[mou-net] Peregrines Downtown Minneapolis
Has anyone been seeing Peregrines in Downtown Minneapolis? We have lived in a high rise for 10 years and prior to this Spring saw one or more almost daily. I rarely see them this Spring. Manley Olson 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] Pileated Woodpecker Downtown Minneapolis
Our apartment overlooks the Minneapolis Convention Center. This morning I saw a Pileated Woodpecker flying over the Center. It is the most unusual sighting from the apartment in the 8 years we have lived here. Manley Olson Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
Re: [mou-net] Sick
Unless you know this person and can verify that this is their email, beware. This is a classic way of getting someone to either disclose a credit card number or buy a gift card. On 5/8/2020 8:02 AM, BILL & PEG STJERN wrote: Please i need to get a gift card for someone but i can't do this now because I'm not feeling well. I've got the flu and i tried purchasing online but i don’t know what’s wrong with my Amazon account it’s not going through and have called Amazon but it has not been resolved yet. Can you please help me order a Google play E-code gift card over there or from any store around ? I'll pay back as soon as I get better. Bill & Peg Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly. Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html During the pandemic, the MOU encourages you to stay safe, practice social distancing, and continue to bird responsibly.
Re: [mou-net] Fwd: Our best bird protection law is being rolled back
The statement contains two facts: Bird populations are dramatically declining and the current administration is working to reduce protections that have been in place for a century with the Migratory Bird Treaty. If you think that is political, one sided and offensive, I question how concerned you are about birds and what you are doing on this website. Manley Olson On 3/17/2020 8:29 AM, Jeremy Canfield wrote: This is a one sided political slam against the President. I find this offensive and one sided. I didn;t sign up for political campaigning on the BIRD list serve... On Tue, Mar 17, 2020 at 8:17 AM Kathryn Rudd wrote: Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Environment Minnesota Date: March 17, 2020 at 8:14:39 AM CDT To: "katda...@hotmail.com" Subject: Our best bird protection law is being rolled back Reply-To: act...@environmentminnesota.org Birds need our protection now more than ever, but the Trump administration plans to gut our most powerful bird conservation law. [https://tpin.webaction.org/images/outlookfix.jpg] [Environment Minnesota Banner] Bird populations are collapsing, but the Trump administration is trying to roll back our most important bird conservation law. Add your name to help save the Migratory Bird Treaty Act before the deadline this Thursday, March 19. TAKE ACTION< http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=hjWhBNskTSpTYtL9HRSQy9wCZfsh8%2F21 Kathryn, There are 3 billion fewer birds in the skies of North America today than there were 50 years ago. This dramatic decline points to something worse than seeing fewer feathered friends at our backyard feeders. "This is the loss of nature," said one conservation biologist -- because birds are vital players in every ecosystem.1 Birds need our protection now more than ever, but the Trump administration plans to gut our most powerful bird conservation law. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act has been preventing bird deaths for 100 years -- but no longer, unless we take action.2 We have until this Thursday to tell the Trump administration: Don't roll back the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.< http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=QaRWP39w%2F%2BYsdGzodUMRytwCZfsh8%2F21 Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, companies can be held liable for harm done to birds by their projects, even if the birds were killed by accident. For example, thousands of birds choke or drown in the toxic black ponds that store oil drilling waste. Because of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the oil companies responsible could be fined for their deaths even though the ponds weren't intended to kill birds.3 In 2017, the Trump administration decided to follow an extremely narrow interpretation of the law. The government stopped investigating bird deaths, and even began to discourage business and states from going out of their way to protect birds.4 This change will be permanent if the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is rolled back. Submit your public comment before the March 19 deadline.< http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=5Dm2mppFuUvPXIWhzs8%2F9twCZfsh8%2F21 It's not too late to ensure that birds will enjoy the protection of this vital law for another century and beyond. The government is required by law to consider any public feedback that is submitted before the deadline, so the time to raise our voices is now. This rollback makes it easy for companies to cause the deaths of thousands of birds just because it's more convenient to leave them in harm's way than it is to protect them. But you and I both know that this shortsighted point of view doesn't make any sense. Our nation's incredible wildlife is worth protecting at any cost. Thank you, Timothy Schaefer State Director P.S. Our work to defend the environment can't stop and won't stop in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. We'll keep advocating on your behalf -- at a safe social distance -- for clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife and open spaces, and a livable climate. 1. Carl Zimmer, "Birds Are Vanishing From North America< http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=btB4JKs7ZcIp%2FYATQgH3lNwCZfsh8%2F21>," The New York Times, September 19, 2019. 2. Lisa Friedman, "Trump Administration Moves to Relax Rules Against Killing Birds< http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=XEdrfgODYlNf8H16PaYpZ9wCZfsh8%2F21>," The New York Times, January 30, 2020. 3. Elizabeth Shogren, "I saw more dead birds in that one pit than hunters would poach< http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2BrXuucwZk%2BbTHdSigNIVu9wCZfsh8%2F21>," High Country News, March 15, 2018. 4. Lisa Friedman, "A Trump Policy 'Clarification' All but Ends Punishment for Bird Deaths< http://pin.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=AlLw5XzlmOYlLQ66ZofmWdwCZfsh8%2F21>," The New York Times, December 26, 2019. Donate today.< http:
Re: [mou-net] the extinction of the Carolina Parakeet--- BBC
Roberts does not mention the Carolina Parakeet. There is only one verified record for Wisconsin. Manley On 12/12/2019 9:02 PM, Gordon Andersson wrote: from Current Biology. Also discusses de-extinction. Does anyone know if CAPA was ever recorded in MN?? https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50764583 GAndersson St Paul Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html 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] Swifts
I saw my first Chimney Swift over downtown Minneapolis earlier this week. This morning there are at least 12 active during a light rain. Manley Olson Downtown Minneapolis 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] Loring Park Mar 20
Loring Park in downtown Minneapolis was a soggy mess. Lake had a few patches of open water on edges. 19 Mallards, 1 Wood Duck, 1 male Redwing, flyover flock of Canada Geese, circling Redtail, singing Cardinal and House Finches, and a Robin. Manley Olson 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] Northern Raven
Robins regularly overwinter, sometimes in large numbers. Counts in the hundreds have been recorded on area Christmas counts. As long as the crab apples hold out you will see them in your yard. I have seen a few this past week. Manley Olson Minneapolis On 12/5/2018 11:53 AM, Sharon Fischtrom wrote: I’m curious - I have a flock of robins hanging out in my crab apple tree - shouldn’t they get the heck out of here? Like last month? Sharon Fischtrom St. Paul Highland Park Sent from my iPhone On Dec 5, 2018, at 11:27 AM, Bruce Baer wrote: The Northern Raven was seen at the Bass Ponds at 9:30 this morning sitting in the trees along Long Meadow Lake. Then flying across to the north side. A look at the bird feeders at the refuge HQ might find it. Still large numbers of Hooded Mergansers present with Lesser Scaup, Ring-neck Duck, two swans, a hybrid Mallard, kingfisher. Bruce Baer Bloomington Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] MOU and the Bell Museum
The MOU has been holding its paper session at the Bell Museum since 1954. As you probably know the current Bell is closing on December 31, 2016. A new Bell Museum of Natural History and Planetarium is under construction on the St. Paul Campus of the U of M and is scheduled to open in the Summer of 2018. So the December 3 Paper Session will be the last one at the current Bell Museum. I have been asked to give a presentation about "The History and Relationships between the Bell Museum and the MOU". I will be drawing on almost 60 years of visiting the Bell, serving as a volunteer and currently on the Bell Advisory Board. I was on the MOU Board for 20 years, including as serving as President and was chair of the Paper Session program for several years. I have seen many examples of that relationship. However there is much more history than I know so I am seeking help from you as your have also been a part of that history and relationship. I would appreciate hearing about your experience and your stories. I would like to draw on the experience of many MOU members as I organize my presentation. Please send your stories, observations and perspectives to me by November 7. Contact me if you have questions or wish to talk. Thank you for your assistance. Manley Olson manleyol...@gmail.com 651-644-2848 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] no RBA message
Since the rarest of rarities would be birds that are not on the list to be forwarded, could the protocol be modified so that any bird not on the list is included? Manley Olson On 6/2/2016 2:51 PM, David Cahlander wrote: Gull-billed Tern is not in the list of birds to forward since it is not on the Minnesota list. It has been added to the list of birds to forward and has been added as a potential "new state record". On 6/2/2016 1:43 PM, jeffbi...@charter.net wrote: Why isn’t the RBA message system sending a message about the reported Gull-billed Tern? Jeff Stephenson 1323 28th ST SW Rochester, MN 55902 Cell: 507 254 8194 Home: 507 289 7635 ___ No infections found in this outgoing message Scanned by iolo System Shield http://www.iolo.com Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Re: [mou-net] Chucker - Washington County (Woodbury)
There have been Chucker seen in that area for several years. My son took a picture in his yard. There were several regularly seen near the Audubon office on Ventura Drive. Manley Olson On 4/13/2016 6:11 PM, Mike Majeski wrote: There's currently a Chucker, in of all places, in front of Total Wine in Woodbury. It was hunkered down near a landscape boulder and a few small ornamental bushes near the parking lot. Total Wine is located on Valley Creek Plaza north of Valley Creek Road. Mike Majeski Sent from mobile device 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] Loring Park
Best find today was a well seen Chipping Sparrow. Robins, Cardinals and RW blackbirds very vocal. No female Redwings but male were spread out as if on territory. Many Mallards paired. Manley Olson Minneapolis 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] Loring Park today
I spent some enjoyable time in Loring Park on the edge of downtown Minneapolis this afternoon. Some open water on the edges of the lake. About 60 Mallards, mostly males and no evidence of pairing. Canada Geese, 1 pair and a single not tolerated by the pair. 2 Grackles. About 30 RW blackbirds, all male. A Hairy WP, and an assortment of crows, pigeons, starlings and House Sparrows.Song Sparrow heard but not seen well. Have heard a Cardinal singing regularly near the Convention Center Park and heard a snatch of a song of WT Sparrow which I have seen several times this winter. Have seen Peregrines in flight much more in the past few days. Manley Olson Downtown Minneapolis 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] Common mergansers and thousands of crows
