath and stay
 there
  dipping, sipping and pooping. I counted 20 dips by one bird before it
 caught
  movement and flew off. Granted, they do not take in a large quantity of
 water
  each time they dip into the water, lift their heads to swallow, but they
 take
  in enough so that the bird bath has to filled twice a day. The birds just
  continue to return to the water source. From their discharge, it looks
 like
  they are eating buckthorn, so I wonder if that is a contributing factor.
 
  Tom Bell
  Grey Cloud Island
  5868 Pioneer Rd. S.
  St. Paul Park, MN 55071
  651-459-4150
 
  
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-- 





*Bill tefftefnb...@gmail.com efnb...@gmail.com218-235-8078*


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Re: [mou-net] RE dead boreal owls

[Bill Tefft]

Steve Wilson who collected boreal owls while working for the MN DNR in past
years of boreal starvation, has contacted the Univ. of MN, the DNR Wildlife
Office; and the Chicago Field Museum.  Although Steve is now retired, his
inquiry led to the information that our area manager in Tower, MN is
accepting owls that are turned and they will then be delivered to the Field
Museum.

If you find an owl, record accurate time and place information, put it in a
sealed plastic bag, and keep it frozen.  Then deliver it to Tom Rusch, our
local wildlife manager, in the Tower, DNR Wildlife office.  The collected
birds will then be picked up for delivery to the Field Museum.  The birds
are being taken to that location, because of the museum's ability and
interest in processing these birds.

I would imagine that other area wildlife offices would provide the same
service.

Bill Tefft
Ely, MN

On Wed, Feb 27, 2013 at 8:54 AM, Charlene Nelson jnel...@runestone.netwrote:

 Is anyone collecting deceased birds for necropsy ?

 Sent from my iPhone

 On Feb 27, 2013, at 9:32 AM, linda whyte bi...@moosewoods.us wrote:

  Maybe if there were more local publicity alerting non-birders to the
  current plight of the Boreals, people would be willing  to monitor their
  condition, and take some action on their behalf if they seem to be faring
  poorly. It does seem sad that only two of them have made it to the Raptor
  Center so far. (Both are doing well.)
 
  On Wed, Feb 27, 2013 at 6:57 AM, Cindy Risen cri...@mlecmn.net wrote:
 
  Noticed a few reports of dead owls, if anyone is keeping track of where
  Boreal Owls have been seen, I have a report of one that spend a couple
 of
  days at a farm in Aitkin County. Didn’t hear about it until the
 homeowner
  wondered why “his” owl had died. It was about 2 miles west of McGregor
  early last week.
 
  Cindy Risen
 
  
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-- 
*Bill Tefft
efnb...@gmail.com
218-235-8078


*


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[mou-net] Birding the Ely Burn Clarified

[Bill Tefft]

As you leave Ely on Hwy #1 headed towards the North Shore there is a forest
that burned on both sides of the road 1 1/2 years ago.  During the past 6
months the insects in the standing burned trees have supported some
black-backed woodpecker activity  There areas that were burned were not on
public land.  There are homes in the forest on the west side of the road
and not east.  A snowmobile trail crosses north of the burned forest.
There are a couple of side roads - each end of Cord Wood Lane - that enable
possible parking without interfering with access.

With all this being said *the only place to bird is to walk along the
narrow roadsides of Highway #1.*

I talked with one of the homeowners and *the only upsetting aspect of the
birding is that people are roaming up his road/driveway near the house,
snowshoeing about his property and making them uncertain about what people
will do.

*Not everyone owns a platbook or a Superior National Forest map, but in
places like this *if you don't find the woodpeckers from the highway, then
you have to keep trying until you do or look elsewhere.*

Maybe its the luck of the draw, but many people have already spotted these
woodpeckers from the highway.

I hesitate to even bring up the location, but since some boundaries have
been crossed, I think it is worth a reminder that often no one is looking
for conflict but it finds them.  There was a time that I didn't understand
that trading respect for propriety rights for a bird sighting was not worth
it.

There has been no harm or ill feelings yet.  Let's keep it that way.

p.s.  I don't want this to turn into a discussion or debate, but just a
clarification.

-- 
*Bill Tefft
efnb...@gmail.com
218-235-8078


*


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Re: [mou-net] Bass Ponds: Any recent visits?

[Bill Tefft]

I often here reference to the Bass Ponds.  Would someone give me directions
to there location.  I assume they are in the Twin Cities area.

