[mou-net] Rice County Osprey
Hi everyone, Kathy Thom and I birded for a bit tonight and saw some interesting things: American Black Duck, Trumpeter Swans, Northern Shrike, Rough-legged Hawk. But the highlight was a flyover Osprey just North of Faribault. This was by far my earliest date for this species! Nothing much happening on the waterfowl front here. Things are still pretty much froze up with the exception of the Cannon and Straight Rivers. Getting anxious for things to start hoppin'! Good birding! Dave BartkeyFaribault, 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 correction
Sorry! The Waseca County owl was found SOUTH of Highway 30 along 80th St. Dave Bartkey 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] Freeborn and Waseca County Snowy Owls relocated
Hi everyone, I'm posting on behalf of John and Chris Hockema. They reported that they have just refound the Freeborn County Snowy Owl previously reported by Al Batt. They explained it was south on the dirt road past the grain bins. They were also in contact with Ron Erpelding who relocated a Snowy previously found by Herb Dingmann in Waseca County at the intersection of Highway 30 and 80th Street. This is all the information I have. Regards, Dave Bartkey Faribault 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 Goodhue County location for Eurasian Collared Dove
Hi everyone! I spent the day birding Rice and Goodhue Counties today with Kathy Thom. We found 14 Eurasian Collared Doves in the town of Dennison, right on the Goodhue/Rice County line. They were on the Goodhue side. I believe this may be a new location. Other highlights were Eastern Bluebirds in both counties and a Red-shouldered Hawk near the entrance to Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. We found one here last weekend as well. Probably the same bird? Goos birding!! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Re: [mou-net] Steele County shorebirds
As Gerry and I returned to Faribault from Rice Lake State Park, we stopped again at the plover spot. While Gerry was taking pictures, I was attempting to get a count of the plovers. My final tally, which was very conservative, was of three groups. 307, 163 and 246 respectively. This totaled 716 birds! Like I said, this was a very conservative count and realistically there were probably over 800 plovers present! This morning on the way down, we stopped and had a few Buff-breasted Sandpipers. There was one flock which flew a little ways down that totaled between 10-12 birds. Also of note was a single Red-necked Phalarope and a Semipalmated Plover at the state park, along with large groups of migrating Common Nighthawks. Other shorebirds seen today included Stilt, Least, Semipalmated, Pectoral and Baird's Sandpipers as well as both yellowlegs, and two Wilson's Snipe. And of course, Killdeer. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN > Date: Sat, 7 Sep 2013 09:35:57 -0500 > From: hoeks...@stolaf.edu > Subject: Re: [mou-net] Steele County shorebirds > To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU > > Golden Plovers, Buff-breasted SPs, and other birds still here this morning. > > Gerry > > On Saturday, September 7, 2013, Steven Chesney wrote: > > > They were there yesterday PM > > Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T > > > > -Original Message- > > From: Taff Roberts > > > Sender: Minnesota Birds > > > Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2013 22:54:58 > > To: > > > Reply-To: Taff Roberts > > > Subject: Re: [mou-net] Steele County shorebirds > > > > Did anyone view the Golden Plovers at Rice Lake State Park today? > > Wondering if they are still hanging around? > > Taff Roberts > > On Sep 4, 2013, at 2:22 PM, Bob Ekblad wrote: > > > > > Following up on a database report by Herb Dingmann of Golden Plovers at > > a spot north of Rice Lake State Park I was able to find the plovers (I > > counted at least 400 of them!!!). I also refound some Sanderlings that > > Diane Anderson had found earlier today. I also found 4 Red-necked > > Phalaropes as well. > > > > > > To get to the spot go east from the park entrance and go north on CR37 > > for 2.6 mi and then turn right (N) on 84th Ave and go 1 mile to the two > > bare fields on your left. The plovers are in the fields (difficult to find > > if they are away from the water puddles). The phalaropes were in the > > ponds on the opposite side of the road and Sanderlings were on both sides. > > > > > > Sent from Bob Ekblad's iPhone > > > 507-269-7436 > > > Byron, MN - Olmsted County > > > http://www.Birding-Minnesota.com > > > > > > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > > > > > > > > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > > > > -- > Gerald R. Hoekstra > Music Department > St Olaf College > Northfield, MN 55057 > Office phone: 507-786-3181 > > > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Bell's Vireo, Rice County
Hi everyone, My friend Jerry Bonkoski found a Bell's Vireo last Friday while doing a bird survey, west of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park in Rice County. Some local birders and myself saw and heard the bird today, and some saw two birds, indicating breeding. The location is at the NW corner of the intersection of Hall Ave. and CR 29, west of the state park. Bell's Vireo has been reported in this county the last three years in a row at least, by someone who refuses to share their sightings. So I'm very happy to be able to share this with all of you! Enjoy! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, 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] Rice County arrivals
Hi everyone, I took a stroll at River Bend Nature Center today, then took a short run out to Wells Lake.I had a nice time seeing all of the different new arrivals at River Bend. The woods were sure different than a week ago! For new migrants, I had:8 Hermit Thrushes3 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers3 Winter Wrens12 Golden-crowned Kinglets2 Ruby-crowned Kinglets4 Fox Sparrows (these were also singing around my apartment today) At Wells Lake, it has opened up rather rapidly and ducks were scattered all over. Mostly divers but a few dabblers too. The highlights here were one each of:Red-necked GrebeHorned Grebeand Common Loon. Plus, a couple of Tree Swallows were flying about. Still no warblers! Good birding!Dave BartkeyFaribault, 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] Rice Co. arrivals today
Hi everyone! What a great morning! Lots of new species, and they were very active and vocal today. Passerine highlights: Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Eastern Bluebird Rusty Blackbird Northern Flicker Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbirds and American Robins were everywhere! As were Dark-eyed Juncos and American Tree Sparrows. (They must be migrating through.) Even though Wells Lake didn't have much, I found a great variety of waterfowl around the county just generally driving around. Quite a few flooded fields held good groups of various dabblers and divers. Nothing in the goose department but Canadas, but in the typical duck department, our only misses were Ruddy Duck, American Wigeon, Greater Scaup and Redhead. Other birds of note were Sanhill Cranes, 5 Northern Harriers and a lone Gray Partridge. What a wonderfully long overdue day! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, 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] Wells Lake/ Rice County migrants
Hi everyone, Wells Lake water is slowly opening and there were a couple of new migrants today, after I got off work. There were 2 Greater White-fronted Geese and 1 American Coot along with a couple of Common Mergansers and many Mallards and Canada Geese. Also present were 2 American Black Ducks and Great Blue Herons have arrived at the island as well. I have seen several of them around the area within the last few days. In town at Alexander Park, which is just west of where the Cannon and Straight Rivers meet, the ice is also slowly opening. Present there tonight were 2 Double-crested Cormorants and 1 pair of Ring-necked Ducks. After leaving here, I spotted 3 first-of-the-season Turkey Vultures soaring overhead, saw 1 singing Red-winged Blackbird on territory, and heard a Killdeer flying over my home. So good to finally get a taste of spring!! Good birding! Dave BartkeyFaribault, 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] 5 species of geese - Worthington, Nobles County.
