[mou-net] Shorebird correction/Brown County
Hi, I was able to go back to the Sleepy Eye WTP's this morning and the Sandpiper I reported yesterday as a likely Bairds Sandpiper was still present. Viewing conditions were better but still distant. I now believe it is a Semipalmated Sandpiper. It definitely has black legs and there didn't appear to be any sign of the wings projecting beyond the tail. The shape is more consistent with a peep, too (thanks Alex L. & Bob D.). Mike Oetken was able to go out to the ponds today to look at it today and he also is thinking its a Semipalmated. Perhaps Mike has a better photo of it to share on the listserve. Brian Smith 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] Baird's Sandpiper/Brown County
Hi, Around 5 p.m. I found a Baird's Sandpiper (nonbreeding plumage) foraging on the ice at the Sleepy Eye WTP's. This is a new early south record - the previous early south record was 3/14/12. Seems like migration is underway earlier with this mild weather we're having. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Tufted Titmouse/Brown County
Hi, I tried posting this earlier but for some reason it didn't go through. Anyway, there's a somewhat out of range Tufted Titmouse visiting the feeders at the home of Floyd & Carol Alwin in New Ulm. I saw it this morning off and on between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. Floyd said that he first noticed it on Monday the 16th and that it was a bird that they've never had at their feeders before. Their home is along the boundary with Flandrau State Park. To my knowledge, the last sighting of a Tufted Titmouse in Brown County was also in New Ulm in December, 2003. Floyd said that birders are more than welcome to try for the bird but he asks that you please call him first. Their phone number is 507-354-2036 and their address is 26 Camelsback Rd., New Ulm. Brian Smith 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] Blue Grosbeak, Cottonwood County
Earlier this evening I found an adult male Blue Grosbeak in NE Cottonwood county. The bird was heard singing on the north side of 280th St., about a quarter mile west of Cty. Rd. 2. Eventually I was able to see the Grosbeak as well. The location where it was found was along the southern boundary of a rather large sioux quartize quarry operated SMC. The Jeffers Petroglyphs are just across Cty. Rd. 2 to the east. As far as I can tell, this is only the second record for Blue Grosbeak in Cottonwood county, which is surprising to me considering Cottonwood county is within its range in SW Minnesota. The only record I could find was on the Cottonwood county checklist from 8-1-95. If there are other records for Cottonwood county, please feel free to correct me. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye, 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] Excellent shorebirds - Sleepy Eye lagoons
The shorebirds that Bill Marengo reported yesterday at the Sleepy Eye WTP's yesterday are still present today for the most part. The vast majority of the shorebirds are Dunlin, White-rumped Sandpiper and Semipalmated Sandpiper. There were 13 American Avocets, 1 Ruddy Turnstone and 1 Sanderling. The Hudsonian Godwit was not seen today but there were 2 Long-billed Dowitcher and 1 Pectoral Sandpiper that were new additions. 15 species of shorebird in all. Brian Smith - Original Message - From: William Marengo mntall...@broadband-mn.com To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Sent: Monday, May 25, 2015 12:16 PM Subject: [mou-net] Excellent shorebirds - Sleepy Eye lagoons There are over 300 shorebirds present right now at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds: 12 Avocets Hudsonian Godwit Sanderlings Ruddy Turnstones White-rumped Sandpipers Both species of Phalaropes Stilt Sandpipers Dunlin And more. Regards... 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] Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brown County
The was a single Yellow-headed Blackbird in a small mixed flock of Red-winged Blackbirds and Starlings in the town of Hanska today. Brian Smith 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] Townsend's Solitaire/Redwood County
Earlier today I found a Townsend's Solitaire in NW Redwood County in the Minnesota river valley. The bird was found 4/10's of a mile west of Cty. Rd. 7 on 440th St. According to the MOU website, this is the second record for Redwood County, the first was by Bob Janssen on 12-24-1986, on Cty. Rd 7 so these two records are likely from the same general area (there are many Juniper trees in this part of the river valley). The bird was very cooperative, perching in the open giving long, close looks. If you try for this bird, be aware that 440th St. is a minimum maintenance road and there's very little shoulder to park on. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye, 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] Sleepy Eye WTP's
Hi, There has been little worth reporting at the Sleepy Eye WTP's this fall season but this afternoon there were a few species worth noting: 2 Eared Grebes 3 Black-bellied Plovers 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers 2 Red-necked Phalaropes 1 Lapland Longspur - well seen on the ground and in flight several times. I was surprised that this appears to be the first sighting in the state this fall. They're usually reported in the northern part of the state first. Brian Smith 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] Western Kingbird, Redwood Cty.
