[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

A short walk this afternoon in a park in my neighborhood turned out to be quite birdy. 2 flycatchers: Great Crested & Least 6 or 7 warblers: yellow-rumps, Ovenbird, Black & White, Orange-crowned, Nashville, American Redstart, and probably a singing Cerulean. It is a pretty distinctive song. I

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Spring is here and a lot is happening. Flowers have bloomed and faded in the yard and new ones are bursting out. The Saturday before last I beat the sun and was out before first light to listen to the cranes waking for the Annual Midwest Crane Count. I count at the marshes south of Whitetail

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Didn't realize that I was looking at a 2018 post. Sorry. Still would like water feature ideas. L & J From: Minnesota Birds on behalf of Jan Uden Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2020 6:37 PM To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Subject: Re: [mou-net] Birding about the M

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

be great. I had no warblers this year. Did have a yellow-bellied sapsucker last week. Larry & Jan Uden From: Minnesota Birds on behalf of Bernard P. Friel Sent: Monday, May 7, 2018 9:52 AM To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Subject: Re: [mou-net] Birding about the M

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Sunday birds in the yard: Northern Waterthrush and a pair of Blue-winged Teal. Perhaps the teal will stay around and nest. Besides the two Wood Ducks incubating, we have a Hooded Merganser on eggs in a third box that was empty a week earlier. I could hear it rattling the eggs around in the box,

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Birding in the last week took me to Pelican Lake in Wright County, 140th Street wetland in Dakota County and Lake Byllesby (Goodhue Co. side). The birds (mostly waterfowl, shorebirds, and blackbirds) were varied and interesting, but not out of the ordinary with the exception of Avocets and a

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Here in Plymouth, a similar bad year for waterfowl. Yesterday, I checked our three Wood Duck nest boxes. It appears that all three failed. One box was unused - no sign of activity. The other two boxes contained 8 and 9 unhatched eggs. No sign of broken eggs. The nests contained down feathers

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

I cleaned out 3 of our 4 Wood Duck boxes on Sunday. 1) 19 eggs, at least 2 of them were Hooded Mergansers. The nest had significant down feathers indicating that a hen had been incubating the eggs. Several of the eggs were broken and the box smelled of rotten eggs. I have no idea if the broken

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Thursday: Spent the day birding the Minnesota River Valley Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington with Craig Mandel and Martyn Kenefick. Martyn was visiting the Twin Cities from Trinidad and Tobago and is the author of the field guide for those islands. In the morning we birded the trail to the west of

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Yard is dripping with migrants: 8 species of warblers, new ones include Yellow, Redstart, Orange Crown, Nashville, No. Waterthrush Chimney Swifts Lots of Kinglets singing Towhee Canada Geese came into the yard to show off their 4 new goslings. Yesterday I saw the first goslings in the industrial

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Many of our nesting birds are synchronous hatchers. The birds all hatch at the same time and thus are ready to leave the nest at the same time. Generally (perhaps always) a hen lays only one egg at a time, usually once a day with the ducks. Sometimes, it is once a week, with some birds, like owls

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Last week we had good birds feeding in the yard on the seed I scattered out: about 20 Juncos, 2 Fox Sparrows, 2 Tree Sparrows, and a Song Sparrow. Yesterday I had a Swamp Sparrow and today we had a Hermit Thrush. Checked 3 of the 4 wood duck houses. 1) 18 eggs including 1 Hooded Merganser 2) 9

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

We just arrived back in Minnesota from our winter exile in the south, where I saw some good birds, but didn't get out nearly as much as I would have wanted. Back home, the snow is melting in the yard and the ice is retreating from the edges of the lake. Our lake is higher than I have ever seen it.

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

On Saturday I participated in the Bioblitz at Carpenter Nature Center in Washington County. Best birds included a calling Common Loon on the St. Croix and Red-breasted Nuthatch. I haven't finished ID'ing all the neat plants and insects I found, but the neatest plant so far was a colony of walking

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Hi Mary (and anyone else who may be interested), I offer guided birding tours and am based out of the east metro, not too far from you. Feel free to check out my website and facebook page (links below) if you're interested! -Kyle Te Poel kyletepoel.crevado.com facebook.com/NexBendBirding On

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Looking for a guided bird outing tomorrow -Saturday- in East Metro. Any suggestions? Guide? Mary Westra 2355 5th Street White Bear Lake MN 55110 H - 651-426-3325 C - 612-868-1509 > On May 11, 2018, at 3:19 AM, Steve Weston wrote: > > Birds out my window impeded my

