Re: [mou-net] Rusty Blackbird
I imagine the Rusty Blackbird in the Showcase hasn¹t quite worn off a few of its rusty fringe feathers-I¹ve seen Red-wings also with rusty tips. Other birds (English Sparrows for instance) achieve their black bibs as the white fringes abrade exposing them. Others will know more than I but that would be my guess. 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] Merlin
Saw a Merlin zip by along Prospect Blvd. in West St. Paul today. Usually I see a few of these through the winter months, but this is the first one I¹ve seen since last fall. Otherwise, this seems like a rather poor excuse for a migration. Very few birds, very few species. 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] Behavior around roosting owls
I'm so tired of this. It happens again and again and every time we're told it's just a rogue individual and we should all keep posting all our sightings. Obviously its a really big problem. Birders say they love birds but really they just love seeing them. They love them like a philanderer loves women. Kurt On 2/27/12 9:11 PM, Andy Forbes andrew_for...@fws.gov wrote: Today I was fortunate to get to see the roosting N. Saw-whet Owl at the Dodge Nature Center. What is unfortunate is that I could tell where it was long before I could even see the trees that it was in. There was a large group of people talking loudly, less than 10ft. from the owl. What is worse is that some of these people were moving branches and even shaking the tree to get shots of the bird with its' eyes open. I appreciate that owls are beautiful birds and it is hard not to get excited about them. Keep in mind though that this bird is trying to SLEEP. Let's hope that the owl doesn't leave this roost tree because of this harassment. Not only would that be bad for others that would like to see it that haven't, but it may move to less suitable location and end up being dinner for a Great Horned Owl or something else. I beg future visitors to PLEASE use restraint around this - and other - roosting birds! Keep a respectful distance, keep noise to a minimum, use common sense. This type of harassment is not only unethical, it is also illegal. Andrew Forbes, Burnsville, Dakota cty. 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] Bluebirds
Observed a pair of bluebirds at Fort Snelling State Park at the roadside before one reaches the parking lots and visitor center/gift shop at the road terminus. I notice there are some nest boxes a little further from the road so presumably these birds are claiming territory. Kurt 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] Owls and Creepers and Zombies (oh my)
My friend Dave called me at 9:00 pm on Tuesday and demanded we look for the winter carnival medallion. Said he knew where it was. Didn¹t find it although I believe we walked past it a few times. While waiting for the final clue in Tony Schmidt park, we heard a Barred Owl calling though. Highlight of the night. A previous post made mention of Creepers. These seem to be very numerous as of late. I find them reliably at the MN Valley NWR just east of the headquarters if anyone is interested. Finally, I¹ve been immersed in TPT¹s Capture Minnesota and can¹t help but notice that birds are very popular. This being the case, it seems odd that the MOU is isn¹t more popular and financially sound. In my coffee-fueled delirium while searching for the medallion it occurred to me that we need an advertising campaign. I suppose a Super Bowl spot is out but what about an MTC bus? I envision a procession of Zombies, carrying limbs and looking un-kept as Zombies do. But the last Zombie is tilting his head as if listening to something. He clutches a pair of binoculars. The tag line says Birding...a hobby to last a lifetime..or maybe a little longer. Then the MOU web site is listed. Everyone gets the MN volunteer; why not the LOON? 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] Late Dickcissel
Late Dickcissel at Ramsey Industrial Park this morning. Also flocks of Snow Buntings swirling about the ponds. Kurt 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] Correction
Sorry. I meant ³Randolph² Industrial Park. Kurt 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] My last reply.