Earlier today I found a Western Kingbird in Redwood County. It was flycatching from a utility wire along 250th St., just a little west of Cty. Rd. 5. (250th St. is the southern border of Westline WMA). It was in the company of many Eastern Kingbirds. Brian Smith 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] Blue Grosbeak, Brown County
This evening there was a first summer male Blue Grosbeak singing at Hoffmann Landfill, 24214 220th St., Home township. This is very close to the Cottonwood river and a couple of miles SE of Sleepy Eye. There was a pair of Blue Grosbeaks which successfully nested last summer at this same location. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Ruddy Turnstones, Brown County
This evening there were 18 Ruddy Turnstones at the Sleepy Eye Waste Treatment Ponds. Ten flew away but there were still 8 present when I left. There was also a flock of around 30 Red-necked Phalaropes. All of these birds were on or along the far eastern lagoon and the berm that divides the three ponds. There was a huge hatch of some sort of flying insect and this is what most of the birds seemed to be feasting on, mostly in the grass. On a different subject, Mike Oetken, John Schladweiler, Alex Watson and myself did a Brown County Big Day last Sunday (18th). We were able to set a new Brown County record of 144 species. While we didn't turn up anything particularly unusual, we did have 18 species of shorebirds, 17 species of warbler and 10 species of sparrow for the day. A few highlights included 2 American Avocets and 2 American Black Ducks at the Sleepy Eye WTP's. A flooded field along County Rd. 10 east of Hwy. 4 had good numbers of shorebirds including Hudsonian and Marbled Godwit. We also found a Peregrine Falcon in flight at this same location. A notable miss for the day was Red-tailed Hawk! We kept expecting to see one somewhere and somehow they avoided us. Brian Smith 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] Summer Tanager, Blue Earth County
(Sorry for this being slightly late but my earlier attempt to e-mail this from the field went awry for some reason). Kim Eckert's Minnesota River Valley MBW group found an adult male Summer Tanager around 10:00 a.m. this morning near the town of Courtland in NW Blue Earth County. The bird was found a little NE of the intersection of Hwy. 68 and Blue Earth County Rd. 47 (turn left or north on the gravel road at this intersection less than a quarter mile). There's a reclaimed gravel pit here and the Tanager was at the bottom of a hill near a bunch of bee hives. Several photographers in our group got good pictures of it and they will post to the MOU website later today. Good birding, Brian Smith 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] Northern Goshawk, Brown County
Earlier this morning I flushed a juvenile Northern Goshawk when I pulled into the parking lot by the entrance to Lake Hanska County park. It was perched in a tree and then flew past my car and then southeast over County Rd. 11 into more trees. I was unable to relocate it. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Geese and a few Ducks, Nobles Co.
I was in Worthington briefly today and found some early waterfowl migrants in and along the open water of the aeration on Lake Okabena. There were around 120 Canada Geese and 6 ducks. I didn't have any optics along but I'm pretty sure the ducks were Scaup. It was encouraging to find some early spring migrants. I spoke with my parents (who live in Worthington) about this and they told me that the geese only arrived a few days ago. Think spring! Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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/Redwood County
I was out and about for work this afternoon and found a Snowy Owl in eastern Redwood County. It wasn't heavily barred so I'm thinking its an adult female or a 1st year male. It was found standing in a stubble field about a 100 yards on the east side of Redwood County 13 and just south about 1/4 mile of the intersection with 240th St. After about 5 minutes it flew west across Cty. Rd. 13 and landed in the stubble field (again about 100 yards from the road). The spot where this owl was found is roughly halfway between the towns of Clements and Morgan. I haven't seen a Snowy Owl in a long time so it was fun to watch it. It was very alert and checking out everything going on around it. Now if only one would show itself in Brown County this winter... Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Shorebirds, Brown Co.
Hi, There are a few late season shorebirds this morning at the Sleepy Eye WTP's, which includes: 2 Dunlin 3 Long-billed Dowitchers 1 Lesser Yellowlegs 1 Pectoral Sandpiper 2 Least Sandpipers These numbers change daily. Yesterday morning Mike Oetken and I saw a Merlin and a Peregrine Falcon (also at the Sleepy Eye WTP's) within 10 minutes of each. The Peregrine made a stoop on a flock of Teal on the water near us, which was really neat to see. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Blue Grosbeak, Brown County
Hey, birders: Late this afternoon there was a male Blue Grosbeak perched on a utility wire along a gravel mine a few miles southeast of Sleepy Eye. This gravel mine is along the Cottonwood river and is a location where I've been searching for Blue Grosbeak at for years but haven't found one until today. The exact address is 24214 220th St. (Hoffman's Demolition Landfill). I think I saw a female there as well but didn't get the best looks at it. I was able to digiscope a few pictures of the male. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye, 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] Another Blue Grosbeak, Blue Earth Co.
Earlier this morning I heard and then saw a male Blue Grosbeak in another location in Blue Earth county. The bird was singing from the top of a dead tree along a large gravel mining pit close to the little town of Cambria in the far north western part of the county along Hwy. 68. There's a road that leads to the mine off of Hwy. 68 between Co. Rd. 6 and 239th St. You can't miss the mine, it's huge. I could easily hear the male singing from the gravel road that leads to the mine. A scope was required to see the bird in the tree top on the opposite side of the mine. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye, 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] How To Plan Execute A Bad Day's Birding
Hi, Birders: I saw this subject title while browsing on the Illinois listserve earlier today by a birder named Al Stokie. He's writing about how he and a birding friend chased for a Tri-colored Heron in Illinois yesterday. I thought it was pretty funny and thought I'd share the link with birders here in Minnesota. We all feel good when we chase for a rarity and find it but we all can relate to driving/searching for hours to look for a rarity and don't find it. Anyway, here's the link to Al's post, hope you enjoy it, too: http://birding.aba.org/message.php?mesid=458429MLID=ILMLNM=Illinois Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Acadian Flycatcher/Brown Co.
