[mou] Duluth area update

Here are some additional sightings of note from Aitkin Co, Sax-Zim Bog, Duluth/Superior/Two Harbors vicinity from Jan 21-22: Bufflehead - Male on the Burlington Bay side of Two Harbors. N Goshawk - Adult female on St Louis Co Rd 189, which turns S off Co Rd 133, 8 mi W of Meadowlands. Merlin

[mou] Duluth/Sax-Zim update

In addition to the birds on Mike H's posting today, here are some other species of note seen today: - Both N Hawk Owl (at dawn) and Snowy Owl (at dusk) along Airport Rd in Duluth, between the Cirrus building and the NRRI building. The hawk owl is probably the same individual reported earlier

[mou] Duluth update

Following are some of our sightings during the Jan 12-16 VENT tour in Duluth and NE Minn: - Snowy Owl: One still present in the vicinity of the Duluth airport; however, security concerns make access difficult to where it is seen. This species is more easily seen at the 2 Aitkin Co locations

[mou] Duluth N Hawk Owl Townsend's Solitaire

Yesterday, 14 Jan, Frank Nicoletti called to report he saw a N Hawk Owl near the corner of Rice Lake Rd and Airpark Rd in Duluth. This is presumably the same owl found on the Duluth CBC at this same location a month ago, and probably the same individual seen earlier this month not far from

[mou] Townsend's Solitaire in Duluth

This afternoon, Jan 13, Chris and Cindy Edwardson found a Townsend's Solitaire in Duluth. The location was on the W side of the Rose Garden along London Rd, near the pedestrian bridge leading to Leif Erikson Park. Kim Eckert

[mou] Minn Birding Weekends update

Following is the status of the trips on the 2008-09 Minnesota Birding Weekends (MBW) schedule as of today, January 11. Note that a couple of the MBWs are already filled with waiting lists and that others are close to being filled. You'll find additional information about each MBW (including

[mou] N Hawk Owl, V Thrush, Harris's Sparrow, W-w Crossbill

Though not nearly as exciting as today's 2-hour-long presence of an Ivory Gull, here are a few additional sightings from Duluth/Two Harbors which have not previously posted on mou-net: N Hawk Owl: Marilyn Robertson found a new hawk owl in Duluth near the corner of Blackman Ave MacFarlane Rd

[mou] MOU/MBW California trip filled

The January 17-25, 2009 MOU/Minnesota Birding Weekends trip to California Arizona has already sold out, and there is even a long waiting list. Accordingly, any others considering this trip unfortunately cannot be accommodated. Sorry! After January 1, I will be in contact with those who have

[mou] Texas MBW 2008 schedule

The annual Minnesota Birding Weekends trip to South Texas (our 22nd) will take place February 2-10, 2008, and after a recent cancellation there is now one vacancy. If you think you'd be interested in birding for a week in February where the temperatures will be in the 70s rather than the 20s,

[mou] unidentified eider on Leech Lake

Ben Wieland just called to report that he and Dale Yerger found a female-plumaged eider today on Shingobee Bay on Leech Lake in Cass Co. The location was along MN Hwy 200/371 a few miles south of Walker, about 1 or 2 mi N of the jct of Hwys 200 and 371, which Ben said is the first place you

[mou] black-backed gulls update

Both the 1st-winter Great Black-backed Gull and one 1st-winter Lesser Black-backed were relocated late this afternoon in Duluth at the mudflats at the corner of I-35 and I-535, east of 27th Ave West. However, there was no sign of an Iceland or Thayer's gull, which were reported here over the

[mou] Great Black-backed Gull in Duluth

A first-winter Great Black-backed Gull was seen in the Duluth harbor area shortly after noon today. It was standing among several Herring Gulls on the dock next to the Gerdau Ameristeel building. To reach this location from I-35, go south on I-535, take the Garfield Ave/Port Terminal exit just

[mou] North Shore birding report

This weekend, Nov 3-4, the Minn Birding Weekends group observed several species of interest between Duluth and Grand Marais, In addition to the Inca Dove in Two Harbors, the highlights were: - only 2 scoter individuals: 1 Surf Scoter in Grand Marais harbor and 1 Black Scoter in Hovland -

[mou] Mountain Bluebird at Park Point

Conny Brunell just called to report that she and Susan Schumacher saw a female Mountain Bluebird at Park Point in Duluth. The bird was foraging for insects in the grassy dunes between the Recreation Area and Sky Harbor Airport. - Kim Eckert

