[mou-net] FOS Tundra Swans - Anoka County
While working outside in our southern Coon Rapids yard this afternoon, I heard, then saw, about 30 Tundra Swans flying SSE overhead. My first-of-season Tundra Swans, and providing music to my ears! Got me thinking about making a day-trip down to Brownsville in about a week. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, MN 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] Coon Rapids Dam Birds - Anoka County Side
On this meager excuse for a spring day, Maureen & I decided to get some fresh air (!) and exercise by hiking upstream from Coon Rapids Dam on the Anoka County side of the Mississippi River. We walked upstream on the riverside paved trail and back downstream on the inland gravel trail through the sheltering woods. Highlights: Common Loon - 1, by the entrance to the boat launch lagoon Pied-billed Grebe - 1, in the boat launch lagoon Double-crested Cormorants - 18 in one flock, plus scattered individuals up and down the river Turkey Vulture - 1; FOY for us Tree Swallows - many over the river, flapping hard just to maintain position Pileated Woodpecker - 1 Eastern Phoebe - 1, up the hill from the visitors' center; FOY Ruby-crowned Kinglets - 3-4 Golden-crowned Kinglets - numerous, saw 4-5 small flocks Yellow-rumped Warbler - 5, at several more sheltered locations, including 2 just up the hill from visitors' center; FOY Hermit Thrush - 2; one midway along the river trail and one east of the visitors' center; FOY Spring is indeed here, butsometimesit takes a bit of searching out. ---Ron Refsnider 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] A Few Spring Birds Below Coon Rapids Dam - Anoka County
From today's morning walk along the eastern shoreline of the Mississippi River from Cenaiko Lake downstream to the Hwy. 610 Bridge: Red-winged Blackbirds - 3, FOY Killdeer - heard several times, FOY Sandhill Cranes - flyovers heading north: 7 + 2 + 1 individuals; FOY Hooded Mergansers - 2 pair, FOY Common Mergansers - ~7 Common Goldeneyes - ~20 Bald Eagles - 1 on the nest across from Coon Creek, 2 adults together on shoreline ice shelf, 2 immature in flight together America Robins - seemed to be everywhere, must be migrants! Trumpeter(?) Swan - a flock of 7 in very low flight, but none seen on the river ---Ron & Maureen Refsnider 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] Common Redpolls in Anoka County
Our first-of-season Common Redpolls appeared at our feeders yesterday. Three then and 4 today. Given the variation in the amount of pink, there were a minimum of 5 individuals. We're in southern Coon Rapids, near the Mississippi River. Ron Refsnider 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] FOYs at Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County
Highlights downstream from the Dam this morning: Brown Thrasher - FOY, in patch of woods at SW end of Cenaiko Lake Least Flycatcher - FOY, heard, then seen in same patch of woods Palm Warbler - FOY, in grassy strip between Cenaiko Lake & paved trail Savannah Sparrow - FOY, in turf trail just west of Cenaiko Lake; near the picnic shelter that's between paved & turf trails; we've seen one or more at this spot each spring for probably 5 years now, but they disappear after a couple weeks; we'd love to hear if someone has evidence of nesting there; today's bird was singing later, don't think we've heard that song before, starting out a bit like a Grasshopper Sparrow Rose-Breasted Grosbeak - Maureen is pretty convinced she heard a male singing; her hearing is better than mine; we never saw the bird, or even got very close to the song source; so it's an "almost FOY" Great Blue Herons - 4 standing upright on nests in the rookery, a fifth perched nearby; no evidence of incubation or even pairing, a sad remnant of the 16 or so pairs there early last spring; does anyone know what caused abandonment last year? Also saw the now-routine Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets (but no Golden-crowned), White-throated Sparrows, and a single (laggard?) American Tree Sparrow. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids 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] Yellow-Rumps, Anoka County
Suddenly they are here! A bit after noon today Maureen and I saw a flock of at least 25 Yellow-rumped Warblers in Coon Rapids Dam Park. We were walking on the paved trail along the east shore, upstream from the dam. FOY for us. Also heard at least 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet and saw a Brown Creeper. Waterfowl were scarce: 5 scaup, 4 Common Goldeneye, 3 Hooded Mergansers, 1 male woodie, mallards & geese. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids 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] FOYs Monday Morning at Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County
Waterfowl numbers and species diversity, to a lesser degree, seem to be diminishing at Coon Rapids Dam. Most waterfowl were near the boat launch lagoon or just a bit upstream from it. From the east shore Maureen and I saw the following of note: Pied-billed Grebe - 1, FOY for us American Wigeon - 1 pair, FOY Red-breasted Merganser - 1 male, FOY; I'm not 100% certain of the ID, as our view was from the rear as he swam away, then in flight as he flew upriver, giving us a rear quadrant view. Bufflehead - 3 males, 1 female Killdeer - heard Belted Kingfisher - heard from across river Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1 heard, then seen, FOY; Maureen has a keen ear for GCKIs Many more juncos than were there just a few days ago, apparently migrating northward Scaup & Common Goldeneye were in much lower numbers than a few days ago; Ring-necked Ducks, Redheads, Hooded Mergansers, & Common Mergansers weren't seen at all. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids 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] FOY Meadowlark, Crow-Hassan Park, Hennepin County
Maureen and I did a hike around Crow-Hassan Park Reserve this beautiful morning, from 8 until noon. Water surfaces were still frozen, but beginning to thaw along shore. Birds were still pretty sparse, but we did have some interesting sightings: Eastern Meadowlark - single bird, along trail going east from 4 Corners; silent except for the rattle call he made upon landing in a tree;FOY and earliest ever for us Eastern Bluebird - heard only, FOY Tundra Swans - 4 flocks flew over, somewhere between 300 and 400 birds; what a great spring sound! FOY Trumpeter Swans - pairs or more on most lakes/ponds Sandhill Crane - heard calling from multiple locations, another wonderful sound; one pair was frequently visible E of Prairie Lake Bald Eagle - 1 adult; our only raptor sighting! Happy Spring to all! Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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 During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Fox Sparrow & Harriers - Anoka County
In Bunker Hills Regional Park, near the Activity Center: Fox Sparrow - single bird in woods just west of building; FOY for us Norther Harrier - two flying over the horse pasture east of building; lighting didn't allow sexing Spring is such a wonderful tonic for the weary, every day offers a new FOY opportunity. Ron & Maureen Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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 During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Northern Harrier, Hennepin County