For many years I traveled north on 35W about 5:00 PM. On many days during the winter I would see large flocks of crows flying west between Lake St and Franklin. I retired in 2001 so now longer made that trip. Three years ago we moved to a high rise in downtown Minneapolis near the Convention Center. We look south with a view of I-35W and I-94 and south Minneapolis. Only a few time have I see any large crow flocks. Most days we have a small flight of 25-50 crows flying west over our building at sunrise and flying east in late afternoon. Manley Olson On 2/24/2016 6:37 PM, Molly Tuma wrote: On the east river road trail in Minneapolis, about 1/4 of a mile south from the Franklin Ave bridge there were 3 common mergansers (2 males, 1 female), 4 mallards and 9 Canada geese in an inlet on the Mississippi. 1/2 mile north of the Franklin Ave bridge, on the same trail, there were well over 1,000 American crows in the trees on either side of the river and in trees and on buildings on the U of M campus. I could only see a certain section of the river, so I would say there were probably more, but there were between 1,000-1,500 in my immediate surroundings. Sightings between 5:35-5:50 pm on February 24, 2016. 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] Fwd: How to view Thomas K. Soulen's memorial service on the internet
Forwarded message from Tom's son Peter Manley Olson Forwarded Message Subject:How to view Thomas K. Soulen's memorial service on the internet Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2015 00:31:15 -0500 From: Peter Soulen To: Manley Olson Hi Manley, I'm not sure to whom to email the following information, but I thought perhaps MOU members might like to know the following: The memorial service for Thomas K. Soulen will be broadcast over the internet live on Saturday, September 12, at 10:00 am central time. To watch the service, please go to http://westminstermpls.org/, the home page of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, MN. At the very top of the screen near the center of the thin green menu bar, just above the "Westminster Presbyterian Church" logo, please click on “Live Stream." It will take you directly to the webpage where the service will be live-streamed. Thanks again for all your thoughts and support! They mean more than words can say at this difficult time. Warm regards, Peter Soulen 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] Death of Tom Soulen
Tom Soulen died in hospice on July 28 at age 80. Tom was a long-time member of MOU. He taught Plant Biology at the U of Minnesota for 38 years and received many teaching awards. He was also involved in the music community and was choir director for 35 years at North Como Presbyterian Church in Roseville. I not only birded with Tom in Minnesota, Wisconsin and New Mexico but also talked birding with him almost every Sunday after church. The only person I ever birded with who matched his ability to hear and identify birds by calls and notes was Sam Robbins. Tom grew up in Wisconsin, earned his PhD at the U of Wisconsin in Madison, and the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology continued to be a vital part of his life even while living in Minnesota. For many years he edited the Summer Seasonal Reports in the Passenger Pigeon and was honored by the WSO with a silver Pigeon Award. Tom was also an active Minnesota lister in Ramsey and Hennepin Counties. On September 27, 1982, he recorded one of the first sightings of a Wheatear in Minnesota. He saw it in Roseville, just a few blocks from where I lived but a family death kept me from searching for the bird. One of his greatest biding disappointments was a trip to Attu that never left mainland Alaska due to bad weather. Services will be September 12 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. The family prefers memorials to the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. Manley Olson 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] State Fair Booth
Fellow Birders THE MOU NEEDS YOUR HELP!!! The place we have to meet the greatest number of people to promote birding and the MOU is the Minnesota State Fair. For many years we have had a booth just outside the DNR building where for 12 days we have talked with birders and non-birders. The program depends upon volunteers to staff the booth for 12 hours each day. The Fair starts in 3 weeks and we are short of volunteers. We need you to step up. I have been an MOU member for 50 years and a birder for longer than that. Other than looking at birds and reading about birds, what I enjoy doing is talking with people about birds. For many years I have spent several days at the MOU booth at the State Fair, talking with experienced birders, those with a casual interest and those who are just curious. It is an opportunity for me to share my knowledge, interest and enthusiasm for birds with more folks than I do in the rest of the year combined. It is especially rewarding to talk with kids and help build on their curiosity and wonder. I will be doing my shifts again this year as will others. But we need more of you to join us. Kate Kelnberger and Jen Veith and their helpers do a great job of setting up our booth and assembling materials. But volunteers are needed to give us coverage for the 12 days of the fair. Please volunteer to cover at least one shift. You can be reimbursed for your admission ticket. Do not assume you need to be an "expert". Most of the questions are not difficult. We have field guides to help them identify their "mystery bird". Always popular questions are about hummingbirds, owls, hawks and wild turkeys. Given the widespread invasion of Snowy Owls this past winter, I would expect people wanting to tell us about the one they saw. With the recent news coverage about the glass walls of the new Vikings stadium and the threat to birds, I am sure there will be questions about that. It is always fun to talk with birding friends who stop by and to non-birding friends who are surprised to see you. But it is the kids who make my day. Watching their excitement as they spin the identification wheel or compare their reach to the wingspan of an eagle. These may well be the future leaders of MOU. The MOU reaches more people at the State Fair than it does in any other activity. Please join us in telling our story. The sign up contact kkelnber...@boreal.org There are always things for kids to do at the booth so bring them along. See you at the Fair! Thank you Manley Olson MOU Past President Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Re: [mou-net] About the Metro
Saw 2 broods today in Loring Park in Minneapolis. Few migrants, a single White-throat and a small flock of Yellow-rumps Manley Olson Downtown Minneapolis On Sat, May 17, 2014 at 12:42 PM, Steve Weston wrote: > Yesterday (Friday) I saw my first two Canada Goose broods of the year. > Interestingly, they were on a small pond bordering the rail yards by > highway 280. > > Today, the warblers are interfering with my concentration on a project I > have been working on pulling me outside for a walk around the yard. > Warblers about the yard are mostly Yellow-rumps, but also included a > couple of Ovenbirds, which were not around at all last weekend. I also > heard an Oriole in the area. > > A strange bird for the middle of the day was the bat that was flying over > the lake. I hoped it would come close enough to make an ID, but it moved > away. My best guess was that it was a big brown. > As it flew close to a tree with a couple of Crows, one gave chase, and the > bat effortlessly side-stepped the attack. The Crow then flew to the water > and plucked something from the surface. I then watched as a Red-winged > Blackbird chased a Spotted Sandpiper (FOY) about the lake never more than > six inches above the surface. > > Steve Weston > On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN > swest...@comcast.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] The Bell is finally moving
While it did not get any major publicity, buried in the work that the Legislature completed yesterday was $51.5M for the Bell Museum to move to the St Paul campus. This will not cover the total cost of the move so there will be the need for a significant fund raising campaign. You will be hearing more about that. Thanks to all of you who contacted legislators and University officials in support of this major effort. Please be sure to thank your legislators for their work. Special thanks are due to Representative Alice Hausman. Without her vision, political skill and tenacity, this would not have happened. Others deserving our thanks are President Eric Kaler and Dean Brian Buhr of the University of Minnesota and Steve Birke, Lee Pfannmueller and the Bell Advisory Board who were tireless in their efforts as was Bell Director Susan Weller. It has been a long journey but the end is in sight. I look forward to the day when we can participate in the exhibits and educational programs of the new Bell and start of a new tradition of having our annual MOU Paper Session in what promises to be a spectacular facility. 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] Unusual crow behavior
We moved this year to a high rise in downtown Minneapolis and overlook the roof of the Minneapolis Convention Center. About 9pm on Thursday we saw at least 200 crows (probably more) on one of the roof domes. The domes are black but about the lower 8 feet was snow covered and that is where the birds were most visible. The birds seem to be very agitated, constantly rising up and then dropping down. I opened a window but there was very little sound audible. While the lighting on the building was quite bright it was hard to see the birds that were on the upper sections that had no snow yet I could see there were birds there as well. Over the next 2 hours as I watched the crows continued to fly around but never getting very far above the roof.When I quit watching about 11:15 they were still active but some of the building lights were now off and I could no longer see if there were any on the snow free sections which were now totally dark.The next morning there were a few crows flying around the building. There is usually a crow flight each morning and evening in this neighborhood but I had not seen any crows after dark and had not seen any using the Convention Center roof in any way. Last night and tonight there were no crows seen in the area after the usual early evening flight. Manley Olson 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] Chukar in Woodbury
For several years they have been seen in that area near the Audubon office on Ventura Drive. My son has seen them at his house which is a little farther away. The Star Tribune ran a picture a few years ago. Manley Olson On 3/9/2014 11:02 AM, Richard wrote: A Chukar was just seen in western Woodbury, Washington County, a bird escaped from somewhere. It was walking east on Ventura Drive, which is east of Woodale Drive, just north of Lake Road and east of I-494. It was last seen in front of a building labeled Service Ideas. Fun to see but where did it come from? Dick Miller 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] Not getting an emails
Have not gotten any messages today. Manley 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] Cats and birds
We can't assume that all birders fully understand the extent of cat predation. A few years ago Stan Temple of the U of Wisconsin reported on his studies of predation by cats, both feral and domestic, at an MOU paper session. He was very emphatic that in many places it is domestic cats that are the bigger problem. After his presentation during the break I heard several people saying things like "my cats are well fed so I don't worry about them taking birds when they are roaming loose outside". This is after Stan had refuted that argument in his presentation. In talking with him later he said several people had come up to him and said the same thing and he regularly gets those comments when he presents to bird groups. Manley 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] Bald Eagles on territory Ramsey County
About 3:30 yesterday I saw 2 adults perched in the tree where eagles have nested for several years. The tree with the old nest very visible is on the south side of Highway 36 near the intersection with Highway 61. The view is better from the eastbound lane of 36. Had not seen birds there recently. Manley Olson Falcon Heights 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] Deceased birder list