Hi everyone, I spent the day birding Martin, Jackson, Nobles and Rock Counties. I arrived at the Rock County gravel pit ponds north of Luverne too late to get much for waterfowl, and the only open water viewed in Martin was in Fairmont at Sisseton Lake (thanks Dedrick Benz for that tip!), but there wasn't too many different species there. By far the best birding was at Little Spirit Lake in Jackson County and Lake Okabena (sp?) in Worthington, Nobles County. I stopped there based on Kim Eckert's reports. Little Spirit had many Greater White-fronted Geese and Cackling Geese, plus 12 species of duck. I also located what I'm assuming was Kim's flock of Lapland Longspurs south of Round Lake. Many of these were in almost full breeding plumage. At Lake Okabena, there were thousands of various geese, including a very large flock of both blue and white phase Snow Geese. In this flock, there was a handful of Ross' Geese, one of which appeared to be a sure hybrid. There were also a huge amount of Greater White-fronted and Cackling Geese here as well. Falling snow at the time made visibility tough for ducks further out but I managed to I.D. 9 species here. One non-bird sighting came north of Little Spirit Lake in the form of a large skunk puttering around in a road side ditch. Another came along I-90 in Faribault County where I saw a coyote standing in a corn field. Pretty fun day and a nice waterfowl fix! Good birding! Dave BartkeyFaribault, 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] Rice County field trip - cancelled
Hi everyone, I was intending on leading an MOU field trip around Rice County for waterfowl this Saturday but I am choosing to cancel the trip due to Wells Lake still not opening up whatsoever (or anywhere else). I have been checking the location but have seen nothing there all winter. I cannot recall a winter/spring when it hasn't opened somewhat and held some waterfowl. It has been a very frustrating season so far! The other optional part of the trip would have been hawkwatching at River Bend Nature Center, but unless conditions were just right, we would have had a group of cold birders standing around a parking lot, watching nuthatches and chickadees flying back and forth to and from the feeders! (Not that they aren't fun, but one can see that anywhere!) Anyone who was interested in this trip and hadn't contacted me as yet, I apologize! And I thank you for your interest! I am planning on offering this trip again next year, and hope that conditions will be back to normal at that time. I may offer another Rice County trip this year but I'm still undecided on what and when. Thanks and good birding! Dave BartkeyFaribault, 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] Wells Lake Update (no birds yet)
Hi everyone, Every year around this time, I keep the listserve busy with updates on the arrival of various ducks and geese to Wells Lake. Some folks have told me that they anticipate these postings so they can travel here and get their annual lists a bit of a jump start, or they can get a heads up to know what to expect at their favorite spots north of here. By now, I usually have a variety of waterfowl to report and at least or different species of goose, but the water has not been opening like in typical years. I have been checking frequently but it appears the melting hasn't progressed at all for the last two weeks. The is just a very small patch under the bridge which is open, and the most I have seen here is maybe a half dozen Mallards. I just wanted to let folks know what's happening! I'll keep checking and start reporting when things start to change! Hard to believe this is the month where we can expect phoebes, bluebirds and woodcocks to arrive back! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, 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] Thank you Duluth guides!
Hi everyone! I'm sure I speak for many Minnesota birders when I say THANK YOU, Mike Hendrickson and Sparky Stensaas, for all of your frequent postings of northern specialty species, and by stating exact locations where to find them! Personally, they are extremely helpful to a birder like me who can make it to Duluth and Sax Zim Bog for only a day trip, and can plan an itinerary to get the most out of my time there! Considering that you fellas guide, sharing the locations of your sightings is very unselfish, in my opinion, and I know many who really appreciate it! Thanks again fellas! (Sorry to all for the non-bird sighting related post!) Dave BartkeyFaribault, 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] Faribault/Northfield CBC
Hi everyone, Yes, we realize that there are a gazillion CBC's taking place in Minnesota this Saturday, December 15th, but if anyone has an irresistable urge to bird in Rice County on that day, please drop us a line and we can hook you up with any one of our field counters! We welcome anyone to join us! If any of you are interested or have any questions, please email me: greathornedd...@hotmail.com To everyone taking part in CBC's this year, good luck, have fun and be safe!! Good birding! Dave BartkeyFaribault, 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] Hoary Redpoll ~ Rice Co.
Hi everyone, Gene Bauer and I birded around Rice County for a couple of hours this afternoon and our first stop was Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault. The first bird I spotted was perched about 30 feet above our heads and I wondered what it could be as it was so white. Getting on it, I saw it was a redpoll and I immediately looked at the vent area which had no markings at all. I also noticed the streaking on the flanks was much fainter, and had absolutely none of the dirty wash that Common Redpolls have. Gene commented on how white the facial area and cheeks were. We viewed the bird for about 40 seconds before it flew off with a group of Common Redpolls. This bird was considerably more white than the rest of the group in flight. Also of note was a Golden-crowned Kinglet, which I get overwintering here usually. Good birding! Dave BartkeyFaribault,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] RFI: Carolina Wren - Dakota Cty.
Hi everyone, If anyone relocates the Hastings Carolina Wren reported on this listserve yesterday, could you please post or contact me privately? I'm hoping to try for it this coming weekend. Thanks much! Dave BartkeyFaribault,mngreathornedd...@hotmail.com Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Greater White-fronted Geese - Rice County
Hi everyone, Andy Nyhus and I were heading south from Northfield after dropping off Gene Bauer at home, when we stopped at a pond along the west side of Hwy. 3 in an area known as Comus, to look through the geese. Here, we located 7 Greater White-fronted Geese mixed in with all of the Canadas and around 15 or so Cackling Geese. We were very surprised to see them at this date. Also of interest were approximately 7 LeConte's Sparrows at daybreak in the Rice County section of the Carleton Arboretum, known as the "Lower Arb." Good birding! Dave BartkeyFaribault,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] Grand Marais in October
Hi everyone! I just want to put in a short plug for a two day event that I'm fortunate enough to be a trip leader for. The program is called "Searching for Migrants" and it takes place in Grand Marais during October 26 & 27. Even though migration is pretty much over by this time, this is an excellent time to find rarities which tend to turn up on the North Shore. Recent years have yielded some very rare things such as Scott's Oriole, Black Guillemot, Mountain Bluebird and much more! Chances are also better than average in finding all three scoter species, Long-tailed Duck, Bohemian Waxwing, Townsend's Solitaire and most of the winter finches and northern specialties. For more details please visit this link: http://www.northhouse.org/courses/courses/course.cfm/cid/222 Hope to see some of you there! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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 Sandpiper- Steele County
Hi everyone, I birded today with Gerry Hoekstra, John Hockema and Andy Nyhus. It was a great day filled with a variety of birds! We had Buff-breasted Sandpipers in three locations: One each at the Dexter Sewage Ponds and the Grand Meadow Sewage Ponds (both in Mower County; the latter bird had an injured leg and was noticeably hopping around. We also had a single Red-necked Phalarope here), and Gerry and I had two on the way home as we were passing through Steele County. These were at what is referred to as Straight River Marsh. This is on the east side of Steele CR 45 about a mile north of where it intersects with State Hwy. 30. The marsh is dry currently but the Buff-breasted Sandpipers were feeding on the northern end of this. There were also Least Sandpipers present along with many Killdeer and a few Savannah Sparrows. At one point, a kestrel flew in and scattered everything and we could not relocate the BBSA's but we left shortly after too so we didn't give it a lot of time. The four of us were also able to relocate three Red Crossbills at the Evergreen Cemetery in Mantorville (Mower County; initially posted by Herb Dingmann yesterday; please refer to his post) and we saw at least 6 Red Crossbills at the northern edge of Hormel Nature Center in Austin. These have been mentioned online a few times in the last week or two and I don't remember who posted it, sorry. Most of these birds appeared to be juveniles. Good birding! Dave BartkeyFaribault,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-Faribault County
Hi everyone, Tod Eggenberger and I followed up on Bob Dunlap's post about Minnesota Lake shorebirds this morning and found 11 species of them in the very shallow water, including 3 American Avocets and a few Stilt Sandpipers. This was at around 9 am. When we returned at 1 pm, we could not relocate the avocets. As in Bob's post, there were shorebirds all over the place. This spit should be incredibly productive over the next few weeks barring some heavy rain. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Re: [mou-net] FW: [mnbird] an obit