This morning Maureen & I hiked a portion of Elm Creek Park's North Loop bike trail. We were fortunate to see 2 FOY species: Red-winged Blackbird - 2 singing from the cattails plus a flyover flock of ~10 Northern Harrier - a male, circling and moving northward at a low level over the marsh on the west side of West Hayden Lake Ironically, shortly after we returned home we saw a male Red-wing at our black oil feeder. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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 During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Common Redpoll, Anoka County
This afternoon we noticed a single COMMON REDPOLL three times on the tray of our backyard black oil sunflower seed feeder. It was our first redpoll sighting of the winter. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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 During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Northern Shrike near Eastman Nature Center, Hennepin County
This morning Maureen spotted a Northern Shrike perched in the eastern end of the prairie that is NE of Eastman Nature Center in Elm Creek Park Reserve. The shrike was between the paved trail and the abandoned section of Pineview Lane. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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 During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Rough-legged Hawk(s) at Elm Creek Park Reserve, Hennepin County
Early this afternoon Maureen & I spotted 1, and very probably 2, Rough-legged Hawks soaring and flying over Elm Creek Park Reserve. We first saw them from quite a distance, but with binoculars we could clearly and repeatedly see the bright white base of the tail contrasting with a black distal tail half as they repeatedly spiraled. Overall, they appeared dark. We were pretty sure they were Rough-legged Hawks at that point. After a few minutes they soared out of view. Later we got an excellent view of one, as it soared much closer to us and at a much lower level--clearly a Rough-legged Hawk. The second one was again well in the distance, but we could see the same high-contrast tail pattern that we had noted earlier. Both times the birds were seen over the large marsh that begins about 1/2 mile NW of the Bottineau House parking lot and extends about 3/4 mile to the NW and N. I'm curious whether anyone else has seen them in that general area this fall. Other raptors: adult Bald Eagle near the nest and a Red-tailed Hawk in the vicinity of the Bottineau House. NOTE: Elm Creek Park will be closed tomorrow and Sunday for a gun deer hunt. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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 During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Pine Siskins in Anoka County
Two Pine Siskins showed up at our sunflower seed feeder this afternoon. We live in southern Coon Rapids, near the Mississippi River. These are the first siskins that we've seen in our yard in 2020. ---Ron Refsnider 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] Northern Shrike & Hermit Thrush in Elm Creek Park, Hennepin County
This morning Maureen & I hiked into Elm Creek Park Reserve from its west side, starting at 121st Ave off of north-south-running Fernbrook Lane. 121st Ave. becomes a gravel 2-track once you pass the gate & enter the park heading east. We heard, then saw, a Northern Shrike shortly after entering the park. It was on the north side of 121st Ave using trees on the high ground on the west side of the pond that you encounter about 1/3 mile beyond the gate. We also spotted the shrike in the same area as we were leaving the park about 2 hours later. It was perching on both sides of 121st Ave, but mostly used the north side. This was our first Northern Shrike of the season in Elm Creek. On Monday we spotted our FOS Northern Shrike in Crow Hassan Park Reserve in western Hennepin County. That shrike was just east of the 4 Corners area. We also saw a Hermit Thrush along 121st Ave near the gate as we were leaving Elm Creek. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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 During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Sandhill Cranes at Sherburne NWR - CORRECTION
Oops! I had the sunset time wrong. That is important, because the peak time for evening return flights into the Refuge is about 1 hour before sunset. We had witnessed that same 1-hour-before-sunset peak during several previous years. Yesterday's sunset time was 6:09, CDT (not 5:09). The vast majority of the crane ingress flights were between 5:01 and 5:08 CDT. Sorry. ---Ron Refsnider 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] Migrants Friday at Elm Creek, Hennepin County
We took Jim Williams' advice and went to Elm Creek Park Reserve to look for migrants on Friday morning. Most were found in small flocks foraging in sunny edge habitat, where the vireos were feeding on nannyberries and graybark dogwood berries. We started from the Nature's Crossing neighborhood spur trail and went SW. The highlights: Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 immature, very close Green Heron - at least 5 at the marsh along abandoned section of 109th Ave. Red-breasted Nuthatch - 4 Blue-headed Vireo - 1 Red-eyed Vireo - numerous, in small groups Nashville Warbler - several Tennessee Warbler - 1 American Redstart - several Bay-breasted Warbler - 1 Common Yellowthroat - 4-5 Golden-winged Warbler - 1 Wilson's Warbler - 2 Black & White Warbler - 1 Ron & Maureen Refsnider Coon Rapids 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] Prairie Sightings at Crow-Hassan Park Reserve this morning - Hennepin County
Maureen & I spent close to 4 hours at Crow-Hassan Park this morning. Most of that time we were in prairie habitat. It was a beautiful morning and the birds cooperated, for the most part. The lupines were not yet at their peak, but there were lots of penstemon, prairie phlox, puccoon, and others. Highlights: White Pelican - scores of them, possibly over 100, on Sylvan Lake when we arrived at 6:00 am; we were treated to flyover flocks of 2 to 20 all morning Grasshopper Sparrow - almost everywhere in the prairie areas; often we were hearing multiple singing males Henslow's Sparrow - Not as numerous as grasshoppers, but widespread; probably heard more than a dozen. At one point we were watching a Henslow's and a grasshopper sparrow simultaneously singing in a single binocular field of view--nice! Dickcissel - heard, then saw one about 600' west of "Four Corners"; later saw one at Four Corners itself, but probably was the same bird. FOY Orchard Oriole - saw one silent male NE of Prairie Lake. FOY We searched hard for Bobolinks, but failed to find any. Same with Vesper Sparrow, but I'm not confident in my ability to recognize one by song alone. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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 During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Wild River SP this morning
