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13 Mar Re: Wood duck- nesting material ["Larry Sirvio" ] 13 Mar Wood duck- nesting material [Mark Palas ] 13 Mar olmstead county birds [james otto ] 13 Mar Signs of spring ["Joel H. Dunnette" ] 12 Mar Signs of Spring [Brian and Cindy Drill ] 12 Mar 61 Bald Eagles, Hwy 26, Houston Co. MN. Poole Slough, IA [fred lesher ] 12 Mar Duluth RBA 3/12/10 ["Jim Lind" ] 11 Mar E. Screech-Owl in Minneapolis [] 11 Mar Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, March 11, 2010 ["Jeanie Joppru" ] 10 Mar summary of red tail hawks [sue schreurs ] 10 Mar Rochester Peregrines [Captain Kirk ] 8 Mar Red-shouldered hawk at Bass Ponds? [linda whyte ] 8 Mar loony question [Jim Harkness ] 7 Mar Owl luck ["Joel H. Dunnette" ] 6 Mar saw 5 trumpeters Saturday late afternoon in Albertville [charles ashley ] 6 Mar Re: territory defending time [linda whyte ] 5 Mar territory defending time ["john hamer" ] 5 Mar Live From Freeborn COunty [] 5 Mar Carver County [John Cyrus ] 5 Mar Downy and Hairy woodpeckers ["dan&erika" ] 5 Mar Northern Goshawk, Ramsey, northern Anoka County ["Erika Sitz" ] 5 Mar Trumpeter Swans ["Cherise Robb" ] 5 Mar Birding about the Metro ["Steve Weston" ] 04 Mar Duluth RBA 3/4/10 ["Jim Lind" ] 4 Mar Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, March 4, 2010 ["Jeanie Joppru" ] 4 Mar Robin Roost ["Cherise Robb" ] 3 Mar Out and about ["R.D. Everhart" ] 3 Mar back to birds in Winona [carol schumacher ] 3 Mar Re: American White Pelican [linda whyte ] 3 Mar Help with critter leavings ["vansiclenr" ] 3 Mar American White Pelican ["Crownhart, Rachel" ] 3 Mar Re: Fwd: Help ["Sheryl Holland" ] 3 Mar Fwd: Help [Pamela Freeman ] 3 Mar Re: Help ["Liz Stanley" ] 3 Mar Re: Help [linda whyte ] 3 Mar Help [scott henkemeyer ] 2 Mar R-w Blackbirds ["Bruce Baer" ] 2 Mar Spring's coming ["Steve Kreofsky" ] 1 Mar Active Eagle Nest-Freedom Park, Prescott WI [James Shiely ] 1 Mar first day banding ["dan&erika" ] 1 Mar Re: red tail hawks [linda whyte ] 1 Mar Re: White-breasted Nuthatch Cooperative Caching? [linda whyte ] 1 Mar FW: red tail hawks ["Glen Unruh" ] 1 Mar White-breasted Nuthatch Cooperative Caching? [Diana Doyle ] 1 Mar red tail hawks [sue schreurs ] 1 Mar Upcoming Birding Exploritas Program ["Lamberson, Jennifer S" ] 1 Mar green heron [] 28 Feb Re: FW: [wisb] Sax Zim long trip report w/photos [Chad Horsman ] 27 Feb Long-tailed Duck still present-Sauk Rapids [Milton Blomberg ] 27 Feb Golden Eagle [Forest Strnad ] 27 Feb Pileated woodpeckers ["Liz Stanley" ] 26 Feb Duluth RBA 2/26/10 ["Jim Lind" ] 25 Feb Nesting? [Brian and Cindy Drill ] 25 Feb Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, February 25, 2010 ["Jeanie Joppru" ] 24 Feb Re: bats [Maureen Cooney ] 24 Feb bats [KCTEPO00 ] 24 Feb not birds but orchids ["dan&erika" ] 23 Feb Re: BirdSafe follow up question [] 23 Feb Re: BirdSafe follow up question [] 22 Feb Re: Swans ["Warren Woessner" ] 22 Feb Swans [] 22 Feb MRVAC meeting this thursday ["Steve Weston" ] 22 Feb birding around the metro ["Steve Weston" ] 21 Feb Fox sparrows ["Liz Stanley" ] 21 Feb saw-whet owl/Rice Co. ["dan&erika" ] 19 Feb Blue Jay behavior and Red-breasted Nuthatch pair ["Erika Sitz" ] 18 Feb Duluth RBA 2/18/10 ["Jim Lind" ] 18 Feb Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, February 18, 2010 ["Jeanie Joppru" ] 18 Feb trumpeter swan ["Bruce & Ann Wolfe" ] 18 Feb Audubon Minnestoa is now on Facebook [terry99 ] 17 Feb MRVAC - NE Minnesota Birding - 2/14, 15, 16, 2010 - Field trip report ["CRAIG MANDEL" ] 17 Feb Spring Boreal Birding & Northern Landscapes Festival [Sue Weber ] 17 Feb Male Red Shafted Flicker [Melvin C Bennefeld ] 16 Feb Fw: mnbird post from snoeowl@aol.com requires approval [Paul Schumacher ] 16 Feb House Finch musing and Red-headed Woodpeckers ["dan&erika" ] 15 Feb age and sex of American Goldfinches ["dan&erika" ] Subject: Re: Wood duck- nesting material From: "Larry Sirvio" <lmsirvio AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:34:42 -0600 If you can get some vermiculite it should work fine. It doesn't stay wet - provides insulation. Usually found in packing material. I think garden stores sell it for mixing with soil. That might be the easiest to do. Larry S ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Palas" To: Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 4:51 PM Subject: [mnbird] Wood duck- nesting material > > > I'm looking to put some wood shavings in a couple of wood duck houses I > built, And don't have a source for > such. I know that some people use their chain saws to rip firewood > length wise, but have concerns about bar > oil contaminating the shavings. Any suggestions? > > Mark Palas > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Wood duck- nesting material From: Mark Palas <markpalas AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:51:45 -0600 I'm looking to put some wood shavings in a couple of wood duck houses I built, And don't have a source for such. I know that some people use their chain saws to rip firewood length wise, but have concerns about bar oil contaminating the shavings. Any suggestions? Mark Palas _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: olmstead county birds From: james otto <jlotto1 AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:16:15 -0600 Traveled down to Rochester with Dave Harbot and Melissa Polous to bird with John Hockema. On the way down Dave and Melissa saw a raptor in a tree along the highway. I turned around and went back, good thing we did, Red-shoulder Hawk was perched in the tree. In Rochester farmlands we saw Ross's Goose, White-fronted Geese, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Common Goldeneye Killdeer,and Eastern Bluebird . Thanks to John for his help. Jim Otto _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/210850552/direct/01/_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Signs of spring From: "Joel H. Dunnette" <jdunnette AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:02:50 -0600 Yesterday as I left home, I saw my first Robin and Common Grackle within the first half mile of my house in rural Olmsted county. They seem to arrive about as soon as there is significant open ground. And the many Horned Larks who had been along many of the rural roads are no longer in evidence. Whether they have moved north or just out into the newly snow-free fields I cannot say. Just a few signs of the beginning of an exciting season. Joel Dunnette Byron / Rochester MN 507-269-7064 _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Signs of Spring From: Brian and Cindy Drill <bcdrill AT charter.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:20:50 -0600 Good afternoon--when you need it the most, comes some sure signs of Spring. I returned home from the grocery store this morning to find a chipmunk sitting on the steps to the house. This afternoon I saw a female cardinal land in the apple tree in front of the kitchen window. At first I thought she had a long piece of yarn and was gathering for a nest, when she dropped her object: it turned out to be a very large earth worm! That is a good sign that the ground is thawing quickly. Cindy in North Mankato _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: 61 Bald Eagles, Hwy 26, Houston Co. MN. Poole Slough, IA From: fred lesher <corax6330 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:07:23 -0800 (PST) Wednesday, March 10, I counted 61 Bald Eagles along Hwy 26 between LaCrescent, MN & the IA/MN state line: 37 immature and 24 adults. At Poole Slough on the IA/MN state line there were 15 Am. White Pelicans and 6 Sandhill Cranes. Fred Lesher LaCrosse, WI _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Duluth RBA 3/12/10 From: "Jim Lind" <jslind AT frontiernet.