For the second consecutive year, there are Acadian Flycatchers on the KC Road in the Minnesota river valley. This is NW of New Ulm in Milford township, just south and east on the KC road where it intersects with 210th Ave. I found an Acadian Flycatcher at this location last June as well. There were two Acadian Flycatchers interacting today and I'm guessing that they are a mated pair. Perhaps this species is more established in Brown county than I ever realized it was. A little disturbing is that on the north side of the road there is hardwood logging taking place. It didn't seem to bother the Flycatchers. I hope that the logging doesn't happen on the south side of the road, it's a really beautiful track of land which is a forested ravine with a stream running through it. Brian Smith 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] Lazuli Bunting, Nicollet Co.
Hi, I thought it worth menioning that another Lazuli Bunting was seen this spring and it was found by Nancy Voges of rural Courtland, MN on 5-15-13. Nancy wasn't familiar with this species and asked me to help ID some photographs that she took of it. Nancy provided some additional information and I have submitted documentation on her behalf. According to the MOU data base, this is a first county record for Nicollet county. Brian Smith 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] White-faced Ibis, Nicollet Co.
At 12:15 there was an adult White-faced Ibis near St. Peter. It was along Hwy. 99, 6/10ths of a mile west of county road 40, on the north side of the road, feeding in the flooded ditch. Brian Smith 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' Geese, Y-H Blackbird, Brown Co.
I checked the Sleepy Eye WTP's after work this afternoon and there was a flock of about 900 Snow Geese spread out nicely along the eastern berm. I was able to find at least 3 Ross' Geese within the flock. I noticed that the Ross' seem to always be moving about in the flock because their larger cousins are pecking at them to get away. I also saw my first male Yellow-headed Blackbird of the spring in a large mixed flock of Blackbirds and Grackles, also at the WTP's. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Shorebirds/Brown County
Hi, I enjoyed birding Nobles county for most of the day but the best birding turned out to be when I checked the Sleepy Eye WTP's on my way home. I estimated that there were 90-100 shorebirds there. It was difficult to get exact counts due to it being so cold and windy plus the birds were scattered over a large area of two ponds (and they were moving around). The highlight was finding one American Golden Plover. There were at least two to three dozen Pectoral Sandpipers, along with good numbers of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. There was also at least a dozen Baird's Sandpipers. I certainly may have missed a species. It was fun being able to sort through shorebirds again. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Shorebird correction
The shorebird I reported on 11-18-12 as a Stilt Sandpiper was incorrect. It was at the Sleepy Eye WTP's again today and I got a good look at it's black legs, clearly a Dunlin. My apologies. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Baltimore Oriole, Stilt Sandpiper, Brown Co.
Hi, While birding around Sleepy Eye I found a few late birds of interest. There's a first year male Baltimore Oriole visiting feeders at a home along the Cottonwood river in Iberia (a few miles SSW of Sleepy Eye). The property owners stopped by to ask what I was doing and told me it's been around for 3 weeks now. This was a birdy spot. There was also a male Purple Finch and 3 Common Redpolls landed in some nearby trees. I also found a winter plumaged Stilt Sandpiper foraging at the Sleepy Eye WTP's, along with a Pectoral Sandpiper. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Greater Yellowlegs flock, Brown Co.
Hi, This afternoon there was a flock of approximately 41 Greater Yellowlegs at the Sleepy Eye WTP's. They were very vocal. Not an unusual species, but I thought the size of the flock worth noting. There was also one Lesser Yellowlegs and one Pectoral Sandpiper. They were at the end of a gravelbar on the northwestern pond. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Red-necked Phalarope, Brown County
There was a fairly large flock of forty-four Red-necked Phalarope at the Sleepy Eye WTP's this evening. Yesterday evening there were seven so they seem to be peaking at this time. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Acadian Flycathcher, Brown Co.
Hi, birders This morning I heard and saw an Acadian Flycatcher on territory in the Minnesota river valley about 4.5 miles NW of New Ulm. Actually I first heard this bird on 6-11-12 but I was on my lunch break at the time and didn't have time to positively ID it until today. It was in habitat that you would expect it to be in - old-growth hardwoods with a gently flowing stream. It is along the KC road in Milford township and the easiest directions would be to turn north on 210th Ave. from County Rd. 29. Turn right on KC Road after you come down into the river valley. The location is between house address 20300 and 20144 (but closer to 20144). You'll see a reflector sign on your right (south side of road) and this is where the bird is actively singing. According to the MOU county checklist, there have been only two other sightings of Acadian Flycatcher in Brown county (1988 and 1990). Brian Smith Sleepy Eye, 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-necked Stilt, Brown Co.
This morning I ran into Skyler Vold, a young birder from Lamberton at the Sleepy Eye WTP's. While we were scanning the ponds, we found a Black-necked Stilt along the shoreline in the northwest corner of the north pond. It was loosely associating with some other shorebirds. We noticed that it had some sort of injury to it's right leg as it seemed to favor it when it walked. We left about an hour after first seeing it and it was still in the same general area, foraging along the rip-rap in that corner of the pond. There were several hundred shorebirds (maybe more) at the ponds today, most are concentrated up near the front entrance. Water levels fortunately are low right now so many shorebirds are along the exposed gravel bars on both ponds by the entrance. Also worth noting was a single Ruddy Turnstone and 3 Hudsonian Godwits. I believe that this is the second record for Black-necked Stilt in Brown County. The first was in May, 2010 of two birds near the town of Essig. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Smith's Longspur Search, Brown Co.
