[mou-net] Live from Freeborn County
Wood Duck in the channel between Fountain Lake and Albert Lea Lake. It's hanging with a flock of Mallards. Brown-headed Cowbird keeping company with House Sparrows in the Hy-Vee parking lot. A few Common Redpolls here and there. A Snowy Owl on County Road 45 just north of Albert Lea. I was unable to relocate. Rough-legged Hawks at Myre-Big Island State Park. Incredibly lovely birds. The lone cafe in Hartland closed its doors. Hysteria reigns. Al Batt Your Hartland correspondent 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] Live from Freeborn County
On my way to work this morning, I was pleased to see nine Gray Partridges at the intersection of 325th St. and 715th Ave. in Hartland Township. The warm weather (20 degrees, and that's above zero) must have engaged their need to frolic. Al Batt http://albatt.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
[mou-net] Live from Freeborn County
A lovely day here, spent in the good company of many Snow Buntings and Horned Larks. A Snowy Owl was spotted north of County Road 31 (300th Street). It was in Section 22 on the north side of the road. This is east of Highway 13. A scope found it for my eyes. A lovely bird situated in the sun just beyond the shadow of a wind turbine. Another was on 685th Avenue approximately 1/2 mile south of Highway 33 west of Hartland. I was unable to relocate a Snowy Owl found earlier south of County Road 35 east of Hartland. It was in Section 12 on the south side of the road. I hope the potato chip of the prairie (vole) supply is of an ample sufficiency. Al Batt 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] Live from Freeborn County
A Snowy Owl has been hanging around about a mile west of Hartland off Highway 33. Been seeing it near the Hartland Township Building on the south side of the road and around the dredge ditch. Also spotted north of that location along a gravel road. A flock of 50-100 Red-winged Blackbirds were at a cattle lot near Freeborn. An optimistic lot. The two cowbirds that wintered in my yard have disappeared. I never dreamed I would take so many photos of that species. No pheasants in my yard this year. An odd thing, but we didn't have a single pheasant on our CBC. Good birding to all, Al Batt 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] Live from Freeborn County
Every year, right around Christmas, a male cowbird makes an appearance at my window-mounted feeder. He chows down with great gusto. I suspect it’s not the same cowbird, but what do I know? I do know that cowbirds are not the favorite bird of most folks, but I’m always happy to see the Christmas cowbird. Happy holidays to all you who look at the ways of the birds. Al Batt Your Hartland correspondent 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] Live From Freeborn County
Prothonotary Warblers near where the Brown Pelican had been seen at Myre-Big Island State Park. A Yellow-throated Warbler had been reported in the park as well, but I was unable to find it. I did see Black Terns and Franklin's Gulls. A pair of White-faced Ibises were about 1/4 mile east of Emmons on Stateline Road, on the north side of road. Good luck. Al Batt 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] Live From Freeborn County
Unbelievable eagle migration this year! We are still seeing 30 - 50 bald eagles on Cottonwood Lake in Lyon County. Sue Morton Cottonwood, MN -Original Message- From: Minnesota Birds [mailto:MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU] On Behalf Of Allen Batt Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 8:03 PM To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Subject: [mou-net] Live From Freeborn County There are 60 to 70 bald eagles on Bear Lake, north of Emmons. Al Batt 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] Live From Freeborn County
There are 60 to 70 bald eagles on Bear Lake, north of Emmons. Al Batt 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] Live from Freeborn County
Snowy Owl near Love's truck stop off I-35 outside Albert Lea. A Northern Shrike hovering at the intersection of 255 St. And 810 Ave. near a mini-flock of Red-winged Blackbirds. Flock of Snow Buntings near that same site yesterday, always nice to see on such a lovely day. Al Batt Your Hartland correspondent Sent from my iPad Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
[mou-net] Live from Freeborn County
Purple martin here on April 3. It was welcomed with open eyes. Vesper sparrow songs this morning. Here, here, there, there, everybody down the hill. Pleasant birding. Al Batt Hartland 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] Live From Freeborn County
The song sparrow sings in my yard and life seems better. Flocks of grackles, red-winged blackbirds, robins, Canada geese, juncos, and American tree sparrows feather my day. Only one tree sparrow made my yard its winter home this year. I am pleased that others of the species have stopped by to let me have a look. Let the lovely music of the morning chorus begin! Al Batt Hartland 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] Live From Freeborn County
I hit the road at the right time yesterday. A pleasant journey across parts of Freeborn County and Waseca County produced more looks at Horned Lark flocks than automobiles. I am gratified by small gifts. Al Batt Hartland 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] Live From Freeborn County--long
