[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

Didn't get out of my yard today, but still found a few FOY birds:
Great Crested Flycatcher
Nashville Warbler
Chipping Sparrow

Reports from a friend in SE Dakota County included these FOY birds:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Baltimore Oriole
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Eastern Towhee
She also reported a brown bat and a few days ago, a Whip-poor-will

I spent the day in the yard mostly gardening. Flowers in bloom include:
Vinka, 3 kinds of violets, wild strawberries, forget-me-nots, the last of
the Siberian Quil, forsythia (although it is pretty much in decline),
hyacinth. I believe I also have Pennsylvania Sedge in bloom.

I had gray treefrogs singing. Interesting as about 90% of our treefrogs are
cope's gray treefrogs, but they start singing later in the season. In a few
days I expect as the gray treefrogs peak, they will be almost drowned out
by the cope's.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
swest...@comcast.net


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[mou-net] Fwd: [mou-net] About the Metro

[Kathy Confer]

This morning at Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley (Anoka County), we had
an abbreviated bird banding session due to the number of birds being
netted/trapped and the cool, rainy weather. The total was 119 birds and 28
species, including 11 warbler species (Canada, Tennessee, Nashville,
Chestnut-sided, Golden-winged, Magnolia, Black and White, Common
Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Ovenbird, and Northern Waterthrush). Also
worth mentioning: a Blue-headed Vireo and a Yellow-throated Vireo, plus a
couple of Brown Thrashers and Common Grackles. Birds are definitely on the
move!

Kathy Confer
Springbrook Nature Center
  Bird Banding Volunteer

-- Forwarded message -
From: Susan anderson <027be96b2ba4-dmarc-requ...@lists.umn.edu>
Date: Sun, Sep 8, 2019 at 10:51 PM
Subject: Re: [mou-net] About the Metro
To: 


I have been seeing a number of American Redstarts on Tower Hill in Mpls.
Susan A.

> On Sep 8, 2019, at 10:43 PM, Brian Tennessen 
wrote:
>
> I saw Nashville Warblers at both the Bloomington bass ponds and at Crosby
> Farm park Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. I also saw what I believe
> was a Palm Warbler Sat morning.
>
> I saw a lot of Blue Jay activity at Crosby Farm Sat. Morning, they were
> noticeably active and flying here and there in groups.
>
> Brian T.
>
> On Sun, Sep 8, 2019 at 9:42 PM Bernard P. Friel  wrote:
>
>> I can report that a loose flock of 50-100 robins passed through the woods
>> at my home in Mendota Heights last evening, and have had a few hummers
>> visiting the last few flowers on our trumpet vine.
>>
>> Bernard P. Friel
>> Motivational Program:
>> A Change of Heart-Taking Charge of Your Health
>> Member:
>>   The Explorers Club
>>North American Nature Photography Association
>>Grand Canyon River Guides
>>International Society of Aviation Photography
>> Web Pages-http://www.wampy.com
>>
>>
>> On 9/8/19, 21:12, "Minnesota Birds on behalf of Steve Weston" <
>> MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU on behalf of swesto...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>Beginning to see early signs of migration about the yard. Today we had
>> a
>>Swainson's Thrush feeding on dogwood berries. We also had an immature
>>Chestnut-sided Warbler fatally hit the window, which, for some reason,
>> is a
>>rare occurrence here. I posted photos of it on eBird.
>>We have had daily visits from a male Pileated that likes our suet.
>> Today, I
>>flushed a Coopers Hawk from a lake-side perch and yesterday I heard
our
>>local Red-shouldered Hawk calling. Interestingly, the Blue Jays here
>>imitate the Red-shouldered rather that the Red-tailed calls.
>> Hummingbirds
>>rarely visit our feeder, apparently too busy with the spotted
jewelweed
>>flourishing in the yard.
>>
>>Large moths have been visiting the kitchen windows, probably Locust
>>Underwings, although I am seeing them from the wrong side for an ID.
>>Leopard frogs and toads are thick in the yard. Probably the most
>>interesting non-avian observation was the road killed skunk at I-494
>> and
>>Penn Avenue, definitely not a rural local.
>>
>>Steve Weston
>>On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
>>swest...@comcast.net
>>
>><
>>
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Re: [mou-net] About the Metro

[Susan anderson]

I have been seeing a number of American Redstarts on Tower Hill in Mpls.  Susan 
A.

