[mou-net] vocal Hooded Warbler, Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve

[linda whyte]

It was a surprise to find a Hooded Warbler persisting in singing today; I
had not expected so much vocalizing late into the morning, this far into
nesting season. Having checked unsuccessfully the original preferred
location for the species, a triangular wooded area between trail markers
13, 14, and 15, I tried another section where the bird had been seen, the
trail directly across from the entrance to the horse-camp parking lot. The
bird was calling vigorously from the trail's west edge about half-way up
the hill into the woods. At one point there seemed to be an answering call
from the opposite side of the path; perhaps the singing was sparked by a
rival.
In any case, the original territory has been undergoing some restoration
and re-forestation. The human activity involved, and the newly opened
under-story, may have caused the bird(s) to move permanently further east.
It will be interesting to see which areas they prefer to claim in
subsequent years.

Linda Whyte


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[mou-net] Western Wood Pewee, Blue Grosbeak- Big Stone NWR

[mou]

(Posted by Jason Frank  via moumn.org)

After reading Josh Wallestad's post about the Blue Grosbeak range expansion, I 
decided to 
check out some of the northernmost potentialities in western Minnesota, namely 
Big Stone 
NWR. Departing my home in Gary, SD, I drove north along County Rd 15, which 
becomes 7 
in Lac qui Parle County. 

First stop was the Nassau gravel pit, less than half a mile west of CR 7 on CR 
24 (the 
Nassau Road). It is right next to St James Cemetery. No Blue Grosbeaks seen or 
heard, but 
this pit is currently hosting the most extensive Bank Swallow colony I've ever 
seen out 
here; I'd estimate some 200 holes with hundreds of birds swarming the area 
around 
1:00PM Sunday afternoon. Coordinates are: 45.066260, -96.422451.

Moving Northward, I stopped at a gravel pit half a mile east of CR 7 on CR 28. 
Waited for 10 
minutes, but no Blue Grosbeaks were present.

Pulling into the Big Stone NWR Wildlife Drive, I parked at the first outhouses 
and located 1 
male Blue Grosbeak singing from some shrubs about 50 yards away; got the scope 
on him 
for a good view; he sang for 5 minutes, and as I approached for a closer view, 
he retreated 
into nearby brush. Coordinates: 45.268503, -96.410063.

At coordinates 45.258812, -96.411101, approaching the Wildlife Drive, I heard a 
Western 
Wood Pewee singing. (CHEER-up, PEE-WE).

Coots and Soras were making lots of noise in Pool 7.

In other news:

Evening, July 13, I found a Clay-Colored Sparrow's nest in Mound Spring SNA, 
Yellow 
Medicine County. It was 6 inches off the ground, in a swath of bent-over Indian 
Grass.

Jason Frank
Lac qui Parle


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[mou-net] SAX-ZIM BOG —Recent Birds, BOG BIOBLITZ V, Workshops FERNS, LICHENS, DRAGONFLIES

[sparky stensaas]

Hi All,

RECENT BIRD SIGHTINGS SAX-ZIM BOG...
Great Gray Owls continue to be seen sporadically at dawn and dusk. Check all 
the usual roads.

Dickcissel (only appears in the Bog during major irruption years) possible 
along CR29/229, Watsula, Racek, and Dart Roads. Watch for Bobolinks and 
Black-billed Magpies along these same roads.

Warblers are all still present and many are feeding begging fledged young. 
Listen for begging calls and watch. Many species are still singing at dawn and 
for an hour after.

No recent reports of Boreal Chickadee or Black-backed Woodpecker…but they are 
year-round residents.

Saturday July 22
BOG BIOBLITZ V
Sax-Zim Bog
9 am- 3:00pm Meeting at the Welcome Center (BIRD trip leaves at 6:00 am and 
returns to WC at 9am so folks can go on another field trip)
Join experienced naturalists in the field as you explore scattered areas around 
the Sax-Zim Bog.
BUTTERFLIES, DRAGONFLIES, WILDFLOWERS (shrubs, sedges, etc), GRAVEL PIT 
EXPLORATION, BIRDS, INSECTS, LADYBUGS, FISHES and more. 
We will then all meet back at the Welcome Center around 2:30 to share our 
finds. Each leader will give a synopsis of what they found and even bring some 
specimens back.

Leaders include Jerry McCormack, Dr. Tim, Clinton Nienhaus, Sparky Stensaas, 
Jim Lind, Dave Grosshuesch, Kelly Beaster, Bill Tefft and more. Larry Weber 
will join us for the compilation with his spider finds.

