Birded along the St. Croix River this morning and found a variety of birds. The
best two were in the same exact location. I was looking for the previously
reported Falls Creek SNA and stumbled upon Wind in the Pines SNA just north of
William O'Brian S.P. on Hwy 95 where there is a sign that says nature trial
from the road. I am assuming that these two SNAs are one in the same. Because I
didn't know that this was the correct area for the specialty species I was not
expecting too much but heard a call in the ravine that I did not recognize.
Conveniently, there was a trail that led down the hill towards this call and as
I was searching I stirred up a Louisiana Waterthrush. What a great surprise! I
have never seen them in North America before and what a show this one put on.
It perched and chirped at me for a long time in the open so I could observe all
of its characteristics. The supercilium did get larger as it went back, the
legs were very light pink, the tail bobbing was more circular than up and down,
it had a little buffy color on the flanks and there was no streaking on its
throat. I then followed the unknown call that I had almost forgotten about and
found another state bird for me, an Acadian Flycatcher! What a great call. I
definitely like the Kim Eckerd description of the call and not the Sibley. It
sounded like "peet seet" or "soo kee" (my interpretation) but not "spit a
keet". I just couldn't hear that middle syllable but maybe there are regional
differences.
Other than these two birds there was nothing too rare. I found Blue-winged
Warblers in both Washington and Chisago Countys. Sandhill Cranes at William
O'Brian S.P. and Clay-colored Sparrows at the Wind in the Pines SNA parking
area.
I couldn't find the Prothonatory Warblers at the Osceola bottomlands. I could
not figure out where they would be in this area. I have now tried for this
species at least 8 times where it has been reported and been unsuccessful each
time in MN.
Good Birding,
Jason Caddy
South Minneapolis
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