Forest was a bird bander for a LOT of years. I don't know all the facts but about two years ago, while rescue crews were searching the Cannon River for a drowning victim, one member found the carcass of a recently deceased Barred Owl which Forest had banded as an owlet back in the 80's. They determined that the owl had lived 24 years! There was an article in the local paper about it and I believe it was some sort of record. Again, not knowing all the facts, I think I read that while Forest was MOU president, the board during those years had a hand in naming the Common Loon the state bird. Pretty cool stuff! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN > Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2012 18:31:51 -0500 > From: dbmar...@skypoint.com > Subject: Re: [mou-net] FW: [mnbird] an obit > To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU > > Forest was the 20th President of the MOU in 1961 and 1962. He was one of > the first to serve 2 years. Since that time serving 2 years is more common > but it wasn't in those days. We also remember that he had spent some time > bird banding but somebody else will have to fill us in on that. > > > Dennis and Barbara Martin > Shorewood, MN > -Original Message- > From: Dave Bartkey > Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2012 1:48 PM > To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU > Subject: [mou-net] FW: [mnbird] an obit > > > HI, > I realize that not everyone may have seen this initial posting, which came > thru only on mnbird, and may be confused by my posting regarding Forest > Strnad. I am forwarding that posting now. > > Thanks, > > Dave Bartkey > Faribault,MN > > > > > From: revde...@gmail.com > Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2012 11:21:09 -0500 > To: mou-net-requ...@cbs.umn.edu > CC: mnb...@lists.mnbird.net > Subject: [mnbird] an obit > > This came in last night from the denomination which Forest served all of his > life. I spoke with my secretary this morning about her remembrances of > Forest and his birding activities were high on her list of things she > remembered him for. He served the church I am now serving in the late 1940 > and early 50's. Peace be to his memory. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The Reverend Forest V. Strnad > Relationship to Conference: Retired Elder > Date of Death: July 2, 2012 in Owatonna, Minnesota > Visitation: Thursday, July 5, from 4-7 pm at Boldt Funeral Home, 300 Prairie > Avenue, Faribault, MN and Friday, July 6, 9 am, at the Faribault: Fourth > Avenue United Methodist Church for one hour prior to the service > Service: Friday, July 6, 10 am at Fourth Avenue UMC, 219 4th Avenue NW, > Faribault, MN > Appointment History: Castle Rock, Chatfield, Alden, Kasson, Chisholm-Buhl, > Wyoming-Forest Lake, Stewartville-Sumner Center, Breckenridge-Foxhome, > Hector churches in the Minnesota Annual Conference > Family: Survived by wife, Kirsten Strnad (715 Central Avenue N, Apt 202, > Faribault, MN 55021-4332); two daughters: Linda Muras (Steve) of Plymouth, > MN and Jane Smith (James) of Brownwood, TX; 10 grandchildren and 15 > great-grandchildren > Memorials: Designated to Faribault: Fourth Avenue UMC or Homestead Hospice, > Owatonna, MN > > > > > > > > > > > In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. ~Margaret > Atwood > > Hope and Peace, > Rev. Debra Jene Collum > Chatfield UMC > revde...@gmail.com > 507-923-1097-cell > > > > > > ___ mnbird mailing list > mnb...@lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] FW: [mnbird] an obit
HI, I realize that not everyone may have seen this initial posting, which came thru only on mnbird, and may be confused by my posting regarding Forest Strnad. I am forwarding that posting now. Thanks, Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN From: revde...@gmail.com Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2012 11:21:09 -0500 To: mou-net-requ...@cbs.umn.edu CC: mnb...@lists.mnbird.net Subject: [mnbird] an obit This came in last night from the denomination which Forest served all of his life. I spoke with my secretary this morning about her remembrances of Forest and his birding activities were high on her list of things she remembered him for. He served the church I am now serving in the late 1940 and early 50's. Peace be to his memory. The Reverend Forest V. Strnad Relationship to Conference: Retired Elder Date of Death: July 2, 2012 in Owatonna, Minnesota Visitation: Thursday, July 5, from 4-7 pm at Boldt Funeral Home, 300 Prairie Avenue, Faribault, MN and Friday, July 6, 9 am, at the Faribault: Fourth Avenue United Methodist Church for one hour prior to the service Service: Friday, July 6, 10 am at Fourth Avenue UMC, 219 4th Avenue NW, Faribault, MN Appointment History: Castle Rock, Chatfield, Alden, Kasson, Chisholm-Buhl, Wyoming-Forest Lake, Stewartville-Sumner Center, Breckenridge-Foxhome, Hector churches in the Minnesota Annual Conference Family: Survived by wife, Kirsten Strnad (715 Central Avenue N, Apt 202, Faribault, MN 55021-4332); two daughters: Linda Muras (Steve) of Plymouth, MN and Jane Smith (James) of Brownwood, TX; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren Memorials: Designated to Faribault: Fourth Avenue UMC or Homestead Hospice, Owatonna, MN In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. ~Margaret Atwood Hope and Peace, Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield UMC revde...@gmail.com 507-923-1097-cell ___ mnbird mailing list mnb...@lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ___ mnbird mailing list mnb...@lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s
[mou-net] Rev. Forest Strnad
Hi everyone, Adding to Rev. Debra's posting regarding Forest, he could be a little curmudgeonly at times and I'm sure that there are a few "Forest stories" that birders could share, but I've never met anyone as passionate about birding than Forest was! I met Forest in the winter of 2002/2003 when he had a Carolina Wren visiting his feeders. I found the bird on New Year's Day in 2003 and reported it to the MOU. Unbenownst to me, Forest had reported it in the middle of December and I found the same bird, which led to us contacting each other and becoming good friends. There was quite a generation gap between us but we shared a common passion: birding. At the time, I strictly birded my home county of Rice, and Forest introduced me to chasing birds around the state and county listing. I haven't stopped since. I consider Forest one of the best friends I have had or ever will have. Together, we saw a lot of great things. He was my mentor. Birding won't be the same without him! Regards, Dave Bartkey Faribault, 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] Beware! Cannon River Wilderness Park-west unit
Hi everyone, My friend Gene Bauer dropped me a note today explaining that he arrived at the western unit of Cannon River Wilderness Park on Sunday morning to discover two vehicles in the parking lot that had their windshields smashed in and their wipers all bent up. These cars belonged to some folks who had camped there and they were just sick that something like this could happen. I just wanted to alert folks to this as the parking lot in this area is pretty isolated. I'm not sure if this is a one time incident or not. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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 Egrets/Loggerhead Shrike
Hi everyone, When I arrived home from work this afternoon, the phone was ringing and it was my friend Kathy Thom calling to tell me that she found three Cattle Egrets this morning. She swung by and picked me up to re-check the area late this afternoon and the birds were still present. They are located along Elmore Avenue, which is near the north side of Cannon Lake. Take CR 13, which hugs the north side of Cannon Lake to Elmore Avenue and turn north. The birds were located at the first farm on the left. When we saw them today, they were in the cow pasture on the north side of the farm. Also of note was a Loggerhead Shrike SW of Morristown along 255th St W and a Yellow-headed Blackbird in the marsh at the intersection of 255th & Jackson Ave. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] Louisiana Waterthrush
Hi everyone, I went for a short, quick walk this morning at Cannon River Wilderness Park, westside, hoping for an early Louisiana Waterthrush and was rewarded for my efforts with one singing on territory already. I have had these nesting here for the past several years but as with a lot of species this spring, this is my earliest date. Other birds of note were a couple of Purple Martins on the north side of Wells Lake and 27 Greater White-fronted Geese still hanging around at Sprague Lake, located in the SW part of Rice County. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] No trespassing-Lake Byllesby
Hi everyone, I stopped at Lake Byllesby mid-afternoon today. As you turn off of CR 88 to the cemetery, you used to be able to turn left at the cemetery and park at the top of hill overlooking the lake. Today, I see there are two fresh signs posted for no trespassing. I was here a little over a week ago and there was nothing. Anyone know the story here? There were several people on the shoreline below the hill fishing. According to the signs, they were trespassing as well. Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] Final Wells Lake update
Hi everyone, Well, both Cannon and Wells Lakes are just about completely ice-free making the waterfowl much tougher to see. The ducks, what are still around, are really spread out. That being said, I am still getting the occasional Goldeneye and am still seeing a lot of Common Mergansers which tells me migration is still in full swing. I want to thank all the folks who spoke to me or dropped me an email expressing their thanks for these updates! I know February can be a very slow and tedious month so if you're like me, you're looking forward to any new migrants and it's my sincere pleasure to be able to share these sightings with everyone every spring! I very much appreciate all of the kind words! So, barring a rarity, this will be my final report for this season regarding migrating waterfowl at Wells Lake. See you next spring! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN P.S. There was a Red-breasted Merganser on Cannon Lake this afternoon! :) 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
Hi everyone, Spent the morning at River Bend Nature Center doing some hawk watching. Raptors were sparse but good. Besides the obligatory Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles I had the following migrating raptors: 1 GOLDEN EAGLE (juvenile) 3 Red-shouldered Hawks 1 Northern Harrier (female) 1 Rough-legged Hawk (dark morph) 5 Sharp-shinned Hawks Lots of geese moving again today. Several flocks of Greater White-fronted and Canada Geese, with 2 Snow Geese within one flock of the latter. Wells Lake is opening at a rapid rate. The only different birds present today were a few Snow Geese (white & blue phase) and 1 Double-crested Cormorant. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] New arrivals
Hi everyone! Between the large numbers of Greater White-fronted Geese on the ice at Wells Lake and MANY large flocks flying overhead this evening, I estimate there was somewhere between 1600 to 2000 of them! It's mind blowing thinking of what totals might have been accrued during the course of today! Other highlights were a couple of Rusty Blackbirds west of Morristown with a large flock of Red-winged Blackbirds and 5 Pied-billed Grebes by the bridge at Cannon/Wells Lake. Also of note was the drastic increase in numbers of Hooded Mergansers, Canvasbacks, and Northern Shovelers. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, 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] Wells Lake