The birds, especially warblers, were scarce at Wild River SP during our 5.5-hour hike this morning. We only tallied 10 species of warbler and 59 species total--our slimmest ever tallies for a May hike in this park. Warblers: Ovenbird - very numerous Common Yellowthroat - 4 Golden-winged Warbler - at least 10 Tennessee Warbler - 1 Pine Warbler - saw 1, probably heard several others Yellow Warbler - 6-7 Black-and-white Warbler - at least 15 Blue-winged Warbler - heard/saw 9-10 Nashville Warbler - 3 Northern Waterthrush - 1 No Redstarts, Yellow-rumps, Palms, Chestnut-sideds, Black-throated Greens, and others that we usually see there, often in good numbers. Others species of note: Scarlet Tanager - numerous Indigo Bunting - saw/heard 5-6, FOY Wood Thrush - numerous Veery - 2-3 Swainson's Thrush - 2 Common Snipe - heard 1 Grasshopper Sparrow - heard 3-4, FOY Eastern Towhee - heard several To date this spring we've not yet had a good warbler day. Our best day was on a relatively short walk along Rice Creek behind the Irondale School on 5/14/20. That day we encountered 3-4 rather small waves of warblers of 16 species that we could ID. Where are the warblers this spring--already passed through, still to the south, or not coming at all? Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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 During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Coon Rapids Dam - Probable Caspian Tern
This morning Maureen & I walked the east shore of the Mississippi River from the Hwy 610 Bridge to the north end of Cenaiko Lake, not going quite as far upstream as the dam itself. Other than the tern, the birding was rather slow. We were hoping for a good showing of warblers. We're wondering if anyone else thought they saw a Caspian Tern flying over, and diving into, Cenaiko Lake. We're not confident in our tern ID abilities and would love to hear concurring or conflicting reports. Caspian Tern, probable - large tern with large tern-like (not gull-like) bill; sharp-bordered black cap on white head; large red bill (didn't see a dark tip); tail appeared squarish, almost slightly rounded at times, but noted a slight notch on one turn; legs & feet black; upper part (except head) were white, but with slight grayish trend toward wing tips; underside was white, with gray toward wing tips, becoming almost black near tips; very adept at catching fish, caught 3 while we watched. We were viewing with 8x & 10x binoculars from the west side of the lake while the tern was mostly flying over the eastern half, so our viewing wasn't optimal. Common Loon - 1 on Cenaiko Lake Blue-headed Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Warbling Vireo Nashville Warbler - 2 Palm Warbler - 1 Yellow Warbler - quite a few American Redstart - 2 Black & White Warbler - heard 1 Golden-winged Warbler - heard 1 by 610 bridge Osprey - 4 in flight, and probably a 5th on the nest platform on the west side; possibly a chick in the nest, but we were viewing from across the river, too far to say for sure Bald Eagle - 1 left the nest area to chase off osprey that got too close Thanks for any feedback on the tern. Ron & Maureen Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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 During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Rice Creek Warblers, etc. - Ramsey County
This morning Maureen & I did our first-ever "warbler walk" along the section of Rice Creek east of Irondale High School, between Ramsey County H and Long Lake. It's a fairly small area with a maze of trails through forested stream corridor, upland hardwoods, marshes, and a few open areas. Apparently a wave of warblers had arrived overnight. It was a quite productive area, with very pleasant walking on the many unpaved side trails.We parked in the school lot on the north end, which wouldn't be possible if school was in session. Highlights: Rose-breasted Grosbeak - many Baltimore Oriole - many Least Flycatcher - fairly numerous Northern Rough-winged Swallow Yellow-throated vireo Warbling Vireo - ~5, FOY Swainson's Thrush Myrtle Warbler Palm Warbler Nashville Warbler Black-and-White Warbler Ovenbird Northern Waterthrush Blackburnian Warbler - 4-5, FOY Northern Parula - FOY Common Yellowthroat - FOY Orange-crowned Warbler American Redstart Golden-winged Warbler - FOY Blue-winged Warbler - FOY Blackpoll - FOY Yellow Warbler White-throated Sparrow - apparently a new gang dropped into the area last night (16 in our yard eating fresh grass seed!) Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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 During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
[mou-net] Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County
Highlights from this morning's walk along the east side of the Mississippi River, from Coon Rapids Dam downstream to the Hwy. 610 Bridge: Bald Eagles - 3 adults, including one on the creek nest feeding 2 eaglets (scope definitely needed) Common Loon - 1 on Cenaiko Lake Great Blue Herons - still nest-building, now with 13 visible nests; view is rapidly being obscured by swelling buds Brown Thrasher - heard 1 Meadowlark - a first for us in this park; in a small restored prairie patch by Cenaiko Lake Savannah Sparrow - 3-4 individuals; FOY Cliff Swallow - by Hwy. 610 Bridge; FOY Ron Refsnider 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] Birds at Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County
This morning we walked south from the dam to the flooded section of trail just upstream from the Hwy. 610 bridge. Waterfowl were almost absent (except geese & mallards), but there were a few other birds worth noting. Bald Eagle - 2 on the new nest across from Coon Creek; no activity at the nest just below the dam Osprey - 1 on the nest platform on the west side; as we drove to the dam we also saw 2 on the light tower nest in Al Flynn Park Great Blue Heron - 8 birds at the 4-nest rookery! 2 of the nests had pairs and we saw nest-building at both; 2 nests each had a single heron; 2 herons were not at nests Common Loon - 1 on Cenaiko Lake D-C Cormorants - ~10 perched on an island, others in flight, 1 on Cenaiko L. Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 5 Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1 Eastern Phoebe - saw 3 investigating nest sites under overhangs of 2 structures Tree Swallows - about a dozen feeding over the river Brown-headed Cowbirds - saw our first 2 females of the year, closely attended by 3 males Stay safe. ---Ron & Maureen Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Coon Rapids Dam FOYs; Anoka County
This morning Maureen & I walked along the east shore of the Mississippi River from the Dam downstream to Hwy. 610 and back. Waterfowl (other than C. Goose) were extremely scarce. Interesting observations: - Hooded Merganser - 2 males, 1 female in the boat launch lagoon - Wood Duck - heard 1 - Bald Eagle - 1 in the nest across from Coon Creek, another perched nearby; no activity at the older nest near the Dam - Osprey - 1 flying over East River Road & Egret Blvd. as we left; FOY - D-C Cormorant - ~10 perched & flying, just upstream from Hwy. 610 Bridge; FOY - Great Blue Heron - 1 landed in the remnant rookery (4 nests remaining), then flew downstream - Tree Swallow - several dozen, mostly just below the Dam, but also over Cenaiko Lake & a few upstream from Hwy. 610 - Junco - ~7 - American Tree Swallow - 2 - Fox Sparrow - 1; FOY And a beaver in Coon Creek, maybe 50 feet upstream from the footbridge. It's been very busy in that area. Take care, Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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] Yellow-Rumped Warbler - Coon Rapids Dam
A surprising find this morning on our walk upstream from the Dam on the Anoka County side ... Yellow-rumped Warbler - a solitary bright male, occasionally singing a weak, wispy song; by the ditch at the north end of the park Common Loon - 1, mid-river above the dam; vocalized once Hooded Mergansers - 3 in boat launch lagoon Common Merganser - 1 male, just downstream from dam in eastern channel We were hoping for Fox Sparrows or Hermit Thrushes, but haven't found any so far. Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka Cnty - Swans, herons, grebe...