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Birds out my window impeded my arrival at work this morning. I had 13 species of warblers, mostly only ones and twos compared to the 40+ Yellow-rumps. Also, Swainson's Thrush, a couple of sapsuckers drumming, 2 to 4 Willow Flycatchers, ID'd by "whit" call, and one of our resident Barred Owls that

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Photographed yesterday at my home in Mendota Hts.: hooded warbler, Tennessee warbler, yellow-rump, Yellow-bellied sapsucker, blackpoll warbler, ruby-throated hummingbird, cedar waxwing; seen not photographed, wood ducks, great-crested flycatcher...nothing better than a water feature to attract

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Birded 140th Street Marsh and 180th Street Marsh in Dakota Co. At 140th Street we found the Cattle Egret and the Dunlin both in full breeding plumage. Both were also reported by others on the south side of the road. As we left the egret flew to the other shore and was no longer visible. Soras were

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Latest addition to the yard list: Common Loon (yesterday) on our small lake which is only only four or five feet deep at the most. Today's (Monday) sightings: Great Crested Flycatcher and a green darner dragon fly. Steve Weston On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN swest...@comcast.net Join or Leave

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

I stopped at the Wedge Coop this evening at Franklin and Lyndale not far south of downtown Minneapolis and counted at least 18 swifts overhead. One bird caught my attention as it seemed stubbier and lighter colored, but when I grabbed my binoculars I could not find any bird that varied from

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

After I posted this message, I headed off to work, pausing briefly outside and adding a Canada Warbler, 2 Palm Warblers high in the tree, a singing Blue-winged Warbler and a Chestnut-sided. An Ovenbird answered my pishing and came to check me out. I stopped pishing when I saw both a Sharp-shinned

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Stepped outside this morning and had to rush back in. I heard a Tennessee Warbler and Red-eyed Vireo calling. I was able to quickly add a Redstart, a couple of Black & Whites, White-throated Sparrow, a Sapsucker, a singing Ovenbird, a probable Orange, and a probable female Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Yesterday I led a MRVAC bird trip to Hok-si-lah and Sand Point in the Lake City/Frontenac area in Goodhue County (slightly out of the Metro...). We had about 15 to 20 participants, down from recent years. The weather was beautiful, but the birds were sparse, much less than last weekend out west at

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Seconding Steve, I also saw Yellow-Rumps gleaning bugs off the water the other day for the first time. Was wondering if I'd just missed a regular feeding behavior. Not a lot of new bird action today (for me anyway)--though on a trip to Lanesboro I did get my FOY Gnatcatchers and Black-and-white

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

FOY: Broad-winged Hawk, seen Lino Lakes Some of our wood duck houses see double duty with squirrels early in the spring and Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers later. I watched as squirrel loitered on a wood duck house that I had seen mergansers exiting a few days earlier. When the squirrel looked

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

We had at least four Tufted Titmouses (Titmice?) at our feeders briefly this morning. I am not sure if they are rare or regular visitors as I don't watch the feeders much. My wife wasn't much help, "I still don't know what they look like." Saw a Broad-winged Hawk hunting just north of the zoo in

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

I've been seeing lots of flycatchers, or more properly, hearing lots of flycatchers, mostly Great Creasted Flycatchers, Wood Pewees, Willows, but also a few Alders and E. Phoebes. The best birds I have seen were have been several pairs of Sand Hill Cranes, including a pair without young just

[mou-net] Birding About the Metro

On Friday I found a FOY Eastern Kingbird in northern Anoka County. Today (Sunday) we birded Dakota County. FOY birds included Bobolink (Blaine Avenue in Castle Rock Twshp), Ruby-throated Hummingbird at home, Marsh Wrens at 180th, and Grasshopper and Savanah Sparrows at the Great Northern

[mou-net] Birding About the Metro

Today (Tuesday) I stopped by 140th Street Marsh (a block east of Hwy 52) in Dakota County. I was surprised. The marsh looks the best I have seen in the last 10 years, wet! It doesn't have the deep water marsh of before the construction sucked it dry. There are lots of Sora and I saw a couple of

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

I just returned from Florida to a beautiful spring. Flowers are blooming and the yard is alive with birds. One of my three wood duck houses was down and had to be repaired and remounted in the tree. Another had be righted before the post fell over. I had hoped that it was unoccupied, but I