Hi everyone, I went to work today like a good boy but I can't promise anything for tomorrow! :) I chomped at the bit to get out so right after work I bolted to Wells Lake to find it LOADED with waterfowl, etc. Highlights were approximately 250 Greater White-fronted Geese (no white geese, darn it!) 18 male Northern Pintails and 21 Great Blue Herons. Also sweet was a single Killdeer that tried landing on the ice but changed it's mind, and a flyover Northern Harrier, male. There were also a few Red-winged Blackbirds and a couple Eastern Bluebirds at River Bend Nature Center. Here is the waterfowl list from Wells: Greater White-fronted Goose Cackling Goose Canada Goose Wood Duck Gadwall American Wigeon American Black Duck Mallard Northern Pintail Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Common Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Common Merganser Ruddy Duck American Coot Plus a couple of Ring-billed Gulls flying around. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, 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] GWFG~Rice County
Hi everyone, It's like we went back in time one week! There were eleven Greater White-fronted Geese at Wells Lake this morning. There were also a dozen Redheads and a single female Northern Shoveler. Still present were several Lesser Scaup, a pair of Ruddy Ducks and a single Gadwall, not to mentions group of coots. I plan on re-checking there later this afternoon. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] New Wells Lake birds
Hi everyone, New arrivals this morning to Wells Lake consisted of a few Wood Ducks, a few Gadwalls and a single Cackling Goose. There are still several species of duck present that have already been reported including the pair of Ruddy Ducks. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] Ruddy Ducks
Hi everyone, Just a quick update. I did not re-find the pintail or the Hooded Mergansers at Wells Lake tonight but there were two Ruddy Ducks present. Conditions were terrible with heavy rain and some wind so I may have just overlooked them. Overall numbers are growing! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] Wells Lake waterfowl update
Hi everyone, Well, it looks like the small group of Greater White-fronted Geese only stayed here for Saturday as no one has relocated any since then. But a smattering of new migrants have moved in. Today the following was present: Hooded Mergansers-3 males and 2 females. 1 male Ring-necked Duck. Lesser Scaup-1 male, 2 females. 1 male Northern Pintail 3 American Coots Also, numbers of Common Mergansers are growing. The pintail and ring-neck were present, and found by Gene Bauer, yesterday. Wells Lake is located west of Faribault. To get there, take Hwy 60 about a mile west to Rice CR 12 which is a right turn only. Follow 12 until you come to a bridge. This bridge separates Cannon and Wells Lakes and the current provides open water all winter. When the weather starts to warm, this open patch grows rapidly and the ducks and geese, pardon the pun, flock here like crazy! We get a pretty diverse mixture during March and into April. Please note, there is no parking on the Wells Lake side but the other side is fine and has a nice wide shoulder. I will continue to monitor and report through early March. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, 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] Wells Lake migrants
Hi everyone! I found a few migrants at Wells Lake this morning. There were 9 Greater White-fronted Geese, about 5-6 Redheads; male & female, and a pair of Lesser Scaup. Pretty nice seeing a few new things! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN Rice County Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Harrier-LeSueur County
Hi everyone, I spotted a male Northern Harrier hunting low over a field late this afternoon. It was along LeSueur CR 133 just west of the Rice County line. This was a first in January for me and a pleasant surprise. I tried to scrounge up a Snowy Owl for LeSueur/Waseca/Steele counties in the short time I had but came up empty. Maybe this weekend Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] LT Duck-Pt. Douglas
Hi everyone, I had to return my daughter to college at River Falls today, which takes me through Hastings and past Carpenter Nature Center and Pt. Douglas. On the way back, I stopped at Pt. Douglas and found the Long-tailed Duck under the railroad bridge. It was actively diving. This was around 12:25. Then I was able to finally make good on the Townsends Solitaire at Carpenter Nature Center (thanks Jen!!) even though it was very cloudy and misty, I was able to hear it sing; a first for me. We also had great looks at the Varied Thrush in Hastings. Very fun time talking to the homeowner there! He's a very gracious and entertaining fellow! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, 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] Towhee/Snowy Owl
Hi everyone, The Austin Spotted Towhee is still present. Doug Keiser and I observed it this morning. There is also an overwintering White-throated Sparrow visiting the feeders. We also found a male Snowy Owl in Dodge County north of Claremont along CR 1 just north of where it crosses CR 20. It was on a power pole on the east side of the road. This was around 1pm. Also of note, there were 6 Eurasian Collared Doves at the elevators in Claremont. Good birding, Dave Bartkey Faribault, 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] Spotted Towhee??
Does anyone know if the Spotted Towhee is still being seen in Austin? According to the MOU database, no one has submitted data for it since the 16th. Would appreciate any info! Thanks, Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Wabasha Co. Snowy Owl
Hi everyone, After participating in the Red Wing CBC today, we left Lake City and decided to head west through our section on a road we weren't able to cover earlier and we were rewarded with what is probably a juvenile male Snowy Owl. It was located along the south side of Wabasha CR 15 about a quarter mile east of where it intersects with CR 82. The bird was perched atop a telephone pole and seemed to be in good health. Interesting too was the Great-horned Owl atop another pole about 5-7 miles west of here in Goodhue County. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] Bonaparte's Gull
Hi everyone, While searching for some December waterfowl on Cannon Lake late this afternoon, I was surprised to see a late Bonaparte's Gull amid the Herring and Ring-billed Gulls. (It wasn't a kittiwake unfortunately!) Most of the lake was still open but most rafts of ducks were very far out and mostly unidentifiable. I was able to pick out a single Common Loon and two Ruddy Ducks. There were many goldeneyes and Common Mergansers around and some close Ring-necked Ducks. Hopefully the water will stay open for a few more days of observing! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] Faribault/Northfield CBC
Hi everyone, The Faribault/Northfield CBC is set for Saturday December 17th. After doing a wonderful job compiling for us for many years, Gene Bauer has decided to hang it up, and Jake Langeslang has graciously chosen to take over the job! I'm just putting in a plug for Jake and the count and letting folks know that we can always use birders in the field as well as (and especially) FEEDER WATCHERS!! If anyone is interested, please contact Jake (j...@aquaeden.com) or I (greathornedd...@hotmail.com). Thanks & good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] Lingering waterfowl
Hi everyone, I have been frequenting Cannon Lake more this fall/winter hoping for a scoter or long-tailed duck with no success, but I have been enjoying the lingering waterfowl that has been present. Tonight there was a pretty good mix of birds, most notably, 5 Horned Grebes and 2 Common Loons still hanging around. Sure hope we continue to have open water for awhile yet! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] No Snowy Owl
Hi all, We were unsuccessful in finding the Steele County Snowy Owl this morning. A few other birders were making an attempt as well and they were also unsuccessful to my knowledge. On a high note, there was quite a variety of waterfowl on Clear Lake in Waseca including Snow Geese, Cackling Geese, Canvasbacks and Horned Grebes. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, 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] Snowy Owl correction
Hi everyone, In my posting yesterday, I made an error which needs clarifying: the Steele County Snowy Owl was seen 2.5 miles east where Steele County CR 23 intersects with WASECA CR 4. There is a two steeples church at this junction as well. So sorry for the error! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] Snowy Owl - Steele Co.
After my posting of the Houston County Snowy this morning, Linda Born of Waseca e-mailed me and asked me to post her sighting of a Smowy Owl in northwest Steele County. She observed the bird along CR 23 about 2.5 miles east of where this road intersects with CR 4. I'm not certain what time the bird was seen, but it looks like I received her e-mail around noon. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to read it until now. I plan on going for the bird tomorrow morning. Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] Snowy Owl - Houston Co.
John Hockema just called and asked me to post that he and Chris Hockema just found a Snowy Owl in Houston County near the intersection of CR 3 & CR 24 between Caledonia and Brownsville. The bird was initially seen in flight about 9:30 am but landed atop a telephone pole and was still perched there when we hung up. John stated the owl appeared to either a female or juvenile bird. Dave Bartkey Faribault,MM Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Summer Tanager at Carpenter
Hi everyone, I also saw the Summer Tanager at Carpenter Nature Center today. I arrived at around 12:40 pm but didn't locate it until 1:55 pm. I flushed the bird from near the front of the orchard store along the fenceline. There are some orange berries here where the bird flushed from and it flew back to this area again around 2:20 pm. There were some folks from Wisconsin also looking for the bird while I was there but unfortunately I believe they left about 10 minutes before I found it. There was also a Fox Sparrow and a Red-breasted Nuthatch hitting the feeders plus there were two Cackling Geese at Point Douglas. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MM 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] ID answer?