Deceased Minnesota Birders For several years I have been reporting on deceased birders at the annual Paper Session. Originally the list was then printed in Minnesota Birding but that has been discontinued. This year a list of deceased birders was distributed. I have been compiling the list since we started doing it. I have had the help of many folks across the state who have sent me names and information. I am now relinquishing this and Bob Janssen will be the new compiler. My thanks to all who have assisted me. I could not have done it without your help. Please send names to Manley Olson MOU Paper SessionDecember 1, 2012 Each year at the MOU Annual Meeting and Paper Session we pause to recognize those Minnesota birders who have died since our last meeting, or in a few cases, were not reported to me until after the meeting. It includes some who were well known in the MOU including two former presidents, Forest Strnad and Jack Hofslund. Jack was also a T.S. Roberts award recipient and a former editor of The Flicker, predecessor of The Loon. It also includes many who were less well known and may not even have been aware of the MOU. But their interest in birds was such that it was noted in their obituary or someone sent their name to me. An * indicates a member of the MOU. 2008 *Hubert, Patricia, 77, Edina/Florida, January 3, 2008 2011 Gipple, Donald, 81, North Oaks, December 12 Gresser, Leander, 86, Maple Grove, December 9 Heegard, Joanne, 73, Plymouth, December 23 *Kneeskern, Rose, 83, Austin, August 25 *Lancaster, Marilyn, 86, St. Paul, December 24 Melchert, LaVerne, 84, Crystal, November 9 *Neiger, Vivian, 64, Eagan, May *Rogier, June, 90, Victoria, December 17 Smith, Noble, 85, St. Paul, November 12 Westby, Phyllis, 91, Minneapolis, December 6 2012 Anderson, LaVonne, Robbinsdale, November 1 Archer, Andrew, 27, Edina, April 23 Boden, Richard, 90, Coon Rapids, July 29 Brooks, Marney, 89, Wayzata, November 18 Einerson, Amos, 94, Bemidji, October 22 Fairbairn, Hugh, 96, Inver Grove Heights, May 20 *Fox, Gerald, 80, Mountain Lake, February 12 Gilbert, Gordon, 57, Eagan, April 15 Haugen, Darlene, 74, Plymouth, May 21 Heglund, Kathryn, 79, Wayzata, September 26 Hensen, Marguerite, 89, Buffalo, September 6 *Hofslund, Jack, 94, Duluth, April 21 Judd, Claire, 93, Grand Marais, July 14 Lenke, Dorothy, 78, Hopkins, September 14 McBrady, Rose, 55, Minneapolis, November 6 Miller, William, 80+, Remer, September 11 Mohr, Barbara 75, Minneapolis, September 1 Morelli, Margaret, 91, Burnsville, May 12 Nesse, Dorothy, 89, Oak Park Heights, November 29 Newell, Harlan, 95, St. Paul, August 4 Oldenburg, Marvin, 92, Prior Lake, June 15 Perry, James, 68, Minneapolis/Florida, March 3 *Peterson, Palmer, 95, Bloomington, May 6 Rahlenbeck, Hildegard, 82, Richfield, July 9 Richardson, Elaine, 80+, Minnetonka, August 5 Richey, Joseph, 90, Plymouth, November10 Salomonsen-Peterson, Betty, 80+, Roseville, September 6 Schultz, Terry, 58, St. Paul, April 20 Sims, Kirk, 55, St. Paul, Jan 16 Smith, Bette, 93, Little Canada, May 27 Stahel, Patrick, 66, Lake of the Woods, January 1 Steele, Eugene, 83, Vadnais Heights, April 17 Stetler, Jeanine 71, Brooklyn Center, August 5 *Strnad, Forrest, 93, Faribault, July 2 Struthers, James, 90, Minneapolis, May 2 *Thurston, David, 94, North St. Paul, April 28 Twite, Lee, 59, Minneapolis, June 22 *Vetter, Ruth, 74, Bloomington, February 29 Webster, Caroline, 86, Nisswa, August 27 Wells, Dennis, 63, Prairie Island, November 7 Deceased Minnesota Birders For several years I have been reporting on deceased birders at the annual Paper Session. Originally the list was then printed in Minnesota Birding but that has been discontinued. This year a list of deceased birders was distributed. I have been compiling the list since we started doing it. I have had the help of many folks across the state who have sent me names and information. I am now relinquishing this and Bob Janssen will be the new compiler. My thanks to all who have assisted me. I could not have done it without your help. Please send names to Manley Olson MOU Paper SessionDecember 1, 2012 Each year at the MOU Annual Meeting and Paper Session we pause to recognize those Minnesota birders who have died since our last meeting, or in a few cases, were not reported to me until after the meeting. It includes some who were well known in the MOU including two former presidents, Forest Strnad and Jack Hofslund. Jack was also a T.S. Roberts award recipient and a former editor of The Flicker, predecessor of The Loon. It also includes many who were less well known and may not even have been aware of the MOU. But their interest in birds was such that it was noted in their obituary or someone sent their name to me. An * indicates a member of the MOU. 2008 *Hubert, Patricia, 77, Edina/Florida, January 3, 2008 2011 Gipple, Donald, 81, North Oaks, December 12
[mou-net] Deceased Minnesota birders
In preparation for the MOU Paper Session on Saturday, Dec1, I am completing the list of Minnesota birders who died since our meeting last December to report. If you have names for the list please send them to me at once. If in doubt that someone else reported , please send it. We would rather get multiple reports than miss someone. I also am seeking information on two people. The MOU and Hawk Ridge received bequests from the estate of James Bisset Perry who died in Ocala Florida on March 3,2012 at age 68. I have not found anyone who knows what the Minnesota connection was. Mrs Patrica Hubert is a Life Member of MOU. She did live in Edina but most recently lived in Port Charlotte, Florida. Recent mailings have been returned with no forwarding address. I could not find an obituary. If you have any information about either of these folks, please let me know. Thanks Manley Olson 651-644-2848 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] Deceased Minnesota birders
Each year at the MOU Paper Session we pause to remember those birders who have made their final migration since our last meeting. We recognize all birders, not just MOU members. I and several others try to monitor obituaries. We probably cover the Twin Cities papers fairly well but we certainly miss others from across the state. If you are aware of birders who have died since last December1, please let me know. Please include name, age, hometown and other information pertinent to their birding that you may have. Please do not assume that others have already reported the name. We would rather get multiple reports than miss someone. I have quite a few names already this year. This may be because we are an aging group or it may be that more people are sending in names. Most of the names we get are not current MOU members. They may be former members or may be folks to whom birding was important enough in their lives to be included in their obituary. The MOU meeting is Saturday, December 1. Please get names to me by November 26. Thank you for your help. Manley Olson (651) 644-2848 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] Fwd: Re: [BIRDCHAT] Knowing a Hawk From a Handsaw
In addition to being posted on MOU, references to the Wall Street Journal article on field guides has shown up on other birding sites, some with questions about the significance of the tittle. Here is the explanation as I understand it. Manley Olson Original Message Subject:Re: [BIRDCHAT] Knowing a Hawk From a Handsaw Date: Mon, 28 May 2012 07:43:38 -0500 From: Manley Olson To: CC: While on the face of it knowing a hawk from a handsaw appears to be a ludicrous statement, it has a factual basis. The phrase is from Shakespeare and has its basis in the colloquial names for heron which included hernshaw and hernser. It is easy to see how to see these could be corrupted to handsaw. Shakespeare also talks of knowing jays from turtles where his reference is to the turtle dove as is the King James Bible reference to the voice of the turtle. Shakespeare was an observer of of birds and includes many references in his works. Unfortunately he has one reference to starlings which was part of the impetus for an enthusiastic Shakespeare lover to import all of the birds he mentioned to America which is how we got starlings. Manley Olson St Paul MN On 5/28/2012 5:52 AM, Boute Expeditions - It's life time wrote: > Interesting... > > http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304203604577397871538852242.html > > > Sent from my iPod > > Paulo Boute, Brazil. > > -- > > > > > > BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksbirds.org/birdchat/ > Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Re: [mou-net] Mallards roosting on the roof (Goodhue Co)
We live in suburban Falcon Heights. I have often seen mallards perched on roofs but I do not recall seeing more than 3 at any one time and they did not appear to be sleeping or staying very long. This past week I had a pair perched on the roof while I mowed the lawn. They were there at least 15 minutes.When I moved on to the side of the house they flew down to scrounge under the bird feeder. Manley Olson On 5/13/2012 3:01 PM, Larry Sirvio wrote: On the way back from Craig Mandel’s Fillmore Co trip on Friday evening we stopped at a restaurant near the Mississippi River. At sunset we saw 7 or 8 drake mallards sitting on the roof of a condo next door to restaurant. Some were sleeping – others were preening or stretching. It looked like they were going to roost there overnight. The condo was a 2 story and the roof was peaked. Has anyone ever seen this before? Larry& Yoli Sirvio + Kevin Smith 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] Am. Bittern NO
The Falcon Heights park bittern was apparently a one day event. It was seen by several last evening. This morning at least 20 people looked for it and another four this evening but I have not heard that anyone saw it today Manley Olson 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] Death of Jack Hofslund
Pershing B. (Jack) Hofslund died on April 23. He was 94. Jack was a past president of the MOU, the 1969 T.S. Roberts award recipient and a long-time professor at the U of Minnesota-Duluth. He was instrumental in recognizing Hawk Ridge as a major hawk migration route and establishing the annual hawk count there. Thanks to Jan Green for sending me the obit. Manley Olson 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] Am Bittern Falcon Hts
This morning I saw an Am Bittern at Community Park in Falcon Heights. The park is at Cleveland and Roselawn and the bird was by the pond in the SW corner of the park. It was in the cattails on the SE corner of the pond, between the two wood duck boxes. I watched it for about 5 minutes and came by about 15 minutes later and it was still there. Last year in early May there were up to 8 Soras and one or two Virginia Rails here but have seen neither yet this year. Only other birds of interest were a snipe and a small flock of White-throats, first time I have seen more than 2 together this Spring. No warblers, only seen a few Yellow rumps so far. Manley Olson Falcon Heights Ramsey Co 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] Reporting names of deceased birders
For several years we have recognized deceased birders at the MOU meeting in December. I have been compiling the list but I need the help of others to be sure that all appropriate names get included. As you become aware of birder who have died, please send me their names and information about them. They need not be MOU members but should be folks for whom birding was part of their life.Don't assume that I saw an obit or that someone else will report it. I would rather get duplicate reports. Thanks for your help. Manley Olson 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 numbers
I have had very few cardinals all winter. Yesterday I was talking with a friend from Roseville and he has the same experience. Then yesterday there was a report on tne Wisconsin network showing the decline in cardinals on Christmas counts and Backyard Birdcounts. Have other Minnesota birders noticed any reduction in cardinal numbers? Manley Olson Falcon Heights Ramsey 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] Chipping Sparrow
Had two on the ground under my feeder yesterday. Manley Olson Falcon Heights 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] Deceased Minnesota birders
Each year at the MOU paper session we pause to remember those birders who have made their final migration since our last meeting. We recognize all birders, not just MOU members. I and several others try to monitor obits. We probably cover the Twin Cities papers fairly well but certainly miss others from across the state. If you are aware of birders who died since last December 1, please let me know. Please include name, hometown, age and other pertinent information you may have. Please do not assume that others have already reported it. We would rather get multiple reports than miss someone. I have received many more reports this year. This may be because birders are aging or it may be that more folks are sending in names. Most of the names we get are not MOU members but are folks to whom birds were important enough in their lives that it was noted in their obit. The MOU meeting is Saturday, December 3. Please get names to me by Friday, December 2. Thanks for your help. Manley Olson (651) 644-2848 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] Death of Ben Thoma
The Oct 16 Star Tribune had an obit for Ben Thoma of Willmar a long-time MOU member. Ben taught biology at Willmar (now Ridgewater) Community College and was a naturalist at Itasca State Park. Manley Olson 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] Death of Jim Mattsson
The St Paul Pioneer Press had an obituary today for Jim Mattsson of Eagan who died from cancer on Sept 16 at age 66. Jim had a 30 year career with the US Fish & Wildlife Service. He was a very active birder and regularly reported on his observations from Black Dog, the Minnesota River Valley and Dakota County. Thanks to those who send me these reports. Manley Olson 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] Death of Arden Aanestad