> On Sep 8, 2019, at 10:43 PM, Brian Tennessen  
> wrote:
> 
> I saw Nashville Warblers at both the Bloomington bass ponds and at Crosby
> Farm park Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. I also saw what I believe
> was a Palm Warbler Sat morning.
> 
> I saw a lot of Blue Jay activity at Crosby Farm Sat. Morning, they were
> noticeably active and flying here and there in groups.
> 
> Brian T.
> 
> On Sun, Sep 8, 2019 at 9:42 PM Bernard P. Friel  wrote:
> 
>> I can report that a loose flock of 50-100 robins passed through the woods
>> at my home in Mendota Heights last evening, and have had a few hummers
>> visiting the last few flowers on our trumpet vine.
>> 
>> Bernard P. Friel
>> Motivational Program:
>> A Change of Heart-Taking Charge of Your Health
>> Member:
>>   The Explorers Club
>>North American Nature Photography Association
>>Grand Canyon River Guides
>>International Society of Aviation Photography
>> Web Pages-http://www.wampy.com
>> 
>> 
>> On 9/8/19, 21:12, "Minnesota Birds on behalf of Steve Weston" <
>> MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU on behalf of swesto...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>Beginning to see early signs of migration about the yard. Today we had
>> a
>>Swainson's Thrush feeding on dogwood berries. We also had an immature
>>Chestnut-sided Warbler fatally hit the window, which, for some reason,
>> is a
>>rare occurrence here. I posted photos of it on eBird.
>>We have had daily visits from a male Pileated that likes our suet.
>> Today, I
>>flushed a Coopers Hawk from a lake-side perch and yesterday I heard our
>>local Red-shouldered Hawk calling. Interestingly, the Blue Jays here
>>imitate the Red-shouldered rather that the Red-tailed calls.
>> Hummingbirds
>>rarely visit our feeder, apparently too busy with the spotted jewelweed
>>flourishing in the yard.
>> 
>>Large moths have been visiting the kitchen windows, probably Locust
>>Underwings, although I am seeing them from the wrong side for an ID.
>>Leopard frogs and toads are thick in the yard. Probably the most
>>interesting non-avian observation was the road killed skunk at I-494
>> and
>>Penn Avenue, definitely not a rural local.
>> 
>>Steve Weston
>>On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
>>swest...@comcast.net
>> 
>><
>> http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email_source=link_campaign=sig-email_content=webmail
>>> 
>>Virus-free.
>>www.avg.com
>><
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>>> 
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>>
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Re: [mou-net] About the Metro

[Brian Tennessen]

I saw Nashville Warblers at both the Bloomington bass ponds and at Crosby
Farm park Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. I also saw what I believe
was a Palm Warbler Sat morning.

I saw a lot of Blue Jay activity at Crosby Farm Sat. Morning, they were
noticeably active and flying here and there in groups.

Brian T.

On Sun, Sep 8, 2019 at 9:42 PM Bernard P. Friel  wrote:

> I can report that a loose flock of 50-100 robins passed through the woods
> at my home in Mendota Heights last evening, and have had a few hummers
> visiting the last few flowers on our trumpet vine.
>
> Bernard P. Friel
> Motivational Program:
> A Change of Heart-Taking Charge of Your Health
> Member:
>The Explorers Club
> North American Nature Photography Association
> Grand Canyon River Guides
> International Society of Aviation Photography
> Web Pages-http://www.wampy.com
>
>
> On 9/8/19, 21:12, "Minnesota Birds on behalf of Steve Weston" <
> MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU on behalf of swesto...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Beginning to see early signs of migration about the yard. Today we had
> a
> Swainson's Thrush feeding on dogwood berries. We also had an immature
> Chestnut-sided Warbler fatally hit the window, which, for some reason,
> is a
> rare occurrence here. I posted photos of it on eBird.
> We have had daily visits from a male Pileated that likes our suet.
> Today, I
> flushed a Coopers Hawk from a lake-side perch and yesterday I heard our
> local Red-shouldered Hawk calling. Interestingly, the Blue Jays here
> imitate the Red-shouldered rather that the Red-tailed calls.
> Hummingbirds
> rarely visit our feeder, apparently too busy with the spotted jewelweed
> flourishing in the yard.
>
> Large moths have been visiting the kitchen windows, probably Locust
> Underwings, although I am seeing them from the wrong side for an ID.
> Leopard frogs and toads are thick in the yard. Probably the most
> interesting non-avian observation was the road killed skunk at I-494
> and
> Penn Avenue, definitely not a rural local.
>
> Steve Weston
> On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
> swest...@comcast.net
>
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Re: [mou-net] About the Metro

[Bernard P. Friel]

I can report that a loose flock of 50-100 robins passed through the woods at my 
home in Mendota Heights last evening, and have had a few hummers visiting the 
last few flowers on our trumpet vine.

Bernard P. Friel 
Motivational Program:
A Change of Heart-Taking Charge of Your Health
Member:
   The Explorers Club
North American Nature Photography Association
Grand Canyon River Guides
International Society of Aviation Photography
Web Pages-http://www.wampy.com
 

On 9/8/19, 21:12, "Minnesota Birds on behalf of Steve Weston" 
 wrote:

Beginning to see early signs of migration about the yard. Today we had a
Swainson's Thrush feeding on dogwood berries. We also had an immature
Chestnut-sided Warbler fatally hit the window, which, for some reason, is a
rare occurrence here. I posted photos of it on eBird.
We have had daily visits from a male Pileated that likes our suet. Today, I
flushed a Coopers Hawk from a lake-side perch and yesterday I heard our
local Red-shouldered Hawk calling. Interestingly, the Blue Jays here
imitate the Red-shouldered rather that the Red-tailed calls. Hummingbirds
rarely visit our feeder, apparently too busy with the spotted jewelweed
flourishing in the yard.

