Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Minnesota Ornithologists' Union > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, July 3 at 02:40 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Mottled Ducks,©John Schmitt

3 Jul Editor - MN Birding [Dennis and Barbara Martin ] 3 Jul Articles for Minnesota Birding [Dennis and Barbara Martin ] 3 Jul Warbling Vireo Nestlings Photo in BBA Gallery [Refsnider ] 3 Jul Snowy Egret, Purgatory Creek Eden Prairie [Ben Parke ] 3 Jul brown pelican seen earlier [Hoeger/Lerdal ] 3 Jul Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, July 2, 2009- corrections [Jeanie Joppru ] 03 Jul No Brown Pelican at its post [] 3 Jul No Brown Pelican at its post [Linda Sparling ] 2 Jul [mou-rba] MOU RBA 2 July 2009 [Anthony Hertzel ] 2 Jul [mou-rba] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, July 2, 2009 [Jeanie Joppru ] 2 Jul [mou-rba] Duluth RBA 7/2/09 [Jim Lind ] 2 Jul Afton State Park-wrong again ;( [Larry Sirvio ] 2 Jul Afton State Park [Larry Sirvio ] 2 Jul Red-Headed Woodpecker ["john c. nelson" ] 2 Jul cc: re: [mou-net] Lake Vadnais, Ramsey County [KCTEPO00 ] 2 Jul Lake Vadnais, Ramsey County [Gail Wieberdink ] 2 Jul Night Herons, Dakota [Jim Ryan ] 2 Jul Night Herons, Dakota [Jim Ryan ] 2 Jul Re: Another Pelican Update ["Browning, Jimmie L COL RES USAR USARC" ] 2 Jul Red Crossbill ["john c. nelson" ] 2 Jul Another Pelican Update ["Williams, Bob" ] 2 Jul Sandhill Crane near downtown St. Paul [Tom Klein ] 2 Jul Fw: Sherburne NWR [roy zimmerman ] 1 Jul Warbling Vireo nest [Larry Sirvio ] 1 Jul Brown Pelican - Street Name [judith sparrow ] 1 Jul Mille Lacs, an interesting transitional county ["Pastor Al Schirmacher" ] 1 Jul Mille Lacs, an interesting transitional county [Pastor Al Schirmacher ] 1 Jul Some thoughts for others looking for the Brown Pelican [Forest Strnad ] 30 Jun Snowy Egret back at Purgatory Creek, Hennepin County [Doug Kieser ] 30 Jun Snowy Egret back at Purgatory Creek, Hennepin County [Doug Kieser ] 30 Jun Later or latest report on Brown Pelican [Forest Strnad ] 30 Jun Brown Pelican still there [ronald huber ] 30 Jun MNBBA News ["SAMPLE, Bonita" ] 30 Jun Brown Pelican still on the rock [Bob Ekblad ] 29 Jun Brown Pelican Update [Bill Stjern ] 29 Jun Brown Pelican update ["Williams, Bob" ] 29 Jun NO Pelican nor Grosbeak (Le Seur/Nicollet Co.s) [alyssa ] 29 Jun Re: Song Sparrow Song Diversity ["Terri Welisek" ] 29 Jun Song Sparrow Song Diversity ["Pastor Al Schirmacher" ] 29 Jun Black-crowned Night Herons, Dakota [Jim Mattsson ] 29 Jun Song Sparrow Song Diversity ["Pastor Al Schirmacher" ] 29 Jun Song Sparrow Song Diversity [Pastor Al Schirmacher ] 29 Jun Brown Pelican update 6/29 [Chad Heins ] 29 Jun Blue Grosbeak in Nicollet Cty still present [] 29 Jun Blue Grosbeak in Nicollet Cty still present [Linda Sparling ] 28 Jun Brown Pelican Update [Paul Budde ] 28 Jun baby towhee, Ritter Farm Park [linda whyte ] 28 Jun Possible 1st spring Summer Tanager at Afton State Park [Liz Harper ] 28 Jun Brown Pelican update, Le Sueur County [Bob Dunlap ] 28 Jun Brown Pelican still present on German Lake, Le Sueur County ["Williams, Bob" ] 28 Jun Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ["Pastor Al Schirmacher" ] 28 Jun Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher [Pastor Al Schirmacher ] 27 Jun Brown Pelican [Anthony Hertzel ] 27 Jun Easy Black-throated Blue Warbler near Grand Marais [Shawn Conrad ] 27 Jun RFI: Birding Ramsey County Book [Dedrick Benz ] 27 Jun Red Crossbill ["john c. nelson" ] 26 Jun Motherly Love and the northern flicker.... [] 26 Jun Cerulean Warbler - Olive-sided Flycatcher - Shurburne County ["David A. Cahlander" ] 26 Jun Cerulean Warbler ["Pastor Al Schirmacher" ] 26 Jun Cerulean Warbler [Pastor Al Schirmacher ] 26 Jun NC Birder [Howard Coston ] 25 Jun [mou-rba] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, June 25, 2009 [Jeanie Joppru ] 25 Jun Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, June 25, 2009 [Jeanie Joppru ] 25 Jun [mou-rba] MOU RBA 25 June 2009 [Anthony Hertzel ] 25 Jun Red Crossbill ["john c. nelson" ] 24 Jun Western Wood-pewee(s) not found [Jim Mattsson ] 24 Jun Sax Zim Bog, St. Louis County & goshawk nesting activity [Debbie Waters ] 24 Jun help an out of state birder [Thomas Maiello ] 24 Jun Speculation on Rare Birds ["Pastor Al Schirmacher" ] 24 Jun Grackle Tumors [Dan & Sandy Thimgan ] 24 Jun Speculation on Rare Birds ["Pastor Al Schirmacher" ] 24 Jun Speculation on Rare Birds [Pastor Al Schirmacher ] 23 Jun Moving: Goodbye Minnesota, Hello Iowa. [Derek Bakken ] 23 Jun Drive By Eurasian Collared Dove ["Pastor Al Schirmacher" ] 23 Jun Drive By Eurasian Collared Dove [Pastor Al Schirmacher ] 23 Jun Western Wood-Pewee update [Kim R Eckert ] Subject: Editor - MN Birding From: Dennis and Barbara Martin <dbmartin AT SKYPOINT.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 14:40:18 -0500 Hi, I just wanted everyone to know that I have resigned as Editor of MN Birding and that is why you need to send articles to newsletter AT moumn.org and not to my home computer. If you are interested in the position of Editor (job description on the MOU website), please contact Tony Hertzel at axhertzel AT sihope.com Thanks Barb Martin newsletter AT moumn.org ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Articles for Minnesota Birding From: Dennis and Barbara Martin <dbmartin AT SKYPOINT.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 14:24:38 -0500 All articles for MN Birding should be sent to newsletter AT moumn.org. I will not have computer access. If you need to contact me regarding anything, please call 952-237-8002. All photos should be sent to designer AT moumn.org. The next deadline is July 20th. Thanks Barb Martin newsletter AT moumn.org ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Warbling Vireo Nestlings Photo in BBA Gallery From: Refsnider <refsn001 AT tc.umn.edu> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 13:35:22 -0500 Seeing that Larry Sirvio has publicized my warbling vireo (WAVI) nestlings photo, I think I should explain how it came about. To be honest, if I came across such a close-up photo of nestlings, I'd certainly have some negative thoughts about the ethics of the photographer. For this reason, I was hesitant to post the nestling photo; but because I thought it might be useful to some folks, I posted it along with the nest photo. I'm a birder, not a photographer, but I always carry my camera (just a fancy point & shoot model) when my wife, Maureen, and I are working in our Breeding Bird Atlas block. I have some other more distant shots of nests and fledglings, but nothing worth posting. Two days prior to taking the photos we were walking a trail in our BBA block and a male WAVI landed near us with an insect in its bill. It promptly sang (ensuring a positive ID), then flew off carrying the insect. We followed, and within probably less than 15 minutes we witnessed 4 food-carrying flights. By the fourth flight we were in a position to see the food being delivered to at least 2 large nestlings. The nest was about 7 feet off the ground at the end of a burr oak branch. We added it to our field notes as "NY" ("nest with young seen or heard"), and we moved on to try our luck with the yellow-throated vireo (YTVI) that was singing a bit farther down the trail. At no time did we get within 30 feet of the WAVI nest. Having failed to see any food-carrying by the YTVI on our first attempt, we returned two days later to try again, and the trail took us past the WAVI nest. We watched it for a bit, but we saw no feeding activity and heard no adult vocalizations. This was quite the opposite of what we had observed on our previous visit, so we concluded the young had fledged and the adults had moved off with them. We never had seen a WAVI nest before, so we went over to take a close look. I took a photo from below (also posted in the BBA gallery), and we admired the intricate woven construction. I reached up and pulled the branch down to our eye level to examine and photograph the nest interior. We were shocked to find the nest was still filled with nestlings. The chicks didn't move at all. Since the "damage" was already done I quickly snapped two photos and gently released the branch to its normal height. Then we continued walking past the nest in a large loop to avoid dead-ending our path under the nest. As we left the area there still was no sign of the parents. However, when we passed by quite a bit later we did get a scolding from an adult. I'm convinced that our encounter didn't lead to premature fledging, nor make the nestlings more vulnerable to ground predators. If avian or climbing predators happened to be watching us, they might have investigated after we departed. But we were only at the nest for about a minute or two at most (3 quick photos), so that isn't too likely. I don't think our unintentional encounter with the nestlings had any significant negative impact on their welfare. So that's the story. Ron Refsnider ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Snowy Egret, Purgatory Creek Eden Prairie From: Ben Parke <trumpetplayers AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 09:01:09 -0700 I was able to relocate the Snowy Egret last night at Purgatory Creek.  It was even so kind as to forage right next to a Great Egret, obviously much much smaller than the Great.  It was foraging in the water a little north of the large sand flat where the gulls and terns hang out.  I found I could get better views if I walked a little ways down the path from the bridge.   Ben in Chaska ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: brown pelican seen earlier From: Hoeger/Lerdal <phdl AT MCHSI.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 08:13:59 -0500 The Brown Pelican WAS present yesterday morning, July 2, when we arrived about 9:15-9:30, exactly as advertised on its rock and seen easily from the Jason Adams Court spot. I had 5 printed emails with me describing precisely how to get there--thanks to you all for the posts!) The Pelican was preening itself and was still there when we left after 15 min.. I was doing my BBS route in LeSeuer County yesterday, July 2, which happened to take me right around German Lake---how lucky was that! Pete Hoeger, Hutchinson ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, July 2, 2009- corrections From: Jeanie Joppru <ajjoppru AT Q.