Bill

On Fri, Nov 4, 2011 at 11:06 PM, Fr. Paul Kammen fr.p...@delanocatholic.com
 wrote:

 I'm considering going to Bass Ponds tomorrow, and saw recent posts from
 last
 weekend, I believe a long billed dowitcher was seen down there and Wilson's
 Snipe. Just curious if anyone has seen them more recently or if someone
 might
 know if they are gone by now.

 Thanks,
 Fr. Paul

 
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[mou-net] First White-crowned Sparrow

[Bill Tefft]

Wednesday, Sept 7 the first white-crowned sparrow we have seen this fall was
feeding under birdfeeders in Ely.

Bill Tefft
Norma Malinowski


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[mou-net] DNR Wolf Lake Road Ponds - Ely

[Bill Tefft]

Daily reports keep coming in from the DNR Muskie Rearing Ponds on the Wolf
Lake Road west of Ely.  The ponds would normally be filled with water at
this time of year, but this year no muskies were raised by Fisheries and
therefore there is just the right amount of water, mudflats and drier areas
for shorebirds.  In the past few days, there have been:


   - 70-90 hooded mergansers
   - 10 lesser yellowlegs
   - 1 killdeer
   - 1 semipalmated plover
   - 5-10 stilt sandpipers
   - about 20 Baird's sandpipers
   - 1 buff-breasted sandpiper
   - 1-5 least sandpipers
   - up to 10 semi-palmated sandpipers
   - 1 solitary sandpiper

In addition, a merlin has been chasing the shorebirds around the ponds.

This morning there was the additional treat of watching 4 coyotes searching
and romping at the west end of the ponds.

Bill Tefft


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[mou-net] Wolf Lake Road Shorebirds

[Bill Tefft]

There were still a good number and variety of shorebirds this afternoon at
the DNR ponds just north of the Wolf Lake Road along with hooded mergansers
and green-winged teal:


   - stilt sandpipers
   - Baird's sandpipers
   - least sandpiper
   - killdeer
   - lesser yellowlegs
   - greater yellowlegs


Ely, MN
St. Louis County


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[mou-net] Ely Area Shorebirds

[Bill Tefft]

Shorebirds are usually not found in much variety around Ely but this past
week has presented a number of species:

Ely Softball Field Complex on the East end of town - buff-breasted sandpiper
(today)

DNR Muskie Rearing Ponds between the Wolf Lake Road and Burntside River -
greater yellowlegs, lesser yellowlegs, semipalmated sandpipers, semipalmated
plovers, killdeer, least sandpiper, Baird's sandpipers

Winton Oxidation Ponds - lesser yellowlegs, spotted sandpipers, least
sandpiper

Bill Tefft


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[mou-net] Loan

[Bill Tefft]

Good morning,

Hope you get this on time? Sorry I didn't inform you about my trip to
Scotland for a Project; I am presently in Surrey and am having some
difficulties here because I misplaced my wallet on my way to the hotel where
my money and other valuable things were. Presently my passport and my things
are been held down by the hotel management pending when I make payment.

I need you to help me with a loan of 1,600 British Pounds to pay my hotel
bills and to get myself back home. I will appreciate whatever you can afford
to assist me with, I will refund the money back to you as soon as I return,
let me know if you can be of any help? ASAP. I am so confused right now.  I
will probably use the phone at the Western Union outlet to call you when I
am there to receive the money. Kindly help me to transfer the funds to the
below details;

Name: Bill Tefft
Address: Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5LX, Scotland

Kindly help me make the transfer as soon as you receive this email and once
you have it sent, send me the Western Union control number with the Receipt
used in sending it. Also do let me know how you want me to pay you back so I
can make the arrangements to get it to you as soon as I get back home.

Looking forward to your positive response.

Regards
Bill


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[mou-net] White-winged crossbills

[Bill Tefft]

I don't know how dependable they will continue to be, but every day this
week white-winged crossbills have been feeding on white spruce cones between
Pattison Street and the Ely School at the intersection of East Pattison
Street and 5th Avenue in Ely.


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[mou-net] White-winged crossbills

[Bill Tefft]

Although they are difficult to notice unless flying or calling or perched in
the open, I have seen white-winged crossbills regularly in Ely this winter.
There are many large white spruce in town with lots of cones like the ones
on Pattison Street.  I just saw a group of about 10 moving from tree to
tree.


