[mou-net] Minnesota Lake area
I went looking for the Black-necked Stilt seen Monday sou Hey birders, I went looking for the Black-necked Stilt seen Monday southwest of Minnesota Lake but could not relocate the bird. The wetland it was in does not have the best topography for viewing all angles and the bird may still be there. I also had limited time so I did not scan the lake itself with a scope. However, I did find 7 Cattle Egrets along 490th Ave on the west side of the lake and was excited to find a flock of Snow Geese with 5 Greater White-fronted Geese in a cornfield north of the lake. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] ALERT: Black-necked Stilt--Faribault County
Tom Dahlen just informed me that is big day team found a Hey birders, Tom Dahlen just informed me that is big day team found a Black-necked Stilt today on the southwest side of Minnesota Lake in Faribault County. I'm not sure what time it was there; he was pretty tired when I talked to him. Directions: Take CR20 west from Minnesota Lake (this road borders the lake on the north side). Take the first left (490th Ave) and go south to a T-intersection (~1.5 miles). The bird was in the marshy area immediately south of this intersection with 235th Street. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] ALERT: Black-necked Stilt--Faribault County (2nd try)
I sent this last night but it has not arrived in my mailb Hey birders, I sent this last night but it has not arrived in my mailbox as of now so I'm trying again. Last night, Tom Dahlen called me and indicated that his big day team found a Black-necked Stilt near Minnesota Lake in Faribault County. Take CR20 west from Minnesota Lake. Turn left onto 490th Ave. The bird was apparently in a wetland south of the T-intersection of 490th and 235th St. I do not know what time the bird was seen and will repost if I relocate the bird. Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] American Avocets--Blue Earth County
Two American Avocets were found on the north side of Loon Hey birders, Two American Avocets were found on the north side of Loon Lake east of Lake Crystal at 9:00am this morning. The birds were in a flooded field on the south side of 196th Street east of CR114. An additional flock of 7 American Avocets flew over my head while surveying at Evans Slough WPA (137th Street west of CR32). My students and I had several new arrivals today during our survey work and ended up with over 100 species for the day in spite of the severe thunderstorm that ended it for us a little after 2:00pm. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Mute Swan--Blue Earth County
A friend of mine alerted me to a Mute Swan in Mankato. Hey birders, A friend of mine alerted me to a Mute Swan in Mankato. The bird was located at the Ace Hardware Ponds north of Hwy 14 along 3rd Avenue and was still there at 6:00pm. I've been by that pond the last couple of days (ironically) and the bird was not there either of the previous days. Sorry for the late posting, but it is the end of the semester and I had other obligations last night. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Remember the Kasota Prairie?
I regret to inform all of you that a significant portion Hey birders, I regret to inform all of you that a significant portion of the area I call the Kasota Prairie in southwestern Le Sueur County has been lost to development. The beautiful pasture on the south side of 468th St/TR140 west of CR21/Dodd Rd is no more and that road for all intensive purposes does not exist either. The Kasota SNA is still there and the Unimin Prairie on the northwest corner of that road are still there, but access from CR21 now occurs south of there by going west on 480th Street from CR21, then by going north on 367th Avenue. That pasture will always bring back memories of nesting Loggerhead Shrikes, Henslow's Sparrows, and Upland Sandpipers. Meadowlarks seemed to alternate which species occupied that section and sometimes it was both species at once. The joined a chorus of Bobolinks, Dickcissels, Eastern Kingbirds, Grasshopper Sparrows, Field Sparrows, Clay-colored Sparrows, and occasionally Savannah Sparrows. Many a big day has trolled through that area to pick up prairie-nesters that concentrated in that area. It is my understanding that Unimin owns much of the mineral rights in that area and continues to buy out landowners. I believe fracking sand is what they are after and their plan for the area stretches out decades into the future. The Kasota SNA may end up being an island surrounded by lands in various levels of reclamation/restoration at some point down the road. I can't help but feel I let us all down on this one. I'm sorry I found out about it too late to do anything. I took my students out to the Unimin Prairie for a walk- around today and the dramatic change to the landscape in that area is scarring in more ways than one. If you get a chance, take a look at some aerial photographs on Google Earth and you'll see how large a pasture area this is/was. On a side note...some of the prairie species listed above can still be found along 480th Street's south side (Upland Sandpiper, Grasshopper Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark), but sometimes they are very distant and over the hill/out of sight. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Mankato area Sunday
Junco flocks are surging and Song Sparrows are mixed in. Hey birders, Junco flocks are surging and Song Sparrows are mixed in. I had a single flock of Greater White-fronted Geese flying over Eagle Lake around noon and then hundreds of Snow Geese flying over Land of Memories City Park in the mid-afternoon. Some of our volunteers at the Bethany Hawkwatch have been doing a spring count at that location and had over 100 birds on Sunday including a couple of Northern Goshawks (I was privileged to see one!), Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned and Cooper's Hawks, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, and Turkey Vulture. One of the Red-tails was a dark-phase bird. I also had a dark-phase Harlan's flying over Eagle Lake around 12:30pm. To see daily counts at Land of Memories, check out https://hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=704 and click on latest count data. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Early waterfowl in Blue Earth County
There's actually some open water in Blue Earth County now Hey birders, There's actually some open water in Blue Earth County now and a few birds are starting to show up. Watonwan WPA had some open water and about 50 Greater White-fronted Geese. Other small open patches had Wood Duck (2), Common Goldeneye (15), Common Merganser (6), and Hooded Merganser (4). It's a trickle, but I'll take it. There were also lots of raptors yesterday highlighted by 4 Northern Harriers and 2 Rough-legged Hawks at Lincoln WPA. Peregrine Falcons have also returned to their traditional nesting site in Mankato. Happy Spring! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Lake Crystal Snowy Owl
Roy Zehnder reported a Snowy Owl to me earlier this week Hey birders, Roy Zehnder reported a Snowy Owl to me earlier this week and I was able to confirm the bird this morning. It was located along CR111 north of CR6 and was flying around and perching on the tall powerlines that bisect the area. That was at 9:00am this morning. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Earth County Snowy
Jim Amundson reported to me an additional Snowy Owl south Hey birders, Jim Amundson reported to me an additional Snowy Owl southwest of Lake Crystal yesterday a little before noon. The bird was located on CR122/195th St just north of the ethanol plant along Hwy 60. This bird was being harassed by crows and was not located later. A little searching may be necessary for this bird. To my knowledge, the bird on CR16 is still being seen. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Earth County Snowy Owl still present
The juvenile male Snowy Owl on CR16 east of Hwy 22 is sti Hey birders, The juvenile male Snowy Owl on CR16 east of Hwy 22 is still present. I dragged the family out to see him for my first March Snowy in the county last night. He was sitting on the berm and then flew up to the utility pole along CR16 around 5:00pm last night. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Earth County Snowy Owl
It has been a difficult winter so far for me as I've scou Hey birders, It has been a difficult winter so far for me as I've scoured the county looking for Snowies. Today was my fifth attempt to survey promising habitat this winter and I finally found a subadult male Snowy Owl about 1.5 miles east of Hwy 22 on County Road 16. The bird was seen at 6:00pm Sunday evening. At this location, there is a large conservation easement on the south side of the road. The bird was perched on a utility pole in the vicinity on the north side. Kestrels are increasing; eagles are migrating. Spring is coming! Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Nicollet County Snowy Refound
I had a couple of students who were unable to make a trip Hey birders, I had a couple of students who were unable to make a trip to the Sax-Zim Bog with me this past weekend. We saw numerous Snowies up there so today was a field trip to find one for the left-behind students. After much searching, we were able to relocate one of the birds that has been reported near the Sibley/Nicollet County Line. This young male was located along 348th Street west of 405th Avenue. He was sitting on a telephone pole east of the large dairy operation. Besides that bird, the most significant find was several Horned Larks on the roads. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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--Nicollet County
I finally found a Snowy in Nicollet County after a couple Hey birders, I finally found a Snowy in Nicollet County after a couple of tries. The birds was perched on a telephone pole along 486th Avenue west of CR13 north of North Mankato around 4:15pm today. The bird took off and flew to the south about an hour later. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] RFI: Lewis' Woodpecker
With my semester winding down, I finally have time to con Hey birders, With my semester winding down, I finally have time to consider a run at the Lewis' Woodpecker. I have not heard a recent report and was hoping someone knew the status of the bird. Has it been surviving the cold snap? Thanks, Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Golden Eagle
The Bethany Hawkwatch recorded its second Golden Eagle of Hey birders, The Bethany Hawkwatch recorded its second Golden Eagle of the fall today, an immature this time. Wednesday we had an immature Northern Goshawk. We are hoping to pass the 4,000 bird mark next week. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Golden Eagle
We had our first Golden Eagle (adult) of the fall at the Hey birders, We had our first Golden Eagle (adult) of the fall at the Bethany Hawkwatch yesterday after the rain cleared out. That was the 15th species of raptor for the fall and we're approaching 3,700 birds for the season. You can see season totals at www.hawkcount.org/bethany. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Mute Swan not refound + avocet
I chased after Kim Eckert's Mute Swan this morning withou Hey birders, I chased after Kim Eckert's Mute Swan this morning without any success. The last two times I have chased after that species in Nicollet County, I end up with lots of Trumpeter Swans. Today I had 17, including 5 young of the year. They were scattered from CR111 to areas east of there. However, east of that posted location on the Duck Lake-North Unit of the Swan Lake WMA I found a sleeping American Avocet tucked in with about a dozen Greater Yellowlegs. There were also Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, and a flock of smaller peeps there as well. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Bethany Hawkwatch
The Bethany Hawkwatch in Mankato, located on the campus o Hey birders, The Bethany Hawkwatch in Mankato, located on the campus of Bethany Lutheran College, passed the 3,000 bird mark for the fall season yesterday, powered by 278 Red-tailed Hawks. Within that total we had 2 dark-phase western birds and a single dark-phase Harlan's (2nd of the season). We also had a single Red-shouldered Hawk, an early Rough-legged Hawk, and a late Broad-winged Hawk. We continue to see our strongest Accipiter year as well with 42 Sharp-shins and 5 Cooper's yesterday. To see our season totals, check out www.hawkcount.org/bethany. Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Bethany Hawkwatch in Mankato
