Re: [mou-net] Chimney Switts in St Paul
For anyone who’s interested, there are chimney swifts routinely present around the Lake Elmo Elementary School. It’s an “old fashioned” brick building with a chimney. We volunteer at the Lake Elmo Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning, and they are always there. J Saffle Lake Elmo On 7/31/20, 6:05 PM, "Minnesota Birds on behalf of Gordon Andersson" wrote: Ornithophiles I live in W. 7th neighborhood of St Paul kiddiecorner from a school with a tall chimney. Every summer the CHSW's start chittering and flying around in small and large groups beginning about sunset. On Monday eve I decided to count them as they dove down the chimney. As you know, the most accurate count would require a video recording played back in slow motion. The number dropping into the tower accelerates suddenly and then it is over except for a few independent spirits. On Monday eve I counted 92 birds. On Tuesday 142 birds. Last eve Thursday 122 birds. The last count is probably the most accurate with the smallest + and - ranges. But I think the numbers actually fluctuate each evening also. There might be a rolling average increase before departure for the south. For years Audubon MN conducted a volunteer CHSW count at two times during the summer, with a retired volunteer coordinator. For 40+ years, St Paul Audubon Socy had a "warbler weekend" every Mother's Day weekend at Villa Maria in Old Frontenac on Miss River. Every evening Friday and Saturday people would count the birds going down the chimney of the 4 story limestone block residence. It was a scheduled event. About 15 years ago, on a weekend, I came back from birding somewhere and decided to sit in my bkyard and count the CHSW's. This was before the AM organized count. As I remember there were 246 or so birds and I sent the observation to DNR non-game staff. My thought with these summer tower roosters has been that they were all non-breeders. Since they only appear in the evenings, they could not be feeding young in nests in the chimney. Someone who knows more and has actually studied CHSW's might offer some facts. I was told once that only one pair nests in each chimney. Alternatively, perhaps these birds are already swarming, preparatory to migration to Central America. a long ways to go and if young have already fledged they can head south. This is from CLO allaboutbirds.org"Unmated swifts continue roosting together in the summer, sometimes in large groups. But the species does not nest colonially: you'll find only one breeding pair nesting in any one chimney. The pair may tolerate other nonbreeders roosting in their chimney." This represents a huge number of non-breeders. CLO does not mention age of sexual maturity. The loss of chimneys has been gradual over time so these numbers are not due to a sudden surplus of adult birds from one year to the next. PS I just read Jim Williams article in the Star Tribune from July 28 on Chimney Swifts. He notes the decline of all four of N America swift species, that NAS labels as species of "special concern". GAndersson St Paul Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
Re: [mou-net] FOY Rose-breasted Grosbeak, south Cass
Seen at the Saffle house in Lake Elmo this weekend (among the usual denizens): Eastern bluebird Purple finch Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Swamp Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Several Palm Warblers Yellow-rumped warbler Ruby-crowned kinglet No hummingbirds or orioles yet J Saffle Lake Elmo On May 2, 2021 at 4:21 PM, Michael Koutnik wrote: Hi Michael, On April 25 I saw a pair of bluebirds at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. Mike Koutnik On Sun, May 2, 2021 at 5:57 PM wrote: (Posted by Mike North via moumn.org) Had my first rose-breasted grosbeak (a male) this morning, ONE day after my first eastern bluebird. What's wrong with this picture? I haven't heard from any of my northern birdwatcher friends who have seen a bluebird yet, but they must be nesting in some places in MN already. Just curious where. Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. -- Mike Koutnik Mobile: 612-963-5551 makout...@gmail.com LinkedIn: mkoutnik Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
Re: [mou-net] Ruby Throated Population
We have a few hummers here in Lake Elmo but I’m much more struck by a near-total absence of monarch butterflies. I successfully raised and released 16 monarchs in June/early July but since then I’ve only found one caterpillar and seen one adult. I suspect the relentlessly rainy weather was hard on them. What are others’ thought? Jeffrey Saffle Sent from my iPhone > On Jul 19, 2024, at 11:27 AM, Jason Frank wrote: > > I'm in Ortonville, and haven't seen a single hummingbird all summer long. I > only saw a few in the spring. > > There are no Japanese Beetles this far west yet, so no one around here is > spraying for them. Plenty of people are spraying for everything else, > though. Ortonville is governed by the type of 20th Century idiocy that > employs a municipal mosquito spray truck which circles the town once a week > to kill every flying insect in its path (can't have all dem golfers and > lakeshore dwellers gettin all itchy, don't ya know). There are plenty of > flowers around town, and good nesting habitat in the parks and ravines. I > too am noticing low numbers of Barn and Tree Swallows... and I haven't seen > a Kestrel since April. At this point, it could be a whole cumulative effect > of climate, over-spraying and insect population collapse, and bird flu, > which I'd imagine could spread to hummers if their feeders are in close > proximity to seed and suet feeders. All those storms and heavy rain during > nesting season probably didn't help, either. > > Jason Frank > >> On Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 8:36 PM Nancy Steinhauser >> wrote: >> >> Wondering if anyone else has seen the numbers go down this