Maureen & stayed on the upstream Anoka side of the dam this morning. Birds were sparse, except for swans, but we had some good finds that brought us some much-needed smiles: Bald Eagle - 1 adult, 2 imm., plus 3 in a small kettle Great Blue Heron - 2 flying upstream Sandhill Crane - heard 1 in flight Pied-billed Grebe - 1 Common Merganser - 1 in flight Tundra Swans - Wow! 11 flocks (2 heard only), including 4 on the order of 100 birds each Wood Ducks - 3 pair in mostly-frozen larger pond, plus a few others in flight Common Goldeneye - 2 drakes Scaup - 2 drakes Northern Shrike - 1, providing very close views and showing us a cached rodent; in field by smaller pond Keep birding. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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] Coon Rapids Dam this Morning
Still not much moving through. We walked on the east side upstream of the dam for a short distance, then downstream to Coon Creek. Red-headed Duck - 4 males, 1 female; upstream from dam Bufflehead - 2; upstream Common Goldeneye - a dozen or so; mostly upstream Scaup - a few mixed in with the goldeneyes upstream Common Merganser - 2 males, 1 female; downstream Mallard - scattered pairs Bald Eagle - 1 immature perched near still-frozen Cenaiko Lake; also saw probable movement in the nest across from mouth of Coon Creek Red-winged Blackbird - heard a single song by the lake American Robin - scattered individuals Dark-eyed Junco - a single flock of 4-5 Sandhill Crane - a flock of 5 flew over northbound as we were getting into our vehicle to leave. Silent Stay healthy, Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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] Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County Side
While walking along the Mississippi River on the Anoka County side, from the Dam to just downstream from Cenaiko Lake this morning: Common Merganser - 1 pair Hooded Merganser - 2 males, 1 female Common Goldeneye - 7, all drakes Bald Eagle - 2 adults, 1 immature, all soaring (yesterday 2 adults were on the new nest that is across from Coon Creek) Eastern Bluebird - heard Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Northern Shrike, Elm Creek Park Reserve, Hennepin County
This morning Maureen & I spotted a Northern Shrike in Elm Creek Park Reserve. It was moving from perch to perch about one-quarter mile NW of Goose Lake (which is just west of Zachary Lane/Goose Lake Road). Rough Coordinates: 45.160736 -93.428943. This is an area in which we've seen Northern Shrikes over many years from the paved bike trail. Today we were on the turf trail. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, MN Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Pine Warblers & Other FOYs at Wm O'Brien SP
This morning Maureen & I covered 7+ miles of Wm O'Brien's trails on the west side of Hwy. 95. For the most part there weren't a lot of birds, but we had some interesting finds. Just the best: Am. Bittern - FOY Sora - 2, heard only Horned Grebe - 1 on the pond inside the Prairie Overlook Trail loop, still showing some winter plumage Hooded Merganser - 1 male on same pond Wood Thrush - heard 2-3, visual confirmation on 1 of them; FOY Ovenbird - 2 heard only; FOY Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 heard; FOY Palm Warbler - ~6 Yellow-rumped Warbler - surprisingly few Pine Warbler - a pair foraging very close together on ground just S of Visitor Center; male was the extreme yellow, female the extreme dull plumage shown in "The Warbler Guide"; both landed ~10' away & were examined with 10x binoculars; FOY Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - numerous (we couldn't confirm any GCKI, though) Rose-breasted Grosbeak - 1 heard only; FOY House Wren - 1 heard only; would be FOY except we heard 1 at home earlier today Sedge Wren - heard 2-3; FOY Eastern Towhee - they seemed to be singing from everywhere Brown Thrasher - heard a few Swamp Sparrow - not that special, except we estimate that we SAW well over 75 of them, including a flock of 30+, and a flock of 20+. White-throated Sparrow - just a few seen & heard Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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] FOY Birds at Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County
Waterfowl were scarce this morning, but Maureen & I spotted several first-of-year birds. All our viewing was from the eastern shore and from the dam. Noteworthy: Pied-bill Grebes - 2 Hooded Mergansers - 9 Wood Duck - 3 Common Goldeneye ~6 Bald Eagle - pair perched on the island nest Red-tailed Hawk - 1 Great Blue Heron - 2 in flight; no nests visible in the former rookery Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1 Fox Sparrow - 1 Song Sparrow - numerous Eastern Phoebe - 1 Common Grackles - 4 When we returned home we were surprised to find 2 Fox Sparrows in our yard, along with 6 Pine Siskins. Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] First Day of Spring Yard Birds - Anoka County
2 male American Robins 1 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Common Redpoll 3 Pine Siskins ... an interesting mix of seasons. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Common Redpolls - Anoka County
We had 6 Common Redpolls feeding beneath our black oil sunflower feeders today. We've routinely had Pine Siskins (sometimes dozens) here through most of the winter, including today, but these are the first redpolls. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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] Two Rough-legged Hawks, Brooklyn Park, Hennepin County
We have been seeing a single Rough-legged Hawk in this area for several weeks, but this morning we saw two of them while driving east on Hwy. 610. They both were in the open area that comprises the SW quadrant of the Hwy. 610/Hwy. 169 interchange. Around noon we went back with a scope and camera to better view and document them. We got a positive ID via a brief scope view of one from along Decatur Drive (on the southwest side of the open area) but no photos. It then flew north across 610 and perched along the westbound ramp from southbound 169, and we subsequently got a brief, very close view from that ramp, but again got no photos. Unfortunately, there appears to be no legal parking location from which to get good views of these hawks, either on the north or south sides of Hwy. 610. ---Ron & Maureen Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Rough-legged Hawk - Hennepin County
At about 12:20 PM today we spotted a Rough-legged Hawk circling above Hwy. 610 just west of the Hwy. 169 interchange in Brooklyn Park. Ron & Maureen Refsnider Join or 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-Winged Warbler - Anoka County
Kyle Te Poel's posting about a small group of fall migrant warblers spurred me to post the adult female Golden-winged Warbler that we banded Sunday morning (8/5/18) at Springbrook Nature Center. Springbrook NC is in extreme southern Anoka County, on the north edge of Fridley, near the Mississippi River. The Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas shows confirmed and probable nesting by GWWA only as far south as central Sherburne County. This female had the remnants of a brood patch, so she likely nested somewhere north of here and was migrating through when she flew into one of our mist nets. We also banded an American Redstart, a Yellow Warbler, a Common Yellowthroat, and 2 "Traill's Flycatchers" (Willow or Alder). These all nest in the vicinity, so they aren't necessarily migrating at this time, although they could be doing just that. Ron Refsnider Join or 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 - Sherburne NWR
This morning on Sherburne's Blue Hill Trail Maureen & I spotted a male HOODED WARBLER. It was midway between the base of Blue Hill and the beginning of the spruce plantation. He was readily seen and quite vocal. Sometimes he did the full typical song, but often sang only the closing 3-4 notes. Other species of note, all on the Blue Hill Trail, except the final 2 species were on the Mahnomen Trail: Lark Sparrow Many Eastern Towhees Palm Warblers Yellow-rumped Warblers Yellow Warbler Black and White Warblers - 2 Common Yellowthroat Ovenbird Sora - heard Virginia Rail - heard Northern Harrier Hermit Thrush Swainson's Thrush Red-headed Woodpecker Slate-colored Junco - seems like a straggler Ron & Maureen Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Coon Rapids Dam Grebe Update, Thurs. Morning (Anoka County)
In the boat access lagoon on the Coon Rapids side of the dam: Western Grebe - 1 Red-necked Grebe - 1 Eared Grebe - 2 Horned Grebes - a dozen or so Ruddy Ducks - fewer than yesterday, but still several dozen Northern Shoveler - 1 male Blue-winged Teal - 1 male Oddly, we saw no Pied-billed Grebes at the dam or on our shoreline walk up to the north end of the park. Also of interest: another Red-necked Grebe in the river upstream Dozens of Horned Grebes farther upstream Common Loon - at least 6 Bonaparte's Gulls American White Pelicans Rough-winged Swallow - FOY for us Ron & Maureen Refsnider Join or 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 Red-Headed Woodpecker at Coon Rapids Dam