The August 30 Star Tribune had an obit for Arden Aanestad of Edina. A long time MOU member, he was the 2007 winner of the T.S. Roberts award of the MOU, one of many awards he received for his lifetime of work in birding and conservation. Personally, I have fond memories of sitting with him at MOU Paper Sessions and working together at the State Fair booth. Each year at the MOU Paper Session I give a report of birders who died during the past year. Please let me know if you have information on deceased birders. The report is not restricted to MOU members. Manley Olson 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] Chukars
Al As far as I know the Minnesota Ornithological Records Committee (MORC), which is the arbiter of state records, follows the ABA guidelines which can be found in the ABA Checklist. These guidelines emphasize sustainability of the population, not just breeding.For the history of the Chukar, which was once considered countable in Minnesota, see the Appendix of Birds in Minnesota by Bob Janssen. Manley Olson Falcon Heights On 8/11/2011 2:04 PM, Al Schirmacher wrote: So, how long do we need to wait - after they've developed an established breeding population - before we can count them:) Al Schirmacher Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Re: [mou-net] [mnbird] Chukar
Last October the Star-Tribune had a story and picture of Chukars at Minnesota Audubon on Ventura Drive in Woodbury. They had been around there for some time. In March my son sent me a picture he took of a Chukar in his yard in another part of Woodbury. While most Chukars are likely escape from game farms, I have read articles that hypothesize that some of the exotic birds, both game and cage birds, being seen are being turned loose by folks who no longer want to pay the cost of maintaining them. Manley Olson Falcon Heights On 8/10/2011 11:57 AM, Sid Stivland wrote: As I was retrieving my AM paper here in beautiful downtown Plymouth, I saw something plump on the curb further down the street, maybe an injured baby owl. Since it was too far away to get a good naked eye look, I ran back to the house to get my binocs. When I got my glass on it, I discovered it was a Chukar strolling across my yard. Before I could get my camera, it ran into the tall grass and I have not seen it since. My neighbor, a hunter, is not aware of any game farms around here. Perhaps one of the gun clubs in the area had a shoot. Anyway, entertainment while fetching my paper. Sid Stivland Plymouth, MN ___ mnbird mailing list mnb...@lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Death of Ken LaFond
The Star-Tribune for today had an obit for Ken LaFond. While most of us are locality based birders, with most of our records from particular counties or regions, Ken was truly a Minnesota birder. He is one of only three birders to have recorded at least 200 species in each of the 87 counties in Minnesota. Only Bob Janssen and the late Ray Glassel are in that exclusive club or as Bob put it, only three of us were crazy enough to do that kind of listing. When one thinks about the number of trips needed to accomplish this, it is mind boggling. Yet it is this kind of dedication to listing that helps give us the kind of information we now have on bird distribution in the state. Joseph Hickey, in his classic book,A Guide To Bird Watching, writes that some regard birding as "a mild paralyis of the central nervous system which can be cured only by rising at dawn and sitting in a bog". Based on on his amazing record of statewide listing, Ken had a serious case that was never cured. He will be missed by all of us who value not only tho observation of birds, but the documentation of those observations as well. Manley Olson 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] Sora,yes Virginia, no Falcon Heights
About 8:30 this morning I and another birder found 2 Soras by the pond in the SW corner of Community Park. He also saw one on the next pond to the North. About 8:15 this evening the two were still there. As far as I know the Virginia Rail has not been seen since Thursday evening. All the rails I have seen were viewed from the walking path. Also tonight my FOY Baltimore Oriole. Manley Olson Falcon Heights 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] Rails still present
The Virginia Rail and many Soras were seen by me and three others at Community Park in Falcon Heights between 7and 8 tonight. I also saw a Field Sparrow and a Yellowthroat. Manley Olson Falcon Heights 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] Virginia Rail & Pectoral Sandpiper Falcon Heights
I refound both the Sora (2 or 3) and Virginia Rails(1) that Marcie O'Connor had seen in Community Park. The park had the most birds I have seen there this Spring. A Pectoral Sandpiper was at the pond along with many Redwings (the females are back in numbers)/ Yellow-rumps, Song and White Throats. There were three flycatchers, Phoebe, Least, and a silent non-tail wager, either an Alder or Willow. Community Park is on the SE corner of Cleveland and Roselawn, just north of the St Paul campus of the U of M. The rails and sandpiper were in the largest and southernmost pond, in the cattails. Tuesday evening I had a Wood Thrush in my yard, the first in over 20 years, Manley Olson 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] Loan
This is a scam. Even if you know Bill do not send money.On 4/8/2011 5:54 AM, Bill Kahn wrote: I think this man believes this is a phishing rather than a birding list. Needless to say, don't send this man a cent or reply if you don't know him; there are resources for folks in his situation even in the wilds of the UK. Really, the least he could have done was mention great tits or some other Euro birds. I feel cheated;-) Bill Kahn Minneapolis On Apr 8, 2011, at 5:22 AM, Bill Tefft wrote: Good morning, Hope you get this on time? Sorry I didn't inform you about my trip to Scotland for a Project; I am presently in Surrey and am having some difficulties here because I misplaced my wallet on my way to the hotel where my money and other valuable things were. Presently my passport and my things are been held down by the hotel management pending when I make payment. I need you to help me with a loan of 1,600 British Pounds to pay my hotel bills and to get myself back home. I will appreciate whatever you can afford to assist me with, I will refund the money back to you as soon as I return, let me know if you can be of any help? ASAP. I am so confused right now. I will probably use the phone at the Western Union outlet to call you when I am there to receive the money. Kindly help me to transfer the funds to the below details; Name: Bill Tefft Address: Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5LX, Scotland Kindly help me make the transfer as soon as you receive this email and once you have it sent, send me the Western Union control number with the Receipt used in sending it. Also do let me know how you want me to pay you back so I can make the arrangements to get it to you as soon as I get back home. Looking forward to your positive response. Regards Bill Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Re: [mou-net] [wisb] Unusual locations
Parking lot: First Abert's Towhee, Scottsdale AZ Yard: Varied Thrush and Long-eared Owl, Falcon Heights MN Work: Snowy Owl, On the roof of Northup Auditorium, U of Minnesota Restaurant: Western Kingbird, Rootbeer stand, Hudson WI Hotel:First Magnificant Frigatebird, San Juan PR Manley Olson Falcon Heights MN On 1/24/2011 11:08 AM, Pastor Al Schirmacher 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 You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: http://www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: http://www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: http://www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn. 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] Deceased Birders
Each year at the MOU paper session we take time to remember those birders who have died since the last meeting. We recognize all birders, not just MOU members. I try to monitor obits in Twin Cities papers but I may miss some, as well as those that appear in other papers. If you are aware of any birders who have died since we met last December, please let me know. So far I have names of 23 birders who died since our last meeting. Please include hometown, age and any other pertinent information you have. Don't assume that others may send the same name. I would rather get multiple notices than miss someone. Please let me know by December 3 as the MOU meeting is on Saturday, December 4. Thanks for your help. Manley Olson Former MOU President 651-644-2848 Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
Re: [mou-net] Fw: [mou-net] Don't let this year's fair experience slip away
I have done several shifts at the MOU booth for many years and also at St Paul Audubon and Audubon Minnesota when those groups had booths. I agree with Sid that is great fun to talk about birds for several hours, especially kids. And when things are slow you can talk with your partner. I have worked several times with Sid, Bob Holtz and others whose names are on the sign up schedule. You get a chance to talk to some great birders and hear some good stories.And if you don't have answers to questions, chances are your partner will. I am only doing two shifts this year as I am also working at our church parking lot. If you are looking for a free and convenient parking place, we are at 965 West Larpenteur. Buses run every 20 minutes or so and it is a 20 minute ride. Manley Olson On 8/11/2010 8:06 PM, Sid Stivland wrote: Although I do not have the energy or "way with words" of Mr. Maiello, I do share his enthusiasm. Last year, I volunteered for 3 shifts at the State Fair MOU booth and enjoyed it so much I signed up for 4 shifts this year. I may try for more if I can find time. If you have not signed up or have never staffed the State Fair booth, take it from me - it is a lot of fun! Thomas has elegantly described the reactions of children so I will not even try to elaborate on that except to say "ditto". The families and adults are nearly as entertaining. Nearly everyone has a story or a question and they really do seem to appreciate the attention they get from us. Incredibly, last year there was only one question I got more than once and that was "What do I do about the woodpeckers on my house?" By the way, if anyone has a good answer for that, please let me know. Otherwise, I am doomed to my stock answer - " I don't know" or "Keep your caulking gun handy". One side benefit.- you will be fortunate to share the booth with other interesting people. Last year, I had one shift with Bob Holtz and he had 4 hours to work on me. So now I am a YMP volunteer! In his defense, it was not a very hard sell. I was also privileged to work with Manley Olson. This year promises to be even better. I think we owe a great deal of gratitude to Thomas, Rich, Jen, and Kate (I hope I did not forget someone) for all the work since last year to make the significant improvements. I, for one, am looking forward to my shifts at the fair. Sid Stivland Plymouth - Original Message - From: "Thomas Maiello" To: Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 4:08 PM Subject: [mou-net] Don't let this year's fair experience slip away We still have a few prime bird booth staffing spots left for you to jump into and play to your hearts content. I just got the new spinning wheel yesterday and it is super fine! I love it! Attracting kids with this will be like wafting oatmeal raisin cookie vapors across the crowd using a high volume shop fan. It will be fun just to watch kids' eyes scan and connect to find the source of the sound as the wheel clicks around to land on a bird picture for them to identify. Then the joy of having them pic a bird tattoo or choose a poster for just saying the full name of the bird the wheel landed on. Meanwhile the accompanying older kids and parents are going to be latching onto the touch screen monitor and investigating with the MOU website, or play a game, or explore other software on the new computer display system. I don't know if I will be able to truly figure the new gizmo out at first but I got a feeling the people beelining it to the booth because of it, will figure it out and teach me by just watching them. (My 17 year old daughter still teaches me how to change the setting and use the features of my cell phone and I have had the same one for some 3 years - she says to just hit all the buttons and figure it out - yeah right. Here you go girl. Give it back when you are done fixing it. ;-D) For those of you who struggled with the low riding captain's chairs we used in the past, they have been replaced with two gifted swiveling barstools with padded seats and back support! Now you have no excuse except that you just haven't taken the time to plunge in. Come join us and have some great stories to share with your families at Thanksgiving and Christmas or even sooner when you call them with the excitement you brought back with you after your shift. I know I do. Come on! You know you want to! Here's how: There are two ways to sign up for a shift. One is on Google Calendar. 1 Go_www.google.com_ (http://www.google.com) 2. Click "Sign In" on the top right hand corner of your screen. 3. Sign in using "mouvolunteer" as your "email" and "ilovemou" as your password 4. Click the "more" drop down menu item located at just about the G in Google along the top of your screen. 5. C