Large moths have been visiting the kitchen windows, probably Locust
Underwings, although I am seeing them from the wrong side for an ID.
Leopard frogs and toads are thick in the yard. Probably the most
interesting non-avian observation was the road killed skunk at I-494 and
Penn Avenue, definitely not a rural local.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
swest...@comcast.net



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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

Beginning to see early signs of migration about the yard. Today we had a
Swainson's Thrush feeding on dogwood berries. We also had an immature
Chestnut-sided Warbler fatally hit the window, which, for some reason, is a
rare occurrence here. I posted photos of it on eBird.
We have had daily visits from a male Pileated that likes our suet. Today, I
flushed a Coopers Hawk from a lake-side perch and yesterday I heard our
local Red-shouldered Hawk calling. Interestingly, the Blue Jays here
imitate the Red-shouldered rather that the Red-tailed calls. Hummingbirds
rarely visit our feeder, apparently too busy with the spotted jewelweed
flourishing in the yard.

Large moths have been visiting the kitchen windows, probably Locust
Underwings, although I am seeing them from the wrong side for an ID.
Leopard frogs and toads are thick in the yard. Probably the most
interesting non-avian observation was the road killed skunk at I-494 and
Penn Avenue, definitely not a rural local.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
swest...@comcast.net


Virus-free.
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[mou-net] About the Metro - It's spring (long)

[Steve Weston]

It's spring! It's spring!!!

The snow is gone from the back yard and about half the lake is open water.
The yard is snow free, but there have been few transient birds around. The
crocuses are in bloom and Siberian squill are just beginning to flower in
the front yard. Everything is still brown, except for the evergreen vinca
and the mosses, which are in flower or whatever a non-flowering plant does.
A few of the native forbs are beginning to peek out.

It has been an awesome week of birding! Last Saturday I went with a group
from the Hastings Bird Festival down to Lake Byllesby on the border of
Goodhue and Dakota counties and found a riot of waterfowl, counting some 30
species with awesome looks at a Cinnamon Teal and horned and red-necked
grebes, plus 5 species of shorebirds. There were also dancing Sandhill
Cranes, terns, and bonnie gulls, and passarines including Fox and Song
Sparrows, Bluebirds, Phoebe, shrike, sapsucker, and Yellow-rumps. Hawks
included Harrier and both accipiters. And, fields of Tundra Swans.

Monday got better, when 2 Whooping Cranes were seen flying into the 180th
Street marsh. They were later ID'd as two males from the Wisconsin or
"eastern" flock. Following guidelines from the Fish and Wildlife Service
they were not posted on social media. Sorry. If it is any consolation, they
were on the far shore and I got lousy photos. I stayed until nightfall
listening to chorus frogs playing their combs, Yellowlegs in flight,
Pied-bills, Soras, Mallards, Blue-winged Teal calling, coyotes singing, and
several night sounds I couldn't quite ID.

Tuesday morning yielded a probable new yard bird as I could hear Sandhill
Cranes calling from the athletic fields a couple of blocks away. By late in
the day, reports were that the Whoopers had left.

Tomorrow we head to western Minnesota for this weekend's Salt Lake Birding
Weekend. Come one, come all. It's free and there is no registration. Check
out http://moumn.org/saltlake/



Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
swest...@comcast.net


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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

On Monday night I headed down to the Frontenac area near Lake City to run
my first Frog & Toad survey of the season. I figured this might be the only
night this week that I wouldn't be rained out and if I waited any longer I
would loose any chance of finding Wood Frogs, which have the shortest
calling period of any of the frogs. The temperatures were in the 50's when
I started out, but had dropped into the 40's by the time I started the run.
It is not recommended that the survey be run if the temperature is below
42, but it did not drop that low until I finished. I was rewarded with
great choruses of frogs at many of the stops and ended up with all 4
species of early singers: the easy to miss Wood Frog, Northern Leopard,
Chorus, and Spring Peepers. Plus, I found one or two American Toads, which
are not expected to be singing this early in the spring.

Not many night birds were calling. I had both Barred and Great-horned owls
and a Virginia Rail. I had no Sora's answer my recording. I did flush
either a Woodcock or Snipe, but I did not get more than a second to make an
ID.

Driving on Tuesday, I found the first Tree Swallows of the year and they
were on every pond and lake I looked. Today (Friday) I had a pair of
Rough-winged Swallows in expected nesting habitat: the paved lot behind a
warehouse. Barn Swallows like to nest in the doorways of the docks and
Rough-wings, which are cavity nests, favor the bottoms of parked trailors,

On Tuesday night I found the first light loving night insects swarming on
the window, a mix of midges and what appeared to be moth flies, but I have
never seen them in any numbers before and especially not on my windows at
night. Moth flies, look like miniature moths about a quarter of an inch
long. I was also surprised that they would be out so early in the season.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
swest...@comcast.net


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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

Just got back after spending three months in warm Florida. Best bird: a
Fork-tailed Flycatcher. My wife's comment when I got back in the car after
having her pull off onto the shoulder: "Don't get the idea that we are
going to stop for every bird you see!" It was a good day.