Sorry, big Oops! I intended to report a Red-bellied Woodpecker actively excavating a nest near Coon Rapids Dam yesterday, NOT a Red-headed Woodpecker. My apologies to all. Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Coon Rapids Dam Waterbirds Today - Anoka County
This morning there were fewerwaterbirds upstream from the dam than we've seen over the last week or two (esp. ringnecks & goldeneye), so they finally may be starting to trickle farther northward. Just the highlights below, all seen from the dam or from the Coon Rapids side of the river: Eared Grebe - 1 just downstream from the small spillway by the former turbine structure; thanks to Ron Taube; search where cameras are pointing! Ruddy Ducks - today there were ~23 close to the dam on the upstream side, near CR shore Common Loons - 6 Northern Shovelers - a pair upstream, near Brooklyn Park shore, two more pair ~ half-mile downstream Redhead - 1 male upstream, CR side Blue-winged Teal - 4 male, 1 female ~ half mile downstream Osprey - 2 on BP nest platform Red-headed Woodpecker - male excavating already-deep nest cavity Sandhill Crane - 1 low flyover, heading east Ron & Maureen Refsnider Coon Rapids Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] 3 Grebe Species at Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County
There were fewer waterbirds in the pool adjacent to the park today, but it looks like there were a lot more much farther upstream, unfortunately viewable only from private shoreline. Highlights, all viewed from Anoka County Park shoreline: Red-necked Grebe - reported earlier by Dave Elwood; 1 near the Brooklyn Park shore in the vicinity of the water tower; scope needed Horned Grebe - 1 first seen ~ half-mile upstream from dam, flew downstream Pied-billed Grebe - at least 15 Common Loon - at least 12 Ruddy Ducks - 2 males near the dam, 2 females upstream Gadwall - 3, ~ half-mile or more upstream D-C Cormorants - 75+; apparently they returned in large numbers overnight Tree Swallow - numerous, FOY for us Belted Kingfisher - another FOY Osprey - 1 seen a number of times, vocalizing; briefly saw a second Tundra Swan - a flock of 17 flying overhead Ron & Maureen Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Coon Rapids Dam Waterfowl this morning; Anoka County
There are still a lot of waterfowl upstream from the dam. Just the highlights: Ruddy Ducks - 2; above the dam, easily identifiable with binoculars from the Coon Rapids side; FOY for us Blue-winged Teal - 2 males flying low over the River about 1/2 mile downstream from dam; FOY N. Shovelers - at least 15 males visible above the dam near the Brooklyn Park shoreline Redheads - 3 pair above the dam, CR side; probably more in the larger rafts upstream C. Loons - 2; one just above the dam, the other in the boat access lagoon Pied-billed Grebes - at least 10, including a cute group of 6 tight together in the access lagoon Lots of Hooded Mergansers, a few Common Mergansers, scattered Wood Ducks & Bufflehead We did NOT see the Red-necked Grebes reported by Dave yesterday, nor the single male Red-breasted Merganser we saw there yesterday. Also missing in action was the Osprey that we saw there yesterday (FOY). The Bald Eagle pair is still nest-building, but we saw a crow apparently incubating. Ron & Maureen Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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] Northern Shrike - Hennepin County
At Elm Creek Park Reserve this afternoon Maureen & I spotted a Northern Shrike. It was just southwest of Goose Lake, perched near the bench at the low spot between Mud and Goose Lakes (along the edge of the area where trees were planted yesterday). Later I was lucky enough to see it feeding on a vole cached in the fork of a sumac. We've seen northern shrikes in this area almost every winter for at least the last decade. ---Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Northern Shrike & White-crowned Sparrows - Anoka County
This afternoon, during a walk through Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Anoka County, we spotted our first-of-season Northern Shrike. It was perched in a small tree along the west shore of Cenaiko Lake, near Pavilion 4. We also saw our FOS White-crowned Sparrows southwest of Cenaiko Lake. All 4 were hatch-year birds. Other birds of note: 2 adult Bald Eagles perched at the upstream end of the island below the dam 1 Pied-billed Grebe in Cenaiko Lake. Ron & Maureen Refsnider Coon Rapids, Anoka 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] 4 warblers, 5 sparrows, & Loon - Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka Cnty.
This morning Maureen & I walked the bike trail on the east side of the Mississippi River between Coon Rapids Dam and the Hwy. 610 Bridge, Anoka County. Birds of interest: Yellow-rumped warbler - numerous Palm warbler - 5 Orange-crowned warbler - 1 Northern waterthrush - 1, FOY for us Song sparrow Swamp sparrow - 1 Savannah sparrow - 2 SW of Cenaiko Lake; FOY White-throated sparrow - numerous Dark-eyed junco - 1 Common loon - 1 on Cenaiko Lake Barn swallow - 1 flying low over river with numerous tree swallows Ruby-crowned kinglet - 6+ Osprey - 2 on the nesting platform across the river at the dam. Bald eagle - 1 perched very upright on side of nest Belted kingfisher - 1 flew beneath the Coon Creek bridge No visible activity at any of the heron nests Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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] Common Loons in Cenaiko Lake, Anoka County
This morning Maureen and I walked along the east side of the Mississippi River downstream from Coon Rapids Dam. It's still early spring, but we did see the following notables: COMMON LOONS - 2 in Cenaiko Lake, doing synchronized head/bill dipping, diving, and calling. The calling resembled the "yodel", which I've read is only done by males. These 2 were otherwise behaving like a courting pair. First-Of-Year for us. OSPREY - 2 perched on the old nest platform on the Hennepin County side of the dam. Ron Taube & other reported their return on 4/2. We didn't notice them on 4/1. Another FOY WOOD DUCKS GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS - 2 TREE SWALLOWS - several dozen soaring over the river, both upstream and downstream from the dam FOX SPARROW - 1 SONG SPARROWS - seemed to be singing everywhere BELTED KINGFISHER NORTHERN CARDINAL - Maureen spotted a female carrying NEST MATERIAL to a partially completed nest. Maybe she'll beat the cowbird influx. Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Northern Shrike in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Hennepin County
This morning Maureen spotted a shrike while we were hiking in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Hennepin County. The bird was moving among the trees along the edge of the cattail marsh on the northeast side of Mud Lake. We watched it from the hiking/ski trail on the higher ground north of the marsh. Admittedly we weren't close enough to make a conclusive northern vs. loggerhead determination. But at this time of year can it be anything but a northern? Nearly every winter while skiing we see one or more northern shrikes repeatedly in this area or along the east side of Mud Lake, so this one might stick around for awhile. Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Coon Rapids Dam East Side - Towhee & Thrashers
First-of-Year sightings this morning in Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park (Anoka County), east side of the dam: - Eastern Towhee, calling, not singing, just north of the bike trail bridge over Coon Creek. Eventually he popped into sight, giving us a visual treat. - Brown Thrasher - 1 singing from the north side of Cenaiko Lake, finally appeared; another one quiet, seen foraging in the ski trail SW of the lake. Other than the numerous song sparrows, there was a striking absence of sparrows this morning. We've had a few white-throats at our home about 1.5 miles south of the dam, but we couldn't find any in the park. There were 10 d-c cormorants roosting in a snag in the river, the first flock we've noted this spring, although we have seen 1-2 individuals in the last week. A note on the heron rookery this spring: Up until today we'd seen only 10-12 herons on the rookery nests, and all were in the western portion of the rookery. Today we saw about 15 on the western nests and another 6 in the more central nests. For the first time this year we saw 1 pair involved in nest building. In contrast to the onset of warm weather, heron arrival and nest construction seem to be very late at this rookery. Compared to the 40-60 active nests in recent years, this rookery suddenly appears to be on a steep decline. Hopefully more herons will return within the next week, proving that my fears are ungrounded. We also could see the 3 ospreys on the two nests on the west side of the Dam. ---Ron Refsnider Join or 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-winged Warbler Clarification