summer. From a >> great start (over 30 birds arrived at the feeders.and who knows the >> ones I didn't see) in mid-May, the numbers now have dwindled to less than a >> dozen, and that's up from 3 or 4 because the little ones have fledged. >> Neighbors and co-workers (the north shore and inland above Two Harbors) >> have reported the same "drop" in birds. Bewildered. They started to >> disappear early to mid-June and have not returned. Wondering about bird >> flu. >> We have had a huge mosquito population this summer because of all the >> rain. But that hasn't dropped hummingbird numbers coming to feeders in >> previous wet summers. >> Any ideas/experiences? The numbers here have been steadily going up for >> over >> 25 years. Many feeders out. Such a shock to have so few birds. >> Thanks in advance. >> Nancy in Superior Highlands >> >> >> General information and guidelines for posting: >> https://moumn.org/listservice.html >> Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >> >> During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social >> distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. >> > > > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social > distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. General information and guidelines for posting: https://moumn.org/listservice.html Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] owls and buntings
We found both snowy owls in Rice County this morning, right where Gerald Hoekstra described them yesterday (thanks!). Other highlights included a big flock (about 80) of snow buntings at the corner of Dennison Ave and Highway 56, and a lone horned lark along 190th street. Jeffrey and Susan Saffle, Lake Elmo Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] [mou-rba] Redpolls
Last week a big flock of redpolls (about 40 birds) made a brief fly-over to our treetops in Lake Elmo, then departed. But a couple have returned, and have been visiting our feeders daily. First redpolls this year. Susan and Jeffrey Saffle Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Solitary sandpiper and snipe
The Saffle pond has been reduced to a wetland by the lack of rain, though there was a bit more water in it this morning, enough to attract a Solitary Sandpiper and a pair of Wilson's Snipe. Jeffrey Saffle, Lake Elmo Join or 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-billed cuckoo
Our yard work was interrupted this morning when we heard a black-billed cuckoo calling from our oak trees. We were able to track him down— he was concealed but otherwise cooperative— and get excellent looks through our spotting scope. First time we’ve ever heard one here in Lake Elmo. Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] What's with this
I’ve gotten two emails, ostensibly via mou.net, from “bga...@charter.net” labeled “important message” and asking me to open a link which DOESN’T seem to have anything to do with birds. I haven’t opened these suspicious links. What’s going on? Does the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union endorse this practice. Am I going to have to un-subscribe to get rid of this irritating and possibly risky bother. J Saffle Lake Elmo Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] [mou-rba] Golden crowned sparrow
Does anyone know if the Golden crowned sparrow is still being seen in Duluth? And if so, where? J Saffle Lake Elmo Sent from my iPhone Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] [mou-rba] common redpolls
Common redpolls appeared at the Saffle feeders in Lake Elmo this morning. There were only 3 or 4, but this is the first time they’ve appeared this winter. Last year we had dozens. Jeffrey and Susan Saffle, Lake Elmo Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] [mou-rba] Sabine's gull(s)
After all the excellent posts about the Sabine’s gull, we drove to Albany this morning. We found the bird on the water in about the middle of the west pool. But while we were looking at it ANOTHER Sabine’s flew by, very near to us. The wing pattern was seen repeatedly and very clearly, and was unmistakeable. So there are at least two of them. Another couple was there, and saw them too. Jeffrey Saffle. Also three red-necked phalaropes. Lake Elmo 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] Tufted Duck at Colvill Park 4 pm 1/12/2018
Any news today (Saturday). I was hoping to go down there tomorrow if it's still being seen. J Saffle, Lake Elmo Sent from my iPhone > On Jan 12, 2018, at 4:33 PM, "m...@moumn.org" wrote: > > (Posted by Renner S. Anderson via moumn.org) > > Tufted Duck seen 4 pm, Friday 1/12/2018 at edge of ice close to shore > standing at > 44.56588 -92.49798 just north of Red Wing Waterworks at Colville Park. > > 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
Re: [mou-net] House Wrens
There are several vocal and visible House wrens— as usual— at our home in Lake Elmo. Jeffrey Saffle Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 11, 2018, at 8:18 PM, Charlene Nelson wrote: > > I was at Afton yesterday and heard house wrens. Also at sisters house in > Byooklyn Park. We have at least two pairs that call frequently to each other > at farm here in Grant County. Waiting on fledglings here. > Charlene Nelson > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Jun 11, 2018, at 1:43 PM, Michael Koutnik wrote: > > It also occurs to me that wrens have been notably infrequent in my spring > birding walks at Murphy Hanrahan. Just one marsh wren on a 50+ afternoon of > three walks of 2 hours or more. > > Mike Koutnik > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Jun 11, 2018, at 1:09 PM, Jim Williams wrote: >> >> Anyone noticing absence or reduced numbers of House Wrens this spring? >> >> Jim Williams >> birding blog at startribune/Wingnut >> Earth always bats last. >> >> >> 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 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] State Fair shifts filling fast!