I got back just in time to participate in the annual Sandhill Crane count
on April 8th.. Most of the counters in our area (Dakota and Goodhue
counties) found either no cranes or six to eight cranes. I found no cranes,
although there are usually cranes nesting in the area. I always count in
what I call the 190th Street natural area in Empire Township north of
Farmington. The road is closed seasonally, and they don't open it this
early in the year. So, I called the township to see if I could get access
to the road, rather than riding a bike in. I didn't get through so I left a
message explaining that I want to gain access to the road to count the
cranes. I called back a couple of hours later to make sure they had gotten
the message, as it was only a couple of days before the count. The lady I
spoke to had overheard the message that someone else had played.
"I understand that you want to access the road, but it is closed and we
follow the state guidelines on road closures."
"What state guidelines? There are no state guidelines that apply to this
road closure"
"Yes, there are state guidelines on spring road closures relating to weight
limits. We can't have you driving your crane down the road this early in
the spring."
I explained I was counting cranes (birds) not driving a crane. They called
me back and gave me access to the road.

It was a great time birding, but no cranes and no exciting birds. The best
birds were the Brewer's Blackbirds.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
swest...@comcast.net


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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

In the last couple of weeks I added two species to my yard list: Merlin and
Sand Hill Crane. I am still occasionally seeing a Tufted Titmouse at the
feeder. But, now we are only seeing a single bird, rather than a pair. My
wife believes that we are seeing much fewer ducks on our lakes than
previous falls. We will have to see.

I heard from one of my friends that they were disappointed to find no
cranes this last weekend at Crex Meadows. I haven't heard of any recent
reports of them being around.

I keep the mouse traps in the garage baited with peanut butter to catch the
deer mice trying to come into the house. Besides the deer mice, I have also
caught short-tailed shrews and masked or cinereus shrews.

This is the time of the year when buckthorn really depresses me. Look at
almost any stand of tree around this part of the state and you see a green
understory. This is all buckthorn crowding out native plants. It always
amazes me the number of buckthorn hedges you can still find in yards around
the cities. Many people just don't know that it is a noxious weed that is
prohibited by law to be sold anywhere in the state. This is the time of
year to get into your yard and pull all those buckthorn seedlings before
they get big and hard to pull. Any plants still green, besides evergreens,
this time of year, is probably not native to our area. Other non-native
plants still green include honeysuckle, lilacs, yard grass.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
swest...@comcast.net


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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

The soundscape around my house has been evolving.  A month ago the Copes
treefrogs were a loud drone sound track at night that would have drowned
out a rock band with the amps turned all the way up. You could only hear
the occasional plunk of the green frogs and the high pitch of the mind
numbing hum of the american toads, when the treefrogs would take a
momentary pause. Unlike the band, you could not call the police to knock on
the door to tell them it was time to call it a night. But, to me it always
beat the restless sound of traffic of the old house in Minneapolis. I could
imagine the treefrogs could drive urbanites back to city.  But, now that is
all quiet.

For a couple of weeks, perhaps ten days ago, the Broadwing Hawks were
circling overhead with a whistling screem for what seemed like hours at a
time. I am not sure, if they were calling to the lazy teenaged fledglings
to get out of the nest, or trying to drive off some predator that was
advancing on the nest. Now they have quieted down and they have been
replaced on their post by cirlcing, screeming Red-tailed Hawks.

The night soundscape is dominated by hungry Barred Owl fledglings that
sound a lot like they are related to the Red-tailed Hawks. I wandered into
the backyard to see if I could find a sound to entice them into my yard.
Standing on the deck I could hear that I had not one, but two owlets
screeming "Feed me!". They came closer to me, but never within the cone of
my yard lights.  Now that I have come inside they seem to have quieted down.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
swest...@comcast.net


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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

On Sunday a few of us went out to the Canon River bottoms and hiked the
state trail off of Collishan Road.  We had six to eight or more Cerulean
Warblers singing, but saw only a few.  We also had a Blue-winged Warbler,
Wood Thrushes, and three calling Yellow-billed Cuckoos, one of which we got
great looks of.  We did not find any Acadian Flycatchers, which we have had
reliably in the past.  The most common bird of the day was the American
Redstart.

Later that afternoon I canoed around Quigley Lake observing the duckling
groups.  I found four groups with Hooded Merganser chicks, two of which
were led by Wood Duck hens.  I found no Mallards, pure Wood Duck broods, or
Canada Geese families, although there is plenty of cover to shelter them.
I did find blooming Bladderwort, a free floating carnivorous plant with
yellow flowers that are about three quarters of an inch across that stick
up two or three inches above the surface.  It is considered by the PCA a
sensitive indicator of water quality and is only found in high quality
wetlands.  I don't believe I had noticed them before on the lake, but am
seeing them around.