Re: [mou-net] Northern Bobwhite in Hennepin County
Your birds were escapes from a game farm or managed private hunting area. There have been no wild Bobwhites in the metro area for many years. Manley Olson On 7/26/2010 7:23 PM, Ben Sandstrom wrote: This afternoon at Crow-Hassan Park Reserve in northern Hennepin County I observed one Northern Bobwhite, and probably spooked two others nearby that I only heard rustling in the vegetation. In the grassland east of Prairie Lake I heard a Bobwhite calling, but couldn't see it, so I started walking towards the sound. I got to a shrub clump on top of the hill where I found the bird sitting calmly - in clear view - only ten feet in front of me. I had no camera with me to photograph the bird, but I assume it is/was breeding in the area and could be found again. -Ben Sandstrom 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] Death of Jack Mauritz
Jack Mauritz, a past-president of MOU died February 9. Obit in the Star Tribune of February 14. Services tomorrow, Monday,February 15. Manley Olson 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] Deceased Birders
Each year at the MOU Paper Session, which is on Saturday December 5, we take time in the program to remember birders who have died since the last meeting. While I try to monitor obituaries in the Twin Cities Newspapers, I am sure I missed some whose names I did not recognize or whose notice appeared when I was traveling or were in other papers. The list will also be printed in Minnesota Birding. We would like it to be as complete as possible so please let me know of birders who have died in the past year.They do not have to have been current MOU members, just folks who were birders. Do not assume that I have a name that you might know, send it to me. I would rather have duplication than omissions. Thank you for your help. Manley Olson Past President MOU 651-644-2848 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] Death of Murray Olyphant
Both the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune had obits today. Murray was a long time MOU member and supporter of environmental causes, issues and programs such as the Nature Conservancy, the Bell Museum and the Izaak Walton League. Manley Olson 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] 1930's bird guide question
The "classic" bird book for Minnesota is The Birds of Minnesota by Thomas S Roberts, published in 1932 and revised in 1936.A large part of Volume2 is titled " Keys and Descriptions for the Identification of Minnesota Birds". This was also printed as a separate publication and I suspect it is what you saw being used. Like most of the bird identification books prior to Roger Tory Peterson, A Field Guide to the Birds(1934), it is most useful when one has the bird in the hand as banders do. n0...@frontiernet.net wrote: I was at a bird banding in Lakeville a couple of weekends ago and the gentlemen running the banding had a book from the 1930's that had an interesting way of identifying birds through a series of questions like "Bird is mostly brown or not mostly brown" depending on the answer to the question it would ask another question, finally narrowing it down to one or 2 species. Of course I didn't write down the name of the book (thinking I could remember it, NOT). I thought the author had the last name Roberts but my searches have come up empty. Does anyone know what the name and author of this book could be? Mark 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] [Fwd: [wisb] FREE window clings to save wild birds]
Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html --- Begin Message --- Hey Everyone, pass the word! Please mention this in newsletters, blogs, to family, friends, at church, at your bird club, etc. Stop Bird Collisions with FREE Window Clings Get 15 FREE WindowAlert static window clings for your home or office from the Wisconsin Humane Societyâs Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Up to one billion birds die every year in North America due to window collisions, but we can help prevent their deaths by applying simple clings to our windows! This initiative to save wild birds is made possible by the generosity of the Rusinow Family Foundation. Fall migration begins in mid-August and continues into November, so get your clings now to save birds heading south for winter. Send an e-mail to _sdi...@wihumane.org_ (mailto:sdi...@wihumane.org) to request your FREE window clings. Please provide your full mailing address. For more information about preventing bird window collisions at home or at work, visit the "WIngs" web site at _www.wihumane.org/wildlife/wings/default.aspx._ (http://www.wihumane.org/wildlife/wings/default.aspx.) Thanks! Scott Scott Diehl, Manager, Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Milwaukee **An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222585106x1201462830/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?scf8072&hmpgIDb&bcd=Jul yExcfooterNO62) You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: http://www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: http://www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn. Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: http://www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn. Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html --- End Message ---
[mou-net] Death of Don Mahle
I got a call yesterday afternoon from Bill Bryson with the news that Dr Donald Mahle died on Wednesday. Don was 97.He was one of the founding members of the Minnesota Bird Club which later joined with two other clubs to form the MOU.He was a family physician in Plainview for 40 years. In 1981, Don and his first wife Winn received the Dr Thomas Sadler Roberts award from the MOU. Until recently Don was a regular attendee at MOU meetings. For many years he was the compiler of the Wabasha Christmas count. Services are Saturday, March 14 at 11:00 at Peace United Methodist Church in Plainview. Manley Olson 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] Death of Charles Evans
Charles A Evans was one of the founding members of the Minnesota Bird Club which was one of the three groups that came together in 1938 to form the MOU. He was one of 13 who attended the initial meeting on March 15, 1929 and eventually served as its president. He served as editor of its publication, The Flicker, and continued as editor when it became the journal of the MOU. Evans received B.S., M.D. and Ph.D degrees from the University of Minnesota. He spent 36 years at the University of Washington where he was on the original faculty of the School of Medicine and was chair of microbiology for 24 years. He died in Seattle on December 4 at the age of 96. Manley Olson 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] Shrike,bluebirds in Falcon Hhights
My first shrike of the season in Community Park(corner of Roselawn and Cleveland), likely a Northern. Also 2 bluebirds, a flicker. the first grackle in several weeks and robins everywhere in the park and surrounding neighborhood. Manley Olson Falcon Heights RamseyCounty
[mou] Junco Ramsey County
Yesterday I had a Junco in my yard in Falcon Heights. This is the latest I have seen one in the metro area in nearly 50 years of birding here. Manley Olson
[mou] Deceased Birders
For the last few years I have done a brief recognition and remembrance of deceased birders at the MOU paper session and will do so again this year. While I try to carefully scan the newspaper obituaries and sometimes check on line, it is likely that I missed some, especially those from outside the metro area. I was also gone a good deal this year and may have missed some that way. Below are the names I have . If you have others please send me the name and any other pertinent information. They do not need to have been MOU members, just folks who were birders. * George RysgaardDecember 2006 * Jean McIntoshJanuary 2007 * Dave AhlgrenMarch 2007 * Evelyn StanleyApril 2007 * Eleanor ColburnApril 2007 * Roger PreussMay 2007 Thanks for your help Manley Olson 651-644-2848
[mou] State Fair
I have received several questions and since there may be others with the same questions I will responded to the lists. * To volunteer of find out what shifts need people contact Chris Benson chrisb at fullcircleimage.com *The MOU booth is outside the Department of Natural Resources building on the west side. The DNR building is located between Carnes and Judson in the south central area of the fairgrounds. *If you might be interested in volunteering but are not sure of what you would be doing, feel free to stop by the booth and watch what goes on. *Parking The easiest way is to park at a free lot and take the free shuttle. One of the closest lots is the Twin City Co-ops Federal Credit Union located on the North side of Larpenteur Avenue at Prior. This bus drops off and picks up at Gate 15 which is on the west edge of the Fairgrounds so it is a fairly long walk to the DNR building. Another close Park and Ride is at North Como Presbyterian Church at Larpenteur and Victoria. This route uses Gate 24 which is on the south side of Como Avenue and is much closer to the DNR building. There were maps of all suh lots in the Star Tribune on Sunday. Manley Olson
[mou] State Fair
Several people who have worked at the Fair have reported on their experience and urged folks to volunteer. Let me echo their comments. I have worked booths for MOU,St Paul Audubon,Minnesota Audubon and other non-bird groups since 1968. I have always found it to be a great experience. I have heard folks say that they are not expert enough to staff the booth. It has been my experience that most folks who stop by are casual birders and more often then not want to tell you about "their birds", either at a feeder or at their lake place. You will talk a lot about cardinals, eagles, hummingbirds and loons. They appreciate getting our materials especially the kids. While you might get a few tough questions most tend to be identification issues. By asking for information about location,habitat etc.or by showing them possibilities in a guide, one can satisfactorily answer most. There are always a few that will stump all of us. We got two on Monday . We finally suggested to one person that she take a picture of her mystery bird and send it to Bob Holtz who was working with me and he would offer an opinion.The other was asking us to settle a debate as to what a large bird was that was seen perched as they drove past it but did not get a good look and could not agree if it was a hawk or an owl. If you can spend a shift I am sure you will enjoy it and you may end up talking to someone,especially youngsters, who need to be encouraged to continue to develop their interest in birds.People do come looking for us and it would be too bad if the booth was not open when they came. Manley Olson
[mou] Death of Evelyn Stanley
Evelyn Stanley of Golden Valley,a long-time and very active MOU member died April 15 at age 86. A complete obituary is in the Star Tribune today,May 27. She serve MOU as membership chair and was president of the Minneapolis Audubon Society. Manley Olson
[mou] Deaths of Minnesota Birders
I have learned of the recent deaths of two Minnesota Birders. Roger Preuss of Minneapolis, best known for his wild life paintings, died May 15 at age 85. He won the 1949 federal duck stamp contest and often donated his art work to raise funds for conservation groups. Eleanor Colburn, better known for her work in Minneapolis City government, died in Florida April 24 at age 76 as a result of injuries suffered in an assault. Even though she moved to Florida in 1986 she maintained her membership in MOU. When I agreed to monitor the deaths of Minnesota birders, it was with the assumption that it would include all birders, not just current MOU members. If you are aware of deaths of any, please forward the information to me. Manley Olson
[mou] Jean McIntosh
Jean McIntosh,long-time MOU member died Jan 16. Memorial service on April 4. Obit in April 1 Star-Tribune. Jean was employed in the Botany dept at the U of Minnesota and was active in the Minnesota Bird Club which met at the Bell Museum. Manley Olson
[mou] Common Nighthawk in Cohasset, MN.