[mou] Inca Dove still present

I just received a call from Tony Hertzel that the Inca Dove in Two Harbors is still present this morning. It appeared between 8:10 and 8:20 at the location posted by Jim Lind yesterday: i.e., in the back yard of 304 2nd Ave. Look especially on the ground where seed has been spread and in the

[mou] Red-throated Loon still present

The Red-throated Loon, which has been present for several days at Park Point in Duluth, was seen again today on L Superior from the 12th Street beach access. Also seen today from this location was a Short-eared Owl which flew in off the lake and was lost from sight behind the dunes several

[mou] Mountain Bluebird in Lake Co

Denny Barb Martin just stopped by to report they had a female-plumaged Mountain Bluebird this afternoon at the Castle Danger sewage ponds in Lake Co. - Kim Eckert

[mou] Summer Tanager, Black-backed Woodpeckers, Boreal Chickadees

Between Duluth and Two Harbors today, 21 Oct, there were several birds of interest, including a female-plumaged Summer Tanager at Stoney Point, plus a total of 22 Black-backed Woodpeckers and 15 Boreal Chickadees along the North Shore. Linda Sparling and I observed the tanager near the stone

[mou] Pacific Loon in Duluth

In addition to the rarities seen yesterday at Park Point, a Pacific Loon was found early this afternoon on Lake Superior out from the 12th Street beach access. In the same area of the lake there were also 2 Red-throated Loons in view plus, of course, some Common Loons. - Kim Eckert

[mou] Park Point update

A Barrow's Goldeneye and Arctic Tern (among other birds of note) were found this afternoon at Park Point in Duluth. The goldeneye was a male in eclipse plumage, or possibly in transition to winter/breeding plumage, and identified primarily by its smaller/stubbier bill and more vertical or less

[mou] another Sabine's Gull

Late this afternoon, 28 Sept, I observed a juvenile Sabine's Gull on Cottonwood Lake in Lyon Co. The gull was along the E side of the lake just N of downtown Cottonwood. There is a park and public access here adjacent to the Lakeview Ranch Restaurant. I will be posting a photo later this

[mou] Sabine's Gull in Duluth

I observed a juvenile Sabine's Gull this morning on L Superior out from the Park Point Recreation Area. It was seen at 9:00 am and again about 9:30, and it is quite possible 2 individuals were involved. Otherwise, the lake was pretty quiet while I was there for ~2 hours: a couple of

[mou] Long-tailed Jaeger on Lake of the Woods

That adult Long-tailed Jaeger, which now appears to have departed the area just outside of Agassiz NWR sometime on Sept 2, may have relocated to Lake of the Woods. About 10:30 am yesterday, Sept 3, an adult Long-tailed was seen briefly as it flew over Springsteel Island just N of Warroad. The

[mou] Long-tailed Jaeger update

The Long-tailed Jaeger just outside of Agassiz NWR was seen by several observers at various times throughout the day today, 30 August. On previous days, the most reliable times had apparently been at 7:30 am and 6:00 pm, but today I'm aware of it also being seen at 11:00 am, noon, 2:00 pm,

[mou] Park Point update

After running into Mike Hendrickson at Park Point around 1:00 today, I continued birding until 4:00 between Southworth Marsh and the old bath house at the Recreation Area. Combining his species with the additional ones I saw, there was a composite total of 24 warbler species in all. Of the 26

[mou] Duluth warbler update

Since no one has posted anything about Park Point in the last couple days, here is a summary of the birding there over this past weekend, Aug 25-26. I'm aware of a composite total of 24 warbler species seen by various observers over the 2 days: 21 (or possibly 22) on Saturday and all 24

[mou] more Buff-breasteds

To add to the growing list of recent Buff-breasted Sandpiper sightings, the Minn Birding Weekends group found them at 2 locations in western Minn this past weekend (July 28-29). One spot was at the nearly-dry Giese WPA in Stevens Co (easiest to walk in along the W side of the ditch from the S

[mou] Cook Co Spruce Grouse; Duluth Least Bittern

The Minn Birding Weekends group in Cook Co this past weekend, June 30-July 1, turned up a few birds of note, especially a female Spruce Grouse on the Lima Grade Rd. (This road turns S off the Gunflint Trail ~1 mi S of the Trail Center Cafe.) Unfortunately, it appeared only briefly in the grass