This summer the wild strawberries in the yard have been more plentiful and
larger, sweeter, and tastier than I have ever seen.  Well, every year they
are tastier than I remember.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

this weekend I got to spend a little time outside at home for a change.
Besides the regular yard birds little else was around.  Spending time
outside I did get to hear the Titmouse calling several times.

The things of interest was the frog and toad calls.  During the day I heard
for the first time this year short calls from both American Toads and Copes
Gray Treefrogs.  They both called on a bright sunny afternoon rather than
at night.  But, the calls were short, like they were testing their voices.
At night when I listened neither called and I only heard the sonorous calls
of a Northern Leopard Frog.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] About the Metro - Tufted Titmouse at Quigley Lake

[Steve Weston]

 I did have a new yard bird today: a Tufted Titmouse. That is probably the
first new yard bird in the last couple of years! I believe that I have only
found it once before in Dakota County.

I got back about an hour and a half ago from my frog  toad survey route. I
go out three times each year to listen for calling frogs and toads. The
route is about a hour south of here and is the same each year. The first
survey in early to mid April typically yields three or four species. I find
the three species (Chorus Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, and Spring Peeper)
every year on the first survey, although this year they were markedly less
abundant than previous years. This might be a result of the cold dry
weather recently. A few days from now they might be more abundant, but
probably not. The fourth species (Wood Frog) is difficult to find because
one has to time the survey just right as they the sing for only a few days.
This year I found them abundant and widespread, perhaps more-so than just
about any other year. I always also listen for night singing birds, but
this time I heard none, which is not unusual for this time of the season.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

Driving along I-494 just south of Bass Lake Road in Maple Grove last week I
saw a couple of Sand Hill Cranes on the lawn of Prudential Insurance.
 Around the yard lately I have been hearing Wood Peewee, Broad-winged Hawk,
Barred Owl, Red-eyed Vireo, and Great-crested Flycatchers.

Yesterday I cleaned out a couple of my wood duck houses.  We have both Wood
Ducks and Hooded Mergansers growing up by the house.   One house was a
successful nest with egg fragments and two or three shriveled eggs and one
unhatched Wood Duck egg.  The other nest was a disaster with sixteen
unhatched eggs, almost all Wood Ducks.  One popped in the house as I was
cleaning it and two more popped like firecrackers in the plastic bag,
releasing the fragrant hydrogen-sulfide.  I soon had an assortment of
bottle and carrion flies swarming around the bag.  The house was a hive of
activity with a nest of large ants, I believe, a little smaller than
carpenter ants.  And, several beetles and something that looked like a
large wasp.  As I was digging out the nest bedding and rotting eggs with
all this insect distraction crawling about, something big startled me as it
landed on my bare arm.  I almost jumped off the ladder, but despite my
flinch, there sitting on my shirt was a gray tree frog.  I wondered if it
was interested in the insect activity, but it didn't stay around to help me
clean up and after a minute or two it jumped into the bushes.

Raspberries have not been doing much this year.  Hopefully the rain will
spur their development.  The black cherry tree is dropping cherries.  None
that I have tasted this year have been sweet.  We have several different
kinds of lilies in bloom, including a couple that may be turk's cap lilies.
 We also have false dragon head (light purple flowers), evening primrose
(yellow flowers), and bluebells.   I also have a couple of feverwort aka
horse gentian (Triosteum perfoliatum) plants that are fruiting in my yard.
 This is a native plant that has clasping leaves around the stem where the
plant flowers and produces five bright orange berries about a half inch in
size. I don't know if this is an uncommon plant, but I have never seen it
anywhere else.  With the exception of some non-native lilies, all of these
plants found their own way into my yard.

Also, around the yard:  Cherie saw a cute fox head through the yard.  I
also have been seeing a wild bee with a white band around its abdomen.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

This morning I was delighted to find a hen Hooded Merganser assembling her
brood of about 14 brand new hatchlings in the water by one of our houses.
They were a mass of energy all closely clumped by her.  Even with a photo,
it was impossible to get an accurate count.  Hopefully she will bring them
back later so we can get a second chance on the count.  Nearby four more
females swam.  At least two have been hanging around here.  No doubt the
house was the depository for more than one hen's eggs.   This is the
largest Hoody brood that I have seen here, although I have seen much larger
elsewhere.  It is also the first brood that I have seen of any size.  This
has been a poor reproductive year so far for most ducks in this area.

On Wednesday a boy scout leader that I had trained for the bird studies
merit badge stopped by and reported that he had had trouble finding the 20
species for the requirement down at the scout reservation by Cannon Falls.
 I asked him if he had heard the Red-eyed Vireo and opened my Sibley Ap on
my phone and played its song.  I immediately had an answer from the tree
tops.  I then also recommended he also learn the Pewee song, but before I
played it, it started singing.

Yesterday in the yard we had a Broad-winged Hawk whistling and could hear a
Warbling Vireo.  This is the first year that I can remember a Warbling
Vireo staying for the breeding.  We also had crows mobbing something in the
forest nearby, but I did not climb the fence to chase it.   Also, in lake I
saw a couple of hatchling painted turtles.