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[mou-net] Crows of Rochester

[Bill Tefft]

Apparently it is well known that the crows come to roost at night in
Rochester and not the blackbirds.  Thanks for all the quick responses.


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[mou-net] Blackbirds in Rochester

[Bill Tefft]

A friend of mine sent the attached picture take on Jan 5 in downtown
Rochester, MN with this statement,

this was pretty wild! Thousands of blackbirds in the sky  rooting in trees
downtown. I took the pic thru my.opened sunroof. Happy Friday


Maybe all of the recent blackbird discussion has made me suspicious, but I
checked CBC results from recent years and I don't see any indication from
counts that would suggest there should be these kinds of numbers at this
time of year.

But I know nothing about Rochester birds and would like to hear comments to
pass on to my friend.


Bill Tefft
Ely, MN


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[mou-net] Blackbirds of Rochester

[Bill Tefft]

Sorry, the list serve would not allow the attachment.


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[mou-net] Blackbirds of Rochester - Picture Link

[Bill Tefft]

A friend of mine sent the picture at the attached link taken on Jan 5 in
downtown Rochester, MN with this statement,  this was pretty wild!
Thousands of blackbirds in the sky  rooting in trees downtown. I took the
pic thru my.opened sunroof. Happy Friday


Maybe all of the recent blackbird discussion has made me suspicious, but I
checked CBC results from recent years and I don't see any indication from
counts that would suggest there should be these kinds of numbers at this
time of year.

But I know nothing about Rochester birds and would like to hear comments to
pass on to my friend.


Bill Tefft
Ely, MN



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[mou-net] Ely Christmas Bird Count - December 26

[Bill Tefft]

Now is the time to contact me if you would like to participate in this
year's Ely CBC.

call: 218-235-8078


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[mou-net] Grit-pickers in Lake County

[Bill Tefft]

I thought I would take a look in the Isabella Area this morning to look for
winter bird activity.  Mostly saw birds picking grit from the roads.

Whyte Road - a mixed group of pine grosbeaks and white-winged crossbills
Stoney River Forest Road - two groups of common redpolls (100+ in each)
Hwy 2 - group of about 30 common goldfinches

Other birds seen included boreal chickadees ( Whyte Road), common ravens, a
northern hawk owl (Stoney River Forest Road - 1 mile north of the Whyte Road
intersection) and common goldeneyes (Birch Lake Dam on Hwy 1).

There is very little snow on these gravel roads in Isabella at this point.

Oh by the way I saw two moose on the Stoney River Forest Road.

Bill Tefft


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[mou-net] Mille Lacs Lake to Aitkin - no loons, no snowy owl, just swans

[Bill Tefft]

On Thanksgiving Day, I thought I would start early and work my way up from
Mill Lacs Lake through Aitkin to Grand Rapids for family, football and
food.  Although I saw lots of common mergansers, common goldeneyes, bald
eagles, Bonaparte's gulls, ring-billed gulls and a few northern tree
sparrows and snow buntings, I didn't see any loons along the west side of
the lake.  North of Aitkin I searched 169 and adjoining roads for the
afore-reported snowy owl with no success.  However, I did see a rough-legged
hawk and then was surprised on the east side of the Aitkin WMA along CR 56
to see approximately 1500 tundra swans located mostly in ponds on the north
side of the road.  There were also several mallards and a northern pintail.

Bill Tefft


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[mou-net] Bohemian Waxwings in Ely

[Bill Tefft]

Sometimes it is a few days between sightings and I begin to wonder, but I
should just trust that once the Bohemian waxwings arrive and food is
plentiful, they will stay for the winter.  We'll see.  Today there were a
couple of flocks that kept on the move.  In the past week there has been
sightings of pine grosbeaks, evening grosbeaks, American goldfinches and one
snow bunting.

My apologies my last posting should be edited to say American tree
sparrow.

Bill


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[mou-net] Bohemian Waxwings and pine grosbeaks

[Bill Tefft]

Last night I heard reports of Bohemian Waxwings and this morning I saw my
first flock in November - about 60 birds.  Pine grosbeaks have also arrived
in the area in small numbers.

Bill Tefft


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Re: [mou-net] Bohemian Waxwings and pine grosbeaks

[Bill Tefft]

Sorry for the report from the anonymous location.  The Bohemian waxwings are
in Ely, MN.  We have a lot of mountain ash and crab apple fruit in town that
may hold them here this winter.