What you heard was almost certainly a Woodcock.You are not the first to make such a misidentification. Almost every year there are extremely early reports of Nighthawks but they are always of birds heard but not seen.There was one such report in Wisconsin about 10 days ago.The first Nighthawks show up in mid-April and they are not widespread until mid-May.I would be suspicious of any heard only Nighthawk report until May. Manley Olson Falcon Heights Timothy Blackwood wrote: > Hello, > > While out walking a block north of the Super America in Cohasset, MN, at > 8:00pm this evening > (March 29, 2007), I heard the distinct "weer" sound of a Common Nighthawk. > The light rain didn't > seem to bother the bird. I heard the call 2 times before the bird left the > area. After > consulting Robert Janssen's "Birds in Minnesota", I found this to be a very > early record for > northern Minnesota. > > Happy birding, > Tim Blackwood > > Timothy J. Blackwood > E-mail: tblackwo...@yahoo.com > Phone: (218)328-6272 > Home Address: > 120 N.W. 5th Street Apt. #101 > Cohasset, Minnesota, USA 55721 > > > > > No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go > with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started. > http://mobile.yahoo.com/mail > > ___ > mou-net mailing list > mou-...@cbs.umn.edu > http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net > > >
[mou] green tailed towhee
Giving feed to those who have rare birds at their feeders is a great practice.When I had a varied Thrush two years ago, Sharon Stiteler brought a bag of seed from her store which I gave to the two neighbors in whose yards the bird spent more time. They were glad to get it and very appreciative and somewhat surprised that birders would do this. I think anything we can do to show our thanks helps build goodwill for birding. Manley Olson Falcon Heights SSMORTON wrote: > Three of us from Cottonwood ventured down to Mountain Lake yesterday to see > the towhee. We had three great sightings between 9 AM and 11AM. > > We think the ideas of donating for bird feed is excellent. Does anyone have > the actual address of the homeowners? > > Sue Morton > > ___ > mou-net mailing list > mou-...@cbs.umn.edu > http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net > > >
[mou] George Rysgaard
George Rysgaard,the first president of the MOU, died Dec. 25. He was 89. In April,1938 the MOU was formed by three existing bird clubs: The Minnesota Bird Club, based at the U of Minnesota, of which George was a member; the T.S.Roberts club of St Cloud: and the Duluth Bird Club.He served as president until 1940. George was a family physician in Northfield for many years. Services will be in Northfield on Saturday. A complete obit will be in the Star Tribune on Friday Manley Olson Falcon Heights
[mou] Re: [mnbird] Metro Birding
Steve While it would be encouraging to believe that changes on the wintering area has resulted in the increase of Dickcissels,I doubt that to be the case.The literature on Dickcissels is noted for comments about their fluctuation of numbers from year to year. That has certainly been my experience in over 50 years of birding in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Manley Olson Falcon Heights Steve Weston wrote: > I am definitely seeing Dickcissels in larger numbers than I have ever > seen them before and in locations that I know that they have not been > in the last five or six years. I believe the abundance of Dickcissels > is evidence that they are no longer being persecuted in southern South > America where they winter. > > On Sunday night I went down to Miesville Ravine in the evening > especially to find Whip-poor-wills. They readilly answered my whistle > from across the Canon River. Also we had several Wood Thrushes > calling from near the parking lot. At the top of the hill to the > west of the ravine near the red farm building with white trim I found > a pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers. > > Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN > swest...@comcast.net > > ___ > mnbird mailing list > mnb...@lists.mnbird.net > http://www.mnbird.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > >
[mou] "Oregon" Junco Ramsey County
Late yesterday we had an Oregon race of Dark-eyed Junco at a feeder two feet from a window. It fed for about two minutes and we got great looks at the black hood contrasting with the brown back and saw the tan sides Manley Olson
[mou] [Fwd: [wisb] Passing of a legend ART HAWKINS]
This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --09010703040009040307 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit This tribute to Art Hawkins,long-time birder and conservationist,is from the Wisconsin bird website. The was also an article and picture in the Star Tribune yesterday.There will be a private,family service. Manley Olson --09010703040009040307 Content-Type: message/rfc822; name="[wisb] Passing of a legend ART HAWKINS" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline; filename="[wisb] Passing of a legend ART HAWKINS" X-Account-Key: account1 Received: from lawrence.edu ([143.44.0.14]) by mx-1.vancouver.ipapp.com ; Sat, 11 Mar 2006 06:21:38 -0800 X-Spam-Level: *** X-Spam-Status: No, score=3.7 required=5.0 tests=AWL,HTML_MESSAGE, J_CHICKENPOX_44,NO_RECEIVED,NO_RELAYS,RATWARE_MS_HASH, RATWARE_OUTLOOK_NONAME autolearn=no version=3.1.0 X-TFF-CGPSA-Version: 1.4 X-TFF-CGPSA-Filter: Scanned X-ListServer: CommuniGate Pro LIST 5.0.6 List-Unsubscribe: <mailto:wisbirdn-...@lawrence.edu> List-ID: List-Archive: <http://lawrence.edu:80/Lists/wisbirdn/List.html> Precedence: list Message-ID: Sender: "Wisconsin Birding Network" To: "Wisconsin Birding Network" X-Original-Message-ID: <01f301c64517$10aa7a10$28267...@insigniapc> From: "Jeff Bahls" Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2006 08:20:45 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="=_NextPart_000_01F0_01C644E4.B2243F30" Subject: [wisb] Passing of a legend ART HAWKINS X-Rcpt-To: X-Country: US X-Received-Missing: US Return-Path: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --=_NextPart_000_01F0_01C644E4.B2243F30 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Folks, we lost a great one on Thursday. Art Hawkins passed away at the = age of 92. Art was a pioneer in the world of waterfowl research and = ecology.Art with Frank Belrose invented the wood duck box. Art also came = up with the waterfowl transect, a method of determining waterfowl = populations of which many other bird surveys were spun off of. Hawkins, studied under the great Aldo Leopold and has done work at = Faville grove in Jefferson county.=20 Art Hawkins was one of the founders of the Wood Duck Society. Started = in 1984 Wood Duck Society works to promote sound management of wood = duck populations and associated habitats required for their reproduction = and survival. It was through the Wood Duck Society that I knew Art. = Art was a fixture there. His walking stick in hand waving, smiling and = shaking hands with old friends and new "wood duckers".I attended the = meeting just about every year. Just last Saturday I attended the annual = meeting.I spoke with Art about Horicon marsh ( he wanted to know how = things were going there) I mentioned I had seen a picture of him back in = his days of working with Aldo Leopold saving some lady slippers from a = spot that was to be plowed. The photo showed Art carrying the plants on = a old door. "yup I put them in the Northwest corner, you can't see them from the = road you might have to across the ditch to see them"said Hawkins, nearly = 70 years later and he knew where he put those plants.We talked about old = co- workers of his and to say Hi to them. Needless to say Art was as = sharp as a tack until his dying day. Found with rubber boots on and = field glasses around his neck by his ponds in Hugo MN. He had been = watching the ducks and geese return. The ducks and geese that he had = helped for so many years and still was his passion. The man lived a full = life and had done something for the world. We ALL should be so lucky. = Art left behind a wife of 64 years and a daughter who is working with = the Aldo Leopold foundation.=20 The family asked that memorials go to the Leopold Foundation in Baraboo, = WI or to the Madison Audubon Society, Faville Prairie restoration. It = was only fitting that I was working on some wood duck photos when I = learned the news of Art's passing. One of my cherished possessions is a = copy of "Ecology and Management Of the Wood Duck" a book written by = Frank Belrose dedicated to Art Hawkins. Art signed the book for me.=20 Respectfully submitted=20 Jeff Bahls Lowell Wi Dodge County --=_NextPart_000_01F0_01C644E4.B2243F30 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Folks, we lost a great one on Thursday. = Art Hawkins=20 passed away at the age of 92. Art was a pioneer in the world of = waterfowl=20 research and ecology.Art with Frank Belrose invented the wood duck box. = Art also=20 came up with the waterfowl transect, a method of determining waterfowl=20 populations of which many other bird surveys were spun of
[mou] Posting sugestioms (no birds )
With migration picking up and the increase in postings,there are a few courtesies we can follow that will save time and frustration. Remember, there are beginning birders on the list. 1.Bird name and locality(county) in subject line 2.The first time you use initials or an abbreviation in a message,spell it out.We all don't know the initials of every organization or Wildlife Management Area 3.Don't use the four letter banding codes. While some are easy to decipher,others are confusing. 4.While many on the list know where Pietz's Road is (Aitkin County) or could even give directions to the Paton's feeder (Patagonia,Arizona) please remember the beginning birders and those who do not know Minnesota geography very well. Manley Olson Falcon Heights,Ramsey County
[mou] Small geese- Cackling?
About 4:00 today I saw 4 small geese in Roseville on the pond on the NW corner of Roselawn and Cleveland. There were about 150 birds on the pond. These four were off to the side of the rest and swam away when any larger goose approached. They were noticably smaller then the rest of the flock. I saw them only in the water, not on land. As the small birds drifted away, I heard what seemed to be higher pitched calls but I was not close enough to determine which bird was uttering the calls. Manley Olson Falcon Heights
[mou] California birding help
I will be attending a meeting in Sacramento and will have a few days for birding starting Saturday afternoon ,Sept. 24. I have birded this area only once,years ago in the Winter. Any suggested sites or resources would be appreciated. I do not have a list of wanted birds . What is Yosemite like this time of year? Thanks for your help. Manley Olson
[mou] MOU has leased land in the Sax Zim Bog Area
I applaud the action of the MOU to lease land in the Sax Zim Bog,
thereby increasing the access for MOU members in this unique area of
Minnesota. Given the propensity of land owners to increasingly espouse
a "this land ain't your land, this land is my land" philosophy, we need
to find ways to assure that we will be able to look for those birds that
chose to frequent other than public lands. Working out lease
arrangements not only helps provide this access but may also help to
improve relations with local land owners. However we should also
recognize that we need to be concerned with preserving habitat, even if
it is not a place where we might actually go to seek birds. This I
would hope that the MOU and its members would continue to support public
acquisition of important habitat, even if it is not a place we are
likely to visit. Not only do we need places where we personally expect
to see birds,but we need to support the acquisition and
preservation of wilderness for its own sake. It must be both/and not
either/or. This is the vision of Thoreau (" In wildness is the
preservation of the world"), John Muir and Aldo Leopold. In the
concluding paragraphs of "A Sand County Almanac", Leopold passionately
argues for the preservation of wilderness for its own sake, not just for
the use of "trophy-recreationists" as well as trophy hunters.
