[mou-net] Audubon Photo Awards
Hi everyone, the winners and honorable mentions for the 2023 Audubon Photography Awards were announced today, and I wanted to draw attention to a local Twin Cities birder, Linda Scher, who won the “Plants for Birds” category. Some of you may have encountered her recently on the MOU field trip to Crow-Hassan Park, or in the audience for many of the Minnesota Global Birders’ presentations. Here is a link to the winning photos and videos. Next week they will announce the top 100 photos. https://www.audubon.org/news/2023-audubon-photography-awards-winners-and-honorable-mentions Cheers Nina -- Nina Hale 612-805-2071 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.
Re: [mou-net] Anybody seen Yellow headed blackbirds at 180th St. Marsh?
I saw six of the yellow-headed Bb’s there, all male. But that was May 3. Nina On Sat, May 28, 2022 at 7:29 AM Steven Chesney wrote: > I was there yesterday about 2:00 pm and had a really good look at one > (close to the road) on the East side of the Eastward pond. > > -Original Message- > From: Minnesota Birds On Behalf Of Keith Carlson > Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2022 12:55 AM > To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU > Subject: [mou-net] Ànybody seen Yellow headed blackbirds at 180th St. > Marsh? > > I stopped by the 180th St. Marsh north of Vermilion, Dakota County on > Thursday hoping to see Yellow headed blackbirds as I have in the past but > was skunked. Has anybody seen this year or was I perhaps looking too early > in the year? > > > General information and guidelines for posting: > https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmoumn.org%2Flistservice.htmldata=05%7C01%7C%7Cb0da69328f7349c11a7808da406e9cbd%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435%7C1%7C0%7C637893141064917081%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7Csdata=1wOxsLLPeyMJarPGu%2Fof7CdGg3OcnykcFoHp53s2GLM%3Dreserved=0 > Archives: > https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flists.umn.edu%2Farchives%2Fmou-net.htmldata=05%7C01%7C%7Cb0da69328f7349c11a7808da406e9cbd%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435%7C1%7C0%7C637893141064917081%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7Csdata=7i9RmOcz1xImGOEj5kTsUzUUmYgr52HO%2Bo%2FsO2QNMS8%3Dreserved=0 > > 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. > -- Nina Hale (she/her) 612-805-2071 I live on Dakota and Anishinaabe land 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.
Re: [mou-net] Hooded mergansers and where did RWB's go
I saw at least 100 RWBB in kenwood park two days ago *Personal email address of* Nina Hale m: 612-805-2071 On Fri, Apr 1, 2022 at 12:21 AM Keith Carlson wrote: > Saw a flock of about 30 hooded mergansers with males crowns in full display > on the open water on what I believe is called Spoon Lake, the widening of > the channel between Lake Gervais and Keller Lake just north of Hwy 36. > > Given the amount of Red Wing Blackbirds I saw before this week's cold, can > anybody tell me where they went? I hiked Oakdale Nature Area this > afternoon with marsh habitat and lots of frozen vernal ponds that had to > have been open before Tuesday evening's snow . I did not hear or see a one > in what should have been ideal habitat. > > > Keith Carlson > keitheca...@gmail.com > > > 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.
Re: [mou-net] First Flocks of Common Goldeneyes, Upper MN River Valley
Right in the cities we’ve had some Robin flocks who have stayed the winter. I haven’t noticed many new ones, but the birds have been doing a lot more singing, if that helps at all Nina On Fri, Mar 4, 2022 at 8:23 AM Jeremy Canfield < jeremy.canfi...@lcaduluth.org> wrote: > I'm in Duluth and getting ready for maple sap time (sugar bush) and I would > like to get information on the first sightings of the American Robin to the > twin cities area? My Indian friend taught me some time ago that you head > into the sugar bush when the red Robin comes back north. > Thanks for any help. > We usually tap on it close to st. Patrick's day as well. > Thanks! > Jeremy > > On Sat, Feb 26, 2022, 3:38 PM Jason Frank wrote: > > > This morning there were small northbound flocks of Common Goldeneyes, > > between 6 and 14 individuals, at the following Upper Minnesota River > Valley > > locations: > > > > -Minnesota River Headwaters Dam, Ortonville (Big Stone Co) > > -Whetstone River, south end of Big Stone Lake, MN/SD border (Big Stone > Co) > > -Lac qui Parle State Park dam west of Watson/near Old LQP Mission (LQP > Co) > > -Minnesota River at SW end of Montevideo (LQP Co) > > > > This is as early as I've ever spotted them in this area in the 13 years > > I've been here. > > > > -- > > Jason M. Frank > > Founder & Vice President > > Luddite Ornithologists League (LOL) > > Big Stone County, Minnesota > > > > > > 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. > -- Nina Hale (she/her) 612-805-2071 I live on Dakota and Anishinaabe land 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.