Steve Weston
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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

In contrast to last night's frogs and toads in Goodhue Co, where the
treefrogs were mostly gray treefrogs, here on Quigley Lake in Dakota Co, it
is mostly cope's gray treefrogs.

this year appears to be an off year for waterfowl production at least in
the Metro.  All of the Mallard, Wood Duck, and Canada Goose broods have
been two to four babies.  Usually it is at least eight to twelve and often
more.  I saw my first Mourning Dove fledgling yesterday.  Interestingly, it
was by itself, which I rarely see.  I doubt that it will survive the
summer.  It seemed way to unwary.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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Re: [mou-net] About the Metro

[Vic Lewis]

I saw 1 common Nighthawk Thursday evening around 7:00 PM 
Calling and moving north! 

Sent from my iPhone

 On May 23, 2014, at 11:49 PM, Steve Weston swest...@comcast.net wrote:
 
 Last night I saw my first C. Nighthawk flying just above the ground at the
 Minnesota River Valley Wildlife Refuge visitor's center.
 
 Today I saw my first Wood Duck with a small brood of four to six just on
 their way to the lake marching through the grass.  Today was the first that
 I heard Great-crested Flycatchers and Red-eyed Vireos on territory in the
 yard.  In the last few days we have had pairs of Catbirds and Gnatcatchers
 in the yard.  Hopefully they will stick around.  I am beginning to hear
 American Toads and Copes Gray Treefrogs calling.  When the crescendo of the
 treefrogs comes, the toads will be completely drowned out.  But, now you
 can count the singing treefrogs and hear the toads in the gaps in the song.
 
 
 Steve Weston
 On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
 swest...@comcast.net
 
 
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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

Last night I saw my first C. Nighthawk flying just above the ground at the
Minnesota River Valley Wildlife Refuge visitor's center.

Today I saw my first Wood Duck with a small brood of four to six just on
their way to the lake marching through the grass.  Today was the first that
I heard Great-crested Flycatchers and Red-eyed Vireos on territory in the
yard.  In the last few days we have had pairs of Catbirds and Gnatcatchers
in the yard.  Hopefully they will stick around.  I am beginning to hear
American Toads and Copes Gray Treefrogs calling.  When the crescendo of the
treefrogs comes, the toads will be completely drowned out.  But, now you
can count the singing treefrogs and hear the toads in the gaps in the song.


Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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Re: [mou-net] About the Metro

[manley olson]

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 swest...@comcast.net 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
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Re: [mou-net] About the Metro

[Bryand, Monica]

At Loring on Thursday I saw a sora in the main lake, common yellow-throat and 
yellow along with your finds. 


On May 17, 2014, at 7:20 PM, manley olson manleyol...@gmail.com wrote:

 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 swest...@comcast.net 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
 
 
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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

This is the time of the year when I do not feel in command of the yard.
 With three wood duck boxes in the yard I feel as if I have to sneak up to
the window to avoid frightening off the skittish ducks.  I had already
stopped short once by a pair of Woodies this morning, but when I glanced
out the side window and counted about 30 Yellow-rumps (and a single
Nashville) I tried the back windows again.  This time the pair of Woodies
were not around.  As I stood there, a hawk flashed through the yard and the
pair of Woodies went flying from close to the house where they were not
visible from the window.  But, rather than the neighborhood Cooper that I
expected, it was an adult Red-tailed Hawk that went after the ducks!  I had
never seen that before.

At Rockford Road  Annapolis in Plymouth:  a barely fledged Gr. Horned Owl
in full downy uniform (with big black eye rings) was chased to ground by a
harassing Crow.   Despite being late, I made an immediate U-turn, but the
birds were gone.

At Minnetonka Blvd and Williston Rd in Minnetonka: a soaring Broad-winged
Hawk.

First noticed on Saturday in Hok-si-la and again today in Plymouth, almost
masked by the overwhelming Chorus Frogs, a few American Toads have started
their siren songs.  They remind me of something singing in the minds of the
Tolkien's travelers early in the story.  Was it sand rats?  I can not
remember.

In Frontenac we found a number of Willow Flycatchers, not singing, but
giving their characteristic Whit call.   I believe there may be a
considerable difference in the migration timing of Willows and Alders with
the Willows migrating quietly early and the Alders migrating late singing.
 This is just from personal experience.  I should check the MOU records.

Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

First of Year birds seen today (Saturday) in Dakota County:
Orchard Oriole - several seen at Blaine's oriole  tanager sanctuary near
Farmington.  One also seen at Lake Byllesby
Indigo Bunting - heard near Blaine's
Bobolink - several pairs seen at Great Western Ind. Park near Randolph.
None were singing.
Grasshopper Sparrow - seen at Great Western Ind. Park
several quiet Empids also seen.