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 06:54:38 -0500 Typos in the dates!!..... This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, July 2, 2009 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218)847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. It has been cool and pleasant since the great storm on the weekend which left the whole area very soggy. It is starting to dry out now, but many fields are still too wet to get into. This hasn't stopped the birds, as babies are appearing everywhere. Danielle Kvasager , reporting from Rydell NWR in Polk County , mentioned TRUMPETER SWAN, COMMON LOON, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, RED-NECKED GREBE, and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER among the sightings this past week. Shelley Steva saw two pairs of SANDHILL CRANES just north of Erskine at the edge of the Polk WMA, one of which had a colt. She also saw a GREEN HERON near McIntosh on June 27. Sid Stivland observed a COMMON LOON, OSPREY, and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW among others at Glacial Ridge NWR on June 28. Here in Pennington County, Zeann Linder reported that on June 29 she finally confirmed young in the MERLIN nest near her home in Thief River Falls. It is still uncertain how many young there are, but we are watching their progress. Gary Tischer, reporting from Agassiz NWR in Marshall County on July 1, said that duck broods are starting to appear at the refuge. A pair of TRUMPETER SWANS with 5 cygnets is being seen at Northwest Pool; another pair which have no young were seen at Agassiz Pool. There are 4 active BALD EAGLE nests at Agassiz, and two GREAT HORNED OWL young have been observed in the southwest part of the refuge in recent days. Shelley Steva in Bemidji, Beltrami County, on June 27, reported nesting HAIRY WOODPECKER and BROWN THRASHER in Bemidji near the campus of Bemidji State University. Beth Siverhus in Warroad, Roseau County, observed HAIRY WOODPECKER with young, PURPLE MARTIN, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, BROWN THRASHER, GRAY CATBIRD, and CEDAR WAXWING this week. Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Danielle Kvasager, Gary Tischer, Shelley Steva, and Sid Stivland for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday,July 9, 2009. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: No Brown Pelican at its post From: hagsela AT aol.com Date: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:01:00 -0400 I found a gaggle of birders at the Jason Adam Ct. location when I arrived at 2:15 today, July 2. ?I did not leave the spot until 9:30 when it was too dark to see the rocks. ?The other birders had been in the area since 1:00ish. ?So - in all that time the Brown Pelican made no appearance. ?There's a grove of trees that encroach to near the rocks from the right. ?The owner of that property came over at one point to find out why the cul de sac has been so popular. ?He mentioned that he'd been seeing the bird pretty consistently for a few days. ?He mentioned that his boat passed within 50 feet of it and it just looked back at the humans. I saw and heard 39 species of birds while on Jason Adam Ct. road. Linda Sparling_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: No Brown Pelican at its post From: Linda Sparling <hagsela AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 01:01:00 -0400 I found a gaggle of birders at the Jason Adam Ct. location when I arrived at 2:15 today, July 2. ?I did not leave the spot until 9:30 when it was too dark to see the rocks. ?The other birders had been in the area since 1:00ish. ?So - in all that time the Brown Pelican made no appearance. ?There's a grove of trees that encroach to near the rocks from the right. ?The owner of that property came over at one point to find out why the cul de sac has been so popular. ?He mentioned that he'd been seeing the bird pretty consistently for a few days. ?He mentioned that his boat passed within 50 feet of it and it just looked back at the humans. I saw and heard 39 species of birds while on Jason Adam Ct. road. Linda Sparling ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: [mou-rba] MOU RBA 2 July 2009 From: Anthony Hertzel <rba AT MOUMN.ORG> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:04:30 -0600 -RBA *Minnesota *Minnesota Statewide *July 2, 2009 *MNST0907.02 -Birds mentioned Brown Pelican Snowy Egret Cattle Egret Yellow-throated Warbler -Transcript Hotline: Minnesota Statewide Date: July 2, 2009 Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) http://moumn.org Reports: (763) 780-8890 Compiler: Anthony Hertzel (axhertzel AT sihope.com) This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, July 2nd 2009. A BROWN PELICAN is being seen on German Lake, Le Sueur County, near the lake's island. Places to look from include the boat launch on the northern side of the lake, or perhaps better, from the cul de sac on the southwest side. Take Le Sueur County Road 13 north from 16. Watch for the sign that says "Model home for sale" and turn right onto Jason Adam Court. This leads to the cul de sac and the bird has been seen on the rock to the east. In Duluth, a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was seen on June 20th on the Old North Shore Road, about half a mile east of Ryan Road, but it has not been seen since. A SNOWY EGRET was in the Purgatory Creek wetlands in Eden Prairie, Hennepin County on the 30th. And a CATTLE EGRET was at the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge in Bloomington, Hennepin County on June 30th and July 2nd. The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, July 9th 2009. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: [mou-rba] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, July 2, 2009 From: Jeanie Joppru <rba AT MOUMN.ORG> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 20:12:55 -0600 -RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *July 2, 2009 *MNDL0907.02 -Birds mentioned Trumpeter Swan Common Loon Red-necked Grebe American White Pelican Green Heron Osprey Osprey Bald Eagle Merlin Sandhill Crane Great Horned Owl Red-bellied Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Purple Martin Ruby-crowned Kinglet Gray Catbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Grasshopper Sparrow -Transcript Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes Date: July 2, 2009 Sponsor: Lakes Area Birding Club, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce Reports: 1-800-542-3992 (weekdays during business hours) Compiler: Jeanie Joppru (ajjoppru AT q.com) This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, July 2, 2009 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218)847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. It has been cool and pleasant since the great storm on the weekend which left the whole area very soggy. It is starting to dry out now, but many fields are still too wet to get into. This hasn't stopped the birds, as babies are appearing everywhere. Danielle Kvasager , reporting from Rydell NWR in Polk County , mentioned TRUMPETER SWAN, COMMON LOON, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, RED-NECKED GREBE, and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER among the sightings this past week. Shelley Steva saw two pairs of SANDHILL CRANES just north of Erskine at the edge of the Polk WMA, one of which had a colt. She also saw a GREEN HERON near McIntosh on July 27. Sid Stivland observed a COMMON LOON, OSPREY, and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW among others at Glacial Ridge NWR on July 28. Here in Pennington County, Zeann Linder reported that on July 29 she finally confirmed young in the MERLIN nest near her home in Thief River Falls. It is still uncertain how many young there are, but we are watching their progress. Gary Tischer, reporting from Agassiz NWR in Marshall County on July 1, said that duck broods are starting to appear at the refuge. A pair of TRUMPETER SWANS with 5 cygnets is being seen at Northwest Pool; another pair which have no young were seen at Agassiz Pool. There are 4 active BALD EAGLE nests at Agassiz, and two GREAT HORNED OWL young have been observed in the southwest part of the refuge in recent days. Shelley Steva in Bemidji, Beltrami County, on June 27, reported nesting HAIRY WOODPECKER and BROWN THRASHER in Bemidji near the campus of Bemidji State University. Beth Siverhus in Warroad, Roseau County, observed HAIRY WOODPECKER with young, PURPLE MARTIN, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, BROWN THRASHER, GRAY CATBIRD, and CEDAR WAXWING this week. Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Danielle Kvasager, Gary Tischer, Shelley Steva, and Sid Stivland for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday,July 9, 2009. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: [mou-rba] Duluth RBA 7/2/09 From: Jim Lind <rba AT MOUMN.ORG> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 20:29:17 -0600 -RBA *Minnesota *Duluth/North Shore *July 2, 2009 *MNDU0907.02 -Birds mentioned Red-throated Loon Great Gray Owl Yellow-throated Warbler Lark Sparrow -Transcript Hotline: Minnesota, Duluth/North Shore Date: July 2, 2009 Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) Reports: (218) 834-2858 Compiler: Jim Lind (jslind AT frontiernet.net) This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. A YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was seen by Jan Green on June 20th on the Old North Shore Road (CR 290), about 0.4 mile east of the Ryan Road (CR 50). Despite several attempts, it has not been relocated since the initial sighting. Jan and Larry Kraemer saw four RED-THROATED LOONS on the 1st at Gull Bluff on Wisconsin Point. Debbie Waters found a GREAT GRAY OWL on June 24th along CR 133 just east of the Blue Spruce Road (CR 211) in the Sax-Zim Bog. Bob Russell found three LARK SPARROWS on June 24th in Cook County along the Old Gunflint Trail (CR 92) at the road leading to the Iron Lake campground. Unless something unusual is reported, the next scheduled update of this report will be in two weeks on Thursday, July 16th. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. Information about bird sightings may be left following the recorded message. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum, e-mail us at mou AT moumn.org, or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Afton State Park-wrong again ;( From: Larry Sirvio <lmsirvio AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 19:08:09 -0600 I went back again after dinner to see if I could get a better look at the bird. I also recruited a more experienced birder to accompany me. What we found was - a female orchard oriole (that was obviously what I saw). She was not the one doing the singing though. There was also a first year male orchard oriole with her. He was the one singing. He still sounded a lot like the Stokes summer tanager to me. We also heard what I assume were 2 or 3 Henslow's sparrows but didn't see them. Another lesson learned the hard way. Larry 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 Subject: Afton State Park From: Larry Sirvio <lmsirvio AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:44:09 -0600 Liz Stanley posted about a summer tanager at Afton SP. I got a brief look at the bird today and recorded the song and some calls. The bird had no red - only yellow. If someone with expertise with this bird wishes to hear these please, email me and I will send the recordings. Thanks Larry S lmsirvio AT 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 Subject: Red-Headed Woodpecker From: "john c. nelson" <nelsonjc AT HICKORYTECH.