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

They need no bird bathmy cayenne flavored suet and compressed seed cylinder (in St. Paul) were devoured by one very well fed grey squirrel - quite the size of a gopher! Sharon > On Jan 9, 2016, at 1:31 AM, Steve Weston wrote: > > Today for the first time in about a

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Today for the first time in about a month, we had a visit from our local pair of Tufted Titmice. I can't be sure that they are not visiting my feeders on a regular basis, because I only observe the feeders for a few minutes in the morning on most days. I observed a Raven flying overhead south of

[mou-net] Birding About the Metro

Birds in the last week that I have seen in the back yard include Flicker, white-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and Hermit Thrush. Tufted Titmouse are coming to my neighbor, but I haven't seen them in my yard. Last week I took a day off to work on my deck. While I was pounding in nails, a

[mou-net] Birding about the metro

About a week ago my neighbors were eating lunch at W A Frost in St. Paul, when they noticed a bird flying in the restuarant. It settled down on a large picture frame on the wall and they realized they were looking at a Saw Whet Owl. They convinced the managers to call wildlife rescue people, who

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Today (Wednesday): Travelling across Rice Count from I-35 to Montgomery I found Sandhill Cranes just east of Montgomery and south of Lonsdale near CR1 and CR33, as well as a Northern Harrier. I am finding waterfowl babies everywhere. I found two broods of Canada Geese by a stormwater pool perhaps

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

FOY birds: No. Rough-winged Swallow heard and seen on Wednesday in St. Louis Park today: House Wren Palm Warbler Also, I heard (for the first time) and saw our Tufted Titmouse. I hadn't seen it for over a week (not unexpected since I have not been around much). If people want to try and

[mou-net] Birding About the Metro

On Wednesday we had 5 Great Egrets on the lake and a couple of Pine Siskins in the tree top at Quigley Lake. Friday; The usual flock of ducks, Woodies, Hoodies, Mallards, and honkers (Canada Geese) are congregating along out shore. Wood Ducks in our trees make it difficult to approach our back

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Two Sandhill Cranes were heard and seen flying ENE over Fairview Lakes Hospital south of Wyoming. I assume they were local birds as they were just a pair and not with a flock. I found 14 species of waterfowl at 180th Street Marsh in Dakota Co including Ruddy Ducks and puttering, courting Hooded

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Yesterday in Mendota Heights I found several Lincoln Sparrows and a White-Crowned Sparrow. Today in the yard we had Yellow-rumped Warblers working the water lilies and a Swainson's Thrush in the bushes. I checked around for other thrushes and found none. My wife reported that she observed a

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Tonight we had both Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls calling, although not at the same time or from the same direction. Driving onto Highway 280 in the metro, I noticed that one of the sumac berry clusters right along the side of road was brighter red than the others and then realized that it

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 2:28:34 AM Subject: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro Tonight we had both Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls calling, although not at the same time or from the same direction. Driving onto Highway 280 in the metro, I noticed that one of the sumac berry clusters right

[mou-net] Birding About the Metro

Last week as I was driving along I-694 in Brooklyn Park, I watched as a Coopers Hawk flew across the highway at about 10 feet above the road through the traffic. After she crossed my side, she hesitated and flew higher to cross above the speeding trucks going the other way. I marveled at her

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Bird broods observed on our lake: Hooded Mergansers: I refound the brood that launched from our boxes or that of one of our neighbors. I found 15 ducklings. They are half grown and true to form, they were on their own. There have been at least four hens in our part of the lake, but these guys

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Last Saturday while birding at Hok-si-lah and Frontenac, we were listening to a Tufted Titmouse as we stood next to our cars parked along a narrow road by the cemetery. A car slowed as he weaved between us and our parked cars. He lowered his window and asked if this was the start of the birding

[mou-net] Birding About the Metro

Still finding Fox Sparrows, Hermit Thrushes, Purple Finches, and many Juncos around the house. I have never heard so many of the Juncos singing as I have this year. Maybe some will stick around. Three or four years ago I found a male singing in Eagan by the river, but I could not relocated a few

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

I got out birding both Saturday (with the Hastings Bird Festival) and today (Sunday). I say a lot of the good birds reported on Saturday and shall not duplicate those reports. Plus, I had good birds around the yard. On Saturday I had a wonderful group of high school kids, who were far more

[mou-net] Birding About the Metro

This snowy morning (Friday) our full feeders attracted a diverse flock of birds including Purple Finches (1 female and 2 males), which I haven't seen for months, Pine Siskin (not seen for a couple of weeks), House Finches, Fox, Song, and Swamp Sparrows, and crowds of Juncos. The streets with the

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Two new birds for the year yesterday (Wednesday): Song Sparrow under the feeder. I have yet to hear its song. Red-winged Blackbird on territory in Eagan. I may have seen it the day before, but did it did not sing and I did not grab my binocs. Canada Geese are beginning to carve up Quigley Lake.