I want to clarify an earlier post today regarding Golden-winged Warblers (GWWA) which contained a link to a brief, but very interesting, BBC piece on temporarynesting areaabandonment to avoid tornadic activity. Gordon Andersson mentioned an apparent 50% mortality [unrelated to the tornadoes] of the 20 study birds [carrying geolocators] in one year. This is not quite correct. The researchers resighted 10 of the 20 geolocator-bearing study birds a year after the attachment of geolocators and color bands. One bird already had dropped the geolocator somewhere, so if he is excluded from analysis, 9 of the 19 geolocator birds--47%--were resighted. This means the SURVIVAL RATE of that group was a MINIMUM of 47%, but could be as much as 100%, because there is no way to know what happened to the 10 birds that were not resighted. Geolocators are quite different from radio-transmitters or satellite-tracked devices that can be remotely relocated by signal receivers. Geolocators do not transmit radio signals, so birds carrying them must be resighted to determine if they survived. (The birds must be recaptured to download the geolocator's data.) If a geolocator-carrying bird isn't seen in the area being searched it isn't correct to assume that it died. It may simply be nesting a few miles away, but beyond the perimeter of the study area. With geolocators one can't simply hop in a plane and fly over a large area and listen for the appropriate ping on a receiver to refind more study birds. What the study actually showed was a 47% RETURN RATE of the geolocator-carrying birds to their previous nesting area, rather thana one-year survival rate. All things considered, being able to resight 47% of the study population a year later is pretty darn impressive. Importantly, as this was a pilot study to assess the feasibility of using newer, lighter-weight, geolocators on GWWAs, there also was a control group. Of those GWWAs that were color-banded only (no geolocators), 42% were resighted a year later. Though it's probably not a statistically significant difference, the geolocator birds actually showed a slightly higher return rate than the control birds. A return rate around 50% is quite normal for small passerine species. Finally, I want to thank Gordon, and urge him to continue his ongoing valuable service of using MOU-net to post links to interesting avian publications. There are a lot of important research findings being published every week, and Gordon does a better job than most of us keeping up with them. We all benefit from his efforts, and he probably doesn't often get thanked for doing it. Disclaimer: I am related to the lead author of this study. And I'm probably being overly nit-picky here. But I'm fascinated with the knowledge that might come from increased use of lightweight tracking devices like these. It's important to understandthat they're now so light as to be safely worn by some of our smallest birds during round-trip migrations. ---Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Pool 8 Swan info - summary of replies
In addition to Sarah Holger's reply that was posted on MOU-net, a number of replies came to me privately. My thanks to everyone who responded. In brief, they said: - from Friday 11/21: 600-700 swans way out in the channel. No sounds ... to speak of. [see my note below.] ... eagles (probably 120 along the length of Pool 8) were the more entertaining avian feature - At Weaver Bottoms on 11/12 11/13: a few hundred swans, but their shallow feeding areas were completely frozen. Thousands of divers in deeper water. - Although I'm not sure which species of swan was being referred to, another reply said: a number of swans easily viewable from shore at the Prescott bridge. - Report from Saturday 11/22: At the Brownsville overlook there were 40-60 bald eagles perched in the trees, on the ice, and flying overhead; not too many swans seen, but the eagles were incredible and made up for the low swan numbers - Another report from 11/22: 4 swans seen near Wabasha; a flock of about 100 swans just up river from the Brownsville overlook; was told at the visitor center that there were swans at Brownsville 2 weeks ago; the Miss. R. is frozen in many places all the way down to Brownsville. In short, all reports indicate the tundra swans have mostly moved on, probably due to the developing ice in their shallower water feeding areas. My personal thoughts: If you've never been there, seriously consider adding Pool 8 to your November birding list. If one visits Pool 8 on a great November day, you are rewarded by seeing in excess of 10,000 tundra swans, sometimes over 30,000. Many of them are in dense groups very near shore, so the Brownsville Overlook provides a phenomenal visual and audio experience. Actually, the sound they produce is probably the most impressive thing. Usually there are a lot of various dabbling ducks close by, so you can spend a lot of productive time studying them. Farther out there will be thousands of diving ducks and mergansers, so a scope is very useful for them. And then there are the bald eagles; you can see scores, sometimes hundreds, along the length of Pool 8, but many will be perched on the shoreline, on the edge of the ice, or on nearby trees. They are very entertaining, too. But with all this being said, it's also easy to miss the great November days on Pool 8. I believe it was Fred Lesher who, in past years, posted a lot of timely and very useful autumn waterfowl information from this part of the Mississippi River. Without Fred's fine reports, and with the FWS aerial survey data being posted so belatedly, it's all too easy to miss the peak swan numbers, like we did this year. I, for one, would certainly appreciate seeing additional and more timely swan migration reports in 2015. Good birding to all. Ron Refsnider Join or 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 - Swans on Pool 8
This fall I haven't noticed any MOU-net or MNbird reports on tundra swan numbers on Pool 8. With the USFWS web site only belatedly showing the numbers from the weekly aerial surveys (e.g., the 11/5 flight results didn't show on the web page until 11/12 and there's nothing since then) I can't find any more recent info than the ~3100 swans on Pool 8 on 11/5. Can anyone share info on recent swan numbers for Pool 8? Perhaps with the unusually cold weather they moved out earlier than in most years. ---Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Clarification - Pool 8 location
Sorry, obviously my RFI was directed at those folks who know what Pool 8 means. But I should have been more descriptive for other birders who might be interested in the replies, if only they knew where Pool 8 is located. My apologies So... Pool 8 is part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and extends upstream from Lock and Dam 8 on the Mississippi River. It runs past the MN-IA border, extending upstream from Genoa, WI, past Brownsville, MN, and ends at Lock and Dam 7, which is just upstream from La Crosse/La Crescent. The best swan viewing (in most years) is from the Brownsville Overlook and the Hwy. 26 Overlook, both on the MN side. Maps for Pool 8 (and other pools) are at: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_Mississippi_River/map.html Upper Miss Refuge waterfowl survey reports are at: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_Mississippi_River/Fall_Flights.html On the waterfowl survey reports: the Pool 8 Wisconsin Islands Closed Area surrounds the two overlooks mentioned above, so that column shows the most relevant numbers. The Goose Island Closed Area is on the Wisconsin side, and also is worth checking out. But it appears the ice has moved into Pool 8 and the swans have moved out. However, lots of bald eagles are reported in the area. Thanks to all who sent me personal replies with info. This evening I'll summarize what I received and post on MOU-net and MNbird (if working) for all who might be interested. ---Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Pine Siskin in Coon Rapids, Anoka County
We spotted our first-of-season Pine Siskin yesterday, feeding on black oil sunflower seeds beneath our backyard feeders. It was only here briefly. I thought I glimpsed a PISI on Monday, but it disappeared before I could confirm it. We also have several Fox Sparrows and one White-throated Sparrow appearing daily. Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Belated report of Townsend's Solitaire in Southeastern Elk River, Sherburne/Anoka County
Via Springbrook Nature Center, I received a second-hand report of a Townsend's Solitaire sighted by Kelly Brannick on October 31 in the southeastern corner of Elk River. The identification was backed up by a good-enough (close-up or zoom lens?) photo of the bird taken through an office window. The sighting was at 15970 Jarvis St., NW, Elk River, just north of Hwy. 10. This is right on the Sherburne-Anoka County line. The sighting was only about 200 yards west of the edge of The Links at Northfork Golf Course, perhaps where the bird is finding acceptable habitat. The Solitaire was last seen flying east toward the golf course, and it hasn't been resighted by Mr. Brannick since the 31st. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Rough-legged Hawk Shrike at Elm Creek Park, Hennepin Cnty.