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:57:03 -0600 This is the Duluth Birding Report for Friday, March 12th, 2010 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. The NORTHERN HAWK OWL along Lake County Road 3, 0.4 mile north of MN Highway 61 was relocated on the 7th. Dee Kuder saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 7th just south of Cook on US Highway 53. Norma Malinowski saw BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS on the 10th in Ely near the sewage treatment plant. Mike Hendrickson reported the first RING-BILLED GULLS of the spring along with several GLAUCOUS GULLS on the 10th at the Superior landfill. Mike also saw 22 LONG-TAILED DUCKS on the 10th at Agate Bay in Two Harbors. Jan and John Green saw a MERLIN on the 7th along 1st Street in Two Harbors. Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann saw 9 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE in Koochiching County on the 6th along CR 83, 3 miles from MN Highway 11. They also saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL along US Highway 71 near Margie. Unless something unusual is reported, the next scheduled update of this report will be in two weeks on Thursday, March 25th. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. Information about bird sightings may be left following the recorded message. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum, e-mail us at mou AT moumn.org, or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org. __________________________________________________ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." Dave Barry _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: E. Screech-Owl in Minneapolis From: rewaldrop AT aol.com Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:27:15 -0500 Hello all, Where is the best place to hear/see an E. Screech Owl in the Mpls. area? I am visiting from TN and working on my MN bird list this weekend. I also need Long-eared Owl. Thanks. Rick Waldrop Cleveland, TN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, March 11, 2010 From: "Jeanie Joppru" <ajjoppru AT q.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:56:46 -0600 This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 11 , 2010 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218)847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. Spring seems to be coming in gently, but that might change at any moment. Temperatures in the northwest have been downright balmy for this time of year with highs in the high thirties, low forties and lows just tickling the freezing mark. Snow is melting fast and brown spots are starting to get larger in the fields. There are reports of some birds returning and the resident ones are starting to sing their spring songs. Brad and Dee Ehlers reported RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center south of Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County on March 8. Several AMERICAN ROBINS and many HORNED LARKS were seen in the county this week. Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann found RED CROSSBILLS on the weekend in Hubbard County two miles south of the Beltrami County border. Sandy Aubol in Polk County reported an adult BALD EAGLE on the nest in East Grand Forks on March 11. Maggie Anderson at Agassiz NWR in Marshall County observed a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE carrying nesting material on March 11. In Beltrami County, Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann found 3 NORTHERN HAWK OWLS on the north side of Shoreline Drive which runs along the north side of Upper Red Lake last weekend, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE was also seen there. Two BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS were seen on the west side of MN 72 a quarter mile north of mile marker 43 while a BOREAL CHICKADEE and a BROWN CREEPER were seen on the east side of MN 72 near mile marker 42. From Kittson County, Larry Wilebski reported another NORTHERN HAWK OWL two miles east of his cabin northwest of Lancaster on March 6, and he mentioned that the NORTHERN HAWK OWL was still at St Vincent adjacent to the Red River. Gretchen Mehmel reported that several GRAY PARTRIDGE were seen roosting in a barn north of Wannaska in Roseau County this week. Gene Knutson in Roosevelt has a VARIED THRUSH in his yard this week. In Lake of the Woods County Gretchen Mehmel reported that 14 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE were seen south of Cecil's Landing on the Roosevelt Road on March 7 ; and on March 11 two males and a female SPRUCE GROUSE were seen about two miles east of Norris Camp along the Roosevelt Road. A NORTHERN HAWK OWL is still working the shear area east of East Hiwood Road. Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann found 8-10 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, two WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS, a PINE GROSBEAK, and a male NORTHERN CARDINAL in Baudette on the weekend, and a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER on the Faunce Forest Road. Thanks to Brad and Dee Ehlers, Gretchen Mehmel, Larry Wilebski, Maggie Anderson, Ron Erpelding, Herb Dingmann, and Sandy Aubol for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, March 18, 2010 Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: summary of red tail hawks From: sue schreurs <sueschreurs AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:56:11 -0800 (PST) The consensus is that the red tail hawks were probably locked in a mating ritual and didn't see the vehicle that hit them. At first I thought the one had been eaten, but perhaps it had been smashed when it got hit. The other one was in great condition. It is still so sad. I bet the driver feels awful. Sure hope so anyway. I am sure it was unavoidable. On a happier note, I walked the back waters on the Mississippi last weekend and all 3 eagles' nests I saw had eagles perched on the rims. Thanks for all the responses. Sue Schreurs _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Rochester Peregrines From: Captain Kirk <b.j.borealis AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:57:42 -0600 A peregrine was seen in the Guggenheim nest box yesterday. Kirk Severson Olmsted County -- "We had the sky up there, all speckled with stars, and we used to lay on our backs and look up at them, and discuss about whether they was made or only just happened." - Huck Finn_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Red-shouldered hawk at Bass Ponds? From: linda whyte <birds AT moosewoods.us> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 21:35:57 -0600 Has anyone else seen a Red-shouldered Hawk at Bass Ponds or Old Cedar recently? I couldn't get a proper "fix" on a hawk seen there this afternoon, but I think it was a Red-shouldered. Linda Whyte _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: loony question From: Jim Harkness <jimharkness AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 10:45:01 -0800 (PST) I have friends of friends coming to town this summer from England, and they are extremely