I noticed the access panel of my active wood duck house was ajar and
discovered that it had been raided by an egg-eating predator.  Seventeen
eggs were counted last time, but I found only three (one Wood Duck and two
Merganser) left intact.  I cleaned them up and returned them to the
repaired house, but I have small hope of them hatching.  If they do
survive, I trust the survivors will be too young to have been traumatized
by the attack on their nest mates.

Four days ago I heard my first treefrog, a gray treefrog, trilling around
our yard.  Tonight we had a full chorus of treefrogs, but I only heard
Copes gray treefrog.  We also had two climbing the glass by our front door.


Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] About the Metro: Purple Finches

[Steve Weston]

Yesterday and today I have had one to two female Purple Finches on the
feeder.  Also in the yard: Pileated, Red-bellied, and Flicker woodpeckers
and a flock of Juncos.  I haven't noticed anything else out of the ordinary
in my wanderings.  I am seeing a lot of birds on Minnesota River.

This time of year it is easy to see how buckthorn is extensively infesting
our woods.  With few exceptions, if a plant has not lost its leaves or
turned color, it is probably not native.  All of that green understory in
the woods is composed of invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle.


-- 
Steve Weston
On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

This morning I heard a trill song added to the morning chorus, which now
includes Chickadee, WB Nuthatch, E. Phoebe, Canada Goose, Hairy
Woodpecker.  It did not sound like our resident Chipping Sparrow.  I
suspect it was a young Junco practicing.  It wasn't steady like either song
should be.

Since this weekend, I am hearing Chorus Frogs at just about every stand of
cattails.  They sound like running your finger along the teeth of a comb.
I would expect Leopard Frogs are singing also, but I haven't heard them.
I always find them in my yard, but I have heard them only once or twice on
my lake.  Spring Peepers are probably calling also, but I only come across
them around Frontenac on my frog and toad route.

I always look at roadkill as I drive by.  Besides the usual raccoons easily
seen this time of year, I am starting to see mink in the gutters.  They are
easy to recognize by their color (dark brown) and size (about a foot to a
foot and half).  They are almost always near wetlands.  Usually they aren't
lying so you can see their white chin.
-- 
Steve Weston
On Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

Saturday:  A thrush at home was cooperative, but the binocs were not available, 
so I could not distinguish whether it was a Swainson's or a Gray Cheek.

Checked out Lake Bylessby at dusk.  A flock of 10 Snow Geese and 2 
White-fronted Geese were chased from the lake by a Bald Eagle.  The flock of 
gulls included 5 Ring-bills, 80 mixed Franklins (many with pink breasts) and 
Bonapartes, and at least 5 Common Terns.  I found only one Yellow-leg aflight.  
I also had thrush or mimic thrush singing.  It's song was very disjointed and I 
concluded it was probably a Catbird, rather than the more expected Brown 
Thrasher.

Since the pink blush of the Franklins is a result of a diet rich in shrimp and 
other crustaceans, I wonder if this is an indication that they are fresh from 
the gulf.

There are a couple of interesting puddles west of Randolph (north of the 
railroad along 302nd) that are teaming with birds.  I arrived too late to be 
able to ID most of the birds.

Steve Weston on Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] about the metro

[Steve Weston]

Friday:  With the wind whipping through, there were not many birds about.   I 
watched a Kestrel riding the wind, when suddenly it saw something of interest, 
spun a 360, and stopped in its tracks and hovered effortlessly in the wind 
with just a few sporadic wing beats to keep it stationary.   the maneuver was 
awesome! 

I always glance at road kill to try and determine what animal tried to take out 
a car.  Of late I have noticed a fair number of mink have been unlucky in their 
spring dispersal.  If you see one of these beautiful animals, look for a long 
dark brown mammal.  You can confirm its ID if you can see its white chin.

Saturday:  Birded in the morning around Randolph.  Found 18 species of 
waterfowl including about ten each of Snow Geese (both phases) and Horned 
Grebes at Lake Bylessby.  East of town we found more than 20 Snipe and a few 
less in a flock that included both yellowlegs and perhaps some Pectorals.  
There were large flocks of Tree Swallows.  Everywhere in the open country we 
found pairs of Horned Larks and Vesper Sparrows.  We also found Song and 
Savannah sparrows.

180th Street swamp has high water with good habitat, but no birds that we 
hadn't seen earlier.

Steve Weston on Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

Already on nests: Canada Geese and Red-tailed Hawks.  Two nests with birds 
(probably Red-tails) are located at:
1)  at Hwy 7 just south of the exit from south bound Hwy 100 in St. Louis Park.
2)  at the northbound entrance from Hwy 5 onto Hwy 694 in Oakdale.
I would appreciate confirmation from someone who has the time to look at these 
nests.

My garden is beginning to bloom with crocus, snowdrops, and siberian quill all 
in flower.  But, today I was blown away when I stopped by a riverside home in 
Coon Rapids.  They had all kinds of things in glorious flower including: the 
three in my yard, daffodils, chrismas rose, european hepatica, bloodroot, grape 
hyacinth, and three or four more that I did not recognize or remember.   the 
gardener told me that the poximity to the river created a microclimate with a 
month longer growing season than a block away.