If we doubt that most of us birders are not in the trophy collection
business, one needs only to review the data Randy Fredrickson compiled
on the spending in pursuit of owls. For some of us the trophy was a
photo, for others a tick on a list. After 45 years of marriage my wife
is no longer surprised by a trip to Aitkin County to see owls but I
think she was not quite prepared for at least 150 people from 9 states
who came to our back yard seeking the Varied Thrush.
So while I encourage the providing, either by lease or purchase, of
places where we can bird freely, I also encourage us to put some of our
resources into land acquisition, even if we may never bird there.
Manley Olson
Falcon Heights
Alt, Mark wrote:
>The MOU has taken a first step and become a leaseholder on a parcel of
land in St Louis County, in the Sax Zim Bog area, less than a mile from
Owl Avenue. We are leasing 79 acres from Potlatch Corporation for a
year. It will be posted for no trespassing except with the permission of
the leaseholder, which is the MOU, so anyone who is a MOU member is a
leaseholder, so come on down! The MOU Board is doing this to take a
first step towards setting aside areas here for recreational birding.
The DNR and MN Audubon are strong supporters of this initiative. We
hope it leads to other land being set aside, such as McDavitt for the
woodpeckers, the Blue Spruce loop for Boreal specialties, and others.
Perhaps it may lead to a birding trail. We are not certain of how to
best use this plot, but we want it used, so I invite each of you to come
visit and bird on it! I will keep a tally of species reported on it and
make notes on our usages.
> The legal description of the property is referencing the St Louis
Plat book - it is the SW quarter of section 21 in T.54.N. - R.19W. For
regular directions, drive North from Cloquet to Cotton on Hwy 53, then
turn west on Hwy 52 (Arkola Rd), past CR 7 (about 6 miles), then
continue west another 5.5 miles to Owl Avenue (Township rd 203). Turn
south on TR 203 and head south. Continue about 2 miles through a gradual
"S" turn, (where TR 203 turns into TR 202), then you come to an
intersection with S. Overton Rd. (TR 980). Turn West on TR 980 and
proceed 1.75 miles, from this point to where TR 980 makes a 90 degree
turn to head north, you are driving along the southern border of our
property. As you turn north the Township Rd number is now TR 230, and
the name of the road is now Overton Rd. The first ½ mile as you head
north on TR 230, the MOU property borders you on your right. There are
boglands on the remote NE corner of the property, so we could get all
types of northern specialties, potentially.
> We are arranging to have a small parking area set up for 6 cars or
trucks in the area. We will be looking forward to hearing from all
visitors to this little spot of woods up north; please let us know what
is there! Good Birding!
>
>
>
>Mark Alt
>President,
>Minnesota Ornithologists Union
>J. F. Bell Museum of Natural History
>University of Minnesota
>10 Church Street SE
>Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104
>MOU.mn.org
>mark@bestbuy.com
>Cell: 612-803-9085
>
>
>
>___
>mou-net mailing list
>mou-...@cbs.umn.edu
>http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net
>
>
>
[mou] Death of Helen Tucker
Recently Helen's death was reported with no details.I have tried to get more information but have not had much luck.Birding folks in Arizona such as Melody Kehl and Tucson Audubon did not know of it.What I finally found out was that she died in Tucson on April 22 at age 72.The funeral will be Saturday,May 7 at Grace United Church of Christ in Millville MN at 11:00 a.m. There will be no visitation. I spent two days birding with Helen in Arizona in January and the last email I had from her was in mid-February.I will pass on more information if I get any. Manley Olson Falcon Heights
[Fwd: Re: [mou] finding mou money for owl rehab]
Original Message Subject: Re: [mou] finding mou money for owl rehab Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2005 19:33:13 -0600 From: Ann and Manley Olson Reply-To: a_mol...@unidial.com To: Jim Williams References: I think that Jim's suggestions are great. Posting the listing supplement on the MOU web site is not only a money saver, but it would make it available to more birders. The idea of not having color covers for the Loon and Newsletter is also a good one. The logical birds for upcoming covers are Great Gray Owl and Hawk Owl, birds that lend themselves to black and white. There are also many other Minnesota birds whose portrayal would be authentic and attractive without color. While I am sure that many MOU members would support these proposals, the decisions belong to the board and the editors. Having served on various boards, including many years on the MOU board, I know that not all good ideas can be implemented. However I join Jim in urging the board to give these suggestions careful consideration. I also support proposals that all of us who saw owls make a contribution in recognition of the thrills and enjoyment the birds have given us. Ann and I are members of the Raptor Center but we are making an additional gift. When I see the magnitude of the spending reported by owl seekers and the number of trips some have made, I think that most of us can afford to Give A Hoot and help support the Raptor Center in this work. Manley Olson Jim Williams wrote: > Mark Alt, MOU president, has generously agreed to put on the next > board meeting agenda a request for MOU funds for The Raptor Center, to > help pay for this winter's owl rehab work. > > In spite of having a large amount of money in the bank, finding this > money is not going to be easy for the board. Much of the MOU money is > dedicated or invested. There is a budget to consider, and the board's > responsibility to live within its plan for the year. > > If I may, here are some suggestions for finding a one-time > contribution to The Raptor Center that would not disrupt the budget > nor cause dedicated funds to be considered. (Since a major portion the > MOU's annual budget is devoted to publications, all of the suggestions > fall in that category.) > > 1. Forego printing the 2005 listing supplement. Publish it instead as > a pdf file on the MOU web site. This file would be available to all > who have interest, and could be downloaded and printed if birders want > a paper copy. This would save perhaps a thousand dollars. The MOU is > making great progress at improving its web site. Adding the listing > summaries there would be another nice feature. Actually, this could be > done each year, allowing that large budget item to be used elsewhere. > (Those folks interested in listing totals who do not have internet > access -- and that has to be a very small number -- could ask the MOU > to provide a plain-paper copy to them; a small fee for this could > cover MOU copying and mailing costs.) > > 2. Forego color on the cover of the next issue of The Loon. Savings, I > believe, again would be about a thousand dollars. This would be a > thoughtful one-time gesture in memory of our best owling season ever. > > 3. A smaller amount could be saved by foregoing color on the cover of > the next issue of the newsletter. > > 4. If an Occasional Paper is in the 2005 budget, skip the paper this > year and give the money to the owl rehab needs. > > Jim Williams > Wayzata > > > > > > > > ___ > mou-net mailing list > mou-...@cbs.umn.edu > http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net >
[mou] Great gray owls Aitkin & Pine counties
Thursday was a bright,sunny but quite windy day.Owls were sitting tight.Looked briefly east of Hinckley and found only one Great gray,about 3 miles east on Hy 48. Went west toward Aitkin. via 18,65,4&47.Very few birds including owls.Took Hy 1 north from Aitkin.Saw no owls.Return trip on Hy 1 was quite different. From the junction with Hy 3 to Aitkin saw 16 Great gray and 1 Great horned.All seen between 5:55 and 6:15 pm.For the afternoon had 23 Great gray and 2 Great horned.No Hawk owls. Snow buntings in 3 places near Aitkin and a single Horned lark.Also 3 Shrikes,1 Rough leg and 6 Ravens.Saw no Redtails north of Pine City. Manley Olson
[mou] No varied Thrush or White-throats
In the past few days I have had inquires about the Varied Thrush in Falcon Heights and also about other Varied Thrushes in the Metro area. The Falcon Heights bird was last seen on Jan. 31 and there was a possible sighting on Feb.1.Those are the last reports.I do not know anything about the others,perhaps someone else does. The large flocks of Robins and Cedar Waxwings have also moved out of our neighborhood but a flock of Robins was seen not to far away in the University Grove area. Just a few waxwings and Siskins around. A unrelated item:For many years there have been wintering White-throated Sparrows in downtown Minneapolis near the Hennepin County Government Center.One year at least 10 were there most of the winter.Since I do not go there much these days,I had not checked the area this winter.Last week I checked and found that the area south of the Center where the birds were seen has been"improved". The shrubbery where the birds were usually found is gone and I saw no birds,not even House Sparrows. Manley Olson
[mou] Expenses???