I just wanted to let you know how the 2nd largest hawkwat Hey birders, I just wanted to let you know how the 2nd largest hawkwatch in Minnesota is doing this fall. In the month of September we had 1,978 raptors pass over the campus of Bethany Lutheran College. That was our 2nd highest total ever for the month of September and much of it was due to the increase in volunteer hours, particularly Jim Amundson from Lake Crystal, MN. Yesterday we had 235 raptors on what has been a rare day this fall with northwesterly winds. Migration appears a little bit delayed because we still had 76 Broad-winged Hawks yesterday and we've only recorded 5 in the month of October since 2004. Red-tailed Hawk numbers are also behind average for this time of year. For more information about our totals and species seen, visit www.hawkcount.org/bethany. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Whitewater State Park--Yellow-throated Warbler
I was blessed to have a family reunion at Whitewater Stat Hey birders, I was blessed to have a family reunion at Whitewater State Park this week and had a couple of birds worth noting. First, the Yellow-throated Warbler was singing on the east side of the Nature Store parking lot at about 6:15 in the morning on Tuesday, 16 July 2013. So apparently that bird is still around. A pair of Louisiana Waterthrushes were found carrying food to unseen (but heard) fledglings at the bridge near the trailhead to the Chimney Rock loop. An Acadian Flycatcher was heard calling a couple of times in the campground. I've never been to this park before, but I enjoyed it thoroughly in spite of the heat. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Earth County--Blue Grosbeak, Common Gallinule, Henslow's Sparrow
I got out this morning to look for some birds for my July Hey birders, I got out this morning to look for some birds for my July list in Blue Earth County. There were three notable species. Blue Grosbeak: Take Hwy 68 west from Hwy 60. Turn left on 216th Street at the MN DOT quarry. A male was singing on the wire near the quarry in this location. I posted a photograph to the MOU site. This is the same location I found one in the summer of 2011. Common Gallinule: Go west from the Blue Grosbeak location to CR50 and then go south. Continue south of Hwy 60 where the road turns into 535th Avenue. There's a wetland on the east side of the road just north of the O.A. Vee WMA; the bird was foraging on the south side. This is the same location where a pair nested in 2011 (they were not there last year). Henslow's Sparrow: After striking out on the Henslow's at Minneopa State Park, I was happy to find two singing males at Lincoln WPA. Take CR32 south from Hwy 60 and continue south of CR13. Turn east on 169th Street; the birds were singing on the north side of the road not far from the WPA boundary. Other good finds: Ovenbird, Blue-winged Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Partridge, Lesser Yellowlegs, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, both meadowlarks, Orchard Oriole, Dickcissel. It was a great morning. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Le Sueur County Big Day
Trent Robbins, Andrew Krenz, Benji Inniger and I did a bi Hey birders, Trent Robbins, Andrew Krenz, Benji Inniger and I did a big day in Le Sueur County yesterday. We started at 12:45am and went until 9:00pm. We were blessed with 162 species by the end of the day which establishes a new record for the county. Short summary: 13 waterfowl, 4 herons, 10 hawks/falcons, 15 shorebirds, 3 terns, 2 owls, 7 woodpeckers, 4 flycatchers, 5 vireos, 6 swallows, 5 thrushes, 22 warblers, 13 sparrows, 9 blackbirds, 3 finches. Highlights: Kentucky Warbler at Chamberlin Woods SNA. The bird was not too far from the entrance but was not vocalizing so it may have been a migrant. Greater White-fronted Goose on Eggert Lake Common Loon on Scotch Lake Horned Grebe on St. Thomas Marsh and Dog Lake Willet at previously posted location (CR165 and T-6 northwest of Waterville) Black-bellied Plover on a flooded field northwest of Lexington (340th St east of CR11) Upland Sandpiper in Kasota Prairie (south side of T-360/CR101) 2 Common Terns mixed in with Forster's at Fish Lake Pine Siskin and Red-breasted Nuthatch at Woodlawn Cemetery east of St. Peter Other: Waterville Sewage Ponds have gone from 3 ponds drawn down to only 1 so the shorebirding is not as great as it was on Wednesday. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Kentucky Warbler--Blue Earth County
Tom Dahlen located a Kentucky Warbler yesterday at Rasmus Hey birders, Tom Dahlen located a Kentucky Warbler yesterday at Rasmussen Woods in Mankato. Apparently the bird was being seen at the far end of the trail that heads along the creek near the old tressle. You can also get there by walking the Red Jacket Trail. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Le Sueur County Shorebirds
Trent Robbins and I found a couple of nice shorebird loca Hey birders, Trent Robbins and I found a couple of nice shorebird locations in Le Sueur County today. The Waterville Fish Hatchery had some drawdowns and had the following: Stilt, Pectoral, Least, and Semipalmated Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Semipalmated Plover. The other location is located just west of the Cannon River along CR5. At this location we had Short-billed Dowitcher, both yellowlegs, 4 Hudsonian Godwits, and 3 Willets. We also found Horned Grebe in three locations yet: Silver Lake (northeast of Cleveland), Dog Lake (south of Cleveland), and Tetonka Lake (from the fish hatchery). Common Loons were found on Scotch Lake and Fish Lake (east of Waterville Fish Hatchery). Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Longspurs
Tom Dahlen and Chris Thiem located about 20 Smith's Longs Hey birders, Tom Dahlen and Chris Thiem located about 20 Smith's Longspurs at the Lincoln WPA this morning in Blue Earth County. Tom and I returned to the area and found close to 100 Smith's Longspurs, most in breeding plumage, some singing their territorial song! This WPA is located on the east side of CR32 south of Hwy 60. Other birds of note: Wilson's Phalarope, Horned Grebe, Long-billed Dowitcher (this morning), Upland Sandpiper, Western Meadowlark, Brewer's Blackbird, Le Conte's Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow. Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Lincoln WPA and Lake Crystal area in Blue Earth County
Before I get back into my teaching schedule tomorrow, I t Hey birders, Before I get back into my teaching schedule tomorrow, I thought I'd get out and see if I can find some of that early waterfowl and see if I can find some late winter birds I've never seen in April. Before I left the house I heard a flock of Common Redpolls singing in a cottonwood behind the house. This is my first record for April and I gave out a sigh of relief after missing out on redpolls yesterday (in spite of having them for the 10 days prior). I was originally planning on hitting Lincoln WPA in the early morning, but there was lots of waterfowl in the air and a large flock of blackbirds north of O.A. Vee WMA so I stopped there first. Good thing! There were 5 species of geese at the small pond north of the WMA (the Snows, Ross', and Greater White-fronts were not there around 9:30am when I went by again). I also found my first Wood Ducks and Brown-headed Cowbirds as a reward for the detour. Ducks for that site: Ring-necked, Lesser Scaup, Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Canvasback, Redhead, American Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, and American Coot. I also had my first Rough-legged Hawk for April there. After that I headed down to Lincoln WPA. That WPA was mowed last fall and its shorter grass seems about perfect for Smith's Longspur. I'm hoping to make a couple of trips down there this spring in the next couple of weeks to look for that species. There were hundreds of ducks in the large pond off of CR32. I scared up about 100 Lapland Longspurs but could not coax out a Smith's from the group. Western Meadowlarks were joined by American Tree Sparrows and Song Sparrows singing from the edge. Both Cackling and Canada Geese were here along with Canvasback, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, both teal, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, and Mallard. The hundreds of ducks that were on Loon and Crystal Lakes have apparently moved on. I found Hooded and Common Mergansers and Common Goldeneye, but many of the other birds were gone. I also found a Eurasian Collared-Dove in Lake Crystal. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 arrivals in Blue Earth County
After taking in an hour of a church service this afternoo Hey birders, After taking in an hour of a church service this afternoon, the family accompanied me down to the Lake Crystal lakes to see if there were any waterfowl. While the only goose we saw was a few scattered Canadas, there were lots of ducks: Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Canvasback, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Merganser, and Ruddy Duck. Other firsts for the year: American Pipit (scared up by the kids picking up aluminum cans alongside the road), Turkey Vulture, Common Grackle, Song Sparrow, American Coot. Other nice birds: Killdeer, Cooper's Hawk, Lapland Longspur (flock of about 200+). Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Nicollet Co. solitaire
I just wanted to let people know that Joel Claus, Dave Jo Hey birders, I just wanted to let people know that Joel Claus, Dave Johnson, and I relocated the solitaire in the same area as before about 3:00pm this afternoon. Again, this bird is being seen along 506th Street west of 475th Ave/CR62. It especially seems to like an isolated dead elm on the north side of the road that is surrounded by red cedars. If you don't see it right away, be patient; it seems to roam widely. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] FYI: Rock Wren in Blue Earth County
I've fielded a couple of inquiries and thought I'd offer Hey birders, I've fielded a couple of inquiries and thought I'd offer details about the Rock Wren seen 11 October 2012 in Blue Earth County. There is a documentation of this individual on the MOU site and it was found by a family that belongs to my church. They are interested in nature and pay attention to the birds in their backyard and found this bird poking around their rockwork on that day. The bird has not been seen since. They live in rural Mankato up toward Kasota and if you are familiar with that area, you know there are lots of quarries that are promising for that species. I have asked them to keep me posted if the bird returns and will post to MOU if such an event occurs. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN P.S. The Bethany Hawkwatch passed the 1,900 bird mark last week and we saw our first Red-shouldered Hawk of the fall yesterday. Check out www.hawkcount.org/bethany for counts. A Red Crossbill also passed over the Bethany campus in the early morning while I was watching the morning passerine reorganization. That was the 172nd species for our campus. But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Bethany Hawkwatch 13 Sep 2012
I just wanted to report on raptor migration through the M Hey birders, I just wanted to report on raptor migration through the Mankato area. Yesterday was our best day of the fall so far. Turkey Vulture--2 Bald Eagle--4 Sharp-shinned Hawk--3 Cooper's Hawk--1 Red-tailed Hawk--8 Broad-winged Hawk--6 Swainson's Hawk--1 juv Peregrine Falcon--1 Merlin--2 American Kestrel--5 American White Pelican--225, 5 swallows, Common Nighthawk, Purple Finch, Red-breasted Nuthatch Year total: 130 We also had 3 unidentified birds. Two of which have the following description (they were circling together)--definite Buteo, very pale beneath with white tail, dark near the feet, white underwing (translucent--light just seemed to shine through) with distinct black commas but no patagial marks or mottling on wing linings. Wing tips were dark, but not black like on a Broad-winged Hawk--one of the students who saw these birds said they appeared brownish. The breast and belly were unmarked as well. Wing shape seemed very much like a Red-tailed Hawk's. Feel free to weigh in. Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Carolina Wren not refound
August is a tough month to try and keep a Carolina Wren. Hey birders, August is a tough month to try and keep a Carolina Wren. Despite much searching, the bird could not be found. It was not found after Saturday...a one day wonder. Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Carolina Wren in Blue Earth County
Hey birders, This morning at breakfast I heard a Carolina Wren singing in the yard. The bird was actively singing and moving around the yard today and is still present as of 7:15pm tonight. If the bird is still present tomorrow, we would be open to visitors. I will post again at that time. Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Earth County Sunday