The Smith's Longspurs that were present at the grasslands NE of Comfrey a year ago have reappeared again this spring. Last Saturday there was a flock of 6 in almost the same exact location. Next Saturday, April 14th, I will be taking some birders to that location to look for more migrating Smith's Longspurs. I'm sure we can accomodate more if there are other birders that would like to join in the search. If you're interested, please e-mail me backchannel and we can discuss the details. The general plan is to meet in Sleepy Eye at 10:30 a.m. and then drive to Longspur spot. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Baird's Sandpiper, Brown County
Hi, birders: Late this afternoon there was a single (and early) Baird's Sandpiper at the Sleepy Eye WTP's. It was foraging on a chunk of ice/matted vegetation along the shoreline. Other than the Baird's Sandpiper, there wasn't much else birdwise. I can't help but think that this unseasonably warm weather could bring more shorebirds our way soon. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] WW Crossbills, Nobles County
Hi, While birding in Nobles county earlier today, I found a flock of 15 White-winged Crossbills at Lake Bella County Park. I first heard them call faintly a few times and then found them in some spruces near the northernmost of the two picnic shelters. Watched them for several minutes before they flew off to the north. There was also a Golden-crowned Kinglet here. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Red WW Crossbills/Brown Co.
Hi, birders: While birding the New Ulm cemetery complex (has the city of New Ulm, Catholic Lutheran cemeteries all in one location) on my lunch break I found a flock of 20 plus White-winged Crossbills feeding on spruce cones in the Lutheran cemetery. This was in the row of spruces near the maintenance building that's near County Rd. 29. While sorting through the WW Crossbills, I was pleasantly surprised to find a male and female Red Crossbill. Was able to get long, close looks at them. The male was feeding seeds to the female from time to time. Can anyone tell me, what's the likelihood that the Red Crossbills are part of the WW Crossbill flock or was it just coincidence that both species happened to turn up together? Brian Smith P.S. Brad Bolduan first found the WW Crossbills on Sunday, 1-22-12. 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, Brown County
Hi, birders: Late this afternoon there was a single Ross's Goose at Sleepy Eye lake. It was in a larger mixed flock of mostly Canada Geese and a few Cackling Geese. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Shorebirds, Brown County
Hi, Birders: Just to follow up on Steve Broste's post about a probable Sanderling at the Sleepy Eye WTP's. I also saw a juvenile Sanderling when I stopped by around 5:30 p.m. Also present were: 1 American Golden-Plover 2 Stilt Sandpipers 1 Short-billed Dowitcher 2 Pectoral Sandpipers 2 Baird's Sandpipers Least Sandpiper Also many Rusty Blackbirds. All were on the exposed gravel bar near the front entrance (the city just drew down the water levels in the two west ponds in the last week - HOORAY). Brian Smith 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] Red-necked Phalarope, Brown Co.
Hi, After seeing a total of 3 Red-necked Phalarope at the Sleepy Eye WTP's from 8-1-11, their numbers have peaked over this weekend. Yesterday there was a flock of 28 and today that flock grew to 52. I don't recall ever seeing that many at the ponds. Also, there was a single Buff-breasted Sandpiper in a mowed alfalfa field on the south side of County Rd. 22, exactly one mile east of the intersection of Hwy. 4. This is in Albin Township. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Henslow's Sparrow, Brown County
Hey, birders: I stopped by the Sleepy Eye airport this evening to check the sod runways for Buff-breasted Sandpipers (none yet) but I was surprised to hear what sounded like a Henslow's Sparrow singing from the grassland that borders the runway on the east. I drove over to 260th Ave., which runs along the east side of the grassland and sure enough there was a Henslow's singing regularly. This grassland is somewhat on the smaller side, about 3/10ths of a mile long and maybe 2/10ths wide. I would have thought that a Henslow's would require a larger grassland to find as suitable habitat. I also thought that it was getting late in the breeding season for a Henslow's to be singing but obviously that's not the case. There's been little action at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds mainly due to higher water levels. There have been practically no migrant shorebirds. This evening there were 3 Western Grebes on the SW pond which is unusual. Hopefully things will continue to pick up in the days ahead. Brian Smith 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] Common Moorhen/Brown County
Hi, On my drive home to Sleepy Eye today I spotted an adult Common Moorhen with two chicks swimming/foraging on the small wetland on the north side of Hwy. 14 at the Rosenau-Lambrecht WMA. This is between New Ulm and the town of Essig (guessing about 2.5 miles from New Ulm). By coincidence, this is the same wetland that this species was found in and successfully raised young back in June, 2004. The chicks were interesting to observe, they have orange bills like the parent and an orange spot on the crown which must be part of the red shield that Sibley illustrates. Brian Smith 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] Henslow's SP, Red-headed WO, Brown Co.
Hi, I heard and then saw a male's Henslow's Sparrow singing in a CREP grassland in SW Brown County this morning. It was on the west side of 410th Ave., about 1/2 mile north of Cottonwood Cty. Rd. 10. This is the only Henslow's I've found in Brown County this summer so far. Also along 410th Ave. I found a Red-headed Woodpecker on a utility pole. It soon flew off to the east across a farm field. This is the first Red-headed Woodpecker I've found in Brown County this year. I've been birding in Brown County for about 12 years now and it's disheartening for me to think that this species used to be fairly common and now I consider it a rare bird to find around here. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Prothonotary Warbler, Brown Co.