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Ah spring!!! Today I was marveling at the sweet songs of spring. The Cardinals have been calling for a while, joined by the other back yard regulars. Yesterday's treat was the trill of the Juncos, who have been absent most of the winter, but plentiful this last week. On Friday the first

[mou-net] Birding about the metro

Hi everybody, I am far behind on my coorespondance. Too much going on and no time for posting, but it will be coming. I have spent much of the last two weeks birding in Murray and Pipestone counties in SW Minnesota. But, today (Wednesday), I stopped at a small wetland just east of Buffalo on

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

After a wet morning finding nothing special, but enjoyable birds in quiet wet, wet paths in a park in central Dakota county, I found Dickcissels! I found two first of the year Dickcissels at Randolph industrial park (Hwy 56 284th St). After the industrial park I went to a gravel pit west of

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

I am finding duck broods showing up. A couple of days ago it was a Canada Goose family with five. I have always figured that the earliest hatchlings are probably younger pairs that lay less eggs. Today I saw a Hooded Merganser brood sitting by the Cattle Egret in Bloomington. Today in the

[mou-net] birding about the Metro

As I walked out the door this morning, I was greeted by a singing Tennessee Warbler. Second best bird of the day was a pair of Sand Hill Cranes on the lawn of the Hospital in Princeton. I was all set to check out the sewerage ponds there, when work call me back as fast as possible to the cities.

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Last Thursday - FOY Belted Kingfisher in Blaine along 109th. Sunday - I got out to Lake Byllesby. I found only four species of shorebirds with another at Randolph Industrial Park. The best was a couple of Dunlin with black bellies. Mud flats are extensive and worthy of monitoring. I saw a

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

White faced Ibis visible @ Old Cedar Bridge @ 2pm. 13+ species waterfowl @ lakes Calhoun Harriet including pied billed, horned, eared grebes, red breasted merganser, common loon. Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

On Tuesday evening I wandered into my backyard to fill a feeder. I avoid the backyard in the mornings because of all the wood ducks and mergansers around. But, when I passed one of my wood duck houses, I flushed a hen on the eggs. She sounded like a merganser. Since she was gone, I looked in

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

On Sunday morning I got out to Old Cedar Bridge in Bloomington to join Craig Mandel's bird hike. Quite enjoyable with good birds, but not much that was unexpected or new for the season for me. The best birds were the small groups of Fox Sparrows that were seen in several locations. Song

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

This morning I awoke to find the ice out on Quiggley Lake. The one Wood Duck I found on the lake yesterday had been joined by several. I also heard a Phoebe calling, but it wasn't around later. Dropped by Lake Byllesby and the Randolph Industrial Park late Sunday. I found 18 species of

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro Area

-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 12:52 AM Subject: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro Area Saw about 20 Trumpeter Swans on the Minnesota River a couple of days ago. Yesterday I found to House Finches dueling by song in Chanhassen. And today in Chanhassen I found Song Sparrow

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

This morning we had our first pair of Hooded Mergansers on Quiggley Lake. My wood duck boxes are ready. Perhaps one is still hosting squirrels. I should check. Yesterday, I forgot the Killdeer that I heard. -- Steve Weston swest...@comcast.net Join or Leave mou-net:

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro Area

Saw about 20 Trumpeter Swans on the Minnesota River a couple of days ago. Yesterday I found to House Finches dueling by song in Chanhassen. And today in Chanhassen I found Song Sparrow, several Red Wing Blackbirds, and a Robin singing. Downtown I saw a Grackle near the post office. Spring has

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Sunday 7/31 I found a half dozen species of shorebirds at Etter bottoms in Goodhue County, including at least three Buff-breasted Sandpipers. This was in flooded fields just into Goodhue County on the road (CR18) to Treasure Island Casino. A scope is needed. Further along on my journey

[mou-net] birding about the Metro

We have just returned from a trip to paradise (aka Hawaii) and I will post something on that soon. We returned to a fledged Barred Owl hanging around. This is the second year in a row we have had one by the house. The last one use to fly into the yard when I would call, Hi owl! Come on over