At about 11:20 this morning Maureen and I spotted our first northern shrike and first rough-legged hawk of the season in the southern end of Elm Creek Park Reserve, near Osseo. The shrike was perched high in a dead tree just across the paved trail that is immediately north of the parking lot at the Bottineau House. The rough-leg was perched in, then soared over, the marsh about 1/4 mile WNW of that parking lot; we had an excellent view of it from the boardwalk over Elm Creek. We frequently see a shrike perched in this same tree throughout the winter as we ski right by it. The only other birds of note were a few rusty blackbirds that were mixed in with a large group of robins. Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Rough-legged Hawk - Hennepin County
At 11:15 this morning Maureen I spotted an unmistakable Rough-legged Hawk in Brooklyn Park. It was hovering low over the NW quadrant of the Hwy 610 and Hwy 169 interchange. It was just east of the large ridge of soil in the open area. At that same spot we briefly saw a flock of several hundred small birds flying in tight formation. We're speculating that they might have been snow buntings, but we didn't get anything close to a definitive view of them. There is no good place to park there, but there is a possibility of seeing the hawk and the flock from 101st Avenue, which borders this open area on the north. Note: you can't make a left turn onto 101st if you are driving north on 169. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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] Aitkin County Great Gray Owl
Thanks to previous posts, at noon today we were able to refind the great gray owl on Hwy. 18 in Aitkin County. It was perched in a tree right along the roadside ditch 2.8 miles east of Hwy. 169. Previous posts had noted it at 2.9 and 4.6 miles east of 169. Our thanks to the folks who continue to post the locations of wintering owls. The great gray owl was a lifer for two members of our group, so the previous posts were greatly appreciated. Near that location on 18 we also observed 12-15 white-winged crossbills (a lifer for one of us) and several common redpolls. On the way back to the Cities we make a quick stop at Cedar Creek to check on the red-headed woodpeckers reported by Steve Weston. We easily spotted 6-8 individuals from the public hiking trail from the parking lot at the north end of Durant. This, too, was a lifer for one of our group. A very good day of birding, due to the kindness of previous posters. Thanks again. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Brownsville Waterfowl Today
Based on the replies I received to my recent requests for Brownsville swan information, we decided to make a trip down there today (Saturday). We were somewhat disappointed, because we saw far fewer tundra swans than in some recent years, but happy that we got to see and hear well over 1000 of them from the first (new) overlook south of Brownsville. Unfortunately, the backwaters are freezing up, so no swans, and few other waterfowl, were close to the overlook. Most swans were several hundred yards away, as were most of the ducks, so a scope is almost a necessity for duck ID. Other waterfowl of interest that we could identify from the overlook(s): ring-necked ducks scaup common goldeneye - dozens pintails - several dozen, but none close to the overlook buffleheads - a few, all far out, but some identifiable with binoculars hooded mergansers - dozens, some fairly close Am. wigeon - 6-8, mostly at the second (old) overlook, farther south black duck - 1 We didn't see any redheads, canvassbacks, shovelers, or ruddies. Saw a couple possible gadwalls, but at too great a distance. And no pelicans. We saw lots of bald eagles, mostly subadults. We made no attempt to count them, but they seemed to be on every island and bar, often in groups. We probably saw well over 100 between the new overlook and the lower end of Pool 8. ---Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Swans at Brownsville?
We're thinking about a swan-viewing trip to Brownsville sometime in the next 4 days, so I'm looking for an update on swan numbers there. I haven't seen anything posted on MnBird or MOU-net recently, and the FWS hasn't yet posted the results of this week's aerial surveys (http://www.fws.gov/midwest/UpperMississippiRiver/UMRWF10.html). Can anyone provide any insight on current swan numbers near Brownsville, and if they are likely to stick around despite the strong cold front that is passing through MN today? Thanks and Good Birding. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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] N Shrike and GC Kinglets at Elm Creek Park, Hennepin Cnty.
This morning Maureen and I hiked on the part of Elm Creek Park Reserve's Lake Trail that is east and northeast of Mud Lake. Maureen spotted our first NORTHERN SHRIKE of the season perched a short distance north of the wooden footbridge that is just north of the swimming area. Later I noticed 2 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS along the small stream immediately west of the swimming area. Between these locations Maureen also spied a roosting GREAT HORNED OWL who didn't seem to mind us walking within 25 feet of its perch. This northern shrike was exactly where we have seen an overwintering shrike almost annually for over a decade. Over the last two winters we've seen it several times a week as we ski through this area. It's generally perched somewhere between the wooden foot bridge and the Lake Trail hill (Baldy) at the NE end of Mud Lake. Ron Refsnider Coon Rapids, 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] Nashville Warbler Ramsey Co.
A few years ago I might have agreed that these must be early fall migrants. However, on 7/10/10 we captured and banded an adult female Nashville warbler at Eastman Nature Center, Osseo, Hennepin County. She had a large and vascularized incubation patch, and very likely was incubating eggs that morning--a new county breeding record. Two years ago (7/20/08) we banded another adult female Nashville with a large brood patch at Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley, Anoka County. Apparently a small number of Nashville warblers do nest in the Metro area, south of their generally recognized breeding range. Over the years I've banded 6 other July Nashvilles at Springbrook NC and they may have been migrants. They were a mix of young, independent birds and adults who lacked fresh incubation patches or cloacal protuberances, so they provided no solid evidence of local nesting. Ron Refsnider Anoka County On 7/12/2010 1:19 PM, Clay Christensen wrote: Spotted a First-of-Fall Nashville warbler here in Lauderdale, W edge of Ramsy Co., this morning. So, summer is over, then? 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] Bird Banding at Urban Birding Festival - 7 AM to Noon
The posted schedule for the Urban Birding Festival indicates that the 5/15 activities at Springbrook Nature Center run from 9:00 to 3:00. However, the Bird Banding Program will run continuously from 7:00 until about noon, depending upon the number of birds captured. We plan to conduct the banding program in the picnic shelter that is just north of the nature center building. If you want to help set up the nets and traps, come at 6:30. Check it out if you want to see migrating warblers up close, help release banded birds, listen to bird heartbeats, and learn more about birds and bird banding. ---Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Warbling Vireo Nestlings Photo in BBA Gallery