Hi, I found a male Prothonotary Warbler at Minnecon park in New Ulm around 12:15 p.m. today. I first heard it singing and then got good looks at it. Minnecon park is along the Minnesota river. To get to the park, take Front St. to Minnecon Dr. (turn at the Brown County Evaluation Center). This is near the Hwy. 14/15 overpass. The Prothonotary was found in the backwater on the right side of the road, about 1/4 mile after you turn off of Front St. This is just my second record for Prothotary Warbler in Brown County. Brian Smith 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-bellied Whistling Duck Not Found, Watonwan Co.
Hi, Looked for the pair of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks found by Chad Heins yesterday in the wetland on the NE corner of Madelia (this is on the south side of Hwy. 15) around 7:00 a.m. with no success. Also there was Phillip Chu, Bob Dunlap, John Chris Hockema and Mike Oetken. Brian Smith 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] Smith's Longspur Update, Brown Co.
Hi, For those birders that are interested - earlier this afternoon I walked the grassland southwest of Sleepy Eye where the Smith's Longspur's have been previously reported. I walked counterclockwise around the two fields without finding any and was almost back to my car when I heard their distinctive rattle. I ended up flushing at least 12 of them (it was probably closer to 15-20) and got close looks at two males. Viewing conditions weren't the best as by the time I found them it had started to drizzle pretty hard. Directions on where the birds were today - drive south on 330th Ave. (from where 330th intersects with County Rd. 20) 1/2 mile and park on the field approach (east side of the road) by a wooden sign post with no sign on it. Today the birds were SE of that spot in a line about 150-200 yards from the car. This seems to be a fairly reliable grassland to find this rare migrant (at least this month it has been). Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Smith's Longspur Correction
Hi, I'm sorry, I guess I was a little tired when I wrote my post yesterday. I made a mistake when I wrote the directions for the location to get to the grassland where we found the Smith's Longspurs yesterday. I wrote to go 1/2 mile north of the intersection of County Rd. 20 and 330th Ave. I should have written to go SOUTH on 330th. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Smith's Longspur/Brown Co.
Hi, Mark Ochs, Doug Kieser and myself birded around Brown County today and our target bird was Smith's Longspur. We walked a large area of CREP grassland located on the east side of 330th Ave., Section 20 in Mulligan township (this is approximately 1/2 mile north of the intersection of County Rd. 20 and 330th). These grasslands, in my opinion, are excellent Smith's Longspur habitat. We parked on a field approach that is by a wooden sign post with no sign on it. Please note that this is private land, however, no one has ever said anything to me when I've hiked around in there nor did anyone question us today. Anyway, we walked directly east into the grassland and very shortly started flushing Smith's Longspurs. They gave their slower Longspur call that doesn't have the teew calls like a Lapland Longspur gives. At one time we counted twenty-two Smith's Longspurs in flight. We believe that we found at a minimum thirty Smith's Longspurs today. We were able to view and hear them mostly in flight but also saw them on the ground. All of us saw two male Smith's in breeding plumage on the ground together at one time. As I wrote, these grasslands are a large area. Mark thought that the two sections of grasslands we hiked (this would be the field due east of the field approach and the adjoining field on the south) to be about 130 acres. We came back in the afternoon to try to get better views of the Smith's and this time we flushed a total of seven Smith's but weren't able to get very good looks of them. The Smith's found today were the second county record. I found a single male Smith's on 4-10-11 in this same field. I apologize for not posting about that until now but I wanted to wait until after our group had the field trip today so Doug and Mark could try for them. Other birds of note included a Rough-legged Hawk soaring near the intersection of County Road 8 and 110th St. We also heard an Eastern Meadowlark (rare in Brown County) singing in the grassland on the north side of 110th St. (Wood Lake WMA). At this grassland Doug flushed a probable LeConte's Sparrow. There were two Ross's Geese (one adult and one juvenile) on Boise lake (between Springfield and Sleepy Eye on 200th St.). They were near the shore on the NW corner of the lake hanging out with a Canada Goose. Also on Boise lake was a Western Grebe and a Horned Grebe. Lots of ducks still around the area and at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds. Shorebirds were scarce today. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Yellowlegs, Brown Co.
Hi, Earlier this morning I found 3 Greater Yellowlegs and 1 Lesser Yellowlegs in a flooded farmfield off of 330th Ave., Mulligan township. It was interesting that they were finding some large pink colored worms to eat. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Waterfowl Migration, Brown County
Hi, Probably nothing like what's going on in southwestern/western Minnesota right now, but today there are a lot of swans, geese and ducks migrating thru Brown county. The area where they are showing up is along the Little Cottonwood river south and west of Sleepy Eye. I found the most birds along Brown county 8, between county roads 20 and 22 (where the Little Cottonwood crosses the road). Look for them on the west side of the road. Here there were about 400 Greater White-fronted Geese, about 50 Snow Geese, hundreds of Cackling and Canada. I was able to pick out 6 Ross's and I'm certain there were more in there that I couldn't make out. Also seen were about a dozen Tundra Swans. Really any north/south road that intersects with the Little Cottonwood has hundreds of geese and ducks around it. There must be thousands in the area right now tucked away in areas where they can't be seen from the road. Quite a sight to behold! Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Red-tailed Hawk ID Help
Hi, While birding this morning I spotted and viewed a Red-tailed Hawk that is giving me some ID issues. It was very light colored but I don't think it was albinistic. I saw a photo on-line (and which I've included a link for) of a hawk that is very close to what I saw. What do other birder's think this is? Is it a Krider's, or could it be a rarer light morph Harlan's? I welcome any and all comments. Brian The attachment is: www.dyesscreek.com/miscellaneous_pages/kriders.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] Ross's Geese/Brown Co.