Re: [mou-net] Snowy Owls at MSP
Thank you! I was there but only saw two. Even more specifically for people, they were FAR off, viewable from the parking looking towards the terminal. Two were against the blinking lights next to the runway 6 sign. One flew a few hundred yards down the runway and stayed next to that runway for at least 20 minutes. Yesterday was likely easier because the lack of snow. Good luck! N On Sun, Dec 26, 2021 at 4:40 PM pbudde wrote: > Three Snowy Owls were present this afternoon at the Minneapolis-St. Paul > Airport. All were visible from near the end of the road that leads to the > public viewing area.PaulPaul buddepbu...@earthlink.net Sent from my Galaxy > > > 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.
Re: [mou-net] Dakota Cnty Buff-breasted Sandpipers
Also a few at Armstrong Wetland Restoration *Personal email address of* Nina Hale m: 612-805-2071 On Sat, Aug 14, 2021 at 11:59 AM Rick Gibson wrote: > Hi All - > > 11 - 12 Buff-breasted Sandpipers (with a handful of Killdeer) in the usual > Jirik Sod Farm fields. Today, 12noon, west side of Blaine Ave, just south > of the Jirik Farm buildings. > > Have fun! > > Rick Gibson, Mpls > > > 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] Gryfalcon at Two Fishhouse bay?
A friend in Grand Portage says a Gryfalcon has been hanging around there all summer. Does anyone live around there who can confirm this? N Nina Hale 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] Injured Sandhill crane
Ahh, I don't quite know what to do here. And there seems to be a obviously injured sandhill crane along this spot where I dropped the pin. This is near whitetail woods. I thought it was on a nest and then I likely disturbed it, I've driven away, it's now getting attacked by a Red-Winged Blackbird and it's in a field. I don't know quite how it can be assisted. It seems to be in rough shape. Anyways if somebody does know what to do, I The location is: Dropped pin https://maps.app.goo.gl/PmTjaat1d5XeLWcD7 Nina 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] Harris's Sparrow - Uptown Yard
I've been trying to get a Harris's Sparrow for a couple of years and one has been in my yard all day. If this is also a big deal for you, info is here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S87630765 *Nina* 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] Bird Locator
This is super cool! thank you *Personal email address of* Nina Hale m: 612-805-2071 On Mon, Mar 22, 2021 at 11:05 AM Tami Vogel wrote: > Thought I'd share this amazing reference tool created by a birder in North > Carolina, Michael Fogleman. It works w/any zip code. Just amazing the > skills that people contribute to the birding community at large. > > > Regards, > > Tami Vogel > Communications Director > Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota > www.wrcmn.org<http://www.wrcmn.org/> > www.facebook/WRCMN<http://www.facebook/WRCMN> > Twitter/IG @WRCMN > > > > > > On Mar 22, 2021, at 9:47 AM, Michael Fogleman (via carolinabirds Mailing > List) mailto:carolinabi...@duke.edu>> wrote: > > Hello friends, > > I made a new webpage called "Bird Finder." Just enter your ZIP code and it > will show you what birds you can expect to see in your area this month. > Then, you can click on a bird and it will show you which hotspots > historically were best for finding that bird. > > https://www.michaelfogleman.com/birds/< > https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.michaelfogleman.com_birds_=DwQFAg=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM=xXpC9befJRBVpnioMFpUIw=e5WERxzExiwIpP13xoNsSWfAScX8YYHBI29VjuJFlW4=WXSO_37ciJaFqyg2m6ortrp2A_gkL6Q28CkomZRBRmE= > > > > It also highlights which birds are "coming" and "going" based on the > change from the previous month. > > This is all based on historical eBird data. > > The tool suggested that the best place for me to find Wilson's Snipe in > March is, by far, a place called Beaver Marsh in Durham. I had never been > there before. I went, and sure enough I saw about 18 of t hem! You can find > that data on eBird, of course, but it's not presented in this way. > > Poke around and let me know if its suggestions line up with your > experience! > > Michael Fogleman > Cary, NC > > > > > > > > > > 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] Branch cutting at Tamarack