Bill Tefft

On Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 3:23 PM, josep...@umn.edu wrote:

 Where are you???


 On Nov 19 2009, Bill Tefft wrote:

  Last night I heard reports of Bohemian Waxwings and this morning I saw my
 first flock in November - about 60 birds.  Pine grosbeaks have also
 arrived
 in the area in small numbers.

 Bill Tefft

 
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 Marilyn S. Joseph, MD
 Assistant Professor
 Department of OB,Gyn and Women's Health
 Associate Medical Director
 Boynton Health Service
 University of Minnesota




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[mou-net] Bohemian Waxwings in Ely

[Bill Tefft]

Today the mountain ash fruit were being consumed by ravens that looked 
gargantuan hanging on mountain ash branches.  Bohemian waxwings (22) were 
nearby on the west end of Washington Street in Ely and feeding on the fruit of 
ornamental crab apple trees.





Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Office Phone:  218-235-2197
Fax: 218-365-7218


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[mou-net] wwcrossbills in red pine

[Bill Tefft]

I am generally used to seeing white-winged crossbills feeding on the seeds of 
spruce and tamarack cones.  Today outside my office,  I noticed that the birds 
feeding on the seeds of red pine cones were white-wined crossbills.  Does 
anybody keep a bird list for a single tree?  I find office work more 
interesting due to the bird activity that has occurred over the years in this 
single red pine.



Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Office Phone:  218-235-2197
Fax: 218-365-7218


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[mou-net] Sax Zim - Saturday

[Bill Tefft]

There were lots of birds, birders and photographers roaming Sax-Zim yesterday.  
We spent the day there checking out many of the areas that have reported 
sightings.  The reports proved accurate.

The most abundant birds were common redpolls and black-capped chickadees with a 
boreal chickadee at the feeding station with the deer rib cages on the South 
Admiral Road.  Northern Hawk Owls seen between 1 and 2 miles from the west end 
on the Nichols Lake Road.  After traveling the road twice during the day, on 
the third pass at about 4:00 in the afternoon we saw two Great Gray Owls about 
2 miles east of Hwy 7 on the Nichols Lake Road.  A number of northern shrikes 
were seen including one chasing another.  Ruffed grouse were seen feeding and 
roosting in trees in three places.  A flock of snow buntings were seen on the 
open fields along Hwy 7 south of Byrne's Greenhouse.  In addition, the bird 
feeders being operated for the public were appreciated and interesting.  

It was a beautiful day from sunrise, to sunset, to moonrise with birds of some 
type whether it was bald eagles, black-billed magpies, pine grosbeacks etc. to 
be seen.



Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Office Phone:  218-235-2197
Fax: 218-365-7218


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[mou-net] Bohemian Waxwings in Ely

[Bill Tefft]

There is lots of food around Ely for Bohemian waxwings they have been seen 
along Miner's Drive recently by Norma Malinowski and I saw a flock of about 60 
this morning in trees along the east end of Sheridan Street.



Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Office Phone:  218-235-2197
Fax: 218-365-7218
 Debbie Waters dwat...@hawkridge.org 01/11/09 12:26 PM 
Hi folks,
Mike Furtman just called to let me know there is (right now) a small flock
of about 25 Bohemian Waxwings in the Hunter's Park neighborhood in Duluth,
near the intersection of Morley Parkway and Leicester Avenue.

I haven't seen much posted about them this winter, so thought I'd share.

Good birding!
Debbie

Debbie Waters
Education Director
Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
P.O. Box 3006
Duluth, MN 55803-3006
218.428.3539
dwat...@hawkridge.org
www.hawkridge.org http://www.hawkridge.org/ 

I'm an early bird and I'm a night owl, so I'm wise and I have worms.
   - Michael
Scott, The Office 


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[mou-net] Ely CBC Results

[Bill Tefft]