I got a much needed day in the field and wanted to report Hey birders, I got a much needed day in the field and wanted to report birds from my home county and give an update on shorebird locations in the area. Shorebird locations: Lincoln WPA is bone dry. Perch Lake WPA is bone dry. Gilfillin Lake is covered in weeds and grass. Perch Lake is covered in arrowhead. Minnesota Lake has awesome shorebird habitat but less than awesome viewing. There were hundreds of shorebirds there, but they were too far out to identify in the haze of the afternoon. A small wetland on CR168 east of Perch Lake held Pectoral, Semipalmated, and Least Sandpipers. The Blue Valley Sod Farms on CR21 just west of CR14 (east of Mapleton) had several Killdeer and two Buff-breasted Sandpipers. This is the most regular location for the latter species in the county. Incidentally, that sod farm is now half its former size due to the economic downturn and reduction in new home construction. I actually got 4 new species for my August list for Blue Earth County: Eared Grebe--Mapleton Sewage Ponds (viewing has improved here; they took out part of the large berm on the south side so you can see most of the south pond now) Merlin--male sitting on a telephone pole along Hwy 22 between Mapleton and Minnesota Lake (I only lack this species in May and June now--I had one in Mankato in July) Northern Pintail--two molting males on a small pond on CR21 west of 620th Avenue Lesser Scaup--one molting male on the same pond as above. I stumbled into a couple of large flocks of Bobolinks as well. One was at Evan's Slough WPA and the other was at Lincoln WPA. There were hundreds of birds. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 in Blue Earth County
Yesterday morning I located a singing Henslow's Sparrow a Hey birders, Yesterday morning I located a singing Henslow's Sparrow at Minneopa State Park. The bird was in roughly the same location as last year, about 50-75 yards west of the parking lot half-way along the prairie road. The bird was singing on the south side; beware of Dickcissels! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Earth County BIG 5/19/2012
Andrew Krenz, Benji Inniger, and I attempted to break the Hey Birders, Andrew Krenz, Benji Inniger, and I attempted to break the record Benji and I set in 2008 for Blue Earth County (157). While coming up short by 12 species, it was definitely one of the best big days I've ever attempted considering the conditions. Summary: 01:00-21:00--145 species: 12 waterfowl, 2 grebes, 3 herons, 7 hawks, 18 shorebirds, 4 owls, 6 woodpeckers, 8 flycatchers, 3 vireos, 6 swallows, 4 thrushes, 11 warblers, 10 sparrows, 10 blackbirds. Significant finds: Common Gallinule (Maple River WMA), Prothonotary Warbler (Minneopa SP/Watonwan WPA), Eastern Screech-Owl, Long-eared Owl, Greater White-fronted Goose (O.A. Vee WMA), Willet (Gilfillin Lake), Ruddy Turnstone (Gilfillin Lake), Eurasian Collared-Dove in a new town (Vernon Center), Gray Partridge, Upland Sandpiper on a nest on the Martin County side of the road (thanks...sort of...Ron Erpelding--not included). Significant misses: Pileated Woodpecker, American Bittern, Least Bittern, non-resident passerines. Here's where it may get a little long. The forecast was for 20-25 mile an hour winds throughout the day and afternoon thunderstorms. After last year's dousing during our Waseca Big Day, I was willing to face bad weather again if it produced the same record results. We significantly altered our record-setting route in order to compensate for the high winds and poor nocturnal listening conditions, selecting protected river valleys and small wetlands with trees on their south side that could break the wind. We also changed our dawn spot from Cobb River WPA to Minneopa State Park to compensate for what has been a relatively poor warbler showing this spring. Our usual migrant trap is completely leafed out and would have been on the windward side (hearing and seeing warblers would have been difficult at best). The river bottoms below the bluff at Minneopa seemed to afford the best chance at migrants. We also needed to visit Gilfillin Lake before the heat of the day to take advantage of this lake that is being drawn down. The route ended up working pretty well. Over 1,000 birds were present that morning on Gilfillin Lake with most being Semipalmated Sandpipers. However, the variety pushed us over 100 species for the day by 9:00am: Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, both yellowlegs, Willet (2), Spotted Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone (1), Least, White-rumped, and Pectoral Sandpipers, Dunlin, and Wilson's Phalarope (1). We added Hudsonian Godwit (a couple of locations), Baird's Sandpiper, and Short-billed Dowitcher at other locations to round out the list. We had only 5 migrant warblers (Connecticut, Mourning, Tennessee, Blackpoll, and Wilson's), only 1 migrant thrush (Swainson's), only resident vireos (no Blue-headed or Philadelphia), only resident sparrows (no Nelson's, Le Conte's, Lincoln's, or Zonotrichiaspecies). Flycatchers were the only passerines in which we saw most the migrants (missing only Yellow-bellied). That certainly suggests that 157 species is beatable. We were in awe much of the day. The clouds were spectacular and we saw little rain in spite of the towering thunderheads. We had very few slow periods but also had only two big surges (Minneopa SP and Gilfillin Lake). To God be the glory! Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato P.S. Tom Dahlen alerted me to an American Avocet at Gilfillin Lake on Sunday. I checked it out and found only about 200 shorebirds there including the avocet. But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] odd calls
I just wanted to say thanks to those who responded regard Hey birders, I just wanted to say thanks to those who responded regarding the odd towhee-like calls in the middle of the night. It will have to be an unknown for now, but more than one person considered a thrush as the culprit (Hermit/Swainson's). I finally heard my first Eastern Wood-Pewee today. Birds are still coming. Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Watonwan Big Day
First, sorry about the Laughing Gull that was a Franklin' Hey birders, First, sorry about the Laughing Gull that was a Franklin's Gull. We didn't get the right lighting on the bird until right before sunset and because it was unable to fly, we only got views of the upper wing when it stretched. There was limited white in folded primaries and underside of primaries were dark. Finally, we were able to view a little white between the gray of the wings and the black wingtips. A sweet torment after a very long day. I only confirmed yesterday after returning to my reference library. Andrew Krenz and I attempted to break our previous record in the county of 139. With the screwy spring, we were not sure how this was going to go, but there were just enough birds lingering from early pushes and some new arrivals as well. We ended up with 140 species. Summary: 13 waterfowl, 2 grebes, 3 herons, 5 hawks, 15 shorebirds, 3 doves, 2 owls, 6 woodpeckers, 5 flycatchers, 4 vireos, 5 swallows, 6 thrushes, 20 warblers, 12 sparrows, 9 blackbirds. Big misses: Wild Turkey, Cooper's Hawk, Brewer's Blackbird. All of the warblers were gotten around Wilson's Lake and near Fedji Lake in the eastern part of the county. There was lots of shorebird habitat along ditches in the northern part of the county west of La Salle. Apparently the heavy thunderstorm of the previous week caused some flooding out there. We had a couple of oddities in the night. One sounded like a Common Poorwill calling from a farmstead northwest of Madelia. The bird was calling in the distance and we moved closer to see if we could hear it better and (of course) it stopped. We used a tape to try and coax it to begin again, but no dice. Our other nocturnal oddity we had multiple times. When playing an Eastern Screech-Owl trill, we had a bird respond with a call note that sounded like an Eastern Towhee. This happened 5-6 times. Towhee is a hard bird to get in the county and we did a dance the first time we heard it. However, it kept happening at all our stops. It was either a shu-wink or shink. We ended up removing Eastern Towhee from our list at 9:00pm when we pulled up to another woodland edge and got that bird to call again. Anyone have any ideas? Swainson's Thrush? We're still waiting for warblers, shorebirds, and flycatchers in Blue Earth County, so hopefully those will show up for our Big Day on Saturday. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 arrivals
There was lots of raptor movement today over my lunch hou Hey birders, There was lots of raptor movement today over my lunch hour: 25 Broad-winged Hawks, 6 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 4 Cooper's Hawks, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 Red-shouldered Hawk, 1 Bald Eagle, 1 Osprey Passerines in my yard over lunch: Indigo Bunting, Nashville Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Orange-crowned Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-throated Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow. Butterflies in my yard over lunch (for those who can't help expanding their interests): Orange Sulphur, Clouded Sulphur, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Mourning Cloak, Question Mark, Monarch, Cabbage White. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] American Avocet--Blue Earth County
My students and I found an American Avocet on Perch Lake Hey birders, My students and I found an American Avocet on Perch Lake northeast of Mapleton this afternoon around 3:15pm. Take 599th Ave north from CR4 to view the lake. There are plenty of mudflats (at least for now) and the bird was working the open water about 40 yards out. Also present: ~50 mixed yellowlegs and Pectoral Sandpipers. New arrivals to the area: Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Sora. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato P.S. I heard from Andrew Krenz that he was unable to relocate the mockingbird today in Watonwan County. But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Earth County Stilt at Lily Lake near Lake Crystal
Merrill Frydendall relocated the Black-necked Stilt this Hey birders, Merrill Frydendall relocated the Black-necked Stilt this morning. There was no sign of the Plegadis ibis, but he located an American Avocet at the same location. Andrew Krenz called this afternoon to indicate the birds were still there. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Stilt update
Andrew Krenz called me to indicate that the Black-necked Hey birders, Andrew Krenz called me to indicate that the Black-necked Stilt is still on Lily Lake this morning. He was unable to locate the ibis however. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 at Lily Lake
Hey birders, I'm not on the web much over the weekend, but I thought I'd give a few details of the bird at Lily Lake. The bird was found by Andrew Krenz on Friday night around 6:15pm and foraged primarily on the south and southwest sides of the lake. It disappeared a couple of times while we were watching it. There is a small point with some fallen logs that it went behind a couple of times and it also disappeared into the grassy southwestern corner. The bird did such a disappearance before we left the area and could not be relocated on Friday night. This morning (Saturday), I relocated the bird right away when we pulled up around 7:20am and we called Bob Dunlap to post it. It was behind the small point again and almost immediately flew about a foot above the water to the west (about 100 yards), disappearing again into the grassy southwestern corner. It did not look like a departure flight. We tried to find the bird for another 40 minutes but then headed toward Lincoln WPA and eastern Watonwan County for some pre-planned birding. I will try and relocate the bird again on Sunday if I have the time. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] American Avocets--Blue Earth County
I received a call from Tom Dahlen last night at 7:45pm th Hey birders, I received a call from Tom Dahlen last night at 7:45pm that there were 4 American Avocets at Perch Lake northeast of Mapleton in Blue Earth County. I met Andrew Krenz there after sunset and was able to view them around 8:20pm on the distant north side. The best viewing location for this lake can be reached by taking CR4 east from Highway 22 and then turning north on Lakewood Road. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Earth County Sunday