Hi everyone, I’d like to bring everyone’s attention to a recent situation that occurred at Tamarack Nature Center. A Northern Saw-whet Owl was found and listed on eBird, which brought the usual admirers. This included myself, and I was especially thrilled because it was a lifer for me. While there, I was told of an incident that happened a few days earlier. A large number of cut limbs were found on the ground from the tree the owl had been favoring (and is no longer). We assumed this was so that someone could get unobstructed photos of the owl. I’ve spoken with the people at the nature center and they have discussed this at their management meeting. They sent me the Ramsey country ordinances to share, which are below. “SECTION B – DISTURBANCE OF NATURAL RESOURCES It shall be unlawful for any person to: 1. Intentionally remove, alter, injure or destroy any natural resource without written authorization from the Director; 2. Dig trenches, holes or other excavation in a park without written authorization from the Director; 3. Plant or cultivate any plant, or release any animal into a park without written authorization from the Director; or 4. Remove any device, apparatus or material installed for the protection, support or preservation of any tree, shrub or plant. SECTION C – DISTURBANCE OF WILDLIFE It shall be unlawful for any person to: 1. Kill, trap, hunt, pursue, or in any manner disturb or cause to be disturbed, or have in possession any species of wildlife found within the confines of any park” Beyond the unlawfulness of this, we all know this directly goes against the code of birding ethics. I too love taking photos, but in the past year I have decided to no longer share photos to public birding or photography groups because I feel this encourages escalating harm to the birds in the pursuit of social acclaim. And although I myself found it by following an exact pin drop, another way to help reduce harm is to only list a general location. If you have previously listed an exact spot for a semi-sensitive bird, you may want to edit your observation in order to make the location more vague. I understand the argument for not even using eBird, but there are both scientific and communal arguments for listing. I’m sorry to pass this on, but I thought people should know. I want to also thank the individual who shared the photos of the cut limbs. Nina *Personal email address of* Nina Hale m: 612-805-2071 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] Snowy Owls
I believe they moved the mpls/st paul airport snowy awhile ago. There is a very reliable snowy in rice county close to Nerstrand big woods park. I've seen it each of 5 times I've been. BUT it is almost always 300-400 yards into a field (I measured in google maps!). That is, under you are Gerald Hoekstra who is tormenting me with photos of it on telephone wires . If you search on eBird under Rice County you'll see all the pin drops, which are highly accurate often with detail. As a note, there are also 6-8 Gray Partridges there as well. I've found them a few times in the second row of the tree line right here, though they are invisible if not moving. https://ebird.org/checklist/S80066060 Nina On Sat, Feb 6, 2021, 12:58 PM Susan anderson < 027be96b2ba4-dmarc-requ...@lists.umn.edu> wrote: > Has anybody sen any Snowy Owls in the metro area in the last 2 weeks. I > have some “New Birder” friends who would really like to see one. > Thanks, Susan Anderson > > 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] Follow up on house sparrows
Hi everyone, I really appreciate the advice and feedback I've received, as well as the offers to help directly. I think I responded to everyone but if I did not, my apologies; I meant to. And I may have responded to some of you more than once. :) Here is a compendium of advice that I thought I would share as it was all excellent. Top recommendation was to try the Halo. Options for this vary and you can find them on YouTube and others, but they range from purchasing one directly, drilling holes into a dome feeder to hang the monofilament tied to washers. I would also recommend people to use an old lamp shade wire. If you don't have any yourself take a look in the alley or at a Goodwill, or you can buy them sometimes at hardware stores or of course online. Also I have a lot of fishing wire of the wrong size, so if anyone nearby would like some, please let me know. Second was to change seed types. This is been challenging-futile in the past, but I think what I'm going to try is a fully separate feeder in the yard with millet for the sparrows. As opposed to my main feeders I will put this one way out in the open so it's easy access for the hawks. ;D And finally I also received both advice and offers to help dispose of the sparrows. I really appreciate that and may follow up with you should my other options fail. Stay safe! Nina 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] House sparrows
