Just back to computerdom, so first opportunity to post after a weekend up north in at Big Lake, NW of Ely (St Louis Co). The most conspicuous birds were Red-breasted Nuthatchs which seemed to be everywhere, frantically attacking the ends of pine branches. No warblers other than Yellow-rumps but perhaps the wet snow on Friday night scooched their less hardy mates farther south. Lots of White-throated Sparrows and a few White-crowned--no Harris's Sparrows (wahhhh!!).
Here are a couple of highlights: American Golden-Plover: (9/22) small flock of about 6 birds at end of longest runway at Ely Airport, St Louis Co. Saw from small plane as we were preparing for take off, was able to get a few shots with my digital SLR before take off. Best part was seeing two beautiful gray Gray Wolves as we landed at the end of the landing runway where the plovers were seen earlier (first time I have seen in Minnesota--biggest highlight of weekend by far!). Lapland Longspur: (9/24) flock of about 9 birds feeding at edge of parking lot near gas station in north part of Cloquet. This gas station is on west side of 33 as you enter Cloquet (around where CR 2 intersects 33). I don't know the name of it but they have great caramel corn and we always stop there on way back. I also took some louy pictures of these longspurs. Looking up, Alex Cruz Ramsey Co, 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