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:25:33 -0500 Dwayne Smothers reported two sightings of a Red-Headed Woodpecker at his son Richard's home 1/2 mile west of Lura Lake, Blue Earth Cty. First he has seen in that area in several years. He has NOT seen the Red Crossbill today. John Nelson Good Thunder MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: cc: re: [mou-net] Lake Vadnais, Ramsey County From: KCTEPO00 <KCTEPO00 AT SMUMN.EDU> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 14:56:29 -0500 I was also at Lake Vadnais this morning, and in addition to Gail's report, found a pair of Broad-Winged Hawks, frequently calling and also chasing other birds off. Nearby, before seeing the birds, I found what looks like a hawk or owl nest, though I didn't see the birds at the nest at any point. Kyle TePoel 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 Subject: Lake Vadnais, Ramsey County From: Gail Wieberdink <wieber64 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 14:52:25 -0500 There were at least 20 Am. White Pelicans on the western portion of Lake Vadnais along Rice Street, probably at least 20 additional pelicans flew off just as we arrived. In the same area were 20 egrets. While we were observing the birds on the water, high above a flock of 57 pelicans flew over heading north-northeast. There are still the 10 Trumpeter Swans on the western part of Vadnais. There were only 4 great blue herons around the lake today, and about 15-20 cormorants. Gail Gail Wieberdink wieber64 AT 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 Subject: Night Herons, Dakota From: Jim Ryan <muchmoredoc AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:45:05 -0500 Birders, Wednesday evening I re-found 2 of 3 Black-crowned Night Herons found by Jim Mattson in the dead trees on the un-named lake on the S. side of Cliff Rd. off of Robert Trail. (Hwy 3). 2 out of 3 ain't bad. It was FOY and a county 1st for me. Thanks to Jim Mattson for the mention. -- Sincerely, Jim Ryan Saint Paul's Westside -- We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality - Lucius Annaeus Seneca_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Night Herons, Dakota From: Jim Ryan <muchmoredoc AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:45:05 -0500 Birders, Wednesday evening I re-found 2 of 3 Black-crowned Night Herons found by Jim Mattson in the dead trees on the un-named lake on the S. side of Cliff Rd. off of Robert Trail. (Hwy 3). 2 out of 3 ain't bad. It was FOY and a county 1st for me. Thanks to Jim Mattson for the mention. -- Sincerely, Jim Ryan Saint Paul's Westside -- We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality - Lucius Annaeus Seneca ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Re: Another Pelican Update From: "Browning, Jimmie L COL RES USAR USARC" <jimmie.browning AT US.ARMY.MIL> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:22:52 -0500 Bob, Sorry to tag on to your e-mail but I am not very technical. At my lake cabin on Osakis I saw a Clarks Grebe. This is not the hybrid we have been seeing the last few years on the South side of the lake. I saw it about 5 feet off my starboard bow and it was clearly a Clarks. I saw it on the Northwest part of the main body of the lake. There are really no shore spots to see it from that I could tell in this area. I will check that area every week end and if it is routinely there I will notify the list. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Williams, Bob" Date: Thursday, July 2, 2009 9:22 Subject: [mou-net] Another Pelican Update To: MOU-NET AT LISTS.UMN.EDU > Jim Otto called a little after 9am this morning to say that the Brown > Pelican had just flown into its favorite spot on the rocks by the 2 > buoys that can be seen from Jason Adam Ct. off Co. Rd. 13 in Le Sueur > County. It was not there, or any where else that Doug Kieser and I > looked last night. In addition to the pelican there is a Common Loon > that has been seen on German Lake and 2 Sandhill Cranes that have been > seen and heard in the area of Swede's Bay on Jefferson Lake. > Bob Williams, 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 Subject: Red Crossbill From: "john c. nelson" <nelsonjc AT HICKORYTECH.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:48:42 -0500 The one-eyed Red Crossbill was still present at the feeders of Dwayne Smothers as of yesterday July 1. John Nelson Good Thunder MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Another Pelican Update From: "Williams, Bob" <BXWilliams AT CBBURNET.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:21:39 -0500 Jim Otto called a little after 9am this morning to say that the Brown Pelican had just flown into its favorite spot on the rocks by the 2 buoys that can be seen from Jason Adam Ct. off Co. Rd. 13 in Le Sueur County. It was not there, or any where else that Doug Kieser and I looked last night. In addition to the pelican there is a Common Loon that has been seen on German Lake and 2 Sandhill Cranes that have been seen and heard in the area of Swede's Bay on Jefferson Lake. Bob Williams, 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 Subject: Sandhill Crane near downtown St. Paul From: Tom Klein <Tom.Klein AT DNR.STATE.MN.US> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:24:49 -0500 As I was riding my bike to work this morning a sandhill crane flew over me at tree-top height. This was near the intersection of Cherokee Ave. and Baker St. on the West Side. Tom Klein >>> MOU-NET automatic digest system 7/2/2009 12:04 AM >>> There are 4 messages totalling 124 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Some thoughts for others looking for the Brown Pelican 2. Mille Lacs, an interesting transitional county 3. Brown Pelican - Street Name 4. Warbling Vireo nest ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 05:51:30 -0700 From: Forest Strnad Subject: Some thoughts for others looking for the Brown Pelican Greetings: =A0 From=A0 the e-mails about looking for the Brown Pelican, by several birders= , I had assumed that the white rock was seen in an open area of water, =A0a= nd not through many trees.=A0 I also thought the white rock was may be 300 = years out from the shore. It was many more yards than that.=A0 The mention = of the culdusac was our assurance that we were in the right spot to see the= Brown Pelican. It was on a gravel road, and not a paved road,where new hou= ses will be buillt in the future. =A0 Hopefully the Brown Pelican will stay around for a few more days and other = birders will get to see it. =A0 Forest Strnad Faribault, Mn. =0A=0A=0A ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:39:20 -0500 From: Pastor Al Schirmacher Subject: Mille Lacs, an interesting transitional county Mille Lacs is an interesting county for birding. On the southern edge one can find breeding or over-summering Grasshopper, Field & Vesper Sparrows, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Willow Flycatchers, Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, and, in some years, Blue-winged Warblers, Henslow's Sparrows and Dickcissels. The northern half can feature (in summer) Connecticut Warblers, Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, unusual gulls (like Lesser Black-backed & Franklin's), Caspian Terns (nesting one year) and at least 15 nesting warblers. The fall and early winter can be spectacular: Red-throated and Pacific Loons, Harlequin Ducks, scoters, Boreal Chickadees, Gray Jays (not personally, but solid reports), Great Gray & Northern Hawk Owls, both crossbills, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks. Yet...the county listing leaders are only in the 240's - and I still lack Lark Sparrow, Orchard Oriole, Ross' Goose, and Least Bittern (among others) - all of which I've seen & heard from 300 yards to 10 miles south of the county line. There's a lot of work still to be done here. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:23:41 -0500 From: judith sparrow Subject: Brown Pelican - Street Name Hi All, Just thought I would contribute the name of the gravel cul-de-sac road = that you turn onto from County Rd. 13 at the south-west corner of German = Lake in La Seur County: it is Jason Adam Ct. When you turn onto this = road you will notice that there are house "fire numbers" posted on blue = signs atop fence posts where each new home can be built in the future. = If you park between fire numbers 47261 and 47233 on the right side of = the road as you begin your drive down the cul-de-sac, then look to the = right (east?), you will see the small cat-tail surrounded bay with the = two white rocks on which the pelican has been seen--you will also see = the two red buoys mentioned in previous postings. A scope is pretty = much a requirement for a decent view! Judith Sparrow Prescott, WI ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:16:34 -0600 From: Larry Sirvio Subject: Warbling Vireo nest Wow - what a great shot. If you haven't seen the MOU-BBA site - check = out http://www.mnbba.org/gallery/?region=3DMN Select warbling vireo. Ron Refsnider has an amazing shot of a warbling vireo nest with young. = I'd like to hear the story of how he got that shot. Congratulations Larry S ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=3Dmou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html ------------------------------ End of MOU-NET Digest - 30 Jun 2009 to 1 Jul 2009 (#2009-164) ************************************************************* ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Fw: Sherburne NWR From: roy zimmerman <roymz756 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 03:50:35 -0700 Tuesday morning Vic Lewis, Bill Brown and I spent a chilly, breezy, buggy morning birding Sherburne NWR.  Counting birds we saw driving up and back we got 71 species. We were not able to find the cerulean warbler and it was too windy to hear the least bitterns.  Highlights were a great view of a grasshopper sparrow standing in the road on the auto tour, a nice look at a Virginia rail which flew in front of us, and a couple of noisy yellow-headed blackbirds. Also, at the eagle nest there were two juveniles (one on the nest and one in the tree) and an adult in the tree. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Warbling Vireo nest From: Larry Sirvio <lmsirvio AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:16:34 -0600 Wow - what a great shot. If you haven't seen the MOU-BBA site - check out http://www.mnbba.org/gallery/?region=MN Select warbling vireo. Ron Refsnider has an amazing shot of a warbling vireo nest with young. I'd like to hear the story of how he got that shot. Congratulations Larry 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 Subject: Brown Pelican - Street Name From: judith sparrow <jsparrow AT CENTURYTEL.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:23:41 -0500 Hi All, Just thought I would contribute the name of the gravel cul-de-sac road that you turn onto from County Rd. 13 at the south-west corner of German Lake in La Seur County: it is Jason Adam Ct. When you turn onto this road you will notice that there are house "fire numbers" posted on blue signs atop fence posts where each new home can be built in the future. If you park between fire numbers 47261 and 47233 on the right side of the road as you begin your drive down the cul-de-sac, then look to the right (east?), you will see the small cat-tail surrounded bay with the two white rocks on which the pelican has been seen--you will also see the two red buoys mentioned in previous postings. A scope is pretty much a requirement for a decent view! Judith Sparrow Prescott, WI ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Mille Lacs, an interesting transitional county From: "Pastor Al Schirmacher" <pastoral AT princetonfreechurch.net> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:39:20 -0500 Mille Lacs is an interesting county for birding. On the southern edge one can find breeding or over-summering Grasshopper, Field & Vesper Sparrows, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Willow Flycatchers, Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, and, in some years, Blue-winged Warblers, Henslow's Sparrows and Dickcissels. The northern half can feature (in summer) Connecticut Warblers, Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, unusual gulls (like Lesser Black-backed & Franklin's), Caspian Terns (nesting one year) and at least 15 nesting warblers. The fall and early winter can be spectacular: Red-throated and Pacific Loons, Harlequin Ducks, scoters, Boreal Chickadees, Gray Jays (not personally, but solid reports), Great Gray & Northern Hawk Owls, both crossbills, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks. Yet...the county listing leaders are only in the 240's - and I still lack Lark Sparrow, Orchard Oriole, Ross' Goose, and Least Bittern (among others) - all of which I've seen & heard from 300 yards to 10 miles south of the county line. There's a lot of work still to be done here. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Mille Lacs, an interesting transitional county From: Pastor Al Schirmacher <pastoral AT PRINCETONFREECHURCH.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:39:20 -0500 Mille Lacs is an interesting county for birding. On the southern edge one can find breeding or over-summering Grasshopper, Field & Vesper Sparrows, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Willow Flycatchers, Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers, and, in some years, Blue-winged Warblers, Henslow's Sparrows and Dickcissels. The northern half can feature (in summer) Connecticut Warblers, Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, unusual gulls (like Lesser Black-backed & Franklin's), Caspian Terns (nesting one year) and at least 15 nesting warblers. The fall and early winter can be spectacular: Red-throated and Pacific Loons, Harlequin Ducks, scoters, Boreal Chickadees, Gray Jays (not personally, but solid reports), Great Gray & Northern Hawk Owls, both crossbills, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks. Yet...the county listing leaders are only in the 240's - and I still lack Lark Sparrow, Orchard Oriole, Ross' Goose, and Least Bittern (among others) - all of which I've seen & heard from 300 yards to 10 miles south of the county line. There's a lot of work still to be done here. Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Some thoughts for others looking for the Brown Pelican From: Forest Strnad <prairiefal AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 05:51:30 -0700 Greetings:   From  the e-mails about looking for the Brown Pelican, by several birders, I had assumed that the white rock was seen in an open area of water,  and not through many trees.  I also thought the white rock was may be 300 years out from the shore. It was many more yards than that.  The mention of the culdusac was our assurance that we were in the right spot to see the Brown Pelican. It was on a gravel road, and not a paved road,where new houses will be buillt in the future.   Hopefully the Brown Pelican will stay around for a few more days and other birders will get to see it.   Forest Strnad Faribault, Mn. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Snowy Egret back at Purgatory Creek, Hennepin County From: Doug Kieser <doug.kieser AT CLYNCH.COM> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:03:40 -0500 A Snowy Egret was once again present this evening on the bare island in the Purgatory Creek Wetlands, Eden Prairie. I generally stop here at least 3 nights a week and this is the first time I have seen this bird here since June 11. 65 Great Egrets were also present when I left, with more coming in. Caspian Terns seem to be returning, there were 25 on the island tonight, their numbers had dwindled to 5 last week. 5 Forster's Terns were also here. Doug Kieser Minneapolis This message contains information which may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorized to receive this message for the intended recipient), you may not use, copy, disseminate or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail, and delete the message. Thank you very much. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Snowy Egret back at Purgatory Creek, Hennepin County From: Doug Kieser <doug.kieser AT CLYNCH.COM> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:03:40 -0500 A Snowy Egret was once again present this evening on the bare island in the Purgatory Creek Wetlands, Eden Prairie. I generally stop here at least 3 nights a week and this is the first time I have seen this bird here since June 11. 65 Great Egrets were also present when I left, with more coming in. Caspian Terns seem to be returning, there were 25 on the island tonight, their numbers had dwindled to 5 last week. 5 Forster's Terns were also here. Doug Kieser Minneapolis This message contains information which may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the intended recipient (or authorized to receive this message for the intended recipient), you may not use, copy, disseminate or disclose to anyone the message or any information contained in the message. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply e-mail, and delete the message. Thank you very much. Subject: Later or latest report on Brown Pelican From: Forest Strnad <prairiefal AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:09:24 -0700 Greetings: Dave Bartkey and I left Faribault about 4:00  this afternoon to go look for the Brown Pelican.   After wandering around Rice County and S.E. LeSueur Couonties, because of road construction, we got to the S. E. corner of German Lake.  We followed this all the way around the lake to the S. W. corner. Thanks to the reports of Chad Heins and Bob Ekblad we found the "Model Home for sale" sign and turned in on the road and ended up in the culdusak.  The road into the culdusak has many singns of where houses will be built and the house where we turned into the culdsack is numbered 47308.   I was surprised that there were so many trees to look through to find the white rock on which we saw the Brown Pelican at 5:40 p. m.  Dave first saw the Brown Pelican, a new species for him for Minnesota, standing on the rock.  When I looked through the scope it was laying down on the rock.  I wasn't sure, at first, that it was the Brown Pelican that I was seeing.   Another good day with a new species for Dave, and a new species for me for LeSueur County.  Supper sure tasted good when I got home.   Forest Strnad Faribault, MN. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Brown Pelican still there From: ronald huber <huber033 AT UMN.EDU> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:41:12 -0500 The Brown Pelican was seen from 2:10PM until 2:30PM by the Huber brothers at the exact spot posted earlier by Chad Heins. Someone had thoughtfully scraped a large arrow in the dirt road so we set up out 'scope there. The pelican was asleep on the rock with the red and white buoy nearby. We waited patiently until 2:25PM when the bird stood up, leisurely stretched both legs, raised both wings overhead (showing the pale longitudinal stripe along the underside of the wings), looked around, stuck his head back under his wing and went back to sleep. Quite a show ! Thanks, Chad ! Ron Huber ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: MNBBA News From: "SAMPLE, Bonita" <bsample AT AUDUBON.ORG> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:34:55 -0400 July is just beginning so there is still more than a month to make another visit or two and observe breeding evidence for many species. Remember, even if an observation is outside the ending safe date, Probable and Confirmed evidence is always acceptable. Observations have already been entered in almost 700 blocks! For interested or current surveyors in the metro area, another Open House is being held on Tuesday, July 7th, from 6:30 - 8:30, this time at the Fairview Community Center, 1910 W County Road B in Roseville. It's a great place to get your questions answered and get help with blocks requests, data recording, and data reporting. If you want to contribute photos to the Photo Gallery, and we hope you do, you need to be registered on the mnbba.org website (different from being registered on the Cornell site). It's easy. Just click Login on the mnbba.org Home page to register, then go to Gallery to upload your photo. Bonnie Sample MN Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinator 651-739-9332 bsample AT audubon.org ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Brown Pelican still on the rock From: Bob Ekblad <ekblad AT FRONTIERNET.NET> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:16:02 -0500 The Brown Pelican is still at the same location on German Lake with the view from the short road off of Cty 13. It was resting on the rock by the two red buoys at 10am but wasn't there when I returned around 11am - but it soon flew back in and resumed it's post on the rock. Sent from Bob Ekblad's iPhone Byron, MN - Olmsted County http://www.Birding-Minnesota.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 Subject: Brown Pelican Update From: Bill Stjern <norskestar AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:15:10 -0500 The Brown Pelican was still at German Lake in LeSeuer County as of 4:45 this afternoon (6/29). Believe it or not, it was roosting on the same rock as Chad Heim's post at 8:30 this morning. Thank you for that post, Chad, and good birding to all. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Brown Pelican update From: "Williams, Bob" <BXWilliams AT CBBURNET.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:09:00 -0500 Milt Blomberg just called from German Lake in Le Sueur County and the Brown Pelican was back at the spot referred to in Chad Heins' posting this morning. Milt spotted the bird at 3:30 and it did not move from the spot until at least 4 when he called me. Bob Williams, 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 Subject: NO Pelican nor Grosbeak (Le Seur/Nicollet Co.s) From: alyssa <tiger150 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:40:19 -0500 I carefully scoped German Lake (near Le Center, Le Seur County) for the Brown Pelican at about 10am. I did not see him/her. I was scoping from the north side of the lake. I also checked the gravel pits in Courtland (Nicollet Co.) for the Blue Grosbeak, and I did not hear nor see him. However, it was very windy today, and there was some construction going on in the eastern-most pit. (Expected) highlights included a Red-necked Grebe and Forster's Tern in Le Seur County and Lark Sparrows, Scarlet Tanager, and Ovenbird in Nicollet County. Good birding! Alyssa DeRubeis Golden Valley, Hennepin 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 Subject: Re: Song Sparrow Song Diversity From: "Terri Welisek" <terriw AT new.rr.