I had a chance to check out the eastern part of the count Hey birders, I had a chance to check out the eastern part of the county for waterfowl and early arrivals. There are a couple of locations worth checking out: Wita Lake--lots of divers (scaup/Ring-necked primarily) Gilfillin Lake--more of a big soggy mudflat with early yellowlegs and hundreds of mud-loving ducks (shovelers/Green-winged Teal) Born/Alice/Indian Lakes are south of Hwy 14 near Smith's Mill and had tons of ducks. I finally found the big group of Canvasbacks that goes through in spring; I may have seen 500 or more today on Alice and Indian combined. Perch Lake has water again but not much. It is loaded up with dabblers in the middle and there's shorebird habitat (Lesser Yellowlegs) around the edges. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Lake Crystal area--Blue Earth County
My family went out with me today to look at the countl Hey birders, My family went out with me today to look at the countless waterfowl being seen in the Lake Crystal area. The following sites are worth visiting currently: O.A. Vee WMA, Loon Lake, Crystal Lake, and Lily Lake. Lily Lake had 5 species of geese (I just couldn't find a Brant!). There were also numerous Redheads, Ring-necked Duck and assorted dabblers. Crystal Lake had 4 species of geese including a blue-phase Snow Goose, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Ring-billed Gull, Common Merganser. Loon Lake had 4 species of geese (no Cackling could be determined thanks to distance and heat shimmer), Tundra Swan (thanks for the heads up Andrew Krenz), Common Goldeneye, American Coot, Common Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup O.A. Vee WMA is mostly mudflat with lots of Northern Pintails and Green-winged Teal mixed in with the Mallards. All locations had Greater White-fronted Geese. There are probably close to 800 (conservative estimate) on these lakes. I found one Ross's Goose on Loon Lake with a dozen Snows and a group of 4 Ross's on Lily with Snows. Other migrants: Eastern Bluebird, Killdeer, and Red-winged Blackbird. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Movement in South-Central Minnesota
Andrew Krenz and I explored Blue Earth and eastern Watonw Hey birders, Andrew Krenz and I explored Blue Earth and eastern Watonwan County today. Thousands of geese and ducks were pushing in along with several other new arrivals. In Blue Earth County, check Loon Lake and Crystal Lake for open water. Hundreds of Cackling, Canada, and Greater White-fronted Geese were present and Snow Geese were seen flying overhead. Other ducks: Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Bufflhead, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup. We also had a Ring-billed Gull and an American Coot and a Killdeer flyover. We found very little other open water in the county. In Watonwan County, the birds were largely passing overhead but seemed to come in to Wilson's Lake north of Madelia and many were feeding at a WMA on the south side of Hwy 60 southwest of Madelia. We had hundreds of Greater White-fronted and Canadas with smaller amounts of Snow and Cackling. We also found two Ross's Geese tucked in a flock of Snow Geese flushed by a Bald Eagle. Raptor movement was dominated by Bald Eagles, but we saw American Kestrels and Red-tailed Hawks heading north along with a single Broad-winged Hawk (seen soaring at low altitude just south of Loon Lake). Eurasian Collared-Doves were found in Madelia and Mapleton. We also found Belted Kingfisher in two locations and there were several passerines that had arrived: Red-winged and Rusty Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbird, and both Meadowlarks, Eastern Bluebird, Song Sparrow. Departing winter residents included a couple flocks of Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs and a small flock of Common Redpolls at a cemetery south of Garden City. Much to our surprise, there was a single Hoary Redpoll tucked in! A Red-breasted Nuthatch was located in Mankato and a female Rough-legged Hawk continues to reside at Roberts WPA northwest of Mapleton. Happy Spring! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Snow Owls in Blue Earth County
Sorry for the late post, but I typically don't do any ema Hey birders, Sorry for the late post, but I typically don't do any email on weekends. Friday evening around 4:45pm my family and I found two Snowy Owls about a mile north of Mapleton in Blue Earth County. One bird was located on CR164 about 0.5 miles east of Hwy 22 and the other was along 586th Avenue south of CR164. Saturday evening I returned to that area and found several friends searching for the birds. I relocated a bird at 5:25pm along CR164 east of 586th Avenue but found out that the other cars struck out. The bird flew to the south in the near-dark. Sunday night I heard there were 4 cars out there again and as far as I know, no one found an owl. One person did report to me that he was stopped by a County Sheriff who was following up on some suspicious behavior in the area. H...two nights in a row with 4 cars driving laps in the middle of nowhere...that's not suspicious, is it? I guess it just goes to show that you don't have to go the the airport in Minneapolis to be suspicious. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 California Gull-Blue Earth County
Last Friday I stumbled across a gull at Gilfillin Lake in Hey birders, Last Friday I stumbled across a gull at Gilfillin Lake in northeastern Blue Earth County. The bird was in adult, basic plumage, had a dark eye, no ring on the bill, and did not look large enough to be a Herring Gull. Unfortunately, the bird flew off (pretty black wing tips) and I was unable to get a look at the leg color to clinch. Dave Johnson found a similar (the same?) bird on Saturday in the same location, but was not able to make out eye color (but yellow legs). Yesterday, I located a gull on the south side of Eagle Lake that was the right size, appeared to have yellow legs, but the distance did not permit me to determine eye color or beak characteristics. Now I'm going to be stuck in the office a couple of days. Blue Earth County is a great place to go birding. I'm hoping someone else can get out and look for this bird again. Other species seen over the weekend and yesterday: Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler, American Coot, Pectoral Sandpiper!, Lesser Scaup, Common Merganser, Northern Shrike, Chipping Sparrow, Harris' Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin, Bonaparte's Gull. Happy Birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Sunday Blue Earth County
Andrew Krenz and I did a little exploration of Blue Earth Hey birders, Andrew Krenz and I did a little exploration of Blue Earth County. We were looking for loons and scoters primarily on the lakes around Lake Crystal (Lily, Crystal, Loon, Mills). We found two Horned Grebes on the eastern half of Loon Lake. A Double-crested Cormorant was found on both Loon and Crystal Lakes. Ducks were pretty far out and hard to identify due to the wind-factor, but we were able to tease out Redhead, Mallard, Gadwall, Ring-necked, and Northern Shoveler. We're still awaiting the diver push. On 535th Avenue south of Hwy 60 (location where Common Gallinules nested this past year) we stumbled across some late birds: American Golden-Plover (1), Killdeer (1), Pectoral Sandpiper (1), Greater Yellowlegs (1), and Franklin's Gull (1). The gull did not look like it was in good condition, but the yellowlegs seemed worse off. There was a 9-inch stick through its neck! Except for occasionally trying to dislodge the stick, it appeared unfazed and was actively feeding. I'll try and post some of the pictures Andrew took through my spotting scope sometime in the near future. Other species of note: Northern Flicker, White-throated Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Harris' Sparrow Happy Birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Bethany Hawkwatch 10/13
We had another splendid day at the Bethany Hawkatch on Be Hey birders, We had another splendid day at the Bethany Hawkatch on Bethany Lutheran College's campus (www.hawkcount.org/bethany). Here are the totals: 85 Turkey Vultures 29 Sharp-shinned Hawks 5 Cooper's Hawks 137 Red-tailed Hawks (2 dark-phase birds, 1 Krider's) 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Broad-winged Hawk 15 Bald Eagles 11 Northern Harriers 2 Ospreys 1 Peregrine Falcon 26 unidentified buteos, accipiters, etc. 313 birds total At one frantic moment we also had two swallows pass over, going north. They did not have the bulk or strong contrast of white and dark like a Tree Swallow, nor did they have the length and oranger color of a Barn Swallow. The proportions were right on for Cliff so obviously Cave Swallow came to mind, but the birds were out of view in a matter of seconds before that fantasy could be realized. Other birds moving included over 1,000 Franklin's Gulls between 10:30 and noon, numerous Ring-billed gulls, over 100 pelicans, and about 80 Double-crested Cormorants. 3 Pine Siskins stopped by briefly around 4:00pm. So far on Friday in about 10 minutes of observation there were 3 Northern Harriers and a Red-tailed Hawk, 4 Pine Siskins, Rusty Blackbird, Red-winged and grackle flocks, and Canada Geese. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Perch Lake vicinity
Thursday afternoon Andrew Krenz and I got out to enjoy th Hey birders, Thursday afternoon Andrew Krenz and I got out to enjoy the 80-degree temperatures and 30-pmh winds...aahh October! Tom Dahlen had reported to me that Perch Lake was a mere mudflat of a lake and that was certainly the case. Probably around 100 mixed teal and shovelers piled into what little water was left in the middle of the lake with some Ring-billed Gulls and 62 Great Egrets plying for space at the perimeter. As would be expected, there were shorebirds. While the bulk consisted of Killdeers, 4 Semipalmated Plovers were mixed in and we were able to find a Pectoral, a flock of Baird's Sandpipers, and a few Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs as well. American Pipits joined the shorebirds on the mudflats. You will need a scope, but you can hike right down to the lake edge. Now the bittersweet news: while watching all these magnificent shorebirds, a Peregrine Falcon showed up and they all flew out of there faster than my two-year old on Halloween candy. The habitat is good; birds will be there. The lake is best viewed from Lakewood Drive from the south with a scope. There were two other shorebird locations worth mentioning. The first can be found by taking CR168 east from Lakewood Drive. There is a small wetland on the north side of the road there (Killdeer). Turn the corner and go north on CR169 and you'll find the other part of that wetland which had some decent shorebird habitat as well (Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Stilt Sandpiper, Killdeer). Perch Lake WPA also has some mudflats. Turn north on 597th Lane from CR4; the mudflats are on the east side of the road (Killdeer, Solitary Sandpiper, American Pipit, Rusty Blackbird). The sparrows were pretty diverse at Perch Lake WPA as well: Fox, Song, Swamp, Savannah, Vesper, White-throated, Harris's, Dark-eyed Junco. We also had hunting Northern Harriers and a Sharp-shinned Hawk here. Happy Birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Bethany hawkwatch
Yesterday was our second biggest push of the fall at the Hey birders, Yesterday was our second biggest push of the fall at the Bethany Hawkwatch with 90 raptors (we're not Hawk Ridge people). We had 11 species with a record high 6 Northern Harriers, several Peregrine Falcons, and even a Merlin. Other highlights included the first fall Pine Siskin and first fall Purple Finch. We also had a flock of 52 high-altitude Blue Jays. Happy birding! Chad Heins, Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Earth County Saturday
Sorry for the late post. Saturday morning I explored Hey birders! Sorry for the late post. Saturday morning I explored the southeastern part of Blue Earth County. The best location by far was Perch Lake which is experiencing some low water. There were over 50 egrets and Great Blue Herons, Caspian Tern, Black Tern, and probably close to 500 shorebirds along the north edge (you'll need a scope because the best viewing is the south side of the lake). Species were dominated by unidentified peeps and both yellowlegs. I also found a pure albino swallow, probably Tree judging by structure. All other previously mentioned shorebird areas in Blue Earth County were dry. Mapleton Sewage ponds held Franklin's Gulls and a couple of Black Terns. Shorebird habitat is good but only a couple of yellowlegs were there. Perch WPA has some shorebird habitat on the dead-end road off of CR4 but also had numerous Bobolinks, Sedge Wrens, and Savannah Sparrows. I also found a Swainson's Hawk on the northwest side of Lura Lake (my first August record) sitting on a large bale of hay. Warblers: Nashville, Tennessee, Yellow, Wilson's, American Redstart, and Common Yellowthroat. The Common Moorhens were still present northeast of Lake Crystal. All 6 young of the year were floating in the middle of that wetland when I came by. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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--Le Sueur County