Hi everyone, Unfortunately, the hunting friend who asked about the "vibrating bird" is off hunting until Monday, so he's not able to confirm any suggestions that were sent to me, BUT I'm about 99% sure, based on several suggestions and one GREAT link, that the mystery bird is a Hermit Thrush. Here is the link:http://www.bootstrap-analysis.com/2006/10/hermit_thrush_a.html Check it out! Very fascinating stuff! Thanks to Paul, Mike, Seth and John for your suggestions, and to Bruce for the great link! And also to Bob for the humor. :) Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN http://www.bootstrap-analysis.com/2006/10/hermit_thrush_a.html Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] ID question
Hi everyone, A friend of mine from work asked me about a bird he observed while bow hunting this past weekend, about 15-20 miles west of Faribault. He was in his tree stand and watched a group of birds scratching through the leaf litter (I assume White-throated Sparrows.) and with them was a single bird that didn't scratch, but would hop, then stop and vibrate its body, so noisily that my friend could hear the humming. I suspect it did this to draw insects out of the litter. The only field mark my friend could describe was some light streaking on the breast. I have never heard of this. I'm stumped! Ideas? Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,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] Purple Sandpiper and Snowy Egret
Hi everyone, So sorry for the late post! I had school conferences immediately after arriving home tonight and this is the first time I am able to post. John Hockema and I were able to view the Purple Sandpiper today from about 12:15 to 12:50 p.m. The bird slept most of the time and didn't budge when we left. This location is in Swift County, north of the town of Appleton, along 230th Ave, approximately 2 miles north of Hwy. 12. Also of note, John and I found a juvenile Snowy Egret in Chippewa County along Hwy. 7, northwest of the town of Watson. It was on the west side of the road right at mile marker 62. It was in the company of a Great Egret. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] New Rice Co. EC Dove spot + waterfowl
Hi all, I found a single Eurasian Collared Dove on 3/15 feeding with a bunch of starlings south of Faribault. This was along CR 39 just east of where it intersects with Canby Ave. There are a few silver grain bins on the property and the dove was on the ground amidst a flock of starlings. It was approximately 5:15 p.m. Just to note, waterfowl had finally arrived in decent number and variety. I had 11 duck species plus Greater White-fronted Geese and Trumpeter Swans. (The geese were at Wells Lake and the swans at Sakatah Lake) Other highlights included Killdeer and Sandhill Crane. A pretty fine much needed day! Good birding! Dave Bartkey greathornedd...@hotmail.com Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Dove?
Hi everyone, I'm wondering if anyone has seen the Common Ground Dove since Wednesday (10/20)? I'm guessing by the lack of posts on it now, it has moved on. Unfortunately, I was unable to get up there for it and was really hoping it would hang around until Saturday. Hopefully someone will have some encouraging news... Thanks, Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Good hawk migration today
Hi everyone, In a span of 4 hours, from 10 am to 1 pm, Gene Bauer and I, at times, observed some overwhelming hawk migration from the parking lot of River Bend Nature Center. In that time, we counted no less than 790 Broad-winged Hawks moving south. The biggest kettle I counted contained at least 183 birds. I would guess this to be a very conservative estimate as there were times when we got distracted from counting to observe something unusual. I know at one point, I totally gave up on two very large kettles of Broadies and didn't relocate them when I re-tried. Other things were also moving today: 106 Turkey Vultures (one group of 43 birds) 19 Sharp-shinned Hawks 97 Blue Jays (I only counted those that were migrating south in groups) Gene had a Swainson's Hawk which I missed. In addition to watching raptors, we also checked the sod farms on Hwy. 60 & Ibson Ave where I had previously reported Buff-breasted Sandpipers. There, we had 3 American Golden Plovers. (No BBSA's) Also of note, we had 8 species of warbler including this season's first Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers. 1 Brown Creeper And several times I heard Pine Siskins flying over. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Shorebirds, light warblers - Waseca Co.
Hi everyone, Played hooky today to do some birding. I was craving a good warbler wave but the only warbs I encountered were at Goose Lake County Park. I had 4: Blackburnian, Canada, Wilson's and Nashville. My best site of the day was the Janesville Sewage Ponds which had 9 species of shorebird: Stilt Sandpiper Pectoral Sandpiper Baird's Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Semipalmated Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Lesser Yellowlegs Killdeer and 27 Wilson's Phalaropes! Loafing on the berms with the Ring-billed and Franklin's Gulls were at least 12 Caspian Terns. In addition to the 9 shorebirds, I found a single Wilson's Snipe in a flooded field just north of the town of Waseca. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, 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 ~ Rice. Co.
Hi everyone, I counted 12 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at the Wagner Sod Farm east of Faribault today around noon. This sod farm is located on the NW corner of the intersection of Ibson Ave. and Hwy. 60. Said intersection is approximately 6.5 miles east of the Faribault city limits. I believe that this is the fourth year in a row that BBSA's have been found here. I also get American Golden Plovers here as well, but this year I have not seen any yet. The BBSA's were in the grass on the northern end of the field. On another note, I am excited for the warblers everyone has been seeing, but River Bend Nature Center has been terrible. I have made two outings there within the last couple of days and have not seen any warblers, and for that matter, hardly any birds, period! Neither outing was in the morning, however, which probably contributes to my birding woes. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Kentucky Warbler not refound
Hi all, Around 3 pm, I returned to the spot where I had the Kentucky Warbler this morning. It's not normally my style, but I was armed with a recording of its song in an attempt to verify its identity by sight. I first gave the bird some time to sing on its own. Although many birds were still singing in spite of the wind, I did not hear the Kentucky. I sparingly played the song for several minutes with no response or reaction. I will be birding River Bend again in the morning and will definitely visit this spot again in hopes of relocating the bird. I just thought I would share that the bird hasn't been refound (yet), and if anyone is planning on traveling here tomorrow, you may want to try plan B for now... Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multiaccount&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_4 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 - Rice Co.
Hi everyone, I had a singing Kentucky Warbler today along Trout Lily Trail, which runs along the river, at River Bend Nature Center. I did not have a visual of this bird, but recognized its song. I attempted for quite awhile to visually locate this bird but, as is typical of this species, it was hanging low in some very dense, thick undergrowth. When I would attempt to get closer, it would stop singing altogether. I plan on returning either later today or tomorrow morning and try again for this bird. After waiting maybe 20 minutes for it to resume singing, I headed straight home and pulled up Kentucky Warbler audio on the internet. Bingo! It was exactly what I was hearing! Good luck to all who try for this bird! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_1 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] Better migrants today
Hi everyone, Troy Flicek and I tried our hand at River Bend Nature Center this morning and had 13 species of warbler, along with Gray-cheeked, Swainson's and Wood Thrushes. In addition, we had a single Philadelphia Vireo. A vast improvement over yesterday. Some of the warblers we saw today, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Orange-crowned, Black & White, Nashville and Mourning, were encouraging. Some of you wrote in response to my frustration yesterday stating that migration has yet to peak, and from today's bounty, I agree. All warblers aside, the best bird of the day came in the form of a fly-over American Bittern. A county bird for Troy and only my second-ever Rice County record. One other highlight was being fortunate enough to watch a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird do some construction on a nest! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendar&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_5 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] Is migration over?
Hi everyone, I'm wondering if anyone in south central and south east Minnesota is experiencing the same forboding feeling as I did today? With the exception of no mosquitoes, today could have just as well been June 17th. It's hard to believe that two days ago, I was still seeing Orange-crowned and Palm Warblers. Today, the only migrant warblers I had were - 1 Yellow-rumped, several Tennessee and 1 Black & White. I also had 1 Swainson's Thrush. Where the heck is everything??? Good (?) birding, Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN _ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2 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] Hooded Warbler ~ Rice Co.