Steve Weston on Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] about the metro

[Steve Weston]

On Friday I stopped at the Princeton Sewerage Ponds at found at least ten 
species of waterfowl including at least 80 Bufflehead.

Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

I have been working around the yard (in Eagan) evenings after work.  The most 
interesting visitor is the young, somewhat downy Barred Owl that has been 
hanging around the yard.  She is quite comfortable with me and has landed as 
close as about twenty feet away.  Her begging call is similar to the call of a 
Red-tailed Hawk.   Both parents have also been around.  Last night they were 
noisily calling, but most evenings they have been quietly slipping in to feed 
the babe.  

In addition, I discovered that the Phoebes have a nest full of babies right 
under my porch.  They just started begging food yesterday, so I assume they are 
no more than a couple of days old.   I watched as a Woodduck hen entered a nest 
box for the evening.  I assume that she is on a nest.  I have not checked the 
other boxes to see how they fared this season.

It has been a wet summer, perfect for a bumper crop of Raspberries.  My next 
door neighbor served me wild mushroom soup made from Chantrelles that he has 
been collecting in great numbers.

Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] About the metro

[Steve Weston]

Yesterday I saw the first Canada Goose goosling of the season.   I assume that 
this was a first year nester, because she had only one goosling.  The last 
days' chilly winds were not conducive to birding,  Best bird of Monday was FOY 
Baltimore Oriole, Tuesday: a probable Peregrine Falcon flashing by about a 
block from home, yesterday:  a Virginia Rail that flew away from a group of 
twenty people who were with me a marsh next to the Minnetonka Community Center. 
 No one else in the group noticed.  I am not seeing much.

Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] about the metro

[Steve Weston]

drove through Dakota County, especially Vermillion township yesterday.  Found 
Horned Larks along all of the gravel roads and Kestrels everywhere.  Eurasian 
Collard Dove at the farmstead at Hogan and 190th.  Lapland longspurs flying and 
Loggerhead Shrike along 180th west of Fischer.  Bluebirds, blackbirds, and 
robins all back.  Northern Shovelers common.

Saw the Osprey at Hwy 169 and the Crosstown (Hwy 62).

Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] about the metro

[Steve Weston]

I believe that I found two Great Horned Owls on nests along the interstate in 
the northwest metro.  In both cases I was going too fast and did not get back 
to get a better look.  both birds were in easy to spot red-tailed hawk nests 
along the edge of the woods.  

The first nest was on the south side of I-94 on the west edge of some woods in 
the corner of Dayton that is south of I-94.  This nest may be visible across 
the field from Hwy 101 or it may be too far.  because of its location it is 
probably only easily visible when heading east on I-94.

the second nest is east of I-494 between Bass lake road and CR-47 on a north 
facing edge of woods.  this appears to be on land owned by Prudential Insurance.

I will try to confirm the locations the next time I pass by these nests.

Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN
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[mou-net] about the metro

[Steve Weston]

Ah, spring.

Bare ground and birds singing, but drowned out by a noisy pair of honkers that 
have arrived on the lake to carve out their fiefdom.   A pair of Mallards have 
arrived and apparantly have found a small patch of open water across the lake.  
A muskrat popped up along the shore.  This morning a Crow was carrying a twig 
as it flew across the lake.  I will try to find its construction project.

In Carver County yesterday near Rapids Lake I found swans in a flooded field:  
two very dark Trumpeters and a Mute Swan.  I suspect that the Mute Swan is the 
same one that was around last summer in that area.  In the fields to the west 
of this area I saw a Richardson's Ground Squirrel, aka flicker-tail.

I have definitely noticed an increase of road kill, possums, squirrels, and a 
fine looking, but squashed Mink in Eden Prairie.

I have been looking for Great Horned Owls on nests with only minimal success.  
The two I have seen so far have both been along the freeways:  1) Mendota Hgts: 
I-494 NW of Dodd;  2)  Eden Prairie:  I-494 NE of Valleyview.
Both have been seen at highway speed, but are not in areas affording easy 
viewing.

It seems awefully early for spring.

Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN
swest...@comcast.net





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[mou-net] About the Metro

[Steve Weston]

On Monday night when I drove up to the house on Quiggley Lake, I was greeted by 
dueling Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers.  One was on my neighbor's house banging on 
the metal cover for his chimney.  The other was on the other side of the house, 
probably on a dead limb.  After a while, the one on the chimney cover moved 
down to one of my wood duck houses (probably occupied by a some eggs, but not 
yet a hen), and the one on the other side of the house moved up to the chimney 
cover.

Tonight I grabbed my binocs when I heard a Nashville Warbler singing.  I could 
not find it as it headed deeper into the woods.  A Mallard hen was out with her 
seven new ducklings, and a Canada Goose was still on her nest, but five 
gooslings were scurring about her.  Other first were Chimney Swifts and copes 
gray treefrogs.  Dandalions are popping up in the yard, along with strawberries 
and violets.   Mostly I am noticing a small white violets and very few of the 
larger purple and violet colored violets.

Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN
swest...@comcast.net


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