I guess this is one of those things that each individual will have to wrestle with. One of the problems I see with habituating owls is that they than become vulnerable. I'm sure everyone has seen road signs riddled with buckshot- the result of boredom and a gun I imagine. So imagine now a curious owl looking for a handout. Just in the past year, we've had birders going off-road for a better look at Rough-legged Hawks, birders assembling virtually on top of the location thought to harbor nesting Blue Grosbeak(in spite of having large telephoto lenses) and, most recently, the Whooping Crane incident. In each case the original poster gave indications that thy wished they hadn't. Each individual will do as they please. Most things can probably be reported without undue harm. I would, however, be reluctant to post the location of a nesting bird and no power on earth could get me to disclose the location of say, a Black Rail should I find one. I'd have visions of an army of birders with tape recorders marching through the wetland until finally it was relocated .. on the bottom of a boot. Finally, there seems to be the notion(in some posts) that anyone finding a bird is obligated to share that information and that, if they don't, it is prima facie evidence of competitive selfishness. There are other reasons not to do so, and those reasons should be respected as well. Kurt On 11/3/11 11:01 PM, Fr. Paul Kammen fr.p...@delanocatholic.com wrote: I can see that Mike has some valid concerns about protecting owls, but I just respectfully disagree. Yes, there are some people who violate the rules, just as this weekend people will violate private property to get a deer. I have a fondness for birds, but also really enjoy photography. I've invested in equipment, have a web page, and am trying to take my hobby to the next level. As a birder, I have 9 feeders, and regularly go out to find all sorts of birds, using this list as a key informational tool to visit different spots. Thanks to MOU, I've found many great places to bird and go. Raptors are my favorite birds, and I love owls. I've only seen a hawk owl, saw whet owl and great horned owl - I'd like to see more of these birds. I realize people earn money as guides, and I hired one twice last year at Sax-Zim, but these are also public roads open for all to enjoy. I'm not sure the traffic on MOU but I'm guessing this list isn't as busy as the Drudge Report. I realize that baiting a bird is a debatable topic, but my opinion on that is if it is such a bad thing, or harmful to an owl, wouldn't the DNR make a law or regulation that says you can't do this? That's a separate post. I don't bring bait with me, just my camera gear. I can't buy mice at the wild bird store, but I love hawks, and one could say having a group of birds around my feeder is in a sense baiting the red tail to have a chickadee for lunch. I live in the Twin Cities, and last spring a poster let me know about a great horned owl in a tree. I didn't get good photos, but would like to try again. He was very specific, and I set up my tripod and camera below the tree, and there was no issue. Frankly as I said, I'd find it quite frustrating if someone posted about an owl or any bird but didn't want to give out any information on it's location - even if unintended I'd almost take it as a gloat. I see this list as a place to share information, and think the best route is to ask people to use etiquette. Quite a lot of posts on this one and good discussion. Thanks, Fr. Paul Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html 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] WSJ Editorial
Interesting editorial in today¹s Wall Street Journal regarding differences in the treatment of bird mortality incidental to the Oil and Gas industry as opposed to the Wind Energy industry. KURT 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] Random thoughts regarding the showcase section of MOU.
I surmise that the individual who posted multiple images on the showcase was simply very excited to get these images and missed the fine print so to speak. I hope that he will continue to submit photos. The more people we have that are excited about birds and the MOU the better for all of us. Kurt On 9/12/11 12:50 PM, sc...@aol.com sc...@aol.com wrote: Hello all, As a frequent contributor to the showcase section of MOU, I wanted to share a few thoughts regarding recent activity/inactivity in that part of the MOU website. 1: I don't believe the rules/guidelines for that section have changed. A contribution of 1 image every 24 hour time period is the limit that the MOU has set. So, for example, to post six images in one day exceeds that limit... 2: Any birders that are seduced into wandering into Wisconsin and happen to get some wonderful images of say a jaeger speciesdon't lament! MOU has got you covered. All you have to do is go the homepage of MOU, open galleries, scroll down and open photo gallery world, then post your sweet images of those elusive species in the Wisconsin section. Then you can direct folks to go look there. The two cool things about doing that are people get to see those images, and possible increased participation in that section of MOUsweet!! 3: I encourage everyone to post images in the showcase section of MOU, regardless of wether or not someone else has recently posted the same species. For example, buff breasted sandpipers, can a person ever look at enough images of this species??!!! I say no. Fill the showcase section of MOU with images of buff breasted sandpipers. The world will be a better place for it! Regards, Shawn Zierman. 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] Sherburne
Stopped by Sherburne refuge on the way back from a family gathering.( The light is horrible in the late afternoon on the auto route. Best go in the morning. ) That said, I did find two Gallinules paddling about at the water control turnout (mile 2.5?). Later drove to the sight reported by Betsy Beneke with the Red-headed Woodpeckers. I saw one immediately after turning in to the drive. I was able to watch it hawk insects and did not drive further so as not to disturb the birds. I was happy to see one. Time was when you would see more dead along the roadside in a single day than you can find in a decade now. Probably not a good sign. Kurt 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] 180th St.
