Partly because of the confusion resulting from trying to get the
message out about the oriole to mou-net, which was apparently not
working this morning, there were conflicting messages posted about the
identity of this bird as we struggled to reach other birders, refind
the bird after it would fly off, and determine its identity. To
clarify the situation....
It was initially spotted by Jim Lind this morning ~10:00 in Grand
Marais at the corner of Third St and E Second Ave. His initial
impression and ID was imm/female Orchard Oriole, but after a few
seconds I also saw the bird and considered the possibility of Hooded
Oriole. There were >20 other birders in the area at the time who were
then alerted and arrived after a few minutes to eventually relocate,
observe, and photograph the oriole. As better views were obtained, our
consensus became that it was most likely a juvenile male Scott's
Oriole. It was last seen around 11:00.
One photo by Bob Dunlap (which is better than any if mine) now appears
on the Recently Seen page of the MOU website, and assistance from
birders elsewhere who are experienced with Scott's, Hooded, and other
orioles has been solicited. As always, the final determination of its
identity will be up to the MOU Records Committee who will review the
documentation. If a Scott's Oriole, this would be a fourth Minnesota
record; if a Hooded, it would be a first state record. (Note, however,
that Orchard Oriole is still a possibility at this time.)
My thanks to those who attempted to get the word out to mou-net this
morning, and it will be posted if the bird is relocated or if progress
on its identity is made.
Kim R Eckert
[email protected]
http://www.mbwbirds.com
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