A Tufted Titmouse made a single day appearance at my brother's feeders in beautiful Hartland. One has been seen here and there around town. Most often, near Hartland Evangelical Church. A neighbor of the church, Millie Olson, just gave me a photo of the titmouse. Eurasian Collared-doves are also near the church. A Trumpeter Swan is floating on the slice of the Shell Rock River passing through Glenville. It's keeping company with three Canada Geese. River otters in the same area. Rusty Blackbird at a feeder near the former city of Bath. Residents of Bath read that most accidents occur within two miles of home, so they have all moved somewhere safer, leaving a ghost town. Millie and Dale Westland of Hayward reported a Snowy Owl along Highway 46 near Albert Lea Lake at a spot fondly referred to as “the dip in the road.” I saw a Varied Thrush in rural Hartland. It is coming to a spot where pheasants are being fed. If anyone is interested in seeing this bird, I can give you a phone number. The landowner is not interested in giving carte blanche access to his property. An injured Great Horned Owl is at the Raptor Center thanks to the kindness of Clyde Bonnema, Lee and Jodi Loverink, and Larry and Sylvia Zevenbergen. An injured Freeborn County Red-tailed Hawk did not survive a trip to the Center. There are a couple of male Red-winged Blackbirds at my feeders. Joe Conley and I spotted a Wood Duck in small waterway near Pickerel Lake. Each winter brings something that makes me go H. This year it is the many photos I have received of Pileated Woodpeckers sent to me by people in Albert Lea, Austin, Owatonna, Faribault, and Mankato. Either more people are noticing or this lovely feathered friend is becoming more of a feeder bird each year. The Hormel Nature Center in Austin will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. There will be many events taking place throughout the year and the Hormel Nature Center is always a good stop for a traveler. My thanks to Bob Holtz and the MOU for making it possible for me to present binoculars to a fine young man at United South Central School. In Waseca County, there is a small flock of Eurasian Collared-Doves near the grain elevator on the north side of New Richland. In Steele County, Eurasian Collared-Doves are seen as birds about town in Ellendale. There are so many Eurasian Collared-Doves around that I predict that one of our local high schools will change its team's nickname to the fighting Eurasian Collared-Doves. Al Batt Your Hartland correspondent 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] Live from Freeborn County
A Tufted Titmouse has been seen around Hartland Evangelical Lutheran Church in beautiful downtown Hartland. It makes sense. All birds in Hartland tend to practice Lutheranism except for those few that have embraced Leucism. The bird has been visiting feeders. There are a number of Eurasian Collared-Doves in the same area. The church does not have a lutefisk feed so perhaps the titmouse will persist. That is my hope. I wish you all euphoric avian quests, Al Batt 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] Live From Freeborn County
A Virginia rail was calling along the Blazing Star Trail in Albert Lea this afternoon. A cool sound on a splendid day. Al Batt Hartland 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] Live From Freeborn County
A meadowlark is dining on the ground under a feeder in the fine city of Hartland in Freeborn County. Perhaps it is a harbinger of a weakening winter--or not. Al Batt Storyteller Never let a kind word go unsaid. _http://albatt.net/_ (http://albatt.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
[mou-net] Live From Freeborn COunty
A Eurasian Collared-dove in a backyard near the Lutheran Church in Emmons and one in my yard in rural Hartland today. They are expanding from our grain elevators to our yards. Al Batt _http://albatt.net/_ (http://albatt.net/) No kind act is ever wasted. **Remember Mom this Mother's Day! Find a florist near you now. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=floristncid=emlcntusyelp0006) 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] Live From Freeborn County
Cattle Egrets near Lake Chapeau in Albert Lea. Numerous Eastern Towhees at Myre-Big Island State Park. A Bald Eagle nest along Geneva Lake is being well used again this year. The plum thicket along the edge of my yard was vibrant with orioles. Grosbeaks, buntings, and goldfinches brought a brilliance that dwarfed the price of the seed and feeders. This is the best day of the year until tomorrow comes. I'm glad to be on the planet. Al Batt Hartland Storyteller Never let a kind word go unsaid. _http://albatt.net/_ (http://albatt.net/) **Remember Mom this Mother's Day! Find a florist near you now. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=floristncid=emlcntusyelp0006) 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] Live From Freeborn County
A small contingent of Rusty Blackbirds spent a short time in my yard yesterday. They were just the ticket to help me in my efforts to overcome an addiction to looking for black ice. Al Batt Here in Hartland **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219957551x1201325337/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62) Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