A drive along 180th St. in Dakota County turned up a pair of Lark Sparrows, Gray Partridge (a single bird in the road) and ³the² Loggerhead Shrike. As I watched the latter fly from its perch on a power line, over cropland, to land on an irrigation rig, I am left to wonder : If this represents suitable habitat for Shrikes, why are there so few? Kurt 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
A few Hooded Warblers this morning at Murphy Hanrehan along trail 15. Calling only intermittently. Kurt 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] Connecticut Warbler
Saw (and heard) a Connecticut Warbler this morning at the Old Cedar Ave. Bridge in Hennepin Cty. It was in the shrubbery about 50 yards from the bridge and near the water. (Left side of the bridge as you approach it). Kurt Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Red-tailed Hawk
Saw the Red-tailed Hawk on its nest at the SW corner of W. Isabel and Winslow in St. Paul (in the White Pine). This is at least the third year it has nested here. Kurt 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] Cardinal
Found a cardinal on a nest with two eggs today in St. Paul. Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Question
My wife and daughter want to go to San Diego over spring break (mid March). I have no particular interest in San Diego but might be persuaded if there are birds to be seen. Anybody know that area? Thanks. Kurt 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] Merlin
Another day another Merlin. Possibly the same bird I saw a week or so ago. Today it took a sparrow from among the many that frequent the feed thrown out for them at the office building on the Northwest corner of Plato and Wabasha in St. Paul. Kurt 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] Unusual locations
Yard: Red-Headed Woodpecker in my yard in St. Paul 2 years ago. The first one I've seen in about 10 years and the last place I'd expect one. Cerulean Warblers in the backyard of my father's cabin in Stearns County growing up. They returned each summer for years. Parking lot: Peregrines every once in a while in St. Paul. Work: White-winged Crossbill. Hotel: I got nothing. Other: I once had a covey of Bob-white quail run through my legs-this at Jamaica Bay in New York. On 1/24/11 11:06 AM, Pastor Al Schirmacher pasto...@princetonfreechurch.net wrote: Saw an interesting question on Facebook this morning: what is your favorite parking lot bird? Got me thinking about unusual locations: * Parking lot: Gray-crowned Rosy Finches in Cloquet, MN parking lot * Yard: tie between Cattle Egret and Prairie Falcon, north of Princeton, MN * Work: Lark Sparrow * Restaurant: tie between BB Magpie Golden Eagle * Hotel: Black-throated Magpie-Jay (business trip in Mexico many years ago, probably not unusual for residents). How about you? Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs Sherburne Counties pasto...@princetonfreechurch.net 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] Merlin
Saw a Merlin (a very vocal Merlin) in St. Paul at the corner of west Congress and Stryker this afternoon. Kurt 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] Showcase gulls
I appreciate the winter gull photos that have appeared in the MOU showcase, in particular the accompanying tutorials which explain why it is considered what it is. I don¹t get a chance to view many gulls and find these to be helpful. I once bought a book on gull identification. I made it to page 10 before I couldn¹t take any more. ( Turns out it was just the thing for that pesky couch leg though). Anyway, thanks to those posting these images and texts. Kurt 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] Longspur mea culpa
I apologize for inadequacies regarding my previous post. The longspurs were seen at the MSP international airport. They were at the north end of the airport where 28th ave S ends in a T foraging along the roadside to the west of the T. They were seen early in the morning of the 1st. Apparently they are somewhat unusual in Hennepin County. I was unaware of this. In any event, I am sorry for the lack of specifics in the original post and will endeavor not to make the same mistake in the future. I hope that they can be relocated by those interested in seeing them. Kurt 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] Longspurs
Flock of about 15 Lapland Longspurs at the north end of the airport. Nothing else of note. Conditions less than ideal with gusty winds and poor visibility. Kurt 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] Grackles
My brother reported a number of grackles at his feeders this winter in Avon also. This fall while driving north on I94 early one morning I witnessed a flight of blackbirds of some ilk crossing in front of me. They flew probably 30 abreast in a ribbon that snaked as far as the eye could see. I¹ve never seen anything like it. I thought of the descriptions by Audubon of Passenger Pigeons. It was amazing. Kurt 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] Flicker
I saw a Northern Flicker feeding on hackberries today. Haven¹t seen that before. Kurt 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] You say potato