Hi, This afternoon there were several hundred geese on Sleepy Eye lake around the aerator hole. There must have been a push to migrate with the strong southerly winds. I was surprised to see 5 Ross's Geese, 8 Greater White-fronted Geese, Cackling and Canada. When I was there there were few ducks except for some Mallards and one male Hooded Merganser. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Possible Ringed Turtle- Dove/Brown County
While out helping with the New Ulm CBC today I temporarily left the count to look for Eurasian Collared-Doves in the town of Hanska. There was a sizeable flock found on the south side of the elevator. Some of the birds were perched in a row of trees while others were flying to and from an area to the east where there is corn on the ground in an open grain bunker. Anyway, there were a total of 20 doves that I was able to count but there may have been more. One of the doves that I noticed perched in a tree was very pale colored. In fact, the more I looked at it the more I thought it might be a Ringed Turtle-Dove. I suppose there's a possibility that it could be a hybrid with a Eurasian Collared-Dove but if it is it's difficult for me to see any Collared-Dove characteristics in this bird. The undertail coverts were primarily white with the small black triangular markings that Sibley shows for the Turtle-Dove. As I wrote, this bird was very pale and stood out compared to the other Collared-Doves in the flock. It was a buffy-white color overall on the wings, back and tail. Ringed Turtle-Doves are smaller than Collared-Doves but I didn't really notice this bird being smaller than the other Doves that were present. Unfortuately I didn't have a camera along so I didn't get a picture of it. If any other birders are interested in looking for this Dove, I would welcome any comments on what they think it is. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Peregrine Falcon, Brown County
Hey, birders: I know a Peregrine Falcon sighting isn't all that unusual but I'm lucky to see one a year in Brown county so I thought I'd report on one I just saw at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds. I happened to be walking east on the berm from the front entrance when I noticed a large bird of prey chasing a gull (a Ring-billed I think) out near the east pond. When I got my bins on them I could see that it was a Peregrine Falcon. The falcon pursued the gull for maybe 10 seconds with a lot of acrobatics going on from both the gull and the falcon. Fortunately for the gull, it was able to evade the falcon and flew away. The falcon made a long sorty around one of the ponds and then to my surprise flew right by me and then landed on the berm, maybe 60 yards away, allowing me several minutes to study this majestic bird in my scope. After consulting Sibley, I'm certain it was a juvenile of the Tundra subspecies. I could not see any bands on either of its legs. It was still perched on the ground when I left. Perhaps its just a coincidence, but about a week and a half ago I found the carcass of a Canada Goose out at the ponds that had been mostly eaten with feathers scattered all over and I wondered at the time if a Peregrine was what had made the kill. Other than the Peregrine sighting, nothing much else to report with the exception of 3 Red-necked Phalaropes. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Redwood County
I saw the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Redwood County this evening from 6:40 to 7:00 pm. However, it was in a slightly different location west from where Ron observed it earlier this afternoon. At the intersection of Cty. Rd. 9 and Co. Rd. 17 (17 runs north and is a gravel road) go six tenths of a mile on Co. Rd. 17. The bird was perched on a wire fence that separates an alfalfa field and a cow pasture and it is about a hundred yards east of Co. Rd. 17 and it runs parallel to the gravel road. It was actively flycatching along this fence line. It probably would have been difficult for me to find the Scissor-tailed if I hadn't come upon John Schladwieler. He told me that he had seen the bird near the original location to the east. He said that he had watched it for about a half an hour until it rose up and flew off to the west but he wasn't exactly sure where it had settled. Based on his observation, I started scanning the fence lines along Co. Rd. 17 and found it almost immediately. My point is, this bird will move around and I noticed that there are a lot of fence lines and cow pastures in this area along the east of Co. Rd. 17 so this is an area that should be checked as well. When I last saw the bird it was at the north end of the interior fence line along Co. Rd. 17, near some tall dead pine trees. Thanks to all who passed on this sighting. What a beautiful bird! Brian Smith - Original Message - From: Ron Erpelding rerpeld...@charter.net To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 3:43 PM Subject: [mou-net] Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - Redwood County An adult male scissor-tailed Flycatcher was seen and photographed by Wild Turkey hunter Curt Plotz on Saturday, 4/24/10 and reported to me by Steve Erickson this morning, Monday, 4/26/10). The bird is located in north central Redwood County just south of the Minnesota River. I observed the bird early this afternoon from 1:22 to 1:45 p.m. and it was present when I left the area. Directions: From the west end of the town of Renville, MN on US Hwy 212 Take Renville Co Rd 6 south to the Minnesota River Cross the MN River where Renville Co Rd 6 becomes Redwood Co Rd 6 Follow Co Rd 6 three additional miles south to Redwood Co Rd 9 - the Delhi, MN corner Turn left/east on Co Rd 9 and travel 2 miles to Co Rd 17 (gravel rd) At the intersection with Co Rd 17 turn north (see large sign that reads Road Closed 1 mile ahead - local travel only) Follow Co Rd 17 north approximately nine tenths of a mile Turn right/east on an unsigned road - look for faded fire number sign with the black letters 380 (road also takes you to Cedar Rock WMA) Following the road east will bring you to a pasture on the left/ north side The bird has been observed perched on the pasture barbed wire fence and in the pasture If you come to the farmstead on the north side you have gone too far. Ron Erpelding Kandiyohi County 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] Flycatching Screech Owl
About a half hour ago I saw an Eastern Screech Owl in my neighborhood in SW Sleepy Eye actively flycatching for insects from tree branches, something I have never witnessed before. Pretty cool. Brian Smith 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] Northern Cardinal, Nobles Cty.