I do not have any report on spending but I can give some information on the extent to which people make an effort to see rare birds.We had a Varied Thrush in our neighborhood for about a month,two weeks of which it was in our yard.During that time I know of at least 150 visitors,from at least 8 states.When the bird moved two blocks away I was not able to keep as close a count on visitors and we were in Arizona for 8 days.I talked with birders from throughout the Metro area and some from other parts of Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.I doubt if any visitors from other states came to Minnesota just for the Varied Thrush but I do know that some who came looking for owls did go out of their way to look for the thrush.The number of local visitors was probably increased by the fact that the bird was here on Jan 1 and we had about 50 visitors on that day as birders wanted it for their year list. Manley Olson Randy Frederickson wrote: >A reminder to ALL those who peruse this list serve that the MOU is trying to >get a handle on the economic impact of birders in Minnesota this winter. > > >THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, to all you kind folks that have already >provided this information to me. Thank you to all you Minnesotans who are >diligently keeping track to send me a final count in early March. (I will >even accept your records if you are not diligent!) > >This is all bird generated TRIP MONEY, not just owling trips. Those of you >going to look at the Gyrfalcon, or just out for a Sunday drive, it all adds >up. > >If you are with a group, please consider submitting one response (it makes >things easier in my little corner of the world). > >Please try to include the following expense information: >Food >Lodging >Transportation (gas, car rental, etc.) >Air travel >Guide service >Misc. (books, clothes, optics) > >Also were you with a group or by yourself? What state are you from? What >month/s did you travel? > >Inclusive dates: Oct. 1, 2004 to Feb. 28, 2005. > >Of equal importance, if you do NOT WANT TO submit your expenses but traveled >in Minnesota this winter, PLEASE LET ME HEAR FROM YOU. I do not need to >know your reasons- they are your own. But I need to get a handle on total >number of visitors. Just let me know you were here. > >To date I have heard from approximately 85 people. Interesting enough, >EVERYONE of them has been exceptionally good looking and brilliant. > >Sowhat group do you want to be in:-) > > >Send results directly to me at this e-mail address. > > >Randy Frederickson >MOU conservation committee > > > > >___ >mou-net mailing list >mou-...@cbs.umn.edu >http://cbs.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mou-net > > >
[mou] Falcon Heights birds
I have had several calls and emails about the Varied Thrush and Bohemian Waxwings.The Bohemians were seen only on Jan 20 in a mixed flock.There have been 50 or more Cedars every day for the past 10 days.Yesterday there were at least 150 and today there were over 100.They are sometime in small groups but the past two days have been in a large flock.They have been all over the neighborhood but the most reliable places are the yard at Howell and Prior and a block to the south on Garden. The Varied Thrush surived the snowfall and was seen for several days but has not been reported since Wednesday.I saw it three times at the Howell site and I have four other reports.All were brief,the bird was shy and was not consistently there.There have been from 20 to 50 Robins around.I saw about 25 at the Howell site this morning,some were singing.There were also singing Cardinals and Chickadees.Sounded like Spring. The Howell yard apple trees have been pretty well cleared of their fruit,however there are many other apple trees and some Mountain Ash with fruit nearby so the birds could well stay around. Manley Olson 651 644 2848
[mou] Varied Thrush seen in Falcon Heights
I saw it about 3:30 at the yard on Howell & Prior. Last reported there on Jan8. It was feeding in the apple trees with about 15 Robins.There were also about 15 Cedar Waxwings there.No Bohemians.It was seen by several waxwing seekers including an ornithology prof from Yale and by a couple of birders who were looking at a nearby house for sale.There are many Cedar Waxwings in the area.I saw at least 75 today and at least 40 Robins. To reach the area take Roselawn to Prior.Follow Prior as it winds for 5 short blocks until it deadends at Howell.The house is on the Northwest corner of the intersection.The bird is most often seen from Prior.The homeowner is aware of the bird and welcomes birders but does not look for it and may not know if it there. Manley Olson 651 644 2848
[mou] Falcon Heights Robins
No Varied Thrush or Bohemian Waxwings but there were at least 50 Robins in our neighborhood today. Also Redpolls and Siskins Manley Olson Falcon Heights
[mou] Bohemian Waxwings---Falcon Heights
About 3:30 I saw a flock of about 75 waxwings near Howell and Garden(a block from where the Varied Thrush was last seen).I did not have my binocs but I got close enough to pick out both species.There has been a small flock of Cedar Waxwings around,this was a much bigger flock.Also had the first Pine Siskins of the year at my feeder and saw a small flock of Redpolls and a Sharp-shinned Hawk in the neighborhood.Will post if the waxwings are seen. Manley Olson 651 644 2848
[mou] Falcon Heights Varied Thrush
I got back from Arizona last night.Did not find the thrush this morning.The homeowner on Howell also just got back from a trip so there has been no regular looking for the past week or so.I last saw it on Jan 8. Idid not get any reports that anyone saw it since.If you did,let me know. Manley Olson
[mou] Varied Thrush Falcon Heights
The bird is being seen only at the yard on Howell & Prior.The owner is not a birder but has a feeder and has no problem with people walking into the yard to look for the Thrush.There are also at least two Robins there and Cedar Waxwings have been there this week.I have not seen it in my yard since Monday and my neighbors,in whose yard it was most often seen,have not seen it either.While it has been seen every day at Howell,it is not always there.I suspect it has another feeding area as well.It has been seen flying away to the East across Howell and it could well be visiting somewhere on Tatum or adjacent streets. I will be gone for two weeks and this is the last report.If you do see the bird I am sure that there are still people who would like to see it so please post a report. I have had two people stop by today.I would also like to know if it is staying around. Manley Olson
[mou] Varied Thrush Falcon Heights
Seen today at Howell& Prior.That is the only place it has been seen since Monday.The homeowner is aware of the bird and has no problem with people entering the yard to see it. He has not seen the bird himself but I gave him several pictures including one taken in his yard.Yesterday the bird was seen to fly away to the East across Howell so it is possible that is visiting a yard somewhere on Tatum which is the next street.. Manley Olson 651 644 2848
[mou] vARIED tHRUSH fALCON hEIGHTS
I will be away all day on Wednesday so will not be giving an update.Today I saw the bird for about 10 minutes at the Howell site.I did not see it at all in our yard or the neighbors.It also was not seen in the morning at Howell as I talked with several peolple who looked for it.Its eratic appearances since Thursday lead me to believe that it has at least one other feding place. There are so many crabapple trees in the area that it would not have a problem with food.The places where it has been seen also have Spruce trees where the bird goes when alarmed.If you go looking for it you might try places that have both food and cover. If you do find it on Wednesday put out a message.There continue to be people calling me or stopping by for whom this would be a life bird and would appreciate any news. Manley Olson 1974 W Summer Falcon Heights 651 644 2848
[mou] Varied Thrush in Falcon Heights seen today
I saw it at 11:55 in the yard at Howell and Prior.It was mostly in the evergreens but did also feed in an apple tree.There is also a Robin there so check your ID.I have not seen it in our yard today. Manley Olson 1974 W Summer Falcon Heights 651 644 2848
[mou] Varied Thrush seen today
It was seen at 9:10 here Manley Olson 1974 W Summer St Falcon Heights 651 644 2848
[mou] Varied Thrush Falcon Heights
I saw it briefly at 7:40 on the ground under the feeder,but have not seen it since.Yesterday the bird was at the yard on Prior and Howell from 9:45 until at least 1:00. I do not know if anyone saw it later.There was also a Robin and Cedar Waxwings there. I will not be here much of today.If you see the bird leave a phone or email.Here the bird can be seen from my yard.Going into the yard behind us is usually not necessary and tends to drive the bird out of sight under the spruce trees.If it not out in the open,look for it under the wooden fence in the yard adjacent to us on the south.The people in the red house know about the bird as do most of the other people in nearby houses. At the yard on Prior the bird is most often seen in the crabapple trees,both near the street and farter back on the lot. Theman who lives there is aware of the bird and birders but I have not talked with people in adjacent houses. Manley Olson 1974 W Summer Falcon Heights 651 644 2848
[mou] Varied Thrush seen
The Varid Thrush has just been seen in the yard at Prior and Howell. From Roselawn take Prior south. Do not turn on Summer but follow Prior to the junction with Howell.The bird is in the yard on the northwest corner.The are several crab trees including a big one on the lot corner away from the street Manley Olson 1974W Summer Falcon Heights 651 644 2848
[mou] No Varied Thrush yet today
The Varied Thrush has not yet been seen despite many seekers.I have a porch full of birders watching chickadees. The other yard where it has been seen has been checked but no bird there either.It was seen here throughout the day yesterday but was very unpredictable in the morning. I will post as soon as it appears Manley Olson
[mou] Varied Thrush
The varied thrush is in its usual place this morning. Yesterday, for much of the day it was at another house about 2 blocks away where there is a large crab apple tree. That house is on the north west corner of Prior and Howell. Manley Olson 1974 W. Summer St. Falcon Heights 651-644-2848
[mou] Varied Thrush
The Varied Thrush was in its usual spot at 8:00.There is a picture of it on the MOU website I should be here all day Manley Olson 1974 W.Summer St Falcon Heights 651 644 2848
[mou] Varied Thrush
Seen at 7:50 today. I saw it regularly yesterday from 8:00 to 9:30 and from 2:00 to 4:00. From the messages left I know that a number of people saw it during the day while I was gone.At least one had to wait about 25 minutes.I will be home all day;no need to call ahead.Since there appear to be many who want to see it,I will post daily updates including if the bird is not seen. Manley Olson 1974 W.Summer Falcon Heights 651 644 2848
[mou] Varied Thrush in Falcon Heights
The Varied Thrush was seen at 8:05 this morning. It showed up on Sunday and was seen from 8:30-3:45 yesterday. I talked with about 25 people, all of whom go at least a brief look. While the bird was seen throughout the day, at times people waited for 20 - 30 minutes to see it. It is quite skittish and flies when squirrels come near it. Also its main feeding area is adjacent to the shortcut neighborhood kids take to get to the park and twice yesterday it flushed when kids went by. While the neighbors are aware of the bird and its visitors, there is no need to go in someone else's year. Park on Summer street and come up the driveway and go alongside the garage. The bird is sometimes under the feeder on the stump; sometimes under the trees in the yard on the left but mostly has been in the yard ahead of you. Sometimes it will be under the feeder but if disturbed flies to the area along the wooden fence. You can see that area very well without entering the next yard. The bird is usually on the ground and can be quite difficult to see under the evergreens. It does perch in the crabapple tree that still has a little fruit on it. The tree is just behind the right side section of fence. Summer Street is accessible only from Roselawn. Take Prior south to Summer and right one block. Tan house on the corner. I will be gone most of the day. Let me know if you saw the bird. Several people got pictures yesterday. Manley Olson 1974 W. Summer St. Falcon Heights 651-644-2848
[mou] Varied Thrush
The Varied Thrush is back this morning.We are at 1974 W Summer in Falcon Heights. From Roselawn exit south on Prior to Summer and one block west.Tan house on the corner.Park on Summer and walk past garage.It has been seen under the feeder on the stump,in the next yard under the feeder,but mostly on the far side of the next yard under the wooden fence.The is a crabapple tree and I suspect it is feeding on fruit that has fallen into the leaves.It is an adult male,very brightly marked.It was seen by Leslie Marcus about 1:30 and other birders until about 3:00 pm yesterday but Bob Holtz did not find it about 400 pm.(but did see a Robin fly over) Manley Olson 651 644 2848
[mou] Varied Thrush
The Varied Thrush seen briefly earlier this month reappeared at 9:30 today. Manley Olson 1974 W.Summer St Falcon Heights 651 644 2848
[mou] St Paul Great Gray Refound
Birders should be aware that the Great Gray is not the only large owl in the area.About 11:00 another birder and I saw a Great Horned Owl,probably from the same alley where Denny saw the Great Gray. Manley Olson Sharon Stiteler wrote: >Denny Martin just called to report that the great gray owl in St. Paul has >been refound hunting in an alley between Hythe and Chelmsford just south of >Dudley. > > > >