Hey birders, I was out this afternoon with my sons catching a giant jar of grasshoppers in the Kasota Prairie area. At our last stop, we pulled up and upon disembarking from the minivan, I heard the distinct song of a Blue Grosbeak. To get to this location, take CR21 south from Kasota. Take the first road that goes eastward after you pass the sign for Kasota Prairie. This might be CR11 or CR147, but neither map in my possession is clear. It is the first road north of CR101 and it connects CR21 to Hwy 22 to the east. The bird was singing on the north side of the road at the west end of the quarry area. There's a stand of trees there that runs in a north/south orientation. Look and listen there. Also of note today: Henslow's Sparrow still at Minneopa State Park and some American Redstarts moving through. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Best bird seen while not birding
Back when I lived in Wisconsin I was attempting to have a Hey birders, Back when I lived in Wisconsin I was attempting to have a day of birding at Horicon Marsh to celebrate my birthday. About 30 minutes north of the Milwaukee suburbs my parents' car went dysfunctional and I had to wake up my mom at 6:30am (I was younger back then) to have her come up and rescue me. I was horribly depressed to go from day at Horicon Marsh to filling the birdfeeders at home...until a Carolina Wren came to the feeder I had just filled. That was a state bird. On my honeymoon in Hawaii I crossed the line that exists for all families where one person is a birder and the spouse is definitely not. My wife was horribly upset at the amount of attention and time the birds were garnering compared to the new bride and had just deservedly chewed me out...I didn't dare look at a bird at that moment (so I know I wasn't birding) when an Erckel's Francolin ran in front of our rental car. I didn't tell her about that lifer until we got back to Wisconsin. How hard is it to see a lifer and not celebrate? Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato P.S. I just heard secondhand report of a possible Prairie Falcon at the sod farms west of Mapleton (corner of CR21 and CR14). But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Earth County Sunday
Trent and Jack Robbins, Andrew Krenz and I got out for ab Hey birders, Trent and Jack Robbins, Andrew Krenz and I got out for about 4 hours of birding on Sunday morning. Here are the highlights: The Blue Grosbeak continues to sing from the treetops by the gravel quarry on the south side of Hwy 68 west of Minneopa State Park. He sang from the Box Elder on the southwest corner and some of the trees in the quarry itself. We also had Lark, Clay-colored, Chipping, and Field Sparrows as well as Eastern Towhee and Warbling Vireo there. We relocated three young Common Gallinules (formerly moorhens) at the previously mentioned location (535th Ave south of Hwy 60) along with a female Ruddy Duck with 3 young. We visited the new Lincoln WPA at the corner of CR32 and CR128 to see if there was any shorebird habitat. There was. Enter on the gravel drive off of CR128 and you will find a little water. We had both yellowlegs, Solitary, Spotted, and Semipalmated Sandpipers there as well as Bobolink and Western Meadowlark. There were probably about 30 shorebirds there total. This WPA is still under construction and largely consists of dead weeds right now. Those of you who remember when the Perch WPA was under construction and the amazing shorebirds there at that time may want to add this site to your places to check out. We then drove quickly over to the Cobb River WPA and vicinity to look for more shorebirds. The awesome CR16 flooded field is almost dry. There were a few Killdeer and Semipalmated Sandpipers there though. The CR168 pond to the east of there (past Lakewood Drive) is excellent. We had over 100 shorebirds including Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted, Least, Semipalmated, Pectoral, and a single Stilt Sandpiper. There were also several Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls, and some Franklin's Gulls. One other bird worth mentioning: Eurasian Collared-Dove in Lake Crystal near the martin houses along CR60. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, MN But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Cobb River WPA and vicinity
I stopped by the CR16 wetland to look at shorebirds this Hey birders! I stopped by the CR16 wetland to look at shorebirds this morning. Counting the birds today was too difficult thanks to a male Cooper's Hawk that went by twice. I counted half twice before everybody took to the air and I finally gave up. The mudflats were even better today, but the water is draining fast. We probably only have a couple of days left at that location without any additional rain. The highlight today was a single Sanderling tucked in with the other peeps. Killdeer dominated again today with at least 3 Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary, Least, Spotted, Baird's, and Pectoral Sandpipers to round it out. There were also some Great Blue Herons and a single Black Tern present when I pulled up around 9:30am. I did not look at the flooded field east of there along CR168, but that should be getting better for shorebirds now. Tom Dahlen also mentioned to me that he saw an odd duck on the west side of Cobb River WPA (586th Ave). The bird had a white cheek, orange bill, and brownish tones. If you visit, keep an eye out for the odd duck! Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 in Blue Earth County
I wanted to share a couple of shorebird locations in Blue Hey birders, I wanted to share a couple of shorebird locations in Blue Earth County as the southbound migration ramps up. The first is on CR16 south of CR10. It is a flooded field on the west side of the road. This morning there were over 100 shorebirds (mostly Killdeer) with Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted, Solitary, Least, Semipalmated, Baird's, and Pectoral Sandpipers. This field is tiled into Cobb River. Right now it is perfect, but if water levels drop, it could dry up quickly. The other location is northeast of there. Take CR168 east from CR16 just north of the prior location. Go east past Lakewood Drive and you will see it on your south side. This location is a flooded cornfield adjacent to the road. It is too wet currently and had no shorebirds, but last fall I had over 100 American Golden-Plovers there so it may develop as the season progresses. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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 Common Moorhen in Blue Earth County
Hey birders, On Thursday last week I found a pair of Blue Grosbeaks in Blue Earth County. Both were on the road and the female appeared to be open to copulation (though none witnessed). As I watched them, both flew off into a bean field and disappeared. Further investigation could not turn up the birds. I did not post right away because I wanted to make sure they were truly on territory and not passing through. Saturday I returned with Andrew Krenz and the male showed up within 10 minutes. I will post directions below, but ask again for courtesy to the birds and other future birders. Please do not play recordings. The birds are in a high-traffic area and are very active near the road. You should have no problem seeing these birds without playing a tape. Early morning seems to be best. To get to the grosbeaks, go west on Hwy 68 from Hwy 169/60. West of Minneopa State Park turn left onto 216th Street which is a gravel road going west (at an angle). It is lined by Eastern Red Cedars on the south side and there is a gravel quarry on the north side. My suggestion is park near the sign for eastbound traffic and listen west from there. The male seems to prefer the Box Elder on the southwest corner of the quarry, though the wire on the south side of the road gets some use as well. Other birds here: Clay-colored, Lark, and Field Sparrows, Eastern Towhee, and Eastern Kingbird. The Common Moorhens are located on 535th Avenue south of Hwy 60. They have been hit and miss since May when Jim Amundson first reported them to me--I just got saw them for the first time myself on Thursday. This road branches off from Hwy 60 where CR50 goes north. Look in the wetland on the east side of the road, particularly on the south shore. Bob Dunlap indicated he has a pair with 6 young on Saturday. Happy Birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Loggerhead Shrikes in Le Sueur County
I finally had a chance to pop up to the Kasota Prairie fo Hey birders, I finally had a chance to pop up to the Kasota Prairie for the pair of Loggerhead Shrikes that are possibly nesting in the area. These birds were first located by Kim Eckert's group back in May. This area is south of Kasota in Le Sueur County. Take CR21 south from Kasota and then go west on 486th Avenue. The birds are often seen along the north/south fence line in the middle of the pasture on the south side of the road. Other good birds in the area include Grasshopper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Bobolink, Field Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird, and both meadowlarks. There's often a pair of Upland Sandpipers in the area too. You can also find Lark Sparrows in this area by going further south on CR21 and then east on 470th Street. Just check the sides of the road in the quarry. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? --Job 12:7, 9 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] Waseca County BIG Day 5/20/2011
Andrew Krenz, Trent Robbins, and I attempted a Waseca Cou Hey birders, Andrew Krenz, Trent Robbins, and I attempted a Waseca County BIG Day yesterday. We had scheduled this BIG day over a month ago and decided to do it regardless of weather. We did not expect thunderstorms back then, but God was very good to us! We saw or heard 148 species between 1:38am when we arrived in the county until 9:00pm when we officially quit. Here's the synopsis: 12 waterfowl, 2 grebes, 4 herons, 5 hawks, 14 shorebirds, 7 woodpeckers, 8 flycatchers, 5 vireos, 6 swallows, 5 thrushes, 24 warblers, 9 sparrows, 7 blackbirds. Misses: Ring-billed Gull, American Kestrel, Belted Kingfisher The most notable species was a male Prairie Warbler that sang and foraged over our heads at Courthouse County Park on CR75 southeast of Waseca. A Red-breasted Nuthatch joined that mixed-species flock at one point too. Most of our shorebirds came from two flooded fields on the east side of Lake Elysian along East Elysian Lake Road (appropriately). One pond held Hudsonian Godwit, Black-bellied Plover, and White-rumped Sandpiper amongst others (all lifers for Andrew and Trent). I won't bore you with a 20-hour story, but anyone can backchannel if you would like more details. Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Cobb River WPA and vicinity--Blue Earth County
Hey birders, I found three Willets on the west side of the Cobb River WPA. Take 586th Avenue south from CR10 (east of Hwy 22). The birds were feeding at the edge of the large wetland between the two parking lots. An additional Willet was seen at a flooded field north of the Cobb River WPA on CR16. Go south from CR10 on CR16; it will be on the west side--you can't miss it. Also seen in this field: Greater Yellowlegs, Black-bellied Plover, American Golden-Plover, and Least Sandpiper. A flock of Dunlins did a fly-by and we had several flocks of peeps and yellowlegs passing overhead. Most of these birds did take off while we were present, but the habitat is gorgeous! Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato 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] spring in Blue Earth County
Hey birders, In a short trip to Cobb River WPA and Perch WPA near Beauford, there were abundant signs of spring. A short list follows. Greater White-fronted Goose (#206 for the WPA complex) Canada Goose Common Merganser Hooded Merganser Mallard Ring-necked Duck Redhead Gadwall Wood Duck Common Goldeneye Eastern Bluebird American Robin Red-winged and Rusty Blackbirds Common Grackle American Tree Sparrows (flocks all over the place) Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato 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] early waterfowl
Hey birders, Yesterday I found a Gadwall, a Green-winged Teal, and two Redheads in some open water near Mount Kato along Hwy 66 south of Mankato. There have been several Mallards there all winter with a Canada Goose that I believe succumbed and 2-4 Trumpeter Swans on and off. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato 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] Land Sale on Admiral Road?