Be sure to pack a lunch, water, bug dope, sunscreen, rubber boots, hat.
WE WILL BE REVEALING A NEW T-SHIRT DESIGN AT THIS EVENT AS WELL (so bring your 
checkbook!)

This is always a popular event…You will learn an amazing amount in a short 
time. No need to RSVP…just show up. See you Saturday July 22!


Sunday July 23
RIDGE BIOBLITZ 
Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve—Main Overlook
9:00 am- 1:00 pm Meeting at the Hawk Ridge Overlook, Duluth, Minnesota

For the second year, there will be a BioBlitz at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in 
order to highlight a weekend of biodiversity in northern Minnesota! Hawk Ridge 
Nature Reserve is a well known location for bird migration in the fall season,  
but much of the diversity that can be found at the Nature Reserve never leaves! 
Last year, we found interesting lichens, Boreal Long-lipped Tiger Beetle, 
Diamond Spider, and Ragged-fringed Orchid. This year, we hope to add to the 
diversity that can be found in Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve!


Saturday, August 5
WORKSHOP: DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES

Early Registration: $80 (All participants will receive a FREE copy of Kurt 
Mead’s Dragonflies of the North Woods: 3rd Edition!…and expert instruction from 
some of the top dragonfly folks in Minnesota)

Registration after July 20: $90

Registration now open on our website store!

9am to 5pm. August 5, 2017

Meet at the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center north of Meadowlands, MN 
(directions here)

Bring: Water, bag lunch and snacks (no food available anywhere close), bug 
dope, hat, sunscreen, rubber boots!! (mandatory…unless you want to “wet foot” 
it), camera, butterfly net (not necessary and we will have some for you to 
use), binoculars (absolutely!) and a sense of curiosity!

This adventure-filled Workshop will introduce you to the hidden world of our 
northern dragonflies and damselflies. Experts from the Minnesota Dragonfly 
Society will guide you to several spots in the world-famous Sax-Zim Bog to see 
and capture some rarely seen boreal species (all will be released back into the 
wild). At this time of year there are many of the big species of darners 
flying….and also an abundance of the small but colorful meadowhawks. Other 
skimmers and emeralds may also be seen. This is a hands-on experience so please 
come ready for several hours in the field (rubber boots, hat, bug dope, 
sunscreen). We will also scoop for nymphs and you will learn the basics of 
identifying them to family…and learn about their fascinating life history. Back 
at the Welcome Center we’ll take an up close look at our finds.

SCHEDULE
Meet at Welcome Center by 8:45 am.

9:00-9:15 am- Introduction and Welcome
Welcome info about Friends of Sax-Zim Bog and intro to the work of the 
Minnesota Dragonfly Society
Overview of the plan for the day

9:15-9:45 am- Nymphs and their Identification
We’ll learn the fascinating basics of the dragonfly/damselfly life cycle.
Examine some aquatic nymphs and learn basics on identifying them to family

9:45 am- 12:00 pm- Field Session #1: St. Louis River, Stone Lake Road, etc (TBD)
During this session, we will confirm what we just learned about basic dragonfly 
and damselfly ID and anatomy by catching some adults. We’ll point out tips on 
quickly placing the dragonfly to family. There will also be a focus on nymphs 
and we’ll scoop some out of the water bottom.

12:00-12:45 pm- Lunch and Common Green Darner talk by Ami Thompson
Ami has been studying the phenology of our only true migrant dragonfly—the 
Common Green Darner. It is one of our most common dragonflies, one of our 
largest, and also 

[mou-net] Jo Blanich

[KIm Eckert]

Sorry, forgot to mention that you can contact Jo with your condolences at 
Heartwood Senior Living, Room 304, 500 Heartwood Drive, Crosby MN 56441.

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[mou-net] Steve Blanich

[KIm Eckert]

Adding to what Pam Perry just posted, Steve was in his 90s and had been dealing 
with health issues for several months. The Blaniches been an institution in 
Minnesota birding since the early 1970s, with their many observations in Crow 
Wing and Aitkin counties, and as mentors to Terry Savaloja and Warren Nelson 
who are both now deceased. 

I thank Butch Ukura who had been keeping me and others informed of Steve's 
condition and who called this morning with the news of Steve's death. And it 
was through Butch that Steve and Diane Millard and I were prompted to visit the 
Blaniches just yesterday. Jo is still in good health. 

Kim Eckert, Duluth



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[mou-net] Steve Blanich

[Ken & Pam Perry]

I want to let the birding community know that Steve Blanich passed away this 
morning. 

Sent from Mail for Windows 10



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