Do you mean “shift”? J Saffle Lake Elmo Sent from my iPhone > On Jul 14, 2018, at 12:51 PM, kkelnberger wrote: > > Volunteer at the fair for MOU. Sign up to work four hours at the MOU booth, > get a free pass and enjoy fair food and sights before of after your shit ( or > both before and after) > Email me, Kate Kelnberger: kkelnber...@boreal.org with your preferences and I > will sign you up. I have tickets ready to mail out to you! > > > ONE VOLUNTEER NEEDED > > Thursday, August: 23 5-9 > Friday, August 24:5-9 > Wednesday, August 29: 5-9 > Thursday, August 30: 5-9 > Monday, September 3: 5-9 > Sign up for an evening shift, enjoy the fair, relax at the booth and enjoy > the music then stay for the fire works. A perfect fair day! > > ONE VOLUNTEER is needed for Saturday, September 1 from 9-1 > Enjoy the fair after 1:00 for free. > > These shifts need TWO VOLUNTEERS. Sign up with a friend! > Saturday, August 25, 5-9 > Monday, August 27, 5-9 > Friday, August 31, 1-5 and 5-9 > Saturday, September 1: 5-9 > Sunday, September 2: 1-5 and 5-9 > Monday, September 3: 9-1 and 1-5 > > > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html 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] Harris's Sparrow
We had a Harris sparrow here in Lake Elmo for several days, too. Jeffrey Saffle Sent from my iPhone > On May 16, 2019, at 8:26 PM, Bob Bystrom wrote: > > A Harris’s sparrow visited our ground feeder today. They are scarce here. We > see a Harris’s at the ground feeder, usually a single bird, about once every > five or six years. > > Bob Bystrom > Washington County > > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Tufted titmouse
After five years of looking, today we were finally rewarded with a tufted titmouse at our feeders in Lake Elmo. The bird came to the peanut feeder several times, and answered when I played (only once) a taped call. Jeffrey Saffle, Lake Elmo Sent from my iPhone Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Red headed woodpecker
For the past two days a juvenile red headed woodpecker has been hanging around our feeders in Lake Elmo. Brownish head with just a bit of red at the back; white lower back and rump. Jeffrey Saffle Sent from my iPhone 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] Scarlet Tanagers in Roseville
First ever scarlet tanager today at our feeders in Lake Elmo, too. Jeffrey Saffle Lake Elmo Sent from my iPhone > On May 17, 2020, at 12:56 PM, Keith Carlson wrote: > > While talking on the phone to my daughter in Boston, to my disbelief I > spotted a possible Scarlet Tanager low down on the trunk of a tree in our > back yard, across the street from the south side of Lake Owasso in > Roseville. I raced to get my binoculars in the car in the garage and > confirmed we had not one, but three Scarlet Tanagers in our back yard along > with a couple of Baltimore Orioles. Couple of different warblers too > likely a Pine and Yellow Rumped but too high up in the leaves for me to > see them well enough in the rain. > > Keith Carlson, > Roseville, MN > keitheca...@gmail.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 > > During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social > distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Crystal Springs
I have seen that Louisiana Waterthrush and Pine Warbler have been seen recently at Crystal Springs. I tried to go there once a couple of weeks ago, but it was hard to find and confusing. If anyone who know that area could help me, I'd be very grateful: 1. Where do you park? 2. I found a single trail leading into the SNA from the north. Are there others? 3. Could you tell me approximately where the waterthrush has been seen? I didn't walk all the way in last time, and I didn't see any likely waterthrush terrain. Thanks in advance, Jeffrey Saffle Lake Elmo Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.