Hey birders, Just a curiosity question. I noticed there was a realty sign on Admiral Road advertising land for sale. Has the MOU ever discussed purchasing land in the bog to try and conserve a part of this unique assemblage of habitats? Chad Heins Mankato 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] Duluth/Sax-Zim/Lake Superior--long
Hey birders, This weekend I had the opportunity to introduce my students to the amazing birds of the north woods. We spent Friday night looking for Snowy Owls in the harbor, Saturday in The Bog, and Sunday morning along Lake Superior. The students were completely spoiled from the onset when we pulled up to a Snowy Owl within 30 minutes of arriving in the harbor area on Friday night. The bird was perched on a small berm about 40 yards from the road. The bird turned and posed and eventually flew right past our van into a better hunting location atop a street light. An additional bird was located out on the ice and we watched as it flew off and landed on the mast of a ship. It is always nice to see a bird of true wilderness adapting so readily to the constructs of human development. Saturday's early rise did not yield the Great Gray Owl we were hoping for and I once again failed to find any of the mythical Sharp-tailed Grouse of the bog. However, when we pulled up to the Arkola feeders, they were empty and the situation was perfect for hand-feeding (we had brought some sunflower along). I was hoping to give my students and opportunity to feed chickadees and was quite surprised that the first bird onto my hand was a female Pine Grosbeak! I had one student who had a similar close encounter with a grosbeak and the other with several Black-capped Chickadees. Two other students with sniffles just couldn't convince the chickadees they wouldn't catch their cold. We also had a Boreal Chickadee and several Gray Jays in this area. Our other highlights from the bog were mostly along McDavitt, Admiral, and Sax Roads. McDavitt yielded 3 Northern Shrikes, a female Black-backed Woodpecker (east side on the bulldozed road), a Hoary Redpoll mixed in a flock of 25 Common Redpolls, a Northern Hawk Owl begging for mice, and a Great Gray Owl tolerating a big crowd at dusk. The Admiral Road feeders provided great looks at 4 Boreal Chickadees and after dark we had a Northern Saw-whet Owl calling from a mature stand on the north portion of this road (Josh, we did not get Boreal). A large flock of Black-billed Magpies were along Sax Road and Cranberry, but they were moving east and views were distant. Sunday we checked out Park Point at dawn and marveled at the amount of ice outside the harbor. Try as we might, we failed to find any Snowy Owls that morning. We watched some flocks of gulls circling over our heads as they headed inland. Several 1st winter Glaucous Gulls were in the group with both the pale sandy forms and white forms present. Going north, we found a small group of mergansers near the mouth of the Lester River but otherwise the lake was an avian desert. Knife River though yielded a present surprise. A female Harlequin Duck was diving with a female Bufflehead near the marina. I'm assuming this is the same bird reported back in December; I just haven't heard any additional reports of her. We returned to the Canal Park in Duluth to chum for gulls before heading south to Mankato again. What a mess! I don't get much of an opportunity to view different ages of Thayer's and Iceland Gulls in Mankato and I didn't realize how rusty I had gotten from my days in the Milwaukee harbor. We had a 1st winter Black-backed Gull cruise in and circle a couple of times (that was easy). We also had a pale 1st winter Iceland Gull and one 1st winter Thayer's Gull in the mix. I took as many pictures of the others as I could. I believe I had a 2nd winter Kumlein's Iceland and a 2nd winter Thayer's, but I will need to go over my pictures this week and really analyze these oddballs. Thanks to all the people we talked with in the bog. My students enjoyed the social aspects of the trip as much as the birds themselves. It was only after we returned to Mankato that we finally found a Pine Siskin! Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato 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 Earth County Sunday
Hey birders! I heard of the impending freeze-up so decided to make one last stab at finding a scoter in Blue Earth County this fall. The conditions were quite less than ideal with on-and-off misting and fog-enshrouded lakes. Waterfowl was hard to come by and the fall theme of few birds continued. I do have some highlights: Eurasian Collared-Dove--Mapleton: I found what appears to be the true epicenter for EC Doves in Mapleton. A total of 31 birds was perched in a backyard at the corner of Lincoln and 1st Streets. This is just east of the blue watertower. Two weeks ago I saw 30 birds fly in here from a farm to the west of Mapleton along Hwy 30. Snow Buntings: Some small flocks along CR4 south of Perch WPA, CR28 south of St. Clair, and a large flock (150+) along CR28 north of St. Clair. Dark-phase Harlan's Hawk: Found perched at the edge of a wetland between Alice and Indian Lakes southwest of Lake's Mill. The bird was along CR23. Eastern Meadowlark: 625 Ave north of Hwy 14 northwest of Smith's Mill--a very cooperative bird feeding roadside. Northern Shrike: near the southeast boat launch for Madison Lake Ducks: Lesser Scaup (1 on Madison Lake), Hooded Merganser (flock on Duck Lake), Common Merganser (flock on Madison Lake), Canvasback (flock on Eagle Lake--north side), Northern Shoveler (Eagle Lake--with Canvasbacks). Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato 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 Earth County Sunday
Hey birders! Trent Robbins and I had a chance to get out Sunday afternoon. We visited the Mapleton Sewage Ponds, Cobb River WPA, and eastward to the Pemberton Sewage Ponds. Mapleton sewage ponds had a nice variety of waterfowl: Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, Mallard, Redhead, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Northern Shoveler, and two Greater Yellowlegs. The water looked low and there was much algae along the banks so it could produce shorebirds yet. We skirted the northwestern corner of Perch WPA heading east on County Road 168. We had a Northern Shrike here on our way home. We continued east on CR168 past Lakewood Road until the road took a little dip. The south side of the road has been flooded twice this year so there is lots of mud, some water, and lots of shorebird habitat. We had numerous Wilson's Snipe, a Greater Yellowlegs, a Baird's Sandpiper with a limp, a Least Sandpiper, and an extremely late Buff-breasted Sandpiper. We also had about 200 Killdeer and lots of American Golden-Plovers. When we first pulled up, there were 39 and some gulls flushed some of the flock and they winged their way out of there. When we returned later on our way home, we thought there were more than before. I counted 102 resting in the mud! Pemberton sewage ponds were a bust with nothing to show for it but some Fox Sparrows that were along the entrance road. Happy Birding! Chad Heins Mankato 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] Purple Finch
Hey birders! This morning I had my first Purple Finch of the fall in Mankato. This is 16 days earlier than my previous record and follows on the heels of the Pine Siskin last week. I figure Red Crossbills should be here late next week. :) Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Pine Siskin
Hey birders! Imagine my surprise when a Pine Siskin showed up at the feeding station with the American Goldfinches today. That is the earliest I have seen that species in the fall by 15 days. There has also been a real uptick of goldfinches hitting the feeders in the last couple of days. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Buff-breasted Sandpipers in Blue Earth County
Trent Robbins, Ari Selvey, and I found two Buff-breasted Hey birders, Trent Robbins, Ari Selvey, and I found two Buff-breasted Sandpipers at the sod farms east of Mapleton. Take CR21 east from Mapleton until its juncton with CR14. The birds were foraging on the north side of the road in the eastern third of the sod farm. Shorebird habitat is otherwise lacking in the area. Perch WPA is full of water and cattails. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Hey ..Good luck! i--*
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[mou-net] MOU Birding Weekend--Birding the Minnesota River Bend report--long
Hey birders, Bob Dunlap and I led fieldtrips for Saturday and Sunday in Blue Earth (Sat) and Nicollet (Sun) Counties. We had 11 participants on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. Between the two days we saw 132 species and a post-fieldtrip fieldtrip by Tom Dahlen and Chris Thiem resulted in the discovery of a White-faced Ibis at the Perch WPA (and 3 other species found by Bob and I when we chased the ibis). Perch Lake and the new Perch WPA still seem to be drawing the shorebirds. Perch Lake is being drawn down now and there were about 200 shorebirds there on Saturday with single Hudsonian Godwit, Wilson's Phalarope, and Ruddy Turnstone mixed in with a flock of mostly Dunlin with Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers. On Sunday when Bob and I chased the White-faced Ibis (and the bird flushed from the WPA over to the lake proper) we discovered about 300 peeps swirling over the extensive mudflats. This flock was largely Semipalmated Sandpipers and Least Sandpipers with some Dunlin and Baird's Sandpipers mixed in and a single Stilt Sandpiper. On Saturday a single Black-bellied Plover, a Lesser Yellowlegs, and a couple of Short-billed Dowitchers were at the adjacent Perch WPA. Other highlights from Saturday included a Red-headed Woodpecker at its next hole, an early Dickcissel at Perch WPA, a pair of Trumpeter Swans at Perch Lake, and Lark Sparrows just south of Schimek County Park. We also enjoyed walking through a field of Bobolinks at Cobb River WPA and seeing 7 duck species at Perch WPA. We did not find any Louisiana Waterthrushes on Minneopa Creek this year and as of now the Kentucky Warbler has not been seen at Williams Nature Park along Hwy 68. Warblers and forest passerines were hard to come by in the hot winds. Sunday's time was split between Seven Mile Creek County Park and the WMA north of Nicollet on the east side of CR111. Seven Mile Creek County Park yielded great views of Olive-sided, Yellow-bellied, and Alder Flycatchers, Scarlet Tanager, Magnolia Warbler, and our lone White-throated Sparrow. We also heard Veery, Swainson's Thrush, and Wood Thrush as well as Mourning Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, and Canada Warbler. Everything is pretty leafed out which made views a little trickier. The Nicollet WMA had several singing Grasshopper Sparrows, Red-necked Grebe, a late Common Loon, and a frustratingly close Least Bittern who called constantly but wouldn't reveal his retreat. More notes on the White-faced Ibis: The bird was first found on the dead-end road at Perch WPA (597 Ln) which goes north from CR4 east of Hwy 22. There is a sizeable wetland on the east side which the bird seemed to really like. He was found there initially, flew northeast to Perch Lake where he foraged for about 15 minutes before returning to the WPA. He was there when we left shortly after 5:30pm last night. Mike Butterfield also indicated to me that he found Prothonotary Warblers behind the treaty site building on the north side of St. Peter along Hwy 169. You may recall that a pair of birds was present last year in this location. Thanks to all who participated and I hope you'll come back to the Bend for more birding soon! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Watonwan BIG Day 5/15/2010 + Snowy Egret