Seeing that Larry Sirvio has publicized my warbling vireo (WAVI) nestlings photo, I think I should explain how it came about. To be honest, if I came across such a close-up photo of nestlings, I'd certainly have some negative thoughts about the ethics of the photographer. For this reason, I was hesitant to post the nestling photo; but because I thought it might be useful to some folks, I posted it along with the nest photo. I'm a birder, not a photographer, but I always carry my camera (just a fancy point shoot model) when my wife, Maureen, and I are working in our Breeding Bird Atlas block. I have some other more distant shots of nests and fledglings, but nothing worth posting. Two days prior to taking the photos we were walking a trail in our BBA block and a male WAVI landed near us with an insect in its bill. It promptly sang (ensuring a positive ID), then flew off carrying the insect. We followed, and within probably less than 15 minutes we witnessed 4 food-carrying flights. By the fourth flight we were in a position to see the food being delivered to at least 2 large nestlings. The nest was about 7 feet off the ground at the end of a burr oak branch. We added it to our field notes as NY (nest with young seen or heard), and we moved on to try our luck with the yellow-throated vireo (YTVI) that was singing a bit farther down the trail. At no time did we get within 30 feet of the WAVI nest. Having failed to see any food-carrying by the YTVI on our first attempt, we returned two days later to try again, and the trail took us past the WAVI nest. We watched it for a bit, but we saw no feeding activity and heard no adult vocalizations. This was quite the opposite of what we had observed on our previous visit, so we concluded the young had fledged and the adults had moved off with them. We never had seen a WAVI nest before, so we went over to take a close look. I took a photo from below (also posted in the BBA gallery), and we admired the intricate woven construction. I reached up and pulled the branch down to our eye level to examine and photograph the nest interior. We were shocked to find the nest was still filled with nestlings. The chicks didn't move at all. Since the damage was already done I quickly snapped two photos and gently released the branch to its normal height. Then we continued walking past the nest in a large loop to avoid dead-ending our path under the nest. As we left the area there still was no sign of the parents. However, when we passed by quite a bit later we did get a scolding from an adult. I'm convinced that our encounter didn't lead to premature fledging, nor make the nestlings more vulnerable to ground predators. If avian or climbing predators happened to be watching us, they might have investigated after we departed. But we were only at the nest for about a minute or two at most (3 quick photos), so that isn't too likely. I don't think our unintentional encounter with the nestlings had any significant negative impact on their welfare. So that's the story. Ron Refsnider Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou] Birder's shorthand: Question
To find a complete list of the correct 4-character alpha codes for bird species' names, go to the Bird Banding Lab's web site. This site has links to the list sorted by alpha code and sorted by common name. It also has a link to the list sorted by species number (AOU number), but this is of use mainly to bird banders. Here is the URL: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/manual/bandsize.htm In response to Emily's question on what codes are used if two species would have the same alpha code if the first 2 letters of each name are used (like barn swallow and bank swallow both being BASW if the rule is used) I recall from my early days of bird banding (but I can't now find it on the BBL web site) that the rules state that if two species would otherwise have the same alpha code, then NEITHER species is given the expected code and instead a unique code is devised for each. Thus, barn swallow is BARS and bank swallow is BANS (not BASW, as Emily wrote); cedar waxwing is CEDW and cerulean warbler is CERW. Another useful rule applies to a three-word species name: use the first letter of the first 2 words, and the first 2 letters of the third word. Thus, American tree sparrow is ATSP. If I can locate a link to the complete set of rules for devising these alpha codes I will post it. ---Ron Refsnider Emily Hutchins wrote: I have used the shorthand abbreviations for bird names for a number of years but was wondering if there's a formal list somewhere of all US birds. I have had a number of questions on this system: For instance, what are the rules when the first 2 letters of a 2-word name are the same for 2 different birds, such as in bank swallow and barn swallow? Barn swallow supposedly is BARS and bank swallow is BASW. Just looking for some guidelines or a list in writing on the naming system. Thanks! Emily Hutchins Private Lands Specialist MN Department of Natural Resources Area Wildlife Office 8485 Rose St. Owatonna, MN 55060 Phone: (507) 455-5841 Fax: (507) 446-2326 emily.hutchins at dnr.state.mn.us --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. Mailing list membership available on-line at http://moumn.org/subscribe.html. - To unsubscribe send a blank email to mou-net-request at moumn.org with a subject of unsubscribe.
[mou] Bird Banding Lab Species Codes
At the risk of further beating a dead horse, here are the rules used by the U.S. Geological Survey's Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) for constructing 4-character species codes (alpha codes) from the common names of North American birds. After unsuccessfully searching the BBL web site, I obtained this material from http://infohost.nmt.edu/~shipman/z/nom/bblrules.html. Perhaps more than you wanted to know, but a few folks had expressed interest in the rules. ---Ron Refsnider == *The BBL code system: Rules for forming the codes* The US FWS Bird Banding Lab codes were introduced in: Klimkiewicz, Kathleen, and Chandler S. Robbins. Standard abbreviations for common names of birds. North American Bird Bander 1978, 3:16-25. Codes are formed using these rules: 1. If the name consists of only one word, the code is taken from the initial letters, up to four: DUNL Dunlin DOVE Dovekie OUOu GADW Gadwall 2. If there are two words in the name, the code is made from the first two letters of each word: AMWI American Wigeon EAME Eastern Meadowlark 3. For three-word names where only the last two words are hyphenated, the code uses two letters from the first word and one each from the last two: EASO Eastern Screech-Owl WEWP Western Wood-Pewee 4. For other names with three words, the code takes one letter each from the first two words and two from the last word: RTHA Red-tailed Hawk WWCR White-winged Crossbill WPWI Whip-poor-will 5. For four-word names, the code takes one letter from each word: BCNH Black-crowned Night-Heron ASTK American Swallow-tailed Kite NSWO Northern Saw-whet Owl A /collision/ is a situation where two or more names would abbreviate to the same code using these rules. The Bird Banding Lab decides what code to use in these cases. If one name is far more common than the other name or names involved, typically the common species gets to use the name. In most cases (e.g., Lark Bunting and Lazuli Bunting) when both birds are common, the collision code is not used, and unambiguous substitutes are provided for both forms.
[mou] Sandhill crane ruddy ducks - Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County
During a quick after-lunch visit to the Coon Rapids Dam today Maureen I saw our first SANDHILL CRANE of the year, a single bird wheeling overhead and giving its rattling call. We also saw 4 RUDDY DUCKS on the upstream side. Other species: lots of COMMON MERGANSERS numerous COMMON GOLDENEYES MALLARDS 2 COOTS (below Dam, west shore) 1 immature BALD EAGLE on ice shelf above dam We were hoping for more variety. ---Ron Refsnider
[mou] Tree swallow, red-shouldered hawk, killdeer - Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County side
Maureen and I did an early afternoon walk on, and downstream from, the Coon Rapids Dam on the Anoka County side. On/over the Mississippi River: numerous COMMON MERGANSERS a pair of HOODED MERGANSERS GOLDENEYE 3 SCAUP pair of mature and 2 immature BALD EAGLES 1 TREE SWALLOW - early I know, but got very good looks, including several dorsal views as it flew low over the water 2 KILLDEER As we left the park, we got an excellent view of a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK near the entrance booth. Ron Refsnider
[mou] Peregrine falcon at Coon Rapids Dam, Anoka County
From about 10 to 10:30 am this morning, while kayaking below the Coon Rapids Dam on the Mississippi River, I observed an adult peregrine falcon immediately downsteam from the Dam. It first made several low flights over the cobble bars scattering the gulls, waterfowl, and herons/egrets, then alighted in a cottonwood tree on the west shore of Dunn Island to preen. With 8X binocs my views were adequate to confirm the wide black moustache and the horizontal belly striping. The upper breast appeared clear white. I shot some rather poor photos. I did not see any leg bands, but using binocs in a kayak, even when grounded, results in far-from-ideal viewing conditions, so I easily might have missed them. Other raptors seen during my 3-hours on the River: immature bald eagle, Cooper's hawk chasing a red-tailed hawk, and an osprey with dislocated primaries on the left wing (probably the male that has nested at the dam for several years). ---Ron Refsnider