The Ely Christmas Bird Count was conducted on Saturday, December 27.  Forty-one 
volunteers contributed by snow-shoeing, walking, driving and bird feeder 
watching to a total count of 3,739 birds among 35 species.The brown 
creeper, red-winged blackbirds, purple finches, dark-eyed junco and 
white-throated sparrow would probably not have been located without the counts 
at over 50 bird feeders.  The count gave indications about birds in the area:  
(1) most pine siskins see at bird feeders (2) lots of redpolls feeding on birch 
seed and other wild foods (3) red-breasted nuthatches active at bird feeders 
and harvesting the abundant balsam fir seeds (4) there are very few goldfinches 
and purple finches in the area this winter.  Highlights:  One person saw their 
first white-winged crossbill.  A count group ended up with more boreal 
chickadees(12) than black-capped chickadees(8) for the day.  
Common Goldeneye (28) 
Ruffed Grouse(6)
Spruce Grouse(1)
Bald Eagle(2)
Rock Pigeon (15)
Barred Owl(1)
American Three-toed Woodpecker(1)
Downy Woodpecker(26)
Hairy Woodpecker(30
Pileated Woodpecker(13)
Northern Shrike(2)
American Crow(33)
Blue Jay(63)
Common Raven(191)
Gray Jay(37)
Black-capped Chickadee(531)
Boreal Chickadee(12)
Red-breasted Nuthatch(261)
White-breasted Nuthatch(13)
Brown Creeper(1)
American Robin(9)
European Starling(43)
Bohemian Waxwing(60)
White-throated Sparrow(1)
Dark-eyed Junco(1)
Red-winged Blackbird(5)
American Goldfinch(21)
Common Redpoll(411)
Evening Grosbeak(146)
Pine Grosbeak(291)
Pine Siskin(458)
Purple Finch(5)
Red Crossbill(during count week)
White-winged Crossbill(56)
House Sparrow(60)

The next activity sponsored by the Ely Field Naturalists and Continuing 
Education at Vermilion Community College  will be the Winter Bird Trip to 
Sax-Zim on Saturday, December 10.  For more information call Bill Tefft at 
218-235-2197.




Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Office Phone:  218-235-2197
Fax: 218-365-7218


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[mou] Janice Dunlap Interview

[Bill Tefft]

Due to a number of requests, the radio interview that was conducted with Jan 
Dunlap, author of the new birder murder, Boreal Owl Murder, will be replayed 
Sunday, September 28 at 7:00 on Birding with Bill, WELY.  This program streams 
live from www.wely.com.



Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Office Phone:  218-235-2197
Fax: 218-365-7218

[mou] IMBD at Embarrass

[Bill Tefft]

Attached is an announcement of this year's annual bird outing to the wetlands 
that was at one time a commercial wild rice area and is now a state wildlife 
management area.  One and all are welcome to join us.



Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Office Phone:  218-235-2197
Fax: 218-365-7218
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[mou] Ely Migration Correction

[Bill Tefft]

Just realized that I put veery on the list when it is hermit thrushes that out 
in the fields and ponds with the robins.



Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Office Phone:  218-235-2197
Fax: 218-365-7218

[mou] Frost - grouse - owl - Lake County

[Bill Tefft]

I watched a beautiful sunrise light up the frost on the birch and alders along 
the Stony River Forest Road (CR380) in Lake County this morning.  The added 
bonus was a great gray owl and a spruce grouse.

I have seen a flock of about 25 Bohemian waxwings several times in Ely over the 
past two weeks.





Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Office Phone:  218-235-2197
Fax: 218-365-7218

[mou] Weeknd from Silver Bay to Grand Portage

[Bill Tefft]

We spent the weekend birding and hiking from a Friday start in Silver Bay, to 
Saturday in Grand Portage and back on Sunday.  One of the most productive spots 
was the marina at Taconite Harbor: all 3 scoters, redheads, greater scaup, 
horned grebe, merlin and a rain-soaked Sibley's field guide found on Friday.  
Scoters, redheads, hooded mergs, buffleheads, greater scaup, Townsend's 
solitaire and the field guide still there on Sunday.

Grand Marais municipal campground and marina:  horned larks, horned grebes, 
savannah sparrow, merlin chasing pigeons on Friday.  Bohemian waxwings, 
Tennessee warblers, palm warblers, golden-crowned kinglet and horned grebes on 
Sunday.

Sewage ponds at Grand Portage: redheads, common goldeneyes, blue-winged teal, 
lesser scaup, buffleheads, A. blackducks.

Along the way: rusty blackbird, pine siskins, lots of tree sparrows, a few snow 
buntings, long-tailed ducks, red-necked grebe, all the resident woodpeckers, 
except, flicker and 2-toed, a variety of sparrows and surprisingly no loons.  
Driving from Grand Portage to Tettegouche on Sunday there was river of crows 
flying south along the shore - everywhere we were there were large flocks on 
crows almost continuously passing with the help of a good tailwind.

Back in Ely, I had a phone message of a first reported pine grosbeak sighting 
for the area.



Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Office Phone:  218-235-2197
Fax: 218-365-7218

[mou] IMBD at Darwin Myers WMA in Embarrass

[Bill Tefft]

The former rice paddies were alive with sparrows but very few warblers this 
morning.  Nashville, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow, and Palm were seen.  The 
tundra swan previously report by Audrey Evers was still there.  There were 
common yellowlegs, pectoral sandpipers, ring-necked ducks, lesser scaup, 
northern shovelers, green-winged teal and lots of blue-winged teal.  Winter 
wrens and sedge wrens were singing on territories.  The highlight was several 
singing LeConte's sparrows.  The cliff swallows have returned to the bridge 
over the river.

Other news - some ravens are fledging and others near fledging.  YSiskins are 
feeding young at bird feeders.  Several people have just reported the first 
showing of hummingbirds claiming their feeders in past two days.  Yesterday was 
the first eastern bluebirds seen around nest boxes in Ely.  Thursday, a 
mockingbird was seen in Ely.  The northern cardinal continues to be heard in 
the same area of Ely and it we are seeking a record of the cardinals nesting.

   





Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] IMBD-Darwin Meyer's Wildlife Management Area

[Bill Tefft]

2007 International Migratory Bird Day Bird Count

International Migratory Bird Day is Saturday, May 12.  Join Bill Tefft and 
other bird watchers at the Darwin Meyer's Wildlife Management Area in Embarrass 
to observe and count the birds of that area.  The group will meet at the 
wayside rest across from the Four Corners Cafe at 7:00am before heading over to 
the Area.  Anyone with questions or who would like to participate but needs a 
different time frame, please call Bill Tefft at 218-365-7241.  Kids and adults 
alike are welcome to come and help with this count. 

The Four Corners Cafe is on Highway 135 ten miles south of Tower and ten miles 
north of Aurora at the intersection with Highway 21.



Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] Grosbeaks and waterfowl

[Bill Tefft]

November is starting with mild weather.

Although there has been ice developing on the shorelines of lakes, there
are still good numbers of mallards, goldeneyes and hooded mergansers and
even a couple of black ducks on the Ely Area lakes.  Snow buntings and
American robins still common around the area.  Little sign of sparrows
since last week.  Evening grosbeaks are seen throughout the year at the
Blue Heron B  B, but they have been joined this week by pine grosbeaks
at the feeders.  Pine grosbeaks are feeding on the bright red crab
apples and visiting local bird feeders.  Pine siskins and American
goldfinches and common redpolls are also showing up at feeders but in
small numbers.

Yesterday, the ravens came to watch and comment on the football game
between the Vermilion Ironmen and the Minnesota West Bluejays.  A
meadowlark (maybe a stow-away that came from Worthington) flew past the
stands a couple of times.  The bluejays lost out in Raven Country.






Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] International Bird Day Hike in Embarrass, MN

[Bill Tefft]

International Migratory Bird Day Hike=20

The Superior National Forest in partnership with many other agencies is =
celebrating International Migratory Bird Day with a bird hike on Saturday, =
May 13.  Meet Bill Tefft and other birders at the wayside across from the =
Four Corners Caf=C3=A9 in Embarrass at 8:00 and spend the morning walking =
along the diked wetlands adjoining the Embarrass River.  Bill will meet =
you at the corner of Hwy 21 and 135 with binoculars and spotting scopes =
for use by people of all ages who want to look at waterfowl and other =
birds that are returning to the northland for summer.  Come prepared with =
good walking shoes and clothing suitable for the weather.  If you have =
questions, call Bill Tefft at 365-6785.

Bill Tefft
St. Louis County

[mou] Barrow's Goldeneye - St. Louis Co.

[Bill Tefft]

This morning Norma Malinowski reported a Barrow's Goldeneye in Embarrass in=
 the former commercial rice paddies along the Embarrass.  The male golden=
eye was with an unidentified female goldeneye and was seen clearly before=
 both birds flew out of sight.  I have not heard if they have been seen a=
gain today.

The birds were seen in the large impoundment just east of the Embarrass Riv=
er and south of Waisanen Road (CR 362).  This is in the NE corner of Sec.=
 35, T60N, R15W.

