St. Paul Audubon completed its 43rd annual Warbler Weekend at Villa Maria in Frontenac, Mn. May 9-11. 130 participants enjoyed the nice weather for a change, and found 141 total species including 25 warbler species. Highlights included a Horned Grebe on Lake Pepin, Red- shouldered Hawk, Red-headed Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Tufted Titmouse, Pine Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Canada Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow (among 14 sparrow species), Bobolink, and Orchard Oriole. One significant change is the lack of any Henslow's Sparrows at Frontenac State Park for the first time in 5 years. Hopefully, the rough spring weather only delayed them slightly. The best development, however, is the confirmation of an expanding Tufted Titmouse population near the Frontenac Cemetery just north of Villa Maria. I have spoken with residents who are feeding them last September and January, and with 3 birds observed at the cemetery engaged in courting/challenging behavior, and another calling nearby, there appears to be a viable all year presence in Frontenac now for 5 years. Given last winter, they seem to be healthy and happy in Minnesota!
---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