Hi everyone, While attempting a big day in Rice County today, Gene Bauer, Dan Tallman and I found a singing male Hooded Warbler in the east side of Cannon River Wilderness Park. We all had great looks! This is the third year in a row that I have seen or heard a Hooded Warbler in this very spot, which is about 100 yards before the land opens up and you would encounter the boardwalk. This was also one of 19 warbler species today. We tallied a total of 129 birds - far short of the record. (143) Highlights: Hooded Warbler 2 Cerulean Warblers Acadian Flycatcher Black-billed Cuckoo Lark Sparrow Eurasian Collared Dove 2 Western Grebes 2 Red-necked Grebes Scarlet Tanagers (many) Oh, and one bird that started off my day in a nice way was a calling Common Nighthawk above my apt. building at 4:45 am. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_1 Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Cattle Egrets still present @ 1pm
Hi everyone, The 5 Cattle Egrets were still present this afternoon at 1 pm. Thanks so much to Cindy & Vern Krienke for finding and posting these! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendar&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_5 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] Rice County shorebirds
Hi everyone, Kathy Thom and I stopped at the Dennison Sewage Ponds today (about 11:30 am), on our way to check out Lake Byllesby. At the ponds we found 18 Willets, 11 Long-billed Dowitchers and 2 Wilson's Phalaropes among the Spotted and Pectoral Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs. This was abnormally busy for these ponds (& to which I'm very thankful!) Other new birds in the county were Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Clay-colored Sparrow. At Byllesby, I had time to see many Willets and a single Marbled Godwit before a Peregrine Falcon came barreling in and scared everything off. I don't know if the shorebirds returned elsewhere on the lake or what, but the wind was so strong that we just left. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendar&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_5 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] warblers +
Hi everyone, After Forest Strnad and I canceled plans to bird the area lakes today because of the high wind, I decided to at least go for a walk with my daughter at River Bend Nature Center. Besides seeing a large Fox Snake on the trail (very cool!), the birding was horrendous until reaching the Day Camp area along the river. Here, I encountered a decent sized flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers, and hanging with them was a single Black & White Warbler and also a Nashville Warbler. Also in the area were quite a few White-throated Sparrows. In other areas, I also found a single White-crowned Sparrow and a Lincoln's Sparrow. Nice to see the increase in numbers of bird species as well from this fantastic southern wind! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2 Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Cinnamon Teal still present!
Hi everyone, Thanks to an e-mail from Hap Huber yesterday, Forest Strnad and I took another crack at the Carver Co. Cinnamon Teal today and found the bird in the exact spot described by Hap, and in a previous post by Fr. Tom Margevicius from Monday. The spot described is on the north side of the farmhouse in a drainage ditch on the west side of the road. The ditch runs east/west. There is a single tree on the left side of the ditch and several Blue-winged Teal were lounging underneath, along with the male Cinnamon Teal. We viewed the bird for about 15 - 20 minutes, and were able to see it at rest, swimming, and briefly in flight. The bird would sit for a time, preening and then would swim and forage, not staying still for too long. A scope is a must. It was approximately 5:15 pm when we first saw the duck. Light wasn't great, but when the bird was moving and turning to and fro, one could make out the details in the sunshine. Thanks to Hap Huber, John Cyrus & Fr. Tom! You guys were of huge help! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multiaccount&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_4 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] Chimney Swift
Hi everyone, After a pretty lousy walk (well, ok, any walk in the woods is a GOOD walk, how about practically BIRDLESS walk?) this evening at River Bend Nature Center, my wife and I traveled to her brothers house for a bonfire, and after watching the sky closely for about two hours, I finally got my target! A lone Chimney Swift! Also by watching the sky, I noticed a Sharp-shinned Hawk earlier in the evening. Anyway, my bro-in-law lives near downtown Faribault, which has been a pretty reliable spot for early swifts the last few years. A nice way to end a very mediocre day! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendar&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_5 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] Recent Cinn. Teal sightings?
Hi everyone, I'd like to take another run at the Cinnamon Teal in Carver County. Has anyone seen it since Monday? I checked the MOU database and the most recent date was 4/19. Pretty long drive if it has moved on... Thanks in advance for any help on this! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendar&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_5 Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Cinnamon Teal not present
Hi everyone, Forest Strnad and I tried for the Cinnamon Teal in Carver County this evening between 5:10 and 6:20 PM. We gave it a good hour of searching with scopes at both wet areas north and south of the farmhouse. We also checked out the wet area further south on the east side of the road but had no luck. There must have been between 400-500 Bonaparte's Gulls present, which were interesting. Also present were many yellowlegs of both species, and in the eastern flooded field, there were at least 3 Pectoral Sandpipers. I'd be very interested in hearing if the teal is relocated! Thanks and good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_3 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] Louisiana Waterthrushes
Hi everyone, A walk at the Cannon River Wilderness Park, north of Faribault, yielded 3 Louisiana Waterthrushes singing on territory this morning. I had the same amount on an April walk last year, in almost the exact same places. Other first-of-year birds were: White-throated Sparrow House Wren Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Brown Thrasher Bank Swallow Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2 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] Wells Lake update
Hi everyone, Wells Lake has rapidly opened up within the last two days and is starting to host some variety. I went there after work this afternoon and the main attraction were 56 Tundra Swans. Beside those, there were Canvasback, Redhead, Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon and Red-breasted Merganser. Singles or small numbers of all. There were also many Common Mergansers with a few Common Goldeneye mixed in too. Also present was a single Great Blue Heron and a few Double-crested Cormorants. The next few weeks should be pretty exciting! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_1 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] Turkey Vulture
After my post from today, as I was leaving to take my daughter to work (about 4:45 pm), saw my FOY Turkey Vulture flying overhead. Later after arriving home, Common Grackle doing the same. Fun day! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/210850552/direct/01/ 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 Swans
Hi everyone, This morning at 10:15 I found two Mute Swans in the small open water between Upper and Lower Sakatah Lakes in western Rice County. This area is known as "The Narrows" and is along Rice CR 99. To those who know it, it is the spot where the Swallow-tailed Kite was present back in 1999. This is the first time I have ever seen Mute Swans at this location. The swans of the past always hung around in Faribault, and I haven't seen any the last couple of years with the exception of a lone Mute Swan on Wells Lake last spring that didn't hang around more than half a day or so. As to the origin of these swans??? I don't know. There are cabins and maybe a few homes to the north of the narrows, but I would think that these swans would be seen more often if they were someone's pets. Other highlights today came in the form of migrating birds in the afternoon once the fog burned away. There was some fair raptor movement with a Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3 Red-shouldered Hawks, and 16 Bald Eagles and 26 Red-tailed Hawks. Also seen were Killdeer, Eastern Bluebirds and 3 silent Sandhill Cranes. We're still waiting for Wells Lake to start popping, but I was encouraged today by more open water and many geese on the ice edge, which usually immediately precedes other geese arriving, like white-fronted and snows. I'll keep my eyes open! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID27925::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:032010_3 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] owl question
Hi everyone, After experiencing the great owl irruption a few years back, and then seeing all of the Northern Hawk Owls this winter, I was wondering what the difference is in the diet of great grays versus hawk owls? And if there is not much difference, why the current irruption of only hawk owls? Thanks in advance for anyone knowledgeable and willing to share! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/ 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] Looking for info on Carolina Wren
Hi everyone, Does anyone have or know of any Carolina Wrens that are visiting a feeder anywhere? I'm trying to help a friend see one. Thanks & good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ 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] Eurasian Collared Doves-Rice Co.
Hi everyone, Following up on a Eurasian Collared Dove sighting made on our CBC, I found two of them today just outside of Faribault! To get there, from Hwy 21, go west on 7th St. (stoplight by Burger King) and follow the road past the bait shop and keep right. Go under the freeway (not an exit) and follow CR 11 to the right, past where it forks with CR 38. About 1/4 to 3/4 of a mile, look for a yellow pole building on the right. On the left is Williams Meat Company. Pull into the yellow building's parking lot and just look around in the trees and also across the road for them. The man at this premises is named Dean Bauer and he's very friendly. Just tell him your a birdwatcher looking for the doves. Keep in mind that I have looked for these several times and had gotten skunked, so be prepared that they may not be present. Talking to the neighbor there on Saturday, she had stated that she hadn't seen them for a couple of days at that time. Just trying to prepare folks... Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ 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] About bats, And who is batty?