Hi, I birded in Nobles county today and I thought it significant to report that I found a male Northern Cardinal on the west edge of Worthington. In my experience this is a rare county bird as it's only the second one that I've ever found. For anyone interested in trying for it, I found it on the south side of the road at 2675 Fox Farm Rd, which runs west of Cty. Rd. 10 (Fox Farm Rd. is also 260th St.) There's good habitat there with a creek and both conifer and deciduous trees. There was also a Red-breasted Nuthatch and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at this same spot. Also, I found a flock of 20-30 Bonaparte's Gulls at a small lake on Tripp Ave., between 140th and 150th St. Ducks were abundant and they seemed to be at almost every lake, marsh or flooded field I checked. There was a single Cackling Goose on Lake Okabena, mixed in with a few Canada Geese. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye, 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] Fw: [mnbird] Lesser Blackback Gull in Blue Earth county
- Original Message - From: jamesamund...@aol.com To: mnb...@lists.mnbird.net Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 6:49 PM Subject: [mnbird] Lesser Blackback Gull in Blue Earth county My husband and I spotted a Lesser Black-backed Gull on Crystal Lake in Lake Crystal. We were down at the boat landing and saw it out on the edge of the ice with a bunch of Ring-bills. Got very good looks at it with the scope. It was very exciting. Ruth Amundson ___ mnbird mailing list mnb...@lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s 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] New Ulm CBC
Hi, We had 14 field observers and 9 feeder counters on Saturday for the New Ulm CBC. Overall we had 38 species for the day, which is above averge. Highlights were: one Bufflehead, one Eastern Screech Owl, 3 Fox Sparrows, American Robins, one Rough-legged Hawk, 392 Wild Turkey. We had a new species this year, 6 Eurasian Collared-Doves which Molly Tranel found at her home feeder in New Ulm. And in the close but no cigar catergory, we had two near misses. The first was a juvenile Golden Eagle that Bob Dunlap spotted perched on a dead snag along the KC Road northwest of New Ulm. We (Bob, Matt Mecklenberg and myself) got good looks at it and could see the golden feathers on the nape and when it took flight could see the white tail and black band as well as the white patches on the primaries. I was a little exasperated to discover later that the place where we found the Golden Eagle was a mile outside of the count circle! This would have been a new species for the CBC as well. Cody Fox, Gary Schneider and Lance Kuester found a diving duck on the Minnesota river that they were unable to identify to species. It was in an open patch of water and was about a quarter of a mile away. Cody told me that it was a dark colored duck and that Lance believed that it was a species of sea duck. Cody thought that the illustration of a female White-winged Scoter looked the closest to what he saw. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Baird's Sandpiper, Brown Co.
Hi, There was a late juvenile Baird's Sandpiper at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds this morning. Only other shorebird was a single Greater Yellowlegs. Still few waterfowl around this area. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Willets, Brown County
Hi, This afternoon there were two Willets at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds. Also of interest were 45 (forty-five) Stilt Sandpipers, one female Red-necked Phalarope and a Sanderling. In all there were 12 species of shorebirds. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Red-necked Phalarope, Brown Co.
Hi, There were three adult female Red-necked Phalaropes at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds today. All were in breeding plumage, but two were showing some molting. This would appear to be a pretty early fall arrival date for Minnesota. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Shorebirds, Brown Co.
The shorebird migration is starting to pick up at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds over the past few days. Today there were: 1 Baird's, 2 Pectoral; 2 Semipalmated and 11 Least Sandpipers; 2 Lesser Yellowlegs and 2 Wilson's Phalaropes. Not big numbers but still, it's nice to see some migration again. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Plegadis Ibis Shorebirds, Brown Co.
Birded at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds from 3:00 - 4:45 pm with Cody Fox of New Ulm. While the warbler migration has been poor at best around here, the shorebird migration has been very good. There were a few highlights that I thought worth mentioning. A Plegadis Ibis passed over the easternmost sewage pond flying north. I'd guess that it was less than a hundred yards from us. The long, decurved bill was evident as was its long legs. It flew over the large marsh which borders the sewage ponds on the north. It slowly circled over the marsh and then landed in the marsh. When it banked I could see the irridescent chestnut/green colors on it. We tried to relocate it but weren't able to. The shorebird migration has been excellent at the sewage ponds over the past week. Today we found a total of 23 Hudsonian Godwits in less than two hours. This is the largest number of Hudsonian Godwits that I've ever seen in one day. There were two flocks, one of 16 which we only saw in flight (they slowly circled above us showing their striking underwing pattern as well as the prominent tail with the central tail extentions) and the other flock numbered 7. The flock of 7 landed and gave us very good looks. There were also 3 Willets at the ponds. They weren't skittish and allowed us to approach very closely. Also seen were 5 Ruddy Turnstones and at least 6 Sanderlings. At one point a Peregrine Falcon made a pass over the ponds and scattered the birds. Also seen were Yellowlegs, Dowitchers, Phalaropes and other peeps. All in all a fun couple of hours of birding! Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Western Tanager - Cottonwood County
I'm posting this for Brian who was contacted by the Kim Eckert MBW group. Kim's group found a Western Tanager at Red Rock County park in Cottonwood County. The park is located on the border of Brown and Cottonwood Counties. This was reported at 11:00am. today. Risa Smith, spouse/administrative assistant 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] W. Tanager Not Found, Cottonwood Cty.