[mou-net] Birding about the metro

I went down on Sunday to see the Whooping Cranes awesome! I am just disappointed that it is a pair of males. I will refrain from any political statement that might really get me in trouble. I found swallows in Sciota township. A large mixed flock of swallows were feeding in the rain,

[mou-net] Birding about the metro

On Saturday we had our first Canada Goose gooslings! On Sunday my neighbor's grand daughter came over and presented me with a handful of morels from their yard and the park. Hu god! I checked and the oak leaves are bigger than mouse ears. Tonight I will check my yard. Steve Weston

[mou-net] birding about the metro

Saturday: I finally got the jelly feeder out and we have at least one Oriole trying its best to empty it out. The yard this morning was jumping with hawking Yellow-rumps! I didn't see any othe warblers. I found a late flock of about 15 Lapland Longspurs near 250th and CR47 in Dakota County.

[mou-net] Birding about the metro

Thursday: I finally got a chance to stop by Veterans Park this evening and could not find the Moorhen. I did find several calling Orioles, heard a Catbird and a Virginia Rail, and saw a Chestnut-sided Warbler. Since Saturday I have been hearing Copes Gray Treefrogs and American Toads. while

[mou-net] Birding about the metro

Sunday: We had a visitor at the house: an immature Broad-winged Hawk sat on top of one of the wood duck houses posing for my wife's camara. I also went down to 180th Street marsh where the habitat is quite inviting. I found Roger Everhart keeping company with a very engaging Sora. On the

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Sunday: I knew I forgot something - Yellow-rumps at Lake Bylessby. Tuesday: First shorebirds of the year! South of Norwood/Young America (just south of Hwy 212 on Hwy5) I found one Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeer, and 10 probable Pectorals. Scope was inadequate for the distance. Since I

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Saturday: After a short vacation in Arizona, I returned to hear a Phoebe and Ruby-crowned Kinglet in the yard. Sunday: Checked out some flooded areas near Red-wing and Lake Bylessby. Most notably FOY: TICK! But, only one. I found fourteen species of waterfowl. The diving ducks at Lake

[mou-net] birding about the Metro

This morning my wife dragged me still dripping to the window to look at a second or third year Bald Eagle worrying the remains of a rabbit or raccoon left on the ice by last night's preditor. In the puddle on the edge of the ice a Hooded Merganser in full display swam circles muttering like an

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

On Saturday, while working in my yard, I had a fly over of 6 Sand-Hill Cranes. They reminded me of a rowing team, with the coxsman calling out the strokes. A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers checked out my suet. I filled two of my four duck houses with my wood chips mix (hampster cedar chip

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Today I heard my first Red-winged Blackbird on territory in Eagan by the Post Office. I saw a Crow carrying nesting material crossing Highway 169 in Eden Prairie south of the Crosstown. A Red-tailed Hawk was sitting on the perch on the Osprey platform near the ice arena in Edina near the Crow

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Today (1/5) I was driving from Waconia toward Chaska on CR10, approaching Hwy 212, when I passed a raptor sitting in the middle of a harvested corn field. I ID'd the bird as a probable immature Eagle, as it appeared to be completely dark. I pulled a U-turn, and grabbed my binocs, and

[mou-net] Birding about the metro

I have been busy birding the Christmas Bird Counts. I've done four counts and have three more coming. It has been great. Besides the one I organize (the Cedar Creek Bog in northern Anoka Co.), I don't report the birds I have found. But, so far I have seen: 2 Canvasbacks, 2 Greater Scaup, 2

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

FOY Dickcissel was heard yesterday across the street from the Chanhassen high school. Also a Vesper Sp. there. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN swest...@comcast.net Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:

[mou-net] birding about the metro

I have gotten out a few times and have been birding regularly at 60mph, which occasionally leaves me with the dilemma of whether to exit the freeway and turn around for another look. I saw a Cooper's Hawk perched on a lamp post on H-169 the other day. It was so unexpected that it took me

[mou-net] birding about the metro

didn't get out of the yard much this weekend. FOY Eastern Phoebe (the neighbor described being around for a couple of days) and Song Sparrow. Also heard Tundra Swan in the clouds. The neighbor reports a Broad-winged Hawk from yesterday. First tick of the season. Snow flowers in bloom in

[mou-net] Birding about the metro

ahhh spring... This morning we had a dozen Wood Ducks in the open water between the ice and shore. The available houses have all been cleaned and prepared for them. The squirrels have yet to move out of theirs. Canada Geese have staked out their territories days ago on the ice and the