After looking at the many jaeger photos being posted, it seems to me that one person¹s pomarine is another person¹s parasitic. What am I missing? Has Mr. Eckert had a ³second look²? The photos are wonderful in any event. Thanks, Kurt 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] Rant
I am a conservative, my wife is a liberal. Her friends always ask ³How does that work?² Usually it does. She doesn¹t let me listen to Rush Limbaugh, I don¹t let her listen to Garrison Keillor. The thing that really strains a marriage are cats. She is pro cat(and so we have three). I hate them!!! Every day (and I mean every day) I pick up slain bunnies and birds (sparrows, thrushes, warblers). I grow weary. Should have gotten a pre-nup. 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] More wasted birder energy focused on a hunting issue (SHCR)
I don't think the two are mutually exclusive. I would guess that indeed most birders would oppose a crane hunt and- would like a public process to express their opinion as well as to ask questions regarding the hunt. As residents and tax payers, I believe they are entitled to expect as much. In much the same way, I would imagine that if the DNR suddenly closed the duck season, hunters such as yourself would oppose the move and would like an opportunity to be heard on the issue. Just a guess. There probably aren't any biologically-based reasons to oppose the hunting of Cranes -or Yellow Warblers (I hear they taste like chicken) but some might object. Their opinions are no less valid than yours. Kurt On 7/26/10 5:49 PM, Eric Harrold gentili...@yahoo.com wrote: I don't buy the notion that MOST birders objecting to the crane season on this forum are doing so because of perceived circumvention of the process by the DNR. Do they really think the DNR would propose a season or set bag limits that would seriously threaten breeding crane populations? I think this is a convenient position to claim that disguises the real motivation to prevent any hunting of cranes on the part of some folks. Otherwise, the voiced objections on here would contain more intelligent questions about crane populations and their distribution in the state where hunting has been proposed. Instead, all anyone has done is cry foul about the process. I asked the following question in one of my first posts on this subject: Does anyone have any biologically-based objections to the proposed harvest? Does the DNR or USFWS conduct many/any public hearings concerning waterfowl season? Few to my knowledge. The flyway councils appropriately have significant input on such proposed seasons and take positions that are biologically-based. the individuals making the policy decisions here are the best prepared to make such decisions and do so from a scientific perspective. Eric Harrold Urbana, IL --- On Mon, 7/26/10, Liz Stanley l...@lizstanley.com wrote: From: Liz Stanley l...@lizstanley.com Subject: Re: [mou-net] More wasted birder energy focused on a hunting issue (SHCR) To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Date: Monday, July 26, 2010, 1:18 PM I must have missed the part of the discussion that was anti-hunting. I thought the issue at hand was the lack of an open process for the decision made by the DNR. Discussing problems with the process, and debating the end result of it are two different things. Folks, Do yourselves and more importantly bird conservation a lot of good by finding something more biologically meaningful to focus on rather than whether 5 or 10 Sandhill Cranes are going to be killed by hunters in 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] Sandhill cranes
I just read today that there will be a hunting season for Sandhill Cranes in Minnesota this year. Guess I missed the public comment period. Kurt 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] Nighthawk
I took a photo today of a nighthawk that is incubating eggs on the roof of a building in St. Paul. I tried to send this as an attachment but it didn¹t work, which is rather frustrating. The weather forecast is rather ominous and the roof in question appears to have drainage problems so I am rather concerned with the birds situation. Hope for the best. Kurt 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] Random
Spent spring break in Florida visiting in-laws. With children to raise I have to rely on the birds finding me as opposed to the usual method of birding. Went to see the Twins at Fort Meyers. At least two pair of Osprey nesting on light towers adjacent to the main field. Saw a Swalow-tailed Kite float in front of our car just as we turned in. Beautiful bird. Oh, and Joe Mauer went one for three. Kurt 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] Sandhill crane
Saw and heard a lone sandhill crane which flew over St. Paul (Bidwell and Elizabeth St) while I did my mail route. 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] Birds
Red Crossbill, Evening Grosbeak, Solitary Sandpiper all at or near YMCA Camp DuNord July 10-08. --- Get FREE High Speed Internet from USFamily.Net! -- http://www.usfamily.net/mkt-freepromo.html ---