keen to watch loons. I kind of take them for granted (loons, not the friends of friends), so I initially just told them that almost any reasonably deep lake in N MN, especially without too much boat traffic, should have a pair. But they would really like a specific lake recommendation, a place with dependable from-shore loon-watching, and ideally options for cabin rental. Theirs is a short visit, so something closer to the Twin cities would be best. Suggestions? Thanks Jim Harkness _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Owl luck From: "Joel H. Dunnette" <jdunnette AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 18:42:06 -0600 After having a good day at the International Owl Festival in Houston MN yesterday, at dusk this evening we had a Barred Owl perch in the snag 30' from our living room window. We had not seen one here in around 5 years. Perhaps I made some good owl luck? Joel Dunnette Byron / Rochester MN 507-269-7064 _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: saw 5 trumpeters Saturday late afternoon in Albertville From: charles ashley <puckster55pics AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 22:31:36 -0800 (PST) Hi There, While my wife was shopping AT the Albertville outlet stores I was outside waiting for her when I saw 5 Trumpeter swans fly right over me heading East parallel 94. I was wondering if ayone knows where they may be heading to? Just wanted to let ya know,tomorrow I plan to check the tree AT Hyland lake to see if the Great Horned owl is once again rearing it's young from the same tree for the I think the 6th year in a row.If they are I'll let you all know & if I get any pics I'll send you a link to view them LaterShalom Sincerely Chuck Ashley Please check out my photo's AT http://www.puckster55pics.smugmug.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/puckster55pics/ _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: territory defending time From: linda whyte <birds AT moosewoods.us> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 07:08:38 -0600 Now we have to wonder how many other such tales of mortality remain untold. (I used to think hummingbirds were just amiable little honey-suckers, before getting into birding.) Linda Whyte On Fri, Mar 5, 2010 at 11:18 PM, john hamer wrote: > The red tails may have been locked in a fight and died together.  One spring > I had a male cardinal, Baltimore orioe and cardinal all converge right in > the middle of my back yard.  Blue and Red feathers were floating down as > they left but no orange feathers. > > John Hamer > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > > _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: territory defending time From: "john hamer" <johndhamer AT frontiernet.net> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 23:18:30 -0600 The red tails may have been locked in a fight and died together. One spring I had a male cardinal, Baltimore orioe and cardinal all converge right in the middle of my back yard. Blue and Red feathers were floating down as they left but no orange feathers. John Hamer_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Live From Freeborn COunty From: SnoEowl AT aol.com Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 21:12:36 EST I saw a few flocks of male red-winged blackbirds from Lyon County west on a long Monday drive. I spotted a beautiful rough-legged hawk near Brooking, SD. I haven't seen many of these "Christmas hawks" this winter. This one was a dark morph. I had the pleasure of the company of a similar bird that I transported to the Raptor Center. It was an incredibly handsome. It made Brad Pitt look like Alfred E. Neuman. Had a common redpoll at my feeders yesterday. It made for an uncommonly good day. I saw three American kestrels balancing on utility wires on that glorious day that will forever be known as Thursday past. I saw another covey of gray partridges this morning. I've been seeing flocks of this bird quite regularly this winter and in checking my records, I found that this is the highest number of this species I have seen since 1990. I saw many dead partridges after that terrible ice storm of 1991. This partridge is believed to be the one in the Twelve Days of Christmas. It's good to see them. A number of callers have reported seeing gray partridges. The cycle is with them. A few callers/emailers from Iowa report the company of bluebirds. Al Batt Freeborn County_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Carver County From: John Cyrus <cyrus150 AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 22:02:42 +0000 While I wait impatiently for the thick crust of snow to melt off, I checked out a few spots in the area this morning with no big surprises. At Rapids Lake MVNWR there were a few Northern Flicker about and a couple Purple Finch have returned. I presume they are returning, since I haven't seen any in the area since early December. An adult Bald Eagle was soaring over Carver Park and some Horned Larks were at the frozen Chevalle wetland area. A Snow Bunting was near the same area as the Horned Larks yesterday. _________________________________________________________________ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469229/direct/01/_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Downy and Hairy woodpeckers From: "dan&erika" <danerika AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 15:53:18 -0600 Hi All--I just posted a note on more than you probably would ever want to know about Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers http://dantallmansbirdblog.blogspot.com/ check it out if you think you might be interested. dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Northfield, Minnesota http://sites.google.com/site/tallmanorum http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika danerika AT gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet" "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ...."--Thoreau_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northern Goshawk, Ramsey, northern Anoka County From: "Erika Sitz" <esitz AT goldengate.net> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 15:14:12 -0600 I'm more than 90% sure I had a Northern Goshawk in my yard an hour or so ago. My brother, who was in the kitchen and grabbed the binoculars, called out "Cooper's Hawk on the beam". I immediately looked out the bedroom window and saw it on the cedar beam where several of my feeders sit or hang. Right away I thought "or maybe, Goshawk?", and tried to see head markings as best I could (no binocs in that room, grrr). I saw it perched for only a few seconds, before it flew, past the window but angling away a little bit. I just could not see the head well, but I did get a look at a grey breast. My brother is a somewhat new birder, less enthusiastic about it, but knowing how much I enjoy them, he does his best to help. Cooper's Hawk is the only one within his experience, but when I showed him the picture in the NGS, he said, "No, it looked much more like that one; I saw a grey front, and it just looked bigger". I called Steve Weston, and he asked me some questions, breast color, but also, "Did it look thinner or stockier like a red-tailed", to which my answer was the latter, and my brother concurred. I also note that a Goshawk is not unprecedented in the yard - many years ago, I got great looks with binoculars at one which cooperatively perched for several