Hey birders, Andrew Krenz and I decided to do a BIG day in his home county of Watonwan this year. We ended up with 139 species highlighted by a Snowy Egret. The Snowy Egret was in a flooded field at the corner of CR58 and CR15 just north of Highway 60. There were several shorebirds in there as well with Wilson's Phalaropes, Short-billed Dowitchers, several yellowlegs, etc. The bird was initially found around 10am or so and was still there at 8:00pm when we checked the pond again. We also found Eurasian Collared-Dove in Madelia (2 birds) and the little town of Oden (1 bird) in the southwestern part of the county. Summary: 12 waterfowl, 4 grebes, 5 herons, 5 hawks, 12 shorebirds, 3 owls, 6 woodpeckers, 4 flycatchers, 4 vireos, 5 swallows, 4 thrushes, 15 warblers, 12 sparrows, 8 blackbirds. Other highlights: Eared Grebe on Fedji Lake in the company of a Western Grebe and a female Bufflehead. Red-necked Grebe on Bergdahl Lake just to the northwest of Fedji Lake Franklin's Gull on a small lake northeast of Butterfield (forgot the name) Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Cobb River WPA 5/6
Hey Birders, I had a chance to lead a fieldtrip for my zoology students to study birds. We visited Cobb River WPA and Perch Lake which has low water and good shorebird habitat. I found several new species for the year in spite of the cold temperatures. First of Years: Great Egret, Wilson's Phalarope, Solitary Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Ross' Goose (on Perch Lake with two Canadas!), Clay-colored Sparrow, Eastern Kingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Marsh Wren, Sedge Wren. Other highlights: There were at least two Peregrine Falcons hunting around the WPA. One bird was along the dead end road and pursued a Mourning Dove to the west. Another bird was seen shortly thereafter at the farmstead on the south side of Perch Lake with a full crop. A pair of Chimney Swifts joined 5 swallow species zooming low over the grassland. It may have been the first time I have ever seen a Chimney Swift below eye level at close range! A pair of Trumpeter Swans was on Perch Lake along with Ruddy Ducks, American White Pelicans, and Double-crested Cormorants. There were also 27 Lesser Yellowlegs, single Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, and Wilson's Phalarope joined by a flock of Semipalmated Sandpipers and a few Pectoral Sandpipers all on the south end of Perch Lake. Other birds: White-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Harris' Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Sora, Forster's Tern, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Bald Eagle, Eastern Bluebird, Pied-billed Grebe, American Coot, American Kestrel, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Swamp Sparrow Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Cobb River WPA and vicinity
Hey birders, I was out once over the weekend and again yesterday in the vicinity of Cobb River WPA in Blue Earth County. While I'm having problems finding many waterfowl in a lot of areas, there appears to be no shortage at the WPA and Perch Lake. There's been a nice mix of dabblers and divers. Saturday I counted nearly 200 Green-winged Teal in two flocks. Yesterday there were many more Northern Shovelers and Blue-winged Teal than Green-wings. I also had an early Pectoral Sandpiper and the numbers of Greater Yellowlegs went from 3 on Saturday to 8 yesterday. Shorebird habitat is best on the east side of the dead end road that goes north from CR4 (597 Ln). Perch Lake had over 100 Canvasbacks on Saturday. Another area to check is CR168 and CR169. There is a large wetland complex here that has had several ducks (though many were too distant to really identify). Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Nicollet County Varied Thrush
Hey birders, Steve Meyer just emailed me and indicated that their Varied Thrush was seen twice this weekend again. I'm not sure why this bird is still around, but it is. Chad Heins Mankato 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] Lake Crystal Lesser Black-backed Gull
Hey birders, I was unable to relocate the Lesser Black-backed Gull on Crystal Lake in Lake Crystal. I checked that lake plus Lily and Loon and while there were gulls (mostly Herring), there were no Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Those lakes are starting to open up and I did see some new waterfowl with Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, and Common Merganser. I also received a second-hand report of a Townsend's Solitaire at Minneopa State Park on the prairie road toward the western end where the dead oaks stick up above the prairie. That bird was seen on Monday but not relocated yesterday by Dave Johnson. Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Nicollet County Varied Thrush
Hey birders, I just received word from Steve Meyers. Their Varied Thrush just popped in again today after being absent for a week. This is the same bird that has been around all winter. Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Blue Earth County Sunday
Hey Birders, Tom Dahlen and I had a chance to get out for a couple of hours this afternoon and cruise through the Watonwan River Valley. The best highlight was an adult Golden Eagle that was extremely cooperative. The bird's crop was bulging and we debated whether its behavior indicated it was migrating or not. The bird was last viewed just east of CR20/Deerwood Rd. along the Watonwan River and heading downstream toward Garden City. That was at 3:30 Sunday afternoon. The other significant highlight was a Eurasian Collared-Dove in Mankato. Tom indicates he has seen upwards of 4 birds on the west side of 3rd Avenue, particularly 1 block west on Chestnut. A cooperative bird was perched on the power line upon our arrival. Other highlights: 65 Horned Larks, American Tree Sparrow, Cooper's Hawk Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Varied Thrush clarification
Hey birders, After reading my post today I realized that the Varied Thrush is in Nicollet County but it is west of Mankato not west of Nicollet. The bird is visiting the Meyer's feeding station in spite of my geographical challenges. Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Nicollet County Varied Thrush
Hey birders, I received word second-hand that the Varied Thrush that has been visiting Steve and Sara Meyer's feeding station along Judson Bottom Road west of Nicollet is still being seen. Dave Johnson indicated that he saw it yesterday around 2:00pm and the bird seemed in good condition. I just thought I'd pass that along. Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Western Blue Earth County on Sat
I had a chance to get out in search of Snowy and Short-ea Hey birders, I had a chance to get out in search of Snowy and Short-eared Owls on Saturday (no luck on either), but I did find a couple of good birds. On 169th St. east of CR32 there is much grassland and there were several pheasants in the area. I also found two flocks of Gray Partridge in this area as well. Some benevolent conservationist has put out some hardware cloth feeders along the roadside with shell corn and the birds are appreciating the help. An immature Red-headed Woodpecker was seen visiting one of the feeders and this is my first winter record for this species in the county. Further west on 166th St. (south and west from 169th) there was another group of pheasants and two Song Sparrows--another new winter record for me. Also in this vicinity I had a couple of flocks of Snow Buntings, a couple of flocks of Horned Larks, and a single Lapland Longspur. Much habitat but not many birds. I did have a Northern Shrike just southwest of Lake Crystal on Hwy 60 on the northwest side of the road as well. One other note--ice is patchy and drifting has occurred in some areas. Use caution driving in this area. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Duluth and Sax-Zim on Sunday
Hey birders, Benji Inniger and I had a chance to search the north country for birds on Sunday 1/3/2010. Here are the highlights from the 42 species we saw in St. Louis County: Snowy Owl at the lumber yard on the eastern part of Garfield Avenue. It looked like a young female with very dark barring on the breast and top of head. At one point the bird flew right over our heads! This was seen just prior to dawn. At the stakeout location for the Black-headed Grosbeak we saw several warm weather birds: the aforementioned grosbeak (8:40am), Northern Cardinal, American Robin, and Common Grackle. We also had great winter finches with numerous White-winged Crossbills flying overhead, Purple Finch, and Pine Siskin. We stood in the -16F for 40 minutes waiting for the grosbeak so it was good that their neighborhood was so lively. We located the male Barrow's Goldeneye just south of Leif Erickson Park along the lake walk. The bird was about 30 yards from shore with about 50 Common Goldeneyes. I'm glad we didn't have to scope through 632 Common Goldeneyes to find him. He was easily viewed with binoculars. We then headed to the Bog where oddly we never saw another birder for the rest of the day. We found Northern Hawk Owl just west of the intersection of Cranberry and Sax Roads (probably the same as Kim Eckert's), Black-billed Magpie on Kozu Road, female Black-backed Woodpecker on McDavitt Road (~3 miles north of Sax Road on east side--look for reddish tree trunks). The feeding station on the Admiral Road was busy and we enjoyed some very tame Gray Jays there (couldn't quite get them to take a peanut from my hand). We also had a couple of Northern Shrikes hunting along McDavitt Road. At about 4:10pm we located a pair of Great Gray Owls on McDavitt Road about 3.2 miles north of Sax Road. Judging by size it looked like a male and female hunting the same stretch. The sun was still up so we had time to really savor these handsome birds. We also had a Great Horned Owl on the Admiral Road on our way out of the Bog. The most striking observation from this year's trip was that White-winged Crossbill was the most prevalent finch. We saw very few Common Redpolls and probably saw more American Goldfinches at the feeding station on CR211 than redpolls for the day. We had a nice variety of birds but it was very quiet. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] error in previous post
Hey birders, Hopefully, you figured out that I meant Kolu Road in the Bog not Kozu. Sorry about that. Chad Heins Mankato 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] Varied Thrush et al
Hey birders, I was notified of a Varied Thrush visiting a feeding station in rural Nicollet County and was able to verify it this afternoon. The bird has apparently been around for a couple of weeks and I placed a picture in the Recently Seen section on the MOU website. The owners seem friendly enough and we may be able to post further directions and contact information in the near future. While viewing the bird, a Northern Shrike made a pass at the juncos feeding under the feeder which made the visit even more exciting. Other birds along the Judson Bottom Road between Mankato and Courtland: American Tree Sparrow, American Robin, Brown Creeper, and Northern Flicker. We also saw a Common Grackle coming into a feeding station west of the Minneopa State Park Entrance on Hwy 68. It was at the first house on the north side of the highway. The female Belted Kingfisher also continues to hang in there at the Blue Earth River and is best viewed from Land of Memories City Park off of Hwy 169/60. Happy Birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Blue Earth County Plegadis
Hey birders, The Plegadis ibis found by Bob Kaul yesterday at Roberts WPA was still present at sundown last night when my kids and I finally got down there. Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Carolina Wren in Blue Earth County
Hey birders, I received permission to share that there is a Carolina Wren visiting Cal and Delores Paulson's feeding station south of Mankato. The bird has been highly irregular and it took me two attempts (and bringing my sharp-eyed 5-year old) to see the bird. To my knowledge it was last seen this weekend but colder weather may make it a more consistent visitor. I have posted a picture to the Recently Seen. To get to the Paulson's take Hwy 22 south from Mankato to CR15. Take CR15 east to Rose Lane (St?) which heads into a subdivision to the north. Their house is located at the corner on the left where the road takes a sharp right to a turnaround. They are very friendly people and welcome birders seeking a peek at their wren. Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Blue Earth County ibis