[mou] Mute Swan in Swift Co

Bob Russell and I found a presumably wild Mute Swan late this afternoon on Lake Hassel just N of Benson in Swift Co. Bob first spotted it across the lake from the public access on the NW side of the lake, which is on Minn Hwy 29 about 7 mi N of Benson. It was swimming/feeding near the NE shore

[mou] Blue-winged Warbler at Itasca State Park

A singing male Blue-winged Warbler was found yesterday, 17 June, by my Minn Birding Weekends group on the Hubbard Co side of Itasca State Park along the East Entrance Rd. A photo is posted on the MOU website's Recently Seen page along with exact directions. I'm not sure whether or not there

[mou] summer seasonal report

Gr White-fronted Goose - 5 June, Swim L, Douglas Co Red-necked Phalarope - 6 June, Graceville sewage ponds, Big Stone Co Am White Pelican (3) - 9 June, Grand Marais Philadelphia Vireo - 10 June, Crosby-Manitou Itasca MBW: June 23-24?: Cook Co II: (Please note new e-mail address: eckertkr at

[mou] error

Please disregard the posting I just sent to mou-net. These were some notes I e-mailed by mistake by hitting the wrong button. Sorry. - Kim -- next part -- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: text/enriched Size: 189 bytes Desc: not available

[mou] Black-necked Stilt clarification

Just for the record, please note that the Black-necked Stilt on 26 May at the Hills sewage ponds in Rock Co was first spotted by Linda Sparling, while on a Minn Birding Weekends trip I was leading. (I was one of the observers present, of course, but not the one who found it.) John Ellis

[mou] Red-throated Loons at Park Point

As of noon today, the only real highlight at Park Point in Duluth was the count of 17 Red-throated Loons on L Superior made by Mike Hendrickson and I from the 31st Street access. Also visible from here were 2 Western Grebes, but otherwise the birding was relatively uneventful with the change

[mou] Scissor-tailed still present

Robin LaFortune just called to report that the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher seen yesterday near the S end of Park Point near the Superior Entry was still present at ~1:40 pm today. She said it is on the L Superior side of the Point and still close to the S end, but it seems to be gradually

[mou] Park Point update

In addition to the Red-throated Loons (7), Parasitic Jaeger (adult light-morph), Little Gull (adult), and Arctic Tern (adult photographed on the beach) all seen on the L Superior side of Park Point between 12th and 18th Streets (posted for me by Sharon Lind earlier), and the Scissor-tailed

[mou] Red-throated Loons et al. at Park Point

In addition to the Arctic Tern(s) at Park Point today (see today's earlier postings), there were at least 7 Red-throated Loons, an Eared Grebe, 13 Whimbrels (probably the same individuals seen yesterday at Hearding Island), plus a good wave of 17 warbler species. Unfortunately, yesterday's

[mou] Piping Plover, Whimbrels possible Arctic Tern in Duluth

Late this afternoon there were a Piping Plover and 13 Whimbrels on the Hearding Island sandbars at Park Point in Duluth. The plover was on a sandbar on the S side of the island, which is visible from 24th St, and the Whimbrels (along with 2 Marbled Godwits) were on the flats on the W side of

[mou] possible Townsend's Warbler

Yesterday morning, May 6, a possible (or probable!) male Townsend's Warbler was seen very briefly in Lac Qui Parle County. The location was along the W side of Lac Qui Parle Lake, along Co Rd 33, 1.8 mi N of the entrance to Lac Qui Parle State Park. There is a small pull-out here, and the bird

[mou] credit Bill Marengo

Regarding the Glossy Ibis sighting on Sunday, please note that much (most?) of the credit goes to Bill Marengo. Peter Neubeck just sent me the following: I was with Paul and Bill Marengo when the Ibis was identified but it was Bill that spotted the bird and was the driving force in making

[mou] Red Crossbills, Ruddy Ducks in Duluth

Today there was a pair of Red Crossbills, including a singing male, on Snelling Ave between College St and W Kent Rd in Duluth, which is a block south of the UMD campus. A small flock of Red Crossbills had also been in this same neighborhood on 11-12 April. Also, two Ruddy Ducks were found

[mou] Glossy Ibis in Lac Qui Parle Co

I just received a phone call from Paul Egeland who, along with Peter Neubeck, was watching a Glossy Ibis among the flock of 20+ White-faced Ibis reported on mou-net this morning near Madison, Lac Qui Parle Co. They were able to see the bird's thin bluish-white edge to the facial skin, the dark