Hi everyone, No birding trip is complete without at least once stopping the car, backing up, and looking at a "bird-shaped thingy" in a tree, which turns out to be a misshapen branch, a bundle of leaves, etc. It happens with such frequency that we have a word for it: skultch. I'm not sure who first invented and used the term, but it is part of my birding lingo. But like Forest says, we learn by our mistakes and it makes us better birders. We keep looking until we get it right! Good birding! (& Happy CBC-ing!) Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com > Date: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:06:42 -0800 > From: prairie...@yahoo.com > Subject: [mou-net] About bats, And who is batty? > To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU > > Greetings: > > Steve Weston got in touch with a PHD candidate from the U. of Minnesota > telling him about my report of a bat in our apple tree. Disappointment > follows high expectations. A person who helps us with filling our seed feeder > looked up at the "bat" today, and was disappointed to have to report to us > that what we thought was a bat was 2 or 3 leaves clinging together. One of > the things I noticed was that neither the "bat" nor the birds bothered each > other. Thanks to Steve Weston for trying to be helpful. Sorry I was wrong. > > Some of my disappointment is that, at my age, I don't get out myself to fill > the feeders and would have discoverd my error sooner. The movement of the > "bat, object" was so rhymical, like breathing. The "bat" was about 20 feet > from our kitchen window. I was looking at it with good, Swarovsky binoculars. > It was this morning that I set up my Elite scope. > > I have had communications, via phone, twice with the PhD candidate. And he > was coming down Saturday to get the"bat". Thankfully I saved him a trip with > my disappointing news. > > Well, all this was not about birds. Sorry for my mistake. So we learn from > our errors. > > Rev. Forest V. Strnad, Faribault, 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 _ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222985/direct/01/ 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 & Faribault Co. sightings
Hi everyone, John Hockema and I checked out some spots in Waseca and Faribault Counties today. Highlights from Waseca County: Clear Lake - 10 Greater Scaup 1 Red-breasted Merganser Loon Lake - 1 Wood Duck drake 1 Double-crested Cormorant We also found 10 Eurasian Collared Doves in the town of Waldorf. I believe this is a first for this town. Highlights from Faribault County: Minnesota Lake - 1 Western Grebe 27 Tundra Swans 4 American White Pelicans 5 - 7 Common Grackles at least 7 Eurasian Collared Doves in town 1 Bob Ekblad sighting Wells Sewage Ponds - 1 Merlin Pretty fun day with the late migrants and all! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009v2 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 Scoters still present + late migrant
Hi everyone, John Hockema and I decided to try for the Freeborn County Black Scoters found by Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann yesterday (thanks guys!). We were successful in first finding one, looking east from just south of the office, at Myre-Big Island State Park. We found another two together from the south side of the lake along CR 19, just east of the St. Nicholas Historical Marker. John and I were very impressed and delighted in the amount and variety of waterfowl still present here and at Lake Geneva. Also at Lake Geneva, along the west side of the lake, we had a very late Common Yellowthroat among the cattails there! We first heard it chipping and then got a visual. John more so than I. I'm not sure what the late date or median is for this species but I was amazed to see one still around! Also of note, we ended up with 14 duck species (including the scoters), and there were still some Bonaparte's Gulls hanging around Lake Geneva. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009v2 Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Ross' Geese-Waseca County
Hi everyone, John Hockema and I birded Waseca County this morning and found a few noteworthy things: 2 Ross' Geese @ Loon Lake 1 Snow Goose @ Loon Lake 1 (maybe 3 but they flew off) Eurasian Collared Dove in Janesville 84 Bonaparte's Gulls @ Janesville Sewage Ponds 2 Franklin's Gulls @ Janesville Sewage Ponds A conservative guess of 400+ Brewer's Blackbirds littering the fields on both sides of the road leading to the south public access of Lake Elysian. On the way home, we scanned Cannon Lake in Rice County and were surprised to find 6 Horned Grebes. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Windows 7: I wanted simpler, now it's simpler. I'm a rock star. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?h=myidea?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_myidea:112009 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] Guillemot correction
Hi everyone, As one of the parties who viewed the guillemot after dark, I wanted to clear up the misconception that flashlights or spotlights were used. To my knowledge, no one used a light other than the headlamps of their vehicles. In our case, we parked at the top of the long boatramp and kept our distance, searching with our scopes, keeping in mind not to disturb or alarm the bird. I assume others did the same. Before dawn on Sunday, we were mistakenly, and rudely, accused of scaring the bird away, even though others had seen it long after we did, and the bird hadn't left the area anyway. Hearing from all the others who had seen the bird with their lights, the bird was alive and moving around, and at no time did the bird seem agitated or disturbed. From all accounts, the bird was bothered more by the activity of two beavers in the bay. I want to thank Mike Hendrickson for all the updates and great information on the guillemot, and especially for relocating it on Sunday morning! You rule Mike! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ 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/Blue Earth Counties
Hi everyone, John Hockema and I had every intention of birding Faribault County today, but we just didn't get there. It must have been the wind! Birding was sort of slow at times but we were able to see some nice ones. Highlights: Waseca County- 1 Western Grebe on Clear Lake and 1 Horned Grebe as well. 1 Eastern Phoebe at Loon Lake. 3 Trumpeter Swans and 1 Bonaparte's Gull at the Janesville Waste Stabilization Ponds. There were also quite a few Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows here, plus some American Pipits. Blue Earth- 1 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE at the Mapleton Sewage Ponds. This was quite ironic after studying the Gaylord Red Phalarope the day before. Very educational! There were also lots of American Pipits here. 1 Horned Grebe at Lura Lake. 3 Eastern Phoebes at Daly Park We had a couple of warbler "waves" in both counties. Nothing too unusual-Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumps, plus both kinglets. The wind made things pretty tough. With the warmth of the day, I can't imagine how could it may have been if it were calm! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ 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] Rice County
Hi everyone, Forest Strnad and I birded around the lakes of Rice County today. The highlights were a late Palm Warbler at Circle Lake. Other than that, we had 9 duck species; nothing unusual. We did find a Common Loon on Cannon Lake. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN greathornedd...@hotmail.com _ Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222986/direct/01/ 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] Broad-wings moving
Hi everyone, The family spent the weekend camping just outside of Jordan, MN this past weekend and I didn't do any birding (well...not much)! However, while we were playing an early afternoon game of volleyball, the other players became perturbed when I stopped the game so I could count a large kettle of Broad-winged Hawks overhead that were just starting to dissipate. 59 of them in one kettle! I even heard a few "wows" as they saw what I was looking at! It was similiar to a kettle of Turkey Vultures I saw near Northfield on the 15th. This group was the largest I have ever seen at one time and were impossible to get an accurate count. Trying to estimate, counting them in groups of 5, I figured there to be 65 or more. Very fun! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault,MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalaropes - Rice County
Hi everyone, Forest Strnad and I birded for a couple of hours this morning and found shorebirds on a couple of the stops we made. We decided to make Wagner Sod Farm, on the northwest corner of Hwy. 60 and Ibson Ave (east of Faribault), our first stop. Usually I scan the field from Ibson as there's much less traffic. Doing the same today and striking out again, I decided to check the west side of the field from Hwy. 60. Here, we found a single Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 52 American Golden Plovers. We decided to make Wells Lake a stop, hoping that water levels were down enough to host shorebirds. We were pleasantly surprised to find quite a good number of shorebirds here, 90% being Least Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs, but we did also find Semiplamated Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpipers, Solitary Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers and best of all, 8 Red-necked Phalaropes. I did have an exciting moment observing one Pectoral Sandpiper. It was noticably larger than the other Pecs, but smaller than the nearby yellowlegs. It had a very bright orange bill, more distinct supercilium and lighter overall facial area, and compared to the other Pecs, a cleaner throat and upper chest, but still "dirty". If it wasn't for the bird being smaller than the yellowlegs, I would have called it a Ruff in winter plumage! I recall we had this same situation in our county last year, but I don't remember what some of the theories were whether it was a juvenile Pectoral or what. Any ideas? Good birding, Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] LeSueur/Rice Counties
Hi everyone, I spent most of the day birding with John & Chris Hockema today. Mostly in LeSueur County, but some in Rice as well. From the 90 species we saw, some were pretty good: LeSueur - Trumpeter Swan (2 @ Scotch Lake) Red-necked Grebe Eared Grebe (both grebes @ Scotch Lake) Red-shouldered Hawk (juvenile near the entrance to Sakatah State Park) Merlin (first chasing an Osprey then a Belted Kingfisher at the Waterville Fish Hatchery Ponds) Olive-sided Flycatcher (2 locations) Acadian Flycatcher (at least 1 singing away at Sakatah S.P.) Philadelphia Vireo (2 @ Sakatah S.P.) 10 species of warbler; nothing surprising. Rice - Caspian Tern (5 @ Cody Lake) Forsters Tern (1 @ Cody Lake) Short-billed Dowitcher (1 @ Cody Lake) American Golden Plover (38 @ Wagner Sod Farm along Hwy. 60, east of Faribault.) Very fun day! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Painted Bunting??
Does anyone know if the Painted Bunting was seen today? I'd like to try for it tomrrow if it has been. Thanks for any info on the bird! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Hooded Warbler still present - Rice Co.