I searched for the Western Tanager reported earlier today at Red Rock Cty. park in Cottonwood County for about 45 minutes late this afternoon without success. It was fun trying for it, though. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Cattle Egrets, Brown County
Hi, There were two adult Cattle Egrets at the Sleepy Eye compost site earlier this morning. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Dunlin, Brown County
This afternoon I photographed two Dunlin (both still in nonbreeding plumage) at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds. Also present were three Baird's, one Pectoral and one Least Sandpipers. Most of the shorebirds had chunks of ice hanging on their lower extremities. I'm not sure, but this could potentially be a record early date for Dunlin in Minnesota?? Birds in Minnesota lists early south date of April 11. Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Shorebirds, Brown County
The ice went out on the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds just this week and some early migrant shorebirds were found there this morning. Most were on the far eastern pond where a bunch of vegetation has washed up along the western edge of that pond: 2 American Golden Plover 4 Greater Yellowlegs 6 Lesser Yellowlegs 14 (probably more) Pectoral Sandpiper 1 Baird's Sandpiper 1 Least Sandpiper Killdeer - many 3 American Pipits Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] T. Solitaire/Brown Co.
Hi, birders: Had an excellent morning birding western Brown County. The highlight was finding a Townsend's Solitaire in a large conifer/juniper stand at Bashaw WMA. This is located a few miles NW of Comfrey and it is on the west side of 380th Ave. It is roughly half way between Brown Co. Rd. 20 and 140th St. It responded to a Chickadee/Screech Owl recording and I got several excellent looks at it. Also found a flock of at least 14 White-winged Crossbills in a new location and that was at St. Raphael's Catholic cemetery. This cemetery is about 1/2 mile north of Springfield at the intersection of 395th Ave. and 200th St. The Crossbills were foraging in and on the ground below a row of spruce trees on the southwestern border of the cemetery. I haven't had much experience with WW Crossbills and I was struck with how unwary they are. Eventually several of the birds flew within 4-6 feet of me while they were busy foraging. Very cool! Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] White-winged Crossbills/Brown County
After a number of unsuccessful searches of the New Ulm City Cemetery over this winter, I finally found White-winged Crossbills there this morning. I first found a flock of 4 (one male and three females or immatures) and then about a half hour later a flock of 15 arrived and foraged for several minutes in a couple of spruce trees before flying off. Some other birds seen here were Pine Siskin, Common Redpoll two Golden-crowned Kinglets. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye 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] Common Redpolls, Brown Co.
Hi, Had a flock of ~ 24 Common Redpolls at my home feeder in Sleepy Eye this morning. Not terribly unusual for this winter, but it is significant in these are a new yard bird for me in almost 10 years and only the third sighting I've had of them in Brown County. One looked very similar to Sibley's illustration of a first year female Hoary but I just don't feel comfortable ID'ing it as one. Good birding, Brian Smith 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] Brown County Sabine's Gull
Hello: The juvenile Sabine's Gull was still present at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds this morning at 7:00 a.m. It was loafing ~ 100 yards out on the NW pond. It was raining moderately heavy at the time, but the forecast says that the rain should let up by 1:00 p.m. I'm participating in an MBW group in Redwood County this afternoon, if anyone looks for it later today it would be nice to post about it's status. Brian Smith -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://moumn.org/pipermail/mou-net_moumn.org/attachments/20080913/f51503e0/attachment.html
[mou] Brown Co. Sabine's Gull Update
One final update on the Sabine's Gull at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds. I went back to check on it at 9:00 a.m. was unable to see it on either of the two ponds from the front entrance. I began walking down the road that runs due east from the entrance and found the Sabine's hunkered down in the grass about 200 yards down the road. Thought birders would want to know if they should stop by looking for it didn't see it on the water. Brian Smith -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://moumn.org/pipermail/mou-net_moumn.org/attachments/20080913/f327da17/attachment.html
[mou] Piping Plover/Brown County
Around 4:30 p.m. I found a single Piping Plover in non-breeding plumage on the mudflat of a small farm settling pond. The location of the farm is 1/2 mile south of the intersection of Cty. Rd. 20 and 10 (address is 13343 Cty. 10). This is in southern Brown County, near the western end of Lake Hanska. The PIPL was loosely associating with a mixed flock of other shorebirds. I had stopped to look at a flock of shorebirds that I had seen flying around the pond. I first noticed the Plover after it gave it's loud two-syllable peep-lo call. I observed it for about 15 minutes and it was still there when I left. Key field marks were the orange legs, pale grey/tan upperparts, all black bill and eyes. It had a single, unbroken breastband that was also grey/tan colored. If anyone happens to stop by this location, the farmer that owns the property did stop by and ask what I was doing but he did give permission for me to stay there. Also this afternoon there was a flock of 8 Buff-breasted Sandpipers on one of the grass berms at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds. Also present were 4 juvenile Red-necked Phalaropes. Be aware that the early Goose hunting season is now open and there have been hunters out at the sewage ponds all weekend. Good birding, Brian Smith Sleepy Eye -- next part -- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://moumn.org/pipermail/mou-net_moumn.org/attachments/20080907/ff7659a7/attachment.html