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:38:27 -0500 According to Donald Kroodsma 'The Singing Life of Birds' (my favorite birding book of all), the young song sparrow learns his repertoire over a full year from several adults near where he settles, occasionally even blending versions from more than one singing male. Kroodsma devotes many pages to the variations in songs with most males utilizing 8 to 11 songs. I recently listened to a Song Sparrow in northern Michigan that I joked had a 'yooper' accent as his main tune was missing a couple repetitions on a single note but was still quite clearly a song sparrow. Good Birding, Terri Welisek Sherwood, WI Calumet County -----Original Message----- From: wisbirdn-bounce AT freelists.org [mailto:wisbirdn-bounce AT freelists.org] On Behalf Of Pastor Al Schirmacher Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 12:47 PM To: mou-net AT lists.umn.edu; mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net; wisbirdn AT freelists.org; BIRDCHAT AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Subject: [wisb] Song Sparrow Song Diversity How diverse are Song Sparrow songs? Recently I heard one sing a classic song, then end in three trilling notes; on the way back from lunch today I heard one sing two opening notes like a Vesper, then continue as normal. Do they learn from other sparrows near their territory? Do juveniles struggle with their initial songs? Is hybridization an issue? (Hard to admit I know so little about a common songster - although am comforted by Kenn Kaufman's admission a number of years back that he couldn't adequately describe a BC Chickadee to his own satisfaction.) Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties #################### 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. #################### 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. Subject: Song Sparrow Song Diversity From: "Pastor Al Schirmacher" <pastoral AT princetonfreechurch.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:47:11 -0500 How diverse are Song Sparrow songs? Recently I heard one sing a classic song, then end in three trilling notes; on the way back from lunch today I heard one sing two opening notes like a Vesper, then continue as normal. Do they learn from other sparrows near their territory? Do juveniles struggle with their initial songs? Is hybridization an issue? (Hard to admit I know so little about a common songster - although am comforted by Kenn Kaufman's admission a number of years back that he couldn't adequately describe a BC Chickadee to his own satisfaction.) Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Black-crowned Night Herons, Dakota From: Jim Mattsson <mattjim AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:49:04 -0500 For the 3rd consecutive day, up to 3 adult BCNHs have been easily visible from Cliff Rd. in Eagan. From South Roberts Trail (Hi 3) go 1/4 mile west on Cliff Road. On the south side is a no-name lake with dead trees along the southwest shore. The birds are in the dead trees. A scope is best. I suggest parking on West Greenleaf Dr. to avoid getting killed. Jim Mattsson Eagan ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Song Sparrow Song Diversity From: "Pastor Al Schirmacher" <pastoral AT princetonfreechurch.net> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:47:11 -0500 How diverse are Song Sparrow songs? Recently I heard one sing a classic song, then end in three trilling notes; on the way back from lunch today I heard one sing two opening notes like a Vesper, then continue as normal. Do they learn from other sparrows near their territory? Do juveniles struggle with their initial songs? Is hybridization an issue? (Hard to admit I know so little about a common songster - although am comforted by Kenn Kaufman's admission a number of years back that he couldn't adequately describe a BC Chickadee to his own satisfaction.) Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties #################### 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. Subject: Song Sparrow Song Diversity From: Pastor Al Schirmacher <pastoral AT PRINCETONFREECHURCH.NET> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:47:11 -0500 How diverse are Song Sparrow songs? Recently I heard one sing a classic song, then end in three trilling notes; on the way back from lunch today I heard one sing two opening notes like a Vesper, then continue as normal. Do they learn from other sparrows near their territory? Do juveniles struggle with their initial songs? Is hybridization an issue? (Hard to admit I know so little about a common songster - although am comforted by Kenn Kaufman's admission a number of years back that he couldn't adequately describe a BC Chickadee to his own satisfaction.) Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Brown Pelican update 6/29 From: Chad Heins <odunamis AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:43:40 -0700 Hey birders! The Brown Pelican on German Lake was still present at 8:30 this morning. I found the bird on the extreme southwest side of the lake where it was loafing on a rock in a small bay. The good news is that this bird was easily viewable from the road and did not require a boat to view. To get to this area, take CR13/Beaver Dam Rd. north from its junction with CR16. At one point, CR13 will bend to the west and you will be able to see German Lake to your northeast through a large gap in the trees. Watch for a sign that says "Model Home for sale" and turn right onto that road. This is a short gravel cul de sac and the bird was easily scoped from the road to the east. Happy birding! Chad Heins Mankato ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Blue Grosbeak in Nicollet Cty still present From: hagsela AT aol.com Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:55:15 -0400 I checked the abandoned gravel pit just SE of Courtland in Nicollet County and refound the previously posted Blue Grosbeak. ?He was fairly silent, it took some patience to find him, but I had a nice look at him in the poplars on the northwest ridge of the pit. ?There were numerous Lark Sparrows near the pit. I listened for the Kentucky Warbler at Williams Nature Center with no luck. ?It's been awhile since anyone reported seeing or hearing him. I found two Lark Sparrows in Scott County by the gas station at the NW corner of Hwy 169 and Hwy 41. ?There's a frontage road from Hwy 41 and the sparrows were by the Bank Swallow colony on the way to the station. Linda Sparling_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Blue Grosbeak in Nicollet Cty still present From: Linda Sparling <hagsela AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:55:15 -0400 I checked the abandoned gravel pit just SE of Courtland in Nicollet County and refound the previously posted Blue Grosbeak. ?He was fairly silent, it took some patience to find him, but I had a nice look at him in the poplars on the northwest ridge of the pit. ?There were numerous Lark Sparrows near the pit. I listened for the Kentucky Warbler at Williams Nature Center with no luck. ?It's been awhile since anyone reported seeing or hearing him. I found two Lark Sparrows in Scott County by the gas station at the NW corner of Hwy 169 and Hwy 41. ?There's a frontage road from Hwy 41 and the sparrows were by the Bank Swallow colony on the way to the station. Linda Sparling ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Brown Pelican Update From: Paul Budde <pbudde AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:56:56 -0500 About a dozen birders spent the afternoon looking for the Brown Pelican in Le Sueur County today, with only a brief sighting by some in distant flight. German Lake was very quiet, and nothing was seen there. However, aside from the in flight observation today (which wasn't mine), this is the only place the bird has been seen - once on the south side of the island which is only visible by boat or from private property, and once on the north side of the island. There is public access to the lake on the north side, which is an excellent place from which to scan the lake - except for the south side of the island. We spent most of our time this afternoon scanning Lake Jefferson, just west of German L., for the pelican. The best place to look for the bird appeared to be Swedes Bay. The link below will show you where we saw 500+ American White Pelicans in three separate flocks along shore and actively feeding on the lake, and where the Brown Pelican appeared to land, though we could not find it among the AWPEs. http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=44.266899~-93.76637 9&style=r&lvl=14&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&cid=5D6F1918ED 24BB28!155&encType=1 Note that this area is much more accessible by boat than by car. Good luck! Paul Paul Budde Minneapolis, MN pbudde AT earthlink.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 Subject: baby towhee, Ritter Farm Park From: linda whyte <birds AT MOOSEWOODS.US> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:40:17 -0500 Following the most outlying trails from shelter 3 to shelter 4, those that border the fields and touch the northern edge of the park, I came across a male E. towhee calling stridently, in a very exposed position, right beside the path as it approaches the area of shelter 4. It's position-shifts indicated it was following my movements. Soon a female's voice joined the cry, though she remained less visible. She darted from the woods, crossing the path, landed in a small tree, then dropped into the tall grass of the field, close by the trail. Just once, the male dropped down in the same vicinity, before resuming his perch and continuing his alarm. Seeing no sign of a predator, I assumed I was simply too close to their nest. A quick visual check of both the wooded and field sides revealed none, and it seemed best to leave the towhees in peace. However, a rustling, low in the shrubs on the wooded side, soon explained their agitation: a fledgling was perched there, about a foot off the ground. Its soft, brown streaks and speckles against a creamy tan background had only the hint of its future russet and chestnut patches, with a bit of pronounced darker markings in the tail. It still looked slightly fluffy. It was definitely seeming very uncertain of its next move, looking toward the area where its parents were. It would not be surprising if its siblings were also scattered, on either side of the trail, and the adults were trying to herd them to safety for feeding. It seemed best not to further stress the birds by trying to confirm that. Just before entering the towhee territory, the path passes close by a fence that forms the park's north border, with a grassy field on the other side. I thought I heard Henslow sparrows calling there, and wonder if anyone has heard or seen them in those tall grasses. Linda Whyte ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Possible 1st spring Summer Tanager at Afton State Park From: Liz Harper <harp0055 AT tc.umn.edu> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:22:03 -0500 I was out at Afton State Park today and heard and saw what I believe to be a 1st spring Summer Tanager. Unfortunately, I was out running, not birding. Is there anyone that frequently birds Afton that can check on this?? I was following the Afton trail race course (see link below) and the bird was singing away just off of the trail west of where the course rejoins the Africa loop after the Back 40 loop. http://www.aftontrailrun.com/PDF_Files/course_map/2008_Afton_Map_Web.pdf Thanks. While you are out there, stop by and see (well, listen to) the Henslow's Sparrows along the top of the Africa loop (usually hear 2-3 calling). Liz ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Brown Pelican update, Le Sueur County From: Bob Dunlap <rdunlap AT GUSTAVUS.EDU> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:48:20 -0500 This morning when I arrived the juvenile Brown Pelican was flying low over the eastern side of German Lake. In flight it was best viewed from the north boat access. I was only able to view it for a few seconds until it disappeared due to distance and heat waves. John Hockema showed up, and shortly after he arrived a local fisherman showed up with a pontoon and offered to take us out to see the bird, free of charge. We boated to the southern side of the lake behind the island, where we found the bird sitting on a buoy. If it is perched behind the island on the south side, there is no where to view it from land, and thus the only way to see it would be from a boat. There have been a lot of fisherman on the lake today, and so your bets of hitching a boat ride are probably pretty good, although I can't guarantee that it'll be free. I have uploaded a photo of the bird to the "Recently Seen" webpage on the MOU website. This is either a second, third, or fourth state record, as there were two reports of Brown Pelicans several weeks ago near Alexandria. Bob Dunlap, Nicollet 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 Subject: Brown Pelican still present on German Lake, Le Sueur County From: "Williams, Bob" <BXWilliams AT CBBURNET.