Bill Tefft
218-365-6785
Ely, MN

[mou] Snowy Owls in Duluth and Esko

[Bill Tefft]

Saturday in Sax and Zim

It is always enjoyable exploring this large area.  We met people birding
from California and St. Louis.  We talked with some residents on Owl
Avenue who enjoy birds and meeting people exploring for birds.  We saw
18 rough-legged hawks with about a third of them being dark morphs, 10
bald eagles mostly adults, 1 snowy owl on Hwy 7 south of the Byrns
Greenhouse (the same one I have seen two other times in the past two
weeks), 1 northern hawk owl on the Stone Lake Road, 2 black-billed
magpies and boreal chickadees on Owl Avenue, pine grosbeaks, pine
siskins, gray jays etc.  One red fox caching a small mammal in the snow
and leaving it.  One muskat feeding.  It was a great winter day.

Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] Snowy Owl in Sax-Zim Area

[Bill Tefft]

I just arrived home and it looks like Snowy Owls are popping up all
over.  I saw what appeared to be an adult male as I drove up 7 through
Sax Zim this morning about 9:30 am.  It was on the east side of 7 at the
50 mile railroad marker which is about 2.5 miles south of the Byrns
Greenhouse or 4.3 miles south of the Stone Lake Road turnoff.  Take your
pick.

Or maybe it was just a carryover dream from the Harry Potter movie last
night.  Although the owl was not carrying any mail.

Good luck on your bird outings everyone.

Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] Birding Ely to Sax-Zim - mountain bluebird

[Bill Tefft]

The weekend presented lots of opportunties to observe birds.

Saturday in Ely - Northern shrike flushing a flock of snow buntings;
eagles contesting food with ravens and crows; crows driving a
rough-legged hawk away in the same area; still a common loon and common
mergansers on Shagawa Lake; ~50 Bohemian waxwings feeding on red cedar
fruit; another 78 Bohemian waxwings feeding on mountain ash fruit

Sunday Ely-Embarrass-SaxZim and back through Tower to Ely -

many groups of snow buntings
Northern shrikes in Embarrass and west of Ely
Buffleheads in Biwabik
Pied-billed grebes on Nichols Lake
Rough-legged hawks in Embarrass, SaxZim and between Tower and Virginia
Red-tailed hawks in SaxZim and between Tower and Virginia
Northern Hawk Owl on south end of South Admiral Road(788) in Zim
18 bald eagles north of Meadowlands
Common Redpolls east of Meadowlands on (210)
Female Mountain Bluebird on the fence near the Airport entrance in Tower
Green-winged teal and lots of mallads on the Tower Oxidation Ponds
~70 Robins feeding on mountain ash fruit
10 Bohemian waxwings feeding on crab apples






 



Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] Mockingbird - Ely Softball Field Complex

[Bill Tefft]

The weather systems roll through here from all directions at this time
of year and maybe that is why the softball field complex seems to get
refreshed with a new bird species or two about once a week.   I am sure
this is happening in lots of places.  It just happens that I can stop
and take a look at the complex and surrounding wetlans as I come and go
a couple times a day.

This morning there was a lot of bird activity with the sun and warmth
after yesterday's storm.  Besides the usual birds, a northern
mockingbird was actively working the road/willow edge that circles the
ballfields.

I wonder what next week will bring.

Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] Birds in Ely

[Bill Tefft]

This morning provided some surprises.  We didn't get out of town but the
local wetlands/softball complex continued to provide interesting birds. 
In the past couple of weeks we have seen American plover, loggerhead
shrike, American pipits, bobolinks, Northern pintails, American bittern,
and the usual variety of flycatchers, sparrows and other wetland birds.

This morning I spotted a female lark bunting and then later Richard
Gibson saw two female lark buntings.  In addition, there was a
semi-palmated sandpiper and later at the Vermilion Community College
softball field two semi-palmated plovers.

The day is going well and it is not even noon yet.

Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] Birding along the Embarrass River

[Bill Tefft]

We spent another morning checking out the action at the former Embarrass
Wild Rice Paddies.  As usual there was a good variety of ducks, swallows
and sparrows with and marsh birds like sora, red-winged blackbirds,
pied-billed grebes, yellow-headed blackbirds and kingfishers.

Of special note among the warblers still migrating through was very nice
opportunities to view Cape May, Wilson's and Blackpoll warblers.   The
highlight of the day was the first Marsh Wren that I have every seen in
this area.  It made its presence well known both vocally and visually. 

The other seasonal change from the previous week was the presence of
gray catbirds and rose-breasted grosbeaks.  They were singing everywhere
we went and so apparantly returned in good numbers in the past week
along with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.  

We saw 52 species there during the morning.

