[mou-net] Killdeer pics and theory wanted

[Gregory Munson]

I am looking for a pic or two of a killdeer I might submit with my weekly
Nature Nut column.   I decided to write on them the morning following the
last big snowstorm we had in March, about 10 inches.  Before all roads had
been cleared, I traveled from Rochester to the Weaver backwaters and was
once again amazed at all the birds that gather on roads and roadsides
following big snowstorms.

Three years ago I made the same trip following an early May 14 inch storm
and probably saw more than 100 Killdeer on the snow covered 42 mile drive.
This years drive probably yielded at least fifty.  Although there were many
other species seen, Killdeer,and robins were the most surprising.

Besides hoping to get a pic or two to use, possibly one standing and one
flying, I am wondering what theories are out there about birds, even
Killdeer, gathering on roads after snowstorms.  I have my own ideas, but
will appreciate thoughts any of you might have.

Thanks in advance for any hi res picture submittals or shared theories.
Any pic(s) used will be credited appropriately.

Greg Munson

PS   Watched at least 6 or 7 Bald Eagles harassing a raft of five to ten
thousand coot in the Weaver Bottoms today.   Although I didn't see it
myself, grainy photos from my camera showed two of the birds with coot in
talons

Nature Nut
Rochester, MN
(507) 285-9246


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[mou-net] FOY

[KCB]

Great Blue Heron flying over 494 near the airport
Looking up
Kathy Brown


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[mou-net] Yard Bird Minnetonka

[Ken Larson Mary Lou Frank]

We just saw a Copper’s Hawk siting on our boulder wall watching the bird 
feeders hoping for dinner, probably a female by size. I have had numerous 
sightings of Sharp-shinned Hawk in our neighborhood but this is the first 
Cooper’s this spring.
Ken Larson

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[mou-net] Big Willow Park, Minnetonka

[Ken Larson Mary Lou Frank]

Good birding this evening with 15 species at Big Willow Park along the 
Minnehaha Creek in Minnetonka despite the wind.
2 Canada Goose
1 Wood Duck
6 Mallard
1 Barred Owl
1 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Hairy Woodpecker
1 Eastern Phoebe FOY
1 American Crow
6 Black-capped Chickadee
2 Golden-crowned Kinglet FOY
1 American Robin
1 Song Sparrow
3 Northern Cardinal
6 Red-winged Blackbird
Ken Larson


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[mou-net] Abandon hope all ye who enter here!

[MOU admin]

(Posted by Chet A. Meyers  via moumn.org)

The path out to the new Cedar Ave. boardwalk is like Texas
"gumbo" ... i.e. you risk losing your boots walking to the 
boardwalk. Keith Olstad and I saw only the expected ducks.
Not worth the walk. Does anyone know when the gravel path
will be installed?

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[mou-net] Trumpeter Pair on Long Lake, Stearns Co., MN

[Matt Boisen]

A pair of trumpeter swans flew into Long Lake 7 mi north of Cold Spring on 
Wednesday, trumpeting all the way, and are still here.  This may be the first 
time trumpeters have been seen on Long Lake in years.  Maybe they'll stay? 
The eagles on same lake are keeping quiet and close to the nest.


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