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:03:35 -0500 I just got off the phone with Bob Dunlap who said that the Brown Pelican was still present this morning on German Lake in Le Sueur County. It was hanging out around the island as previously stated. Bob Williams, 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 Subject: Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher From: "Pastor Al Schirmacher" <pastoral AT princetonfreechurch.net> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:50:24 -0500 The Cerulean Warbler was singing its ascending song yesterday around 3:30 PM at Sherburne NWR, Blue Hill Trail (the hill itself), as previously posted. Did not relocate the Olive-sided Flycatcher. A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was calling at Kathio State Park, northern Mille Lacs County - along the same 1/2 mile trail near the Interpretive Center as the Connecticut Warbler last week (boardwalk/bog area). Also had a Northern Waterthrush singing on the way in. Skipping the Cerulean for a moment, Bob Janssen, I and others have noted that a number of "northerners" are farther south than normal - two Olive-sided Flycatchers in Sherburne and southern Mille Lacs, three Nothern Waterthrushes in Mille Lacs, the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, and others. Hmmmm..... Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher From: Pastor Al Schirmacher <pastoral AT PRINCETONFREECHURCH.NET> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:50:24 -0500 The Cerulean Warbler was singing its ascending song yesterday around 3:30 PM at Sherburne NWR, Blue Hill Trail (the hill itself), as previously posted. Did not relocate the Olive-sided Flycatcher. A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was calling at Kathio State Park, northern Mille Lacs County - along the same 1/2 mile trail near the Interpretive Center as the Connecticut Warbler last week (boardwalk/bog area). Also had a Northern Waterthrush singing on the way in. Skipping the Cerulean for a moment, Bob Janssen, I and others have noted that a number of "northerners" are farther south than normal - two Olive-sided Flycatchers in Sherburne and southern Mille Lacs, three Nothern Waterthrushes in Mille Lacs, the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, and others. Hmmmm..... Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Brown Pelican From: Anthony Hertzel <axhertzel AT SIHOPE.COM> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:53:26 -0500 Wally Swanson and Vern & Cindy Krienke are reporting an immautre or sub-adult Brown Pelican on German Lake, Le Sueur County, near the lake's island. The bird has also apparently been seen on Lake Jefferson. This is the third report of a Brown Pelican in Minnesota this year. - - - Anthony Hertzel -- axhertzel AT sihope.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 Subject: Easy Black-throated Blue Warbler near Grand Marais From: Shawn Conrad <itascabirder AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:21:17 -0500 I know that Black-throated Blue Warblers aren't uncommon along the Shore, but it seems like many of the spots can be a difficult hike for some. When I was working in the area on Wednesday, I found an easy-access Black-throated Blue Warbler along the Superior Hiking Trail. Getting there from 61, heading north: Just past the Cascade River State Park main entrance, turn left on CR 7. After about 4.5 miles, there is a left turn that should be either 48 or 158...sorry I didn't check more carefully. You're heading north for about .3 miles and come to a T intersection with some red pines in front of you. Turn left (now you're definitely on 158) and drive for about 1/2 mile. The road takes a 90 degree turn to the right here. Continue about another 1/2 mile to the parking lot for the Superior Hiking Trail. The Black-throated Blue Warbler was singing and eventually visible about 100' or so down the trail to the east side of the road, relatively flat terrain. The trail intersection with the "Sundling Creek Pond" sign would be a good spot to listen for it. On my way out, I could actually hear the bird singing from the parking lot, so it's possible to find from the road. Otherwise, Grand Marais and vicinity was really slow during what little birding time I had during my 4 days there. There were 2 Swainson's Thrushes singing from the west side of the Cascade River State Park campground where the campground comes closest to Cascade River and 4 Evening Grosbeaks plus a Magnolia Warbler at the so-called 'overflow campground' near the maintenance shop. -- Shawn Conrad http://users.2z.net/itasca_chippewa_birding/ ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: RFI: Birding Ramsey County Book From: Dedrick Benz <benzdedrick AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:30:19 +0000 Does anyone know where I can purchase the Birding Ramsey County book, either online or otherwise? I found a website that basically has the whole book online, but I can't print in color and my binding skills are sorely lacking. Thanks! Dedrick Benz Winona, MN _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_BR_life_in_synch_062009 ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Red Crossbill From: "john c. nelson" <nelsonjc AT HICKORYTECH.NET> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:01:12 -0500 The Red Crossbill was still present this morning at home of Dwayne Smothers south of Mapleton on the east side of Lura Lake. Noted yesterday; the bird is missing its right eye. It does not seem to be handicapped at all and has healthy appetite. Dwayne can be reached at 507-524-3529, email smothers AT hickorytech.net. John Nelson Good Thunder MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Motherly Love and the northern flicker.... From: SCmzd AT AOL.COM Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:47:33 EDT If the title interested you, check out the showcase section of MOU, and good birding to ya. Regards, Shawn Zierman. **************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000006) ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Cerulean Warbler - Olive-sided Flycatcher - Shurburne County From: "David A. Cahlander" <david AT MOUMN.ORG> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:20:48 -0500 The Cerulean Warbler was seen at the location Paster Al indicated. (GPS location N45 29.993 W93 42.859) http://mnbba.org/blockmap/minnesota.php?Lat=N45%2029.993%20W93%2042.859 Also seen was an unusual summer Olive-sided Flycatcher on the way to the Cerulean Warbler (GPS location N45 29.883 W93 42.707). http://mnbba.org/blockmap/minnesota.php?Lat=N45%2029.883%20W93%2042.707 Thanks to Paster Al, this is a new county bird for Bob Janssen. ------Original Message------ >> From: Pastor Al Schirmacher >> Sent: Jun 26, 2009 9:32 AM >> >> Male Cerulean Warbler (good looks & listens, only singing first three >> notes >> of song), Blue Hill Trail, Sherburne NWR - on the trail that actually >> leads >> up the hill, about 10-15 minutes in along the western fork of the entry >> trail. -- David Cahlander david AT cahlander.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 Subject: Cerulean Warbler From: "Pastor Al Schirmacher" <pastoral AT princetonfreechurch.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:32:36 -0500 Male Cerulean Warbler (good looks & listens, only singing first three notes of song), Blue Hill Trail, Sherburne NWR - on the trail that actually leads up the hill, about 10-15 minutes in along the western fork of the entry trail. Heard a number of Golden-crowned Kinglets in the coniferous section of the trail, continuing a long trend of over-summering (nesting?). Two Red-headed Woodpeckers, one on the trail, one flying back & forth to the pole on the intersection of CR 9 & 42. No Golden-winged or Blue-winged seen or heard on the trail, seem to be only present on Mahnomen Trail and the Auto Tour this year, perhaps due to late burn? Good birding to all. Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Cerulean Warbler From: Pastor Al Schirmacher <pastoral AT PRINCETONFREECHURCH.NET> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:32:36 -0500 Male Cerulean Warbler (good looks & listens, only singing first three notes of song), Blue Hill Trail, Sherburne NWR - on the trail that actually leads up the hill, about 10-15 minutes in along the western fork of the entry trail. Heard a number of Golden-crowned Kinglets in the coniferous section of the trail, continuing a long trend of over-summering (nesting?). Two Red-headed Woodpeckers, one on the trail, one flying back & forth to the pole on the intersection of CR 9 & 42. No Golden-winged or Blue-winged seen or heard on the trail, seem to be only present on Mahnomen Trail and the Auto Tour this year, perhaps due to late burn? Good birding to all. Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: NC Birder From: Howard Coston <hcccp AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:02:47 -0400 I am a NC birder who will be visiting my wife's family in Eagle Bend, MN next week (June 28-July 4). I am hoping that I can hook up with local birders while I am MN. Some of the towns near Eagle Bend include Sauk Center, Alexandria, and Wadena, if that helps pinpoint my location better. My best days for birding likely will be Sun-Tues, June 28-30, though later in the week may be a possibility. If there are local birders who would be willing to let an out-of-towner tag along, I would be appreciative. You can contact me via email (hcccp AT aol.com) or my cell (336-816-3078). Thanks, Howard Coston Winston-Salem, NC ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: [mou-rba] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, June 25, 2009 From: Jeanie Joppru <rba AT MOUMN.ORG> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:10:18 -0600 -RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *June 25, 2009 *MNDL0906.25 -Birds mentioned Gray Partridge Greater Prairie-Chicken Red-necked Grebe Turkey Vulture Merlin Sandhill Crane Upland Sandpiper Marbled Godwit Barred Owl Whip-poor-will Western Kingbird Northern Rough-winged Swallow Clay-colored Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Le Conte's Sparrow Chestnut-collared Longspur Orchard Oriole -Transcript Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes Date: June 25, 2009 Sponsor: Lakes Area Birding Club, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce Reports: 1-800-542-3992 (weekdays during business hours) Compiler: Jeanie Joppru (ajjoppru AT q.com) This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday,June 25, 2009 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218)847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. Summer took a long while to get here, but the last week has been extremely pleasant after the long cool spring. Plants and trees have taken off, and all is verdant green. Birds are feeding young throughout the area. In Marshall County, Beth Siverhus saw a pair of SANDHILL CRANES with a colt along the west side of Agassiz NWR this week. Linda Timm in Pennington County observed three baby GREAT HORNED OWLETS in her yard on June 20. Shelley Steva saw two TURKEY VULTURES near the intersection of US 59 and CR 3 on June 25. In Red Lake County, Shelley Steva heard a WHIP-POOR-WILL singing on June 25. Kim Eckert's Minnesota Birding Weekend found a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE at the Gary Pines on June 19, but, although several birders found it, the bird was not found by birders in the last few days. Other species seen in Norman County by Kim's group included booming GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS, a MERLIN at the Norman Motel in Ada, a BARRED OWL south of Frenchman's Bluff, and LE CONTE'S SPARROW. In Clay County, the MBW group found a pair of GRAY PARTRIDGES at Felton Prairie, RED-NECKED GREBE with three babies at Hitterdahl, a WESTERN KINGBIRD at the Starlite Motel, and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. Nancy Jackson, during the previous week, found MARBLED GODWIT, UPLAND SANDPIPER, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, VESPER SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR, and ORCHARD ORIOLE at Felton Prairie. Holly Anderson found two SANDHILL CRANES two miles west of Ponsford in Becker County on June 23. Thanks to Holly Anderson, Kim Eckert, Linda Timm, Nancy Jackson, and Shelley Steva for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, July 2, 2009 Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, June 25, 2009 From: Jeanie Joppru <ajjoppru AT Q.COM> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:08:38 -0500 This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday,June 25, 2009 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218)847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. Summer took a long while to get here, but the last week has been extremely pleasant after the long cool spring. Plants and trees have taken off, and all is verdant green. Birds are feeding young throughout the area. In Marshall County, Beth Siverhus saw a pair of sandhill cranes with a colt along the west side of Agassiz NWR this week. Linda Timm in Pennington County observed three baby great horned owlets in her yard on June 20. Shelley Steva saw two turkey vultures near the intersection of US 59 and CR 3 on June 25. In Red Lake County, Shelley Steva heard a whip-poor-will singing on June 25. Kim Eckert's Minnesota Birding Weekend found a western wood-pewee at the Gary Pines on June 19, but, although several birders found it, the bird was not found by birders in the last few days. Other species seen in Norman County by Kim's group included booming greater prairie-chickens, a merlin at the Norman Motel in Ada, a barred owl south of Frenchman's Bluff, and Le Conte's sparrow. In Clay County, the MBW group found a pair of gray partridges at Felton Prairie, red-necked grebe with three babies at Hitterdahl, a western kingbird at the Starlite Motel, and northern rough-winged swallow. Nancy Jackson, during the previous week, found marbled godwit, upland sandpiper, clay-colored sparrow, vesper sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, chestnut-collared longspur, and orchard oriole at Felton Prairie. Holly Anderson found two sandhill cranes two miles west of Ponsford in Becker County on June 23. Thanks to Holly Anderson, Kim Eckert, Linda Timm, Nancy Jackson, and Shelley Steva for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, July 2, 2009 Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: [mou-rba] MOU RBA 25 June 2009 From: Anthony Hertzel <rba AT MOUMN.ORG> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:17:02 -0600 -RBA *Minnesota *Minnesota Statewide *June 25, 2009 *MNST0906.25 -Birds mentioned -Transcript Hotline: Minnesota Statewide Date: June 25, 2009 Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) http://moumn.org Reports: (763) 780-8890 Compiler: Anthony Hertzel (axhertzel AT sihope.com) This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, June 25th 2009. About the only report of note is the apparent WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE which was reported from the wayside rest just north of Gary in Norman County on the 19th. It was in the pines with several Eastern Wood-Pewees a mile north of town on the west side of state highway 32. The bird was encountered by observers through the 23rd but not on the 24th. The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, July 2nd 2009. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Red Crossbill From: "john c. nelson" <nelsonjc AT HICKORYTECH.NET> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:54:50 -0500 I received a call from brother-in-law at 1:30 this afternoon reporting a bird at his Nyjer sacks, which he had never seen before. The key word in his description was CROSSBILL. I arrived 45 minutes later and the bird 15 minutes after that. It is a young male Red Crossbill, a life bird for me after chasing all over in search of a White-Wing all winter. I was able to get some excellent photos. I would like to know how unusual this is. The bird was feeding hungrily while I was there and has been there from 11:30 AM until I left at 3 PM. John Nelson Good Thunder MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Western Wood-pewee(s) not found From: Jim Mattsson <mattjim AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:41:39 -0400 June 24, 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Gary, MN, rest stop Drew Smith and I spent several hours at this site and found a total of 5 Eastern Wood-pewees, but no Westerns. Of these, 4 were vocal and seen well by both of us using spotting scopes at close range. Each of the four were quite similarly marked, ie. pale orange-yellow lower mandibles w/ perhaps a very small dark area at tip, similarly-sized and contrasting wing bars, overall pale underparts with pale gray broken vest with hint of yellow tinge. Undertail coverts white w/ no duskiness noted. Three of these gave plaintive Pee-a-wee songs only, while one gave only a BreeAA call, also plaintive and clear with no hoarse quality. A non-vocal, 5th individual (could possibily be one of the previous individuals) was seen by Drew and determined to be an Eastern based upon similar physical attributes described for the others. The weather was quite calm and hearing conditions were excellent. Pewee vocalizations were very sporadic and less than we expected considering the conditions. We could confirm no songs or call notes suggestive of Western Wood-pewee. Jim Mattsson Eagan ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Sax Zim Bog, St. Louis County & goshawk nesting activity From: Debbie Waters <dwaters AT HAWKRIDGE.ORG> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:01:10 -0500 Hi folks, Spent the morning in the Sax Zim Bog and have a few good sightings to share. We found a Great Gray Owl hunting the roadside ditch along 133, just east of Blue Spruce Rd. Always exciting! Also found Connecticut Warblers in numerous locations (Admiral Rd, Arkola Rd & others), Lincoln Sparrows in a couple of spots (Admiral Road & Blue Spruce just N of 133) and a couple of LeConte's Sparrows on Arkola Rd. Barred Owl, Broad-winged Hawk (an adult, calling repeatedly from the top of a spruce in the middle of bog habitat...go figure!), an extremely cooperative Wilson's Snipe, Palm Warbler, Brewer's Blackbirds, no Upland Sandpipers, no grouse. The Bog sure is fun in the summer. Just remember insect repellent. :-) As an interesting side note, I monitor Northern Goshawk territories for the DNR and checked two of my active nest sites today. One had two healthy looking branchers and two healthy acting (ha, ha) adults. At that site I checked a few pellets from under the nest tree and found a whole Ruffed Grouse foot inside a pellet, practically intact. Fascinating! The second site was a different story. When checking for breeding status at that site in April, I found a newly built-up old nest, complete with downy feathers and greenery, but two broken & eaten eggs near the nest tree. Upon searching the territory for a possible re-nesting, I was thrilled to find them incubating at a different nest site. Upon arriving at the re-nest site today, I discovered a nicely built up nest but no downy feathers and no greenery. After an extensive search of the area, I discovered two more broken & eaten eggs. I've got more active nest sites to check over the next couple of days, so I've got my fingers crossed. Good birding, Debbie ____________________________ Debbie Waters Education Director Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory P.O. Box 3006 Duluth, MN 55803-3006 218.428.3539 dwaters AT hawkridge.org www.hawkridge.org Bringing kids and birds together. Over 7,000 times in 2008. Become a MEMBER and support our educational efforts! "I'm an early bird and I'm a night owl, so I'm wise and I have worms."                                                                - Michael Scott, The Office ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: help an out of state birder From: Thomas Maiello <thomas AT ANGELEM.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:08:24 -0500 A couple of months ago I visited the Winston-Salem area and a local birder took me under his wing and we had a glorious day birding area hot spots. He made my experience rich, rewarding and added two life birds to my lists. The birder's name is Howard Coston and he is looking for someone to assist him in birding in the Alexandria, Sauk Center, Wadena, Eagle Bend area. As shown he will be in the area this coming Sunday thru Tuesday. Howards's email reminder, address and cell phone number are shown below. If you can help support the MN birding experience of this gracious and generous NC birder, please contact him directly as shown below - either email or phone. Let's show him some of our generous Minnesota hospitality. Thank you, you wonderful birding community, you! Thomas Maiello Maple Grove, MN On Jun 24, 2009, at 9:19 AM, hcccp AT aol.com wrote: > Thomas, > Hello from Winston-Salem. Hope things are going well for you. My > trip to MN is commencing this in two days, and I just realized I had > not contacted you about assistance in contacting birders in the > Eagle Bend area of MN. Some of the larger towns that appear nearby > are Alexandria, Sauk Center, or Wadena, if that is helpful in > pinpointing my location in Eagle Bend. My best days for availability > will be Sunday, Monday and/or Tuesday, June 28-30. Thanks in advance > for any assistance in hooking up with local birders that you can > provide. Please feel free to advertise that it is acceptable to > contact me via cell phone, which I've noted below. > > Thanks, > Howard Coston > cell: 336-816-3078 > > Save energy, paper and money -- get the Green Toolbar. ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Speculation on Rare Birds From: "Pastor Al Schirmacher" <pastoral AT princetonfreechurch.net> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:50:12 -0500 I wonder how many rare birds (casual, accidental, first in state, first in country) we miss annually? When one considers the following factors: * Areas that are rarely, or never, covered * Birders' lack of familiarity with birds outside their region * Birders' audio skills (eg, how many of us here in Minnesota would have picked up on the recent Western Wood-Peewee's call?) * Birds' ability to skulk, hide and otherwise camouflage their presence & activity * Disparity between birds' and birders' time of activity (how many of us get out early enough in the morning, or late enough in the evening?) * And other variables. So, do we pick up on 2% of our rarer visitors? 5%? 10%? Additionally, when we do pick up on a rarity, is it truly the only one in the state, or one of many? Speculations on a muggy June Wednesday morning (having enjoyed a Golden-winged and Canada Warbler prior to starting). Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Grackle Tumors From: Dan & Sandy Thimgan <thimgan AT DIGITALJAM.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:02:52 -0500 We are seeing an unpleasant-looking tumor-like growth on a few young birds. Does someone have knowledge of this malady? Primary symptom: a large fleshy distended mass in the vent area of young Common Grackles. We’ve seen just one bird, but our neighbor reports a total of three birds observed, including one on the verge of death. Apparently, all birds were young Grackles. Would this be a single nest-specific type of parasitism or possibly something contagious? Thanks for any enlightenment. --Dan & Sandy Thimgan -- Thimgans Battle Lake MN Otter Tail 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 Subject: Speculation on Rare Birds From: "Pastor Al Schirmacher" <pastoral AT princetonfreechurch.net> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:50:12 -0500 I wonder how many rare birds (casual, accidental, first in state, first in country) we miss annually? When one considers the following factors: * Areas that are rarely, or never, covered * Birders' lack of familiarity with birds outside their region * Birders' audio skills (eg, how many of us here in Minnesota would have picked up on the recent Western Wood-Peewee's call?) * Birds' ability to skulk, hide and otherwise camouflage their presence & activity * Disparity between birds' and birders' time of activity (how many of us get out early enough in the morning, or late enough in the evening?) * And other variables. So, do we pick up on 2% of our rarer visitors? 5%? 10%? Additionally, when we do pick up on a rarity, is it truly the only one in the state, or one of many? Speculations on a muggy June Wednesday morning (having enjoyed a Golden-winged and Canada Warbler prior to starting). Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties #################### 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. Subject: Speculation on Rare Birds From: Pastor Al Schirmacher <pastoral AT PRINCETONFREECHURCH.NET> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:50:12 -0500 I wonder how many rare birds (casual, accidental, first in state, first in country) we miss annually? When one considers the following factors: * Areas that are rarely, or never, covered * Birders' lack of familiarity with birds outside their region * Birders' audio skills (eg, how many of us here in Minnesota would have picked up on the recent Western Wood-Peewee's call?) * Birds' ability to skulk, hide and otherwise camouflage their presence & activity * Disparity between birds' and birders' time of activity (how many of us get out early enough in the morning, or late enough in the evening?) * And other variables. So, do we pick up on 2% of our rarer visitors? 5%? 10%? Additionally, when we do pick up on a rarity, is it truly the only one in the state, or one of many? Speculations on a muggy June Wednesday morning (having enjoyed a Golden-winged and Canada Warbler prior to starting). Good birding to all! Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Moving: Goodbye Minnesota, Hello Iowa. From: Derek Bakken <spottedtowhee AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:22:54 -0500 Hello fellow MN birders, A wonderful opportunity presented itself and my wife and I have decided to leap at the chance to be closer to her family, live on a lake, and leave the big city life behind. It is going to be a weird feeling for awhile and I am going to miss Minneapolis quite a bit but....... .........living on a nice big lake and switching from a yard list that contains 99% House Sparrows, Starlings, Pigeons, and Crows to a yard list that will soon contain Loons, Grebes, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Harris's Sparrows, and probably another 75 or so other bird species within a year should ease my pain. Also, we are going to be living less than 500 yards away from Minnesota. We are moving to the north shore of Spirit Lake in NW Iowa. Jackson county (MN) will be just a few minutes away and I expect that I will frequently be checking it out along with the other SW Minnesota counties. So, if anyone is planning on heading down to extreme SW Minnesota (or NW Iowa) for some birding, send me an email and I'll let you know if I've seen anything lately. -- Derek Bakken spottedtowhee AT gmail.com ornitholature.blogspot.com Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! Also, please report your bird sightings to eBird and/or the MOU. The information gathered is vital to the future of 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 Subject: Drive By Eurasian Collared Dove From: "Pastor Al Schirmacher" <pastoral AT princetonfreechurch.net> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:08:32 -0500 Forgot to mention this in yesterday's report, and certainly was not confirmed: As our family was driving in the cities last week, we noted a possible Eurasian Collared Dove on 494, about a mile before reaching the airport. Unfortunately we were moving quickly in traffic, and could not stop to confirm details, but the overall size and structure were certainly indicative. Just an FYI for our cities birders. Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Drive By Eurasian Collared Dove From: Pastor Al Schirmacher <pastoral AT PRINCETONFREECHURCH.NET> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:08:32 -0500 Forgot to mention this in yesterday's report, and certainly was not confirmed: As our family was driving in the cities last week, we noted a possible Eurasian Collared Dove on 494, about a mile before reaching the airport. Unfortunately we were moving quickly in traffic, and could not stop to confirm details, but the overall size and structure were certainly indicative. Just an FYI for our cities birders. Al Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html Subject: Western Wood-Pewee update From: Kim R Eckert <eckertkr AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:03:38 -0500 Since there has been nothing posted since June 19 about the possible/ probable Western Wood-Pewee(s) found that afternoon at Gary Pines Wayside a mile N of Gary along Hwy 32 in Norman Co, here is a summary of what has been seen and heard. (Sorry for the delay, but this is the first day since the original sighting that I've had both internet access and the time to post anything about this.) First of all, the birds were still present yesterday, June 22. Bob Dunlap saw/heard them then and on June 21, and several birders found them on the 20th. The location has been in the tall pine stands ~100 yards W of the wayside's picnic shelter on the W side of Hwy 32. On June 19, my Minn Birding Weekends (MBW) group saw and heard at least one wood-pewee giving Western-like call notes, but heavy rain showers at the time were making viewing/listening conditions difficult, and after an hour or so of this most of the group left. It finally stopped raining around 6:00 pm, and Ron Erperlding, George Vania, and I were able to more easily see or hear at least 4 wood- pewees during the next half hour. Here are the wood-pewees in the order in which we encountered them: Bird 1 - heard-only; gave both parts of a typical Eastern-like song: i.e., the clear, whistled, rising "pee-a-weee" and the descending, whistled "pee-ur"; no reason to think this was anything but an Eastern Bird 2 - gave 2 distinctly different vocalizations; usually (75-80% of the time) it gave a burry, nasal, hoarse, rising-in-pitch "brree", a call note which is entirely consistent with Western, and unlike Eastern; however, part of the time it also gave an Eastern-like call/ song, except it was abruptly truncated: "pee-a-w", with the third syllable basically missing Bird 3 - easily seen as it perched in the open for several minutes, but it remained totally silent during the entire time; several photos taken, but species unknown Bird 4 - repeatedly gave the same Western-like "brree" call note as Bird #2, and no other vocalizations We did not hear any of the wood-pewees give the standard, Western song: i.e. a burry, nasal, hoarse, dropping-in-pitch "beeerr"; as far as I know, none of the observers on June 20 heard such a song either. However, Bob Dunlap sent me the following about one of the wood-pewees he heard on June 22, which sounds like it may have been the actual Western song: "heard but not seen, perhaps 10 yards behind other pewees, twice in one minute, a downslurred, nasal 'dreee-er' was heard". Some observers (including Bob on June 22 and Tony Hertzel on June 20) saw/heard a total of 5 wood-pewees, with presumably a second singing Eastern present. I would urge that all observers send an account of what they saw/heard to mou-net, or to me privately, or to MOURC chair Peder Svingen, so we can attempt to sort out what is there. Note that I did not include here a description of any of the visual field marks we saw, since out-of-range wood-pewees are generally regarded as safe to ID in the field only when vocalizing; silent wood- pewee ID would need to involve a netted, banded, and measured individual or a specimen. However, if you go to view the Norman County wood-pewees, it is definitely worth taking careful notes especially on the lower mandible color, the relative boldness of each wing bar, and the darkness of the sides of the underparts. More importantly, field recordings need to be made of the vocalizations of these possible Western Wood-Pewees (or hybrids, or whatever they are), in order to adequately document this occurrence. As far as I know, no one yet has been able to obtain any recordings of them. One excellent source of recorded wood-pewee sounds can be found on the xeno-canto.org website. The Western Wood-Pewee is at , and the 9th track on this page is the best track of what we heard on June 19. The Eastern Wood-Pewee is at . Hope this helps. Other than than our wood-pewee ordeal, it was a relatively uneventful MBW tour! Kim Eckert ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html