minutes and was able to confirm the black and white markings on the head. So I'm confident enough to report it. If anyone can shed any more light on any distinguishing marks I can try to remember or to look for if it shows up again, I welcome them eagerly. Erika Sitz _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Trumpeter Swans From: "Cherise Robb" <rcrobb AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 10:56:39 -0600 This morning as I was preparing to leave home, I heard a couple of trumpeters fly overhead. This is only the second time since I've lived here that I've heard swans fly by. The first time it was tundra swans. I am struck with a sense of their grace and beauty somehow even though I can't see them. I just felt so impressed. Cherise Robb, St. Cloud _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Birding about the Metro From: "Steve Weston" <sweston2 AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 01:54:09 -0600 Spring is coming. Last Saturday I stepped out of the house and heard a Mourning Dove calling. On Sunday, while driving around Dakota County I found flocks of Horned Larks on all of the rural gravel roads. Three out four Bald Eagle nests had an eagle standing vigil. I found a Great Horned Owl at Dodd Road and I-494 in Mendota Heights. The location is not very approachable, but easily seen from Dodd Road. Today (Thursday) I found my first Red-winged Blackbird on territory as I drove the cloverleaf at I-394 and Highway 100. The most interesting sighting was some cloud formations on the cool late morning on Monday. The sky was mostly clear, but the few small clouds had what appeared to be snow streaming down from them. The clouds looked remarkably like flying jellyfish. They were such small clouds to be have streaming tentacles of snow hanging below. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN sweston2 AT comcast.net_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Duluth RBA 3/4/10 From: "Jim Lind" <jslind AT frontiernet.net> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:36:44 -0600 This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, March 4th, 2010 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. Five SPRUCE GROUSE were found by Sparky Stensaas on the 26th along the Stony River Forest Road, 7 miles south of MN Highway 1. He also saw a flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in Ely along Miner's Drive. Bruce Munson saw BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS on the 28th at the mouth of the Gooseberry River. Jan Green saw 23 LONG-TAILED DUCKS on the 27th at Agate Bay in Two Harbors, and they were still present on the 28th. A GREAT GRAY OWL was seen on the 28th along the Stanley Road (CR 9), 0.2 mile east of the Lake County line. The NORTHERN HAWK OWL along the Flood Bay Road east of Two Harbors was still present on the 4th. Several observers have reported NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS calling during the past week. The SNOWY OWL at Connor's Point in Superior was relocated by Robert Savageau on the 3rd. Several gull species were seen by Denny and Barb Martin at the WLSSD wastewater treatment plant in Duluth on the 28th, including an adult GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL, an ICELAND GULL, and 3 GLAUCOUS GULLS. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, March 11th. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. Information about bird sightings may be left following the recorded message. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum, e-mail us at mou AT moumn.org, or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org. __________________________________________________ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." Dave Barry _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, March 4, 2010 From: "Jeanie Joppru" <ajjoppru AT q.com> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 21:06:59 -0600 This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 4, 2010 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218)847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. Mother nature is teasing us this week with calm , sunny days and cold nights. There have been several foggy mornings with trees laden with frost creating photographic opportunities. Birds are starting to come back with a few spring migrants already present, and more of the first wave expected soon. Gretchen Mehmel reported from the Beltrami Island State Forest in Lake of the Woods County this week. On the weekend, a SPRUCE GROUSE was seen north of Faunce, RUFFED GROUSE east of Norris Camp, and a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the Roosevelt Road north of the Faunce-Butterfield road. At Norris Camp there were PILEATED WOODPECKER, GRAY JAY, and PINE GROSBEAKS. In Roseau County, Beth Siverhus reported 6 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE east of CR 9, a NORTHERN HAWK OWL near the Canadian border north of Roseau, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, and 70 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in Warroad last weekend. Larry Wilebski reported WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in Lancaster, Kittson County, on March 3. There were HORNED LARKS along roads in the county this week. In Clearwater County north of Itasca SP, Connie Cox reported a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, NORTHERN SHRIKE, AMERICAN ROBIN and 15-20 PINE GROSBEAKS on February 26. Marshall Howe found 7-8 RED CROSSBILLS at Itasca SP on February 24. Other species seen included two dark phase ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, and COMMON REDPOLLS. Diana Morkassel saw AMERICAN ROBINS in Marshall County on February 26, and PILEATED WOODPECKER on February 27. Shelley Steva saw HORNED LARKS in Red Lake County on February 28. Bruce Flaig in southern Polk County reported RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS on February 28. Shelley Steva found HORNED LARKS on CR 6 that day.Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks reported a BALD EAGLE and one HOUSE FINCH on March 3. Herb Dingmann found WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and two NORTHERN CARDINALS in Detroit Lakes , Becker County on February 27. In Otter Tail County, Wayne Runningen reported that numbers of TRUMPETER SWANS have wintered along the Otter Tail River. 73 were at the Prairie Lake inlet north of Pelican Rapids On February 28, and 50 were at Riverview Sanctuary in Fergus Falls. Rick Gjervold, reporting from Wilkin County on March 1, found one BALD EAGLE, 5 SHORT-EARED OWLS, two AMERICAN ROBINS, and several flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS in the county that day. Brad and Dee Ehlers saw an AMERICAN KESTREL on a power line near Alexandria on March 1. Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Brad and Dee Ehlers, Bruce Flaig, Connie Cox, Diana Morkassel, Gretchen Mehmel, Herb Dingmann, Larry Wilebski, Marshall Howe, Rick Gjervold, Sandy Aubol, Shelley Steva, and Wayne Runningen for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, March 11, 2010. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Robin Roost From: "Cherise Robb" <rcrobb AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 18:40:06 -0600 Hello, all, This morning I heard first robin song of the season. I always thrill to that cheerful springtime song. This evening I went outside to see if there were robins still roosting in our spruces. I was amazed at how many there were. For the most part, they were doing their perp perp call but a few of them were getting worked up which means the breeding cycle is starting. There were dozens of them and I think they have been in the area since February. At least that's when I first noticed them. So cool. I also heard my first mourning dove cooing this evening and there were a couple of mallards flying around. Happy spring! Cherise Robb, St. Cloud _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Out and about From: "R.D. Everhart" <everhart AT black-hole.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 21:18:32 -0600 I went for a drive along the Minnesota River to see what might be around and didn't find anything of great note. The easiest place to see waterfowl turned out to be on the river versus Blackdog Lake. Best find was an eagle on a nest at the west end of Blackdog Lake. This nest failed last year so hopefully it will be successful this time. I also checked on the traditional Great Horned Owl nest at Cedar Ave. and Dodd Road and it doesn't appear to have anything on it unless the bird was really hunkered down. Here's hoping the warm weather brings big flocks. http://minnesotabirdnerd.blogspot.com Roger Everhart Apple Valley. MN Dakota County _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: back to birds in Winona From: carol schumacher <birdminn AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:40:34 -0800 (PST) Our neighborhood is full of Tufted Titmouse song. Robins were making calls too and of course, White-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee and N. Cardinal are singing up a storm. There is nothing unusual here now but its been an exceptional year at the feeders. A Snow Bunting here and there has added up to more than expected numbers. Only 1 Lapland Longspur so far. Of course there are Horned Larks everywhere and are for the most part are paired. Does anyone know the timeline in which they skylark? Enjoy the great weather to bird. Carol carol schumacher winona,mn on the mississippi Never do I send attachments, photos, or files _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: American White Pelican From: linda whyte <birds AT moosewoods.us> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 17:34:04 -0600 I understand these two overwintered, because both had wing injuries that prevented flying. Any capture for rehabilitation would have to be by boat and net, I guess, and that might be pretty risky, especially in winter, and particularly by the dam. It is sad, but at least other pelicans will soon be returning. Linda Whyte On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 4:58 PM, Crownhart, Rachel wrote: > I tried to send this message two days ago…I don’t think it went through…if > it did…sorry for the re-post. > > > > I was down by lock and damn #2, Hastings, MN yesterday.  I happened to > notice an American White Pelican on the ice surrounding the lock and damn. > It was sitting next to another Pelican that was dead, it was sad to be > honest, it was poking at the other bird etc.  Did these birds never leave > the area?  I didn’t see them all winter…I am frequently down by the river > during the winter.  Are they migrating already?   Any idea why the bird > died?  Just thought it was strange and wanted to get some people’s > opinions. > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > Rachel Crownhart > > 8th Grade Science > > Hastings Middle School > > rcrownhart AT hastings.k12.mn.us > > teacher webpage > > > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > > _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Help with critter leavings From: "vansiclenr" <vansiclenr AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 17:04:46 -0600 I know this ListServ is MnBird, not Mn Mammal, but I have a mammalian question. I live in New Brighton, with a very wooded backyard, a hillside, part of a corridor of wooded hillside that attracts a surprising variety of fauna for a near-city lot. I don't get up there much in winter: It's three stories up now-slippery stairs (my house is built into a hillside). I recently trekked up because I needed to get to my roof, accessible from the back yard. Ice dams. So mine were the first human footprints in the snow. Lots of obvious rabbit tracks (and damage), and some other things, not sure what. The next day, someone had left a marker in one of my footprints. About the size of fox droppings, maybe a little bigger. Fox droppings are usually black, but maybe there are seasonal variations. A few more trips, a few more well placed markers. This guy really wants to tell me the bunnies up on the hill are his, thank you. I'll post some pictures if anyone is interested. I have seen a coyote crossing the street, but I would think their "scat" would be the size of my Airedale's. This is smaller. Thanks. R Van Siclen _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: American White Pelican From: "Crownhart, Rachel" <rcrownhart AT hastings.k12.mn.us> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 16:58:58 -0600 I tried to send this message two days ago...I don't think it went through...if it did...sorry for the re-post. I was down by lock and damn #2, Hastings, MN yesterday. I happened to notice an American White Pelican on the ice surrounding the lock and damn. It was sitting next to another Pelican that was dead, it was sad to be honest, it was poking at the other bird etc. Did these birds never leave the area? I didn't see them all winter...I am frequently down by the river during the winter. Are they migrating already? Any idea why the bird died? Just thought it was strange and wanted to get some people's opinions. Thanks! Rachel Crownhart 8th Grade Science Hastings Middle School rcrownhart AT hastings.k12.mn.us teacher webpage _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Fwd: Help From: "Sheryl Holland" <sholland AT bevcomm.net> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 15:24:06 -0600 A more fair way of dealing with the situation is to change the tax law. Who of you wants a government entity coming in and telling you what you can do with the property that you own, and that includes the DNR.? Sheryl Holland Faribault Co. ----- Original Message ----- From: Pamela Freeman To: mnbird Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 2:49 PM Subject: [mnbird] Fwd: Help Pamela Freeman Never give up on a dream just because of the length of time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. Forwarded conversation Subject: [mnbird] Help ------------------------ From: scott henkemeyer Date: Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 12:27 PM To: It has come to my attention that a local landowner plans on clearcutting the trees on his land in order to avoid paying higher land taxes! The state changed the tax law,if you are a landowner where the land is in idle the taxes went up,but if the land can be used for agriculture use the taxes wont go up.The reason this landowner is clearcutting his woods is so he can say the land is "plowable".This will be a great loss for all wildlife if more landowners do this!!I realize it is the landowners descion,but is there any way something can be done?educate the landowners,maybe the DNR could step in buy the land?I know the state is very strapped for money,maybe Audubon or some other club could help? _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s ---------- From: Pamela Freeman Date: Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 2:47 PM To: scott henkemeyer There are some possibilities. The Forest stewardship program helps landowners with forest to keep them in conservation. My husband and I own some acres up north, and we are in this program. We keep our land as it is, with some exotics removal, but otherwise in a native and natural state. It gives you a tax break on lands left forested. Tell this person to check this site out: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/forestmgmt/stewardship.html Related DNR Programs: a.. Wildlife Private Lands Program Other Related Programs: a.. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) b.. Environmental Quality Incentive Program(EQIP) c.. Sustainable Forestry Incentive Act (SFIA) a.. List of SFIA parcels (Contact your County Assessor to determine where the parcel is located.) d.. 2c Managed Forest Land Pamela Freeman Never give up on a dream just because of the length of time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s ---------- From: linda whyte Date: Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 1:52 PM To: scott henkemeyer , mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net Any loss of habitat is regrettable, but you might need to give more information to interest parties with financial power. Where is this, and how much acreage is involved? It might also depend on the quality of the area as habitat, and the proximity of more suitable habitat, or its position in relation to its watershed. It would certainly matter if the area is host to threatened species of any kind. Linda Whyte ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2720 - Release Date: 03/03/10 01:34:00 _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Fwd: Help From: Pamela Freeman <gleskarider AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 14:49:08 -0600 Pamela Freeman Never give up on a dream just because of the length of time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. Forwarded conversation Subject: [mnbird] Help ------------------------ From: *scott henkemeyer* Date: Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 12:27 PM To: mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net It has come to my attention that a local landowner plans on clearcutting the trees on his land in order to avoid paying higher land taxes! The state changed the tax law,if you are a landowner where the land is in idle the taxes went up,but if the land can be used for agriculture use the taxes wont go up.The reason this landowner is clearcutting his woods is so he can say the land is "plowable".This will be a great loss for all wildlife if more landowners do this!!I realize it is the landowners descion,but is there any way something can be done?educate the landowners,maybe the DNR could step in buy the land?I know the state is very strapped for money,maybe Audubon or some other club could help? _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s ---------- From: *Pamela Freeman* Date: Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 2:47 PM To: scott henkemeyer There are some possibilities. The Forest stewardship program helps landowners with forest to keep them in conservation. My husband and I own some acres up north, and we are in this program. We keep our land as it is, with some exotics removal, but otherwise in a native and natural state. It gives you a tax break on lands left forested. Tell this person to check this site out: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/forestmgmt/stewardship.html *Related DNR Programs:* - Wildlife Private Lands Program *Other Related Programs:* - Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) [image: external link] - Environmental Quality Incentive Program(EQIP) [image: external link] - Sustainable Forestry Incentive Act(SFIA) [image: external link] - List of SFIA parcels [image: pdf] (Contact your County Assessor to determine where the parcel is located.) - 2c Managed Forest Land [image: external link] Pamela Freeman Never give up on a dream just because of the length of time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > > ---------- From: *linda whyte* Date: Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 1:52 PM To: scott henkemeyer , mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net Any loss of habitat is regrettable, but you might need to give more information to interest parties with financial power. Where is this, and how much acreage is involved? It might also depend on the quality of the area as habitat, and the proximity of more suitable habitat, or its position in relation to its watershed. It would certainly matter if the area is host to threatened species of any kind. Linda Whyte_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Help From: "Liz Stanley" <liz AT lizstanley.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 13:58:52 -0600 Maybe the landowner can look into a conservation easement, details at http://www.mnland.org/prog-ce.html#Anchor-Wha-61649 Some other strategies are discussed here: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/julaug03/acrebyacre.html > It has come to my attention that a local landowner plans on clearcutting > the trees on his land in order to avoid paying higher land taxes! The > state changed the tax law,if you are a landowner where the land is in idle > the taxes went up,but if the land can be used  for agriculture use the > taxes wont go up.The reason this landowner is clearcutting his woods is so > he can say the land is "plowable".This will be a great loss for all > wildlife if more landowners do this!!I realize it is the landowners > descion,but is there any way something can be done?educate the > landowners,maybe the DNR could step in buy the land?I know the state is > very strapped for money,maybe Audubon or some other club could help? > > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > -- Liz Stanley Bloomington, MN liz AT lizstanley.com Backyard weather and feedercam: http://www.overlookcircle.org/ Photo gallery: http://www.pbase.com/gymell/liz_favorites Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lizmstanley _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Help From: linda whyte <linda AT moosewoods.us> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 13:52:47 -0600 Any loss of habitat is regrettable, but you might need to give more information to interest parties with financial power. Where is this, and how much acreage is involved? It might also depend on the quality of the area as habitat, and the proximity of more suitable habitat, or its position in relation to its watershed. It would certainly matter if the area is host to threatened species of any kind. Linda Whyte On Wed, Mar 3, 2010 at 12:27 PM, scott henkemeyer wrote: > It has come to my attention that a local landowner plans on clearcutting the > trees on his land in order to avoid paying higher land taxes! The state > changed the tax law,if you are a landowner where the land is in idle the > taxes went up,but if the land can be used  for agriculture use the taxes > wont go up.The reason this landowner is clearcutting his woods is so he can > say the land is "plowable".This will be a great loss for all wildlife if > more landowners do this!!I realize it is the landowners descion,but is there > any way something can be done?educate the landowners,maybe