The Ely Area at the beginning of this summer is much different than last
year.  Last year there were almost no pine siskins during the summer and
at least for now it seems like pine siskin and purple finches are in
abundance.

Bill Tefft
Northern St. Louis Count

[mou] Bonaparte's Gulls

[Bill Tefft]

Throughout this morning and into the afternoon, there have been about 60
Bonaparte's Gulls feeding, preening and resting at the Winton Oxidation
Ponds between Ely and Winton.  While observing their behavior and
vocalizations, Richard Gibson and I also saw:

lesser and greater yellowlegs
spotted sandpipers
killdeer
American wigeon
blue-winged teal
common goldeneyes
broad-winged hawk
peregrine falcon
belted kingfisher
turkey vultures
Nashville warbler



Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] Embarrass Wildlife Management Area

[Bill Tefft]

From 8 to noon on International Migratory Bird Day we explored what will
be called the Darwin Meyers Wildlife Management Area in Embarrass once
the paperwork is finalized.  This area was a commercial wild rice
operation in the early 80's and provides lots of wetlands, forest and
grasslands along the Embarrass River.

We observed 46 species during the morning before hot chili at the Four
Corners Cafe including:

Many sparrows - savannah, song, swamp, white-throated, white-crowned,
chipping and clay-colored with the first 3 species and sedge wrens
singing on territories 

Greater and lesser yellowlegs; several A. bitterns calling and flying
about; several northern harriers; a variety of ducks; the first
yellow-headed blackbirds seen there this year; a wave of yellow-rumped,
palm and yellow warblers; a trumpeter swan, plenty of tree and cliff
swallows plus a few barn swallows;  the first soras were heard this year
on May 7.

We don't know how the Governor was doing on Lake Vermilion, but we were
happy with our stringer of bird sightings.

Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] Ravens

[Bill Tefft]

I visited local raven nests yesterday and noticed that young had hatched
and were large enough to be seen as the adult fed them.  

This morning I had the opportunity to see an encounter between a raven
and a muskrat that was walking one of the streets in Ely but far from
water.  The muskrat was determined to continue westbound on Harvey
Street even though the raven kept attempting rear attacks at its tail. 
The muskrat would turn and confront the raven and then continue on once
it backed off.  Finally, the raven gave up and the muskat continued on
west  on Harvey, south on 3rd, then west on Conan.  Then I gave up the
chase.

St. Louis County

Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] c. goldeneye nesting

[Bill Tefft]

It surprised me yesterday to find a hen common goldeneye in a nest
cavity this early in the spring.   It was interesting that a pileated
woodpecker had been in this cavity last Wednesday and a few days before
that.  I am not sure if the goldeneye will continue to be in the cavity
or when it might start laying eggs.  Anyone know if goldeneyes can oust
pileateds or if they just jump in when there is an opportunity to claim
a space and lay some eggs.  

The tree is about a quarter of a mile from water which is not unusual. 
It may have been surprised while it was house shopping or house sitting.



Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207

[mou] Bohemian Waxwings in Ely

[Bill Tefft]

A lot of the smaller fruit have been eaten in the Ely area and now the
waxwings are working on larger crabapples.  We will see when they leave
but today there were 2 separate flocks along Miners Drive in Ely.  One
of 66 birds and the other of approximately 170.

Ravens are carrying sticks as nest building is underway.

Bill Tefft
Ely
St. Louis County
218-365-6785

[mou] Ely Area-Lake County - Bohemian Waxwings

[Bill Tefft]

The flock of approximately 150 Bohemian Waxwings continues to be seen in
various locations within Ely.  Still large numbers of common redpolls. 
No sightings of hoary redpolls reported this week at local feeders. 
Evening grosbeaks are at about equal numbers with pine grosbeaks at some
area bird feeders.  There have been very few goldfinches, pine siskins
and red-breasted nuthatches at bird feeders in this area.

There have been the usual late February reports of Barred Owls (dead or
starving) that are struggling through winter.  

There was a sighting this week of a common grackle (Winton/Lake Co.) and
an unexpected ring-necked pheasant in Ely (no doubt escaped or released)
today.  No sign of bald eagles back at nest sites yet.

Bill Tefft
218-365-6785
Ely
Lake County

Bill Tefft
Parks and Recreation Instructor
Vermilion Community College
1900 E. Camp Street
Ely, MN  55731
Phone: 218-365-7241
Fax: 218-365-7207