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Speaking of eagles standing vigil, perhaps that's what I saw earlier this week. There is a huge power line just to the west of the new Racino here in Anoka Co (Hwy 97/Lake Drive Exit from I-35. Rice Creek runs N-S along that power line, through a batch of marshy areas, and on down into the

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Spring is coming. Last Saturday I stepped out of the house and heard a Mourning Dove calling. On Sunday, while driving around Dakota County I found flocks of Horned Larks on all of the rural gravel roads. Three out four Bald Eagle nests had an eagle standing vigil. I found a Great Horned

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Yesterday I spotted a Crow carrying a recently killed Deer or White-footed Mouse. This is the first time I have every seen evidence of Crows hunting mammals. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN swest...@comcast.net Join or Leave

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

] Birding about the Metro Yesterday I spotted a Crow carrying a recently killed Deer or White-footed Mouse.  This is the first time I have every seen evidence of Crows hunting mammals. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN swest...@comcast.net Join or Leave mou-net:http

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

phone cameras! Jeanne St. Paul - Original Message - From: Steve Weston swest...@comcast.net To: MOU-NET@LISTS.UMN.EDU Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 9:57 AM Subject: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro Yesterday I spotted a Crow carrying a recently killed Deer or White-footed Mouse

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro

: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro Yesterday I spotted a Crow carrying a recently killed Deer or White-footed Mouse. This is the first time I have every seen evidence of Crows hunting mammals. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN swest...@comcast.net Join or Leave mou-net:http

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

As I drove on I-494 by the airport, a Rock Pigeon flew erratically across the road. As it gained altitude, the other bird twisted lower. It was a larger falcon, undoubtedly a Peregrine. At 60mph I was unable to watch the resolution of this drama, but even with the distance between the two

[mou-net] birding about the metro

Friday: south of Forest Lake - a flock of about 50 snow buntings. When I first caught sight of them, they were landing by the edge of a large puddle. I thought they were peeps. Saturday: beautiful warm day. The bugs were out and the Cedar Waxwings were hawking above the lake and above the

[mou-net] Birding about the metro

Northern Harrier, female or juvenile, seen yesterday (Thursday) in Brooklyn Park in the fields at Hwys 169 and 610. A pair of Sandhill Cranes was seen yesterday in Lino Lakes at Birch and Wild Turkey Trail. I also thought I saw another at (65mph) by the Medtronic Hdqts at Hwy 10 just west of

[mou-net] Birding about the metro

On Thursday I swung by Purgatory Creek and easily found the two Snowy Egrets. Also there were a Bald Eagle, a fishing Osprey, Marsh Wren, and at least two Caspian Terns. But, the fish stole the show. The carp were running upstream to spawn. Lines of hugh carp, many about two feet long, were

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

On July 4th I got down to my BBA (Breeding Bird Atlas) block and spent about five hours surveying. My block is south of Farmington and is rural and mostly agricultural. there is essentially no public land and little habitat of note. While the Vermillion River runs through as a stream, there

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

Sid Stivland came yesterday (Saturday) and got me out of the house birding. I had been collecting bugs and leeches and other macroinvertebrates in the morning, and would have still been cleaning up, if he hadn't rescued me. the two interesting finds from that morning were the density of

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro

On Monday I found a pair of Western Kingbirds in a tree by the athletic field along the south side of Hwy 10 in Ramsay (Anoka County) west of Traprock Street, which is west of Ramsay Blvd. I also found a Ruddy Duck swimming in a pond on the east side of I-494 in Maple Grove south of East

[mou-net] Birding about the metro

I got out a couple times this weekend to bird southern Dakota County. Most of the birding was for the Breeding Bird Atlas. At North Creek park (tucked away on the northern edge of Farmington east of Pilot Knob), I found a Green-winged Teal hanging around, lots of Willow Flycatchers, and the

[mou-net] Birding about the Metro Area

It is getting harder and harder to get anywhere on time these days. I am constantly being distracted and waylaided by birds. On Friday I was had plenty of time to get to dinner at friends, so I stopped in a futile and unsuccessful attempt to see the Sage Thrasher by Lake Harriet. I was not

Re: [mou-net] Birding about the Metro Area

Correction: Judy Layzell sorry - Original Message - From: Steve Weston To: mnbird ; Mou-net Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 11:30 AM Subject: Birding about the Metro Area It is getting harder and harder to get anywhere on time these days. I am constantly being distracted and