the DNR could > step in buy the land?I know the state is very strapped for money,maybe > Audubon or some other club could help? > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > > _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Help From: scott henkemeyer <scotth9 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 10:27:14 -0800 (PST) It has come to my attention that a local landowner plans on clearcutting the trees on his land in order to avoid paying higher land taxes! The state changed the tax law,if you are a landowner where the land is in idle the taxes went up,but if the land can be used  for agriculture use the taxes wont go up.The reason this landowner is clearcutting his woods is so he can say the land is "plowable".This will be a great loss for all wildlife if more landowners do this!!I realize it is the landowners descion,but is there any way something can be done?educate the landowners,maybe the DNR could step in buy the land?I know the state is very strapped for money,maybe Audubon or some other club could help? _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: R-w Blackbirds From: "Bruce Baer" <saqqara AT att.net> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 10:05:06 -0600 The first Red-winged Blackbird was in the marsh on the north side of Hogback Pond at the Bass Ponds this morning. For the past two days there were Horned Larks flying over. Bruce Baer Bloomington, MN_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Spring's coming From: "Steve Kreofsky" <stevek AT wakconstruction.com> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 07:49:18 -0600 Yesterday I saw a solo male Robin along the road. The fact that he wasn't in a flock and a male leads me to believe he may not have wintered here. Also, this morning at the feeder a Black Capped Chickadee was singing his spring song for the first time this year. Steve Kreofsky East Indian Creek Wabasha Co. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Active Eagle Nest-Freedom Park, Prescott WI From: James Shiely <jfshiely AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 20:45:50 -0800 (PST) There is an active bald eagle nest visible from Freedom Park Learning Center at Prescott, WI. The nest is in a tree across the river from the Center and an eagle was sitting in the nest yesterday. Best viewing is the first half of the day before the sun gets behind the tree. We have a spotting scope set up inside the Center but binoculars work well from the overlook on the bluff on the west side of the building. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: first day banding From: "dan&erika" <danerika AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 19:36:21 -0600 Hi All--I was able to open my banding nets for the first time this year. A brief report can be found at: http://dantallmansbirdblog.blogspot.com dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Northfield, Minnesota http://sites.google.com/site/tallmanorum http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika danerika AT gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet" "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ...."--Thoreau_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: red tail hawks From: linda whyte <birds AT moosewoods.us> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 18:51:11 -0600 Glen may be onto something. In the past few weeks, many of the Red-tails I've seen have been in pairs, chasing, flying in tandem, or perched together. Even here in the cities the RTHAs sometimes get so involved in hunting and eating that they risk doing so right at the roadside, so it's easy to see how they might be careless in a rural area. Linda Whyte On Mon, Mar 1, 2010 at 2:48 PM, sue schreurs wrote: > Friday, as I headed from Rochester to the Mississippi river on a back road, > I spotted 2 dead birds along side the road.  I turned around and went back > to check them out.  The birds were laying right next to each other.  One was > smaller and had been partially eaten.  The bigger one was in good > condition.  They were both red tails. Now what could have caused that > unusual and sad accident?  There was blood on the road, so obviously one or > both had been hit.  It just seems too strange that they were both hit at the > same time!  Any ideas out there? > > Sue Schreurs > Rochester > > > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > > _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: White-breasted Nuthatch Cooperative Caching? From: linda whyte <linda AT moosewoods.us> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 18:21:53 -0600 I'm betting on spring! Many fo the nuthatches seem to be pairing off, feeding in close proximity to one another. Linda On Mon, Mar 1, 2010 at 3:19 PM, Diana Doyle wrote: > Today I saw a pair of white-breasted nuthatches work together to cache food. > > The two birds were on a creekside river birch. One bird passed a white ovoid object (a seed? larval egg?) to the other bird. The second bird cached the item deep under a flap of birch bark. > > The first bird watched from within a few inches while the second bird then picked off tiny pieces of birch bark. Each bit was then shoved into the crack, on top of the cache, hiding it even more. > > A sign of more winter or a coming spring?! > > Diana Doyle > S. Minneapolis > _______________________________________________ > mnbird mailing list > mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net > http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird > Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s > _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: FW: red tail hawks From: "Glen Unruh" <finetuner AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:01:43 -0600 About 15 years ago, as I was following another car I noticed two Baltimore orioles, one chasing the other. They were obviously (to me) caught up in a mating ritual. As they appeared to be oblivious to all that was going on around them, they both flew directly into the wind shield of afore mentioned car, killing them both instantly. _____ From: mnbird-bounces AT lists.mnbird.net [mailto:mnbird-bounces AT lists.mnbird.net] On Behalf Of sue schreurs Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 2:48 PM To: mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net Subject: [mnbird] red tail hawks Friday, as I headed from Rochester to the Mississippi river on a back road, I spotted 2 dead birds along side the road. I turned around and went back to check them out. The birds were laying right next to each other. One was smaller and had been partially eaten. The bigger one was in good condition. They were both red tails. Now what could have caused that unusual and sad accident? There was blood on the road, so obviously one or both had been hit. It just seems too strange that they were both hit at the same time! Any ideas out there? Sue Schreurs Rochester _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: White-breasted Nuthatch Cooperative Caching? From: Diana Doyle <diana AT managingthewaterway.com> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 15:19:47 -0600 Today I saw a pair of white-breasted nuthatches work together to cache food. The two birds were on a creekside river birch. One bird passed a white ovoid object (a seed? larval egg?) to the other bird. The second bird cached the item deep under a flap of birch bark. The first bird watched from within