I live in the middle of Uptown Minneapolis and the HOSP population at my feeders is getting almost untenable. I'll have up to 30 aggressive sparrows at a time pushing out the native birds. I'm considering trapping methods but can't handle the various forms of humanely euthanizing them myself. I think clipping wings is pretty wretched since that's going to give many a slow death - even though it is one of the approved ways. If there is anyone close to the Uptown area who would be willing to be paid to do that part of it for me, please email me privately to discuss. On another note, I have a Red-bellied Woodpecker as a regular now, which is new to the neighborhood. And as winter comes on, I'm getting larger groups of Cardinals at a time; I had 6 together a few days ago. I also saw a Northern Flicker checking things out - I only had one before using the birdbath during the Vortex. I had a red-breasted nuthatch grab some peanuts a few weeks ago, and in September a Red-headed Woodpecker stayed a few days. Nothing too amazing for most of you, but for a busy urban neighborhood, I'm encouraged. Thanks Nina 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] Sherburne wildlife drive?
I hope it's okay to use this list for this question, but I have been having all sorts of problems finding out if the wildlife drive at Sherburne is still open, and if so, what the planned closure procedure or date is. I'm staying off Facebook so I realize the answer may be there. Thank you personal email account of: Nina Hale 612-805-2071 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] Bird sightings
I really enjoy the birding groups on Facebook. Some of them do a very good job of very rapid notification of rare sightings. That being said I took a break from Facebook about 7 weeks ago and plan to stay off until after the election. So this is my main source other than eBird emails! Thanks Nina personal email account of: Nina Hale 612-805-2071 On Mon, Aug 17, 2020, 6:29 PM Alex wrote: > There are two very popular bird ID groups on Facebook: What’s this Bird? > run by the ABA and The Bird Identification Group of the World run by > community members. The chief differences between the two are that The Bird > ID Group requires reasonings for IDs or hints to be given to lead the > poster to the correct ID, versus What’s this Bird? where the ID can be said > without any reasonings. It’s handy if you just want a quick ID for > something but if you want a bit more in depth content it might not be the > best place. > > Sent from my iPhone > > > On Aug 17, 2020, at 5:46 PM, Jeanie Joppru wrote: > > > > > > I should have said “start an ID only group on Facebook” > > > > > > > > I tend to agree with much that has been said about Facebook. I do enjoy > it for contact with others and other interesting posts( not the ads), > however , but not for bird sightings. It is too diffuse, too many ways to > report, and you can’t ever find what you saw yesterday when you had no > option to go look for what was reported! That said , I think it serves a > good purpose in teaching and giving access to those who are beginning > birders. I wistfully wish that someone would start an ID only > listanyone interested in serving that need?? That might remove a lot of > sightings that serious listers would not be interested in. Perhaps someone > might like to be the “expert”. > > > > Jeanie Joppru > > Pennington County, MN > > > > Sent from my iPad > > > > > > > > > > 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. > 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] Chimney Switts in St Paul
There is also an active colony in the Uptown area of Minneapolis. I'm not sure where they roost, though in the past years I've thought it was on Franklin and Hennepin. You will see and hear them all day long throughout the wedge neighborhood of Uptown. and after sunset the Common Nighthawks take over the neighborhood. Though this year The Nighthawks don't seem as plentiful. I thought because there may be plus large parking lot lights due to closed businesses. Nina personal email account of: Nina Hale 612-805-2071 On Sun, Aug 2, 2020, 9:56 PM Karlyn Eckman < 13aad297dffa-dmarc-requ...@lists.umn.edu> wrote: > Hi folks, I love watching Chimney Swifts and want to learn more about them > and their roosts. Am interested in volunteering if there are any organized > efforts to document roosts. > Karlyn Eckman > > On Sun, Aug 2, 2020 at 7:25 AM Jeffrey Saffle > > wrote: > > > 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" < > > MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU on behalf of gpanders...@msn.com> 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. > > > >