Hey birders! I just received word that the ibis is still present as of 10:00am. Chad Heins Mankato 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] Thoughts on N Hawk Owl and Gray Jay interaction
I haven't heard anyone mention this thought so I will. It is possible that the Northern Hawk Owl was trying to remove the jays from the area to protect his caches not necessarily to eat the jays directly. How would you like it if a robber watched you while you worked hard at hiding food for later? Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Waseca Whooping Cranes/Ross' Goose
Hey birders, I finally had a chance to get out on Sunday and see the pair of Whooping Cranes that have been lounging north of Waseca. To get to this location, take Hwy 13 north from Waseca for about 3 miles. Turn east on 390th Ave and go about 2.5 miles. The birds have been foraging on the north side of the road. Both birds are banded and I have been told they are part of the experimental population from Wisconsin. Regardless, they were worth the drive over and they were foraging right next to the road so the kids got to see them clearly too. As I returned on 390th Ave to Hwy 13, I found a juvenile Ross' Goose in with a flock of Cackling Geese about 1 mile east of the crane location. The birds were foraging in a field on the south side of the road. I did not see this flock coming from the west due to vegetation patterns. The bird was still present when I left at 5:30pm. Other notes: Lots of goldfinches moving and hitting the feeding station. This morning I heard several in the pre-dawn hours--a species I've never heard at night before. A Nashville Warbler was still foraging in my flower garden this morning. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Shorebird habitat in Nicollet County
Hey birders, I had a chance to get out this Saturday for the Minnesota River Birding Day and stumbled on some fairly nice shorebird habitat in Nicollet County. 1) Take Hwy 14 west from Courtland, MN to CR12. Turn north on CR12 and go about a mile or so before the road bisects a sizable wetland. There are some mudflats visible from the road, but apparently there are more to the west if you walk back through the WMA toward the dead trees. Andrew Krenz and I watched a Peregrine Falcon fish about 100 peeps out of there on Saturday (sometimes there a blessing). We also had Greater Yellowlegs and Killdeer at this site. 2) Continue on CR12 north to CR21 and go east. The road will bend to the south. Take the first right onto 531st Ave. This road jogs west and then abruptly turns south at another WMA. The wetland is dried up on the west side of the road, but behind the shrub line on the east side is a wetland just about to reach its prime. There were several dabblers and a couple of Pied-billed Grebes here but also mudflats with both yellowlegs, Semipalmated and Least Sandpipers, and a single Baird's Sandpiper. We watched about 30-40 mixed peeps take off out of here. If we continue to have dry conditions, that should be all mudflats in another week. 3) Take CR111 north from the town of Nicollet. Turn east on CR5. Just past the junction with 451st Street you will see a wetland on the south side of the road. This pond had several shorebirds with yellowlegs and peeps and a single American Golden-Plover. There were also numerous Great Egrets and dabblers here. Dry conditions will improve this for shorebirds as well. This location does require a scope and parts are still a bit too distant for species identification. On another note, Andrew and I recorded 100 species for the Minnesota River Birding Day between Le Sueur, Nicollet, and Blue Earth Counties. We started around 5am and finished around 5:30pm and missed a pheasant (that should let you gauge how the day went). Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Shorebirds in Blue Earth County et al.
Hey birders, Trent Robbins and I spent the morning in the field on Sunday and had some pretty nice finds. Shorebirds at Cobb River WPA are pretty decent with good habitat along 586th Ave south of CR10. We had both yellowlegs, Killdeer, and Pectoral Sandpipers at a pond right next to the road. The primary shorebird location is getting weedy but there were some shorebirds there. This location is north of CR4 on 597th Lane east of CR16. The best shorebird location (where the shorebirds actually are) appears to be a CRP plot at the corner of CR169 and CR168 east of Cobb River WPA. There is a large mudflat visible to the north and west from CR169 north of the intersection with CR168. This mudflat had close to 100 shorebirds yesterday but there is little access and the distance is more than a scope can muster. We could only tell there were many peeps and yellowlegs swirling around and then landing. The sod farms east of CR14 along CR21 had many Killdeer (95) and Horned Larks, but no Buff-breasted or other sandpipers. Other highlights from Blue Earth County: Peregrine Falcon in Mankato Eurasian Collared-Dove in Mapleton atop the church one block north of Hwy 30 along CR7. Red-headed Woodpecker along CR165 south of the Maple River WMA southeast of Good Thunder Dickcissels still singing at Roberts WPA along CR18 west of Mapleton Gray Partridge (2) along CR18 just east of Roberts WPA A mixed-flock of swallows numbering over 300 birds (95% Cliff/Bank) Over 100 Great Egrets on Perch Lake and Cottonwood Lake east of Mapleton Also to piggyback on Bob Dunlap's observations in Nicollet County: There was an Eared Grebe at the Nicollet Sewage Ponds on Saturday afternoon along with the Red-necked Phalaropes. And while the Nicollet WMA along CR111 is not so great for shorebirds, another WMA north of Courtland along 531st Ave has good mudflats. On Friday there were both yellowlegs, Killdeer, and Least Sandpipers there as well as a cooperative Sora. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Blue Earth County Cattle Egret/mockingbird
Hey birders, Last night there was no Cattle Egret in with the horses in the previously mentioned location. The habitat is still good and the bird may still be around. This morning I attempted to relocate the Northern Mockingbird at Cobb River WPA and also failed to find this bird. This bird could still be in the area as well. Weeds and cattails are starting to grow up at the shorebird areas to the east of CR16. There were several Least Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Killldeer as well as Spotted Sandpipers, a single Solitary Sandpiper, and a single Pectoral Sandpiper. You may have to do a little searching for these birds now. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Purgatory Creek directions
Sorry for the delay but I was camping in Wisconsin this w Hey birders, Sorry for the delay but I was camping in Wisconsin this week. I was able to successfully find the two Snowy Egrets at Purgatory Creek wetlands on Tuesday around noon when my family passed through the Cities. I also immensely enjoyed the pelicans, cormorants, Ospreys, and other waders at that site. Thanks again to all who sent directions. It turns out I was not the only person starved for directions to this wonderful birding locale. I have had numerous requests for the directions that were given to me. I have pasted the version I used below. The birds were easily found the minute I pulled up behind the Lifetime Fitness and there was great viewing of all the other aforementioned birds. Thanks again Mike! Chad Heins Mankato, MN P.S. If you want a copy of all the different directions, just drop me an email and I can forward you a Word document with them. The second is on the east side of the wetlands. It is the back parking lot for lifetime fitness. To get here take 169 north to the Anderson lakes Parkway exit and go west (left). Follow Anderson lakes to Columbine Rd. (Columbine road is the first stoplight past Flying Cloud drive, ) Turn right on Columbine Rd and follow it until you get to where it takes a sharp right bend. The back parking lot for the fitness center is to the left just as the road bends right. The wetlands are on your left as you drive down the last part of columbine Rd. The trail around the wetlands borders this parking lot. You are parked just feet from viewing the wetlands from the trail there. When you leave this parking lot, a left turn will take you to Prairie center drive. The third place is where I park to access what everyone calls the “blind”. This is on the west end of the wetlands. Here I park in the corner of a church parking lot. To get here, follow Anderson Lakes again, but this time turn right onto Flying cloud Drive. You will then turn left onto Prairie Center Drive. I think it is the second stoplight. Follow Prairie Center Drive to Technology Drive. Turn left on Technology drive. The main wetlands parking is the first(only) left after you turn onto technology drive. But as I said, I continue past this, past the shops on the right until you come to a church on the right. I park in the corner of the parking lot here and the trail around the wetlands is across Technology drive. To get to the “blind” follow the path between the wetlands and an office building until you start to get to a more residential area. There is a wood chip path leading off to the left that goes out to the blind. Although the wetlands are just across the street from the church lot, It is a pretty good distance to get to the blind from here, but is much shorter than from the main parking lot. There is a paved trail all the way around the wetlands if you are up for a bit of a walk. 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] RFI: Purgatory Creek Snowy Egret location
Hey birders, I would like to get up and see the Snowy Egrets at the Purgatory Creek wetlands but I have yet to see a post in which directions are given to the specific location where these egrets are being seen. Can someone please give me directions to the Purgatory Creek wetlands from Hwy 169 coming north from Mankato as well as offer a specific vantage point? Thanks in advance, Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Thanks for direcitions
Thank you to all of you who sent me directions to Purgatory Creek. Now my only dilemma is choosing which of the directions to use! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Cattle Egret and Northern Mockingbird in Blue Earth County
A Cattle Egret is being seen in northern Blue Earth Count Hey birders! A Cattle Egret is being seen in northern Blue Earth County. To find this bird take Highway 14 to the 3rd Avenue exit. Go north until you get to 238 Street (There's a pasture with street lights on the southwest corner of this intersection). Take this road west and look both north and south of the road. There are lots of horse barns in the area and the bird has been seen foraging with horses along this road and to the north along 587th Avenue. A Northern Mockingbird was found by Anna Seidl and Barry Jones at the Cobb River WPA east of Beauford, MN yesterday around 4:00 in the afternoon. The bird was relocated today actively foraging along the southern boundary of the WPA along county road 16. There is a recreational vehicle track just south of the WPA with a private drive between it and the WPA boundary. The bird was visible from the road and at its furthest distance could be located with a scope. To get to this area. Take Hwy 22 south from Mankato. Turn east on CR 10 and then south on CR16 (third right). Good luck! Chad Heins Mankato, 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] Cobb River WPA Blue Earth County
Hey birders! Cobb River WPA still has shorebird habitat and the southbound birds have started showing up now. Today there were 7 Least Sandpipers, 1 Baird's Sandpiper, 2 Short-billed Dowitchers, and 4 Lesser Yellowlegs in with the Killdeer and Spotted Sandpipers. Black Terns and a single basic Franklin's Gull made a pass as well. Also of great surprise was an American Black Duck mixed in with the Mallards. Perch Lake to the east harbored about 100 American White Pelicans and about 30 Double-crested Cormorants--more than I've seen in weeks. Willow Flycatchers are also present in the old fencerow on the west side of CR16 in the WPA. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato, 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