Hi everyone, The Hooded Warbler reported by Linda Whyte from Saturday at Cannon River Wilderness Park; east side, was still present this morning. I didn't get a look at it but heard it very briefly. Near the spot where the trail crosses the washout, the warbler sang its "sweet, sweet, sweetee-o" call once. I stopped to look and I heard it a second time from much farther away and didn't hear it again afterwards. I also heard 2 Acadian Flycatchers singing and one Eastern Wood Pewee. Swainson's & Gray-cheeked Thrushes were all over the place today! Wow! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Cannon River Wilderness Park - warblers
Hi everyone, An evening walk with Troy Flicek this late afternoon and evening at the west side of Cannon River Wilderness Park yielded 19 species of warblers. The list: Blue-winged Tennessee Orange-crowned Nashville Northern Parula Yellow Chestnut-sided Magnolia Yellow-rumped Black-throated Green Blackburnian Palm Bay-breated Black & White American Redstart Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Common Yellowthroat Wilson's Other species of note: Great Crested Flycatcher Wood Thrush Swainson's Thrush Gray-cheeked Thrush Indigo Bunting (many) Gray Catbird Lincoln's Sparrow We missed on Golden-winged, Blackpoll, Cerulean, Cape May and Mourning. Sounds like a couple of these were at the Arb instead! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Cerulean Warbler, Swainson's Hawk, etc. - LeSueur Co.
Hi everyone, John Hockema and I birded today in LeSueur County. At Sakatah State Park, there was a singing Cerulean Warbler at the campground, and we observed a fly-over Swainson's Hawk. We stopped in Rice County, just west of Warsaw to observe many terns on the Cannon River. There were many Forsters and Caspian Terns present, along with a couple of Franklin's Gulls. We also had a single Red-headed Woodpecker along CR 71 in Rice Co. Then we birded quite awhile at the state park and around the lakes. Highlights: Black, Caspian and Forsters Terns, as well as a Red-necked Grebe on Lake Tustin near Elysian. 4 Eared Grebes and one Bonaparte's Gull on Scotch Lake near Cleveland. 16 species of warbler between the two counties. Harris and White-crowned Sparrows around Kasota Prairie. 2 Trumpeter Swans along CR 16 east of Marysburg. Other FOY's Eastern Kingbird, Indigo Bunting, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Scarlet Tanager, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Redstart, Baltimore Oriole, Virginia Rail and Green Heron. All together between the two counties we tallied 116 species. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Marbled Godwit - Rice Co.
Hi everyone, I am reporting this for my friend Troy Flicek who went to Cody Lake this evening looking for the previously reported American Avocet seen on 5/4. The avocet appears to have moved on but there was a single Marbled Godwit present in the same location along with many other shorebirds including lots of Wilson's Phalaropes. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, Mn screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Hudsonian Godwit, Willets - Steele Co.
Hi everyone, John Hockema and I found a Hudsonian Godwit this morning at Straight River Marsh, which is along the east side of CR 45 just north of Hwy. 30. Also present were 12 Willets and 4 Wilson's Phalaropes. We found Willets in two other Steele Co. locations; 5 just west of Rice Lake State Park in a small patch of flooded field along SE 74 St. and a single Willet on the west side of CR 45 just north of Straight River Marsh, making a total of 18 Willets for the day. Other highlights included one Western Grebe, a few Horned Grebes and one Red-necked Grebe on Rice Lake at the state park. There were also a few Forster's Terns about and several Marsh Wrens calling in the cattails. There were also a few American Pipits at the Claremont Sewage Ponds in Dodge County, but unfortunately, no shorebirds. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Rice Co. Hooded Warbler re-found
Hi everyone, I bumped into Bob Janssen and Dave Cahlander this afternoon at the Cannon River Wilderness Park, west side. They were looking for the Hooded Warbler that I had reported on Monday 4/27. While it wasn't in the spot that it was originally seen, we were able to relocate it right by the parking lot this afternoon at around 3:30 pm. Other birds of interest in Rice Co. this morning included 2 Ovenbirds and one, maybe more, Eastern Towhees on the east side of CRWP. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Hooded Warbler - Rice Co.
Hi everyone, Saturday afternoon (4/25), Gene Bauer had called me stating that he and Lyle Myers had found a male Hooded Warbler in the Cannon River Wilderness Park, west side. Tonight after work, I thought it a long shot but I stopped home and grabbed my daughter Emma to accompany me on a walk to see what we could find. We re-found the Hooded Warbler in the same area Gene had spotted it on Saturday! The west side of Cannon River Wilderness Park is located off of Hwy. 3, 8 miles south of Northfield. Turn left onto 151st St. E. and go 1.3 miles to the parking lot. From the lot, keep to the right along the woodline and you will see a red gate. This marks the trail you want to follow. Keep on this trail and follow along the river. Look for the warbler around where the trail starts curving to the left, just past where the trail is very close to eroding away. It was foraging low, and when we first spied it, it was probably less than two feet away from our knees! Very good looks without binocs! While observing it, it flew across the river but we could still hear it doing its unique "chip". Emma and I had 7 species of warbler here tonight plus Blue-gray Gnatcatcher! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Waseca/Rice egret not present
Hi everyone, I checked for the Cattle Egret reported by Cindy Krienke this morning and couldn't locate the bird. This was around 11:45 am. Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Answer to snake question
Hi everyone, When I usually post a question on the listserve, I like to reply personally to every response. However, due to the overwhelming responses I had today, I would like to re-post thanking all of you at once who replied. I apologize for the laziness of it, but there were so MANY wonderful responses that I would be here half the night! Thank you all so much! The information I attained from you all was fantastic! The case in every reply was that of a Red-bellied, or Northern Red-bellied Snake. Very, very cool! The snake was very tame, and I like to look for snakes as kind of a side hobby. I just don't know too much about them. Some said the species is very secretive, while others stated that it is pretty common, with a few reports being seen here within Rice County just this week! Apparently, the size which I saw, about 10-12 inches, is about as big as they get. And I received one photo of a Red-bellied Snake, and that is definitely what I saw. Great stuff! Thanks again to all of you!!! Best, Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Louisiana Waterthrushes, Lark Sparrow + snake question
Hi everyone, As I was asking my boss this morning if he'd mind if I played hookey from work, I observed many birds foraging in a dirt patch within a grass island outside of his window. My boss told me to have fun and when I went out to my car, I grabbed my binos and scanned through the flock. All were Chipping Sparrows except for one, a Lark Sparrow! After viewing the bird for several minutes, I decided to walk at Cannon River Wilderness Park, west side, and I had three different Louisiana Waterthrushes calling on territory there, as well as one Red-shouldered Hawk, probably another nester. Other FOY's today were: White-throated Sparrows (many) Orange-crowned Warbler (4) House Wren (1) Clay-colored Sparrows (2) Lincoln's Sparrow (1) Also, while walking, I came across a very small snake on the trail. It was about 10-12 inches long, and it was a dark brown with dark gray or black stripes along the body and it wasn't moving. I figured someone must have stepped on it, but I picked it up. It just dangled there, and when I turned my hand back and forth, I noticed the snake's head remained pointed at me! It was alive and playing dead! Anyway, I placed my hand under the head and the snake started moving and flicking its tongue. I turned the snake over and the belly was a bright scarlet red. Brown Snakes that I have encountered have white bellies. Anyone out there have any ideas? On a reptile note, I also heard tree frogs singing in two locations today as well. Good birding (& reptiling!) Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Field Sparrows
Hi everyone, Two of them present this evening at River Bend Nature Center. Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Waseca Purple Martins
Linda Born e-mailed me today asking me to post that Purple Martins showed up this morning at her houses. Linda lives on Clear Lake in Waseca. Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Brown Co. 4/10
Hi everyone, I spent the morning and early afternoon birding with Brian Smith today and there were several highlights. At Flandreau State Park in New Ulm: Yellow-rumped Warbler Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Golden-crowned Kinglet Fox Sparrow Tree Swallow & a beautiful dark-morphed Red-tailed Hawk. Other highlights around the county: 2 Red-breasted Nuthatches at New Ulm Cemetery 2 Red-necked Grebes on Clear Lake and another 2 on Lake Hanska 1 Eurasian Collared Dove in the town of Hanska 1 Lesser Yellowlegs south of Sleepy Eye in an area known as "Sellner's Slough" 6 Bonaparte's Gulls at Sleepy Eye Sewage Ponds. A very fine day to be out! Good birding! Dave Bartkey Faribault, MN screech...@q.com Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