a few inches while the second bird then picked off tiny pieces of birch bark. Each bit was then shoved into the crack, on top of the cache, hiding it even more. A sign of more winter or a coming spring?! Diana Doyle S. Minneapolis _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: red tail hawks From: sue schreurs <sueschreurs AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 12:48:11 -0800 (PST) Friday, as I headed from Rochester to the Mississippi river on a back road, I spotted 2 dead birds along side the road. I turned around and went back to check them out. The birds were laying right next to each other. One was smaller and had been partially eaten. The bigger one was in good condition. They were both red tails. Now what could have caused that unusual and sad accident? There was blood on the road, so obviously one or both had been hit. It just seems too strange that they were both hit at the same time! Any ideas out there? Sue Schreurs Rochester _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Upcoming Birding Exploritas Program From: "Lamberson, Jennifer S" <JLamberson AT winona.edu> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 10:30:01 -0600 This message was approved by Paul Schumacher. Upcoming birding Exploritas program! Upper Mississippi: Habitat Diversity for Fabulous Birding This Exploritas program based out of Wabasha, MN features not one, but two Important Bird Areas: the Upper Mississippi River Fish & Wildlife Refuge and the bird-rich Whitewater Valley created by the Whitewater River which is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. You will also visit the sand deposits of the Weaver Dunes along the Mississippi. Species to be searched for include Sandhill Cranes, Henslow's Sparrows, Grasshopper Sparrows, Bells Vireos, Sedge Wrens, Willow Flycatchers and a myriad of other birds. You are sure to turn up an interesting species list! The reason these birds are a bit easier to find at this time is because they are hanging around with young or still nesting...thus they can be found in appropriate habitat. From the western United States, we'll hope to see the Barred Owl. From the northeastern United States we'll look for nesting Swainson's Hawks and Prothonotary Warblers. If you have joined this program before, come back as we'll look for new species and new territory. If you love to bird this is a trip designed by birders for birders! Program dates are June 21-25, 2010. For more information or to register visit: www.exploritas.org/programs/programdetail.asp?RowId=1%2BOI%2B1421 or call 1-800-454-5768. Feel free to forward this to other lists and friends. Jenny Lamberson WSU Outreach & Continuing Education Department Somsen 106H 507-457-2963 _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: green heron From: <Brad.Abendroth AT emerson.com> Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 09:33:53 -0600 I was at Veterans park near the MN River in Scott county on Saturday. At least I think it was a green heron. I saw the bird flying between tree trunks as I was looking out over the frozen wash near the river. Had the long neck so I know it wasn't a duck. Surprised to see one. Was it overwintering or was it an early arrival. Beats me... _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: FW: [wisb] Sax Zim long trip report w/photos From: Chad Horsman <kenaiphotography AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:05:05 -0800 (PST) Nice photos I plan on going to Sax Zim Bog area to take some photos next week. Any pointers, maps, directions, info would be greatly appreciated. Chad kenaiphotography AT yahoo.com _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Long-tailed Duck still present-Sauk Rapids From: Milton Blomberg <mjbflwrmt AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:06:36 -0600 Hello, perhaps of interest, 2pm,the Long-tailed Duck is still present on the Mississppi River below the Sartell Paper Mill dam, feeding w/ a few male Goldeneyes, rather close to the Benton County shoreline. Best viewing: CR1 west side of river-- RiverDepot Restaurant parking lot directly across from the paper mill; little south of bridge the Holiday gas-ReillyAuto, scoot down to the floodplain for better views. Also present downstream a bit at the boulders on Benton side, 2-female Greater Scaups (overwintering since Jan), and 1 male Ring-necked Duck. mjb _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Golden Eagle From: Forest Strnad <prairiefal AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:02:44 -0800 (PST) Greetings:   Kirsten and I drove Black Dog Road, west to east, Wednesday afernoon, and were happy to see a Golden Eagle.  It had a very brown back and stomach area.  The wings were straight out in flying so we knew it was an eagle.  Rev. Forest and Kirsten Strnad Faribault, MN. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Pileated woodpeckers From: "Liz Stanley" <liz AT lizstanley.com> Date: Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:53:26 -0600 Just thought I'd share the view out of my back door this morning. Always fun to see them together. These two go through a lot of suet! http://www.pbase.com/gymell/image/122324731 The big white thing in the middle is of course the world-famous Overlook Circle Feeder Cam. ;) -- Liz Stanley Bloomington, MN liz AT lizstanley.com Backyard weather and feedercam: http://www.overlookcircle.org/ Photo gallery: http://www.pbase.com/gymell/liz_favorites Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lizmstanley _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Duluth RBA 2/26/10 From: "Jim Lind" <jslind AT frontiernet.net> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:58:39 -0600 This is the Duluth Birding Report for Friday, February 26th, 2010 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. A SNOWY OWL was seen by several observers over the weekend in the Duluth Port Terminal and at Connor's Point in Superior. Several gull species were seen by Mike Hendrickson at the Superior landfill on the 21st, including two GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULLS, an ICELAND GULL, a THAYER'S GULL, and at least 8 GLAUCOUS GULLS. Ten LONG-TAILED DUCKS were seen at Burlington Bay in Two Harbors on the 19th. Kim Eckert saw a HOARY REDPOLL on the 25th in the Sax-Zim Bog at the feeder along the Arkola Road (CR 52), 0.75 mile east of Owl Avenue (CR 203). He also saw 3 NORTHERN HAWK OWLS along CR 7 between CR 133 and 2.7 miles north of the Sax Road (CR 28), one on the Stone Lake Road (CR 319) and another on the Sax Road 1.5 miles west of CR 7. Mike Hendrickson reported additional NORTHERN HAWK OWLS along the Admiral Road (CR 788) and along the Arkola Road. Kim Eckert found a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 20th along the Rice Lake Road (CR 4), 0.5 mile south of the Emerson Road (CR 43). Howard Weinberg saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL north of Two Harbors on the 21st along CR 2, 0.5 mile north of the Kane Lake Road. Tucker Lutter and others saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 19th along MN Highway 1, 3 miles south of Isabella. They also saw a GREAT GRAY OWL along the Stony River Forest Road, 6 miles north of the Whyte Road. They saw two SPRUCE GROUSE along the Whyte Road, 2 miles east of the Stony River Forest Road, and single SPRUCE GROUSE along the Stony River Forest Road 1.5 and 4.8 miles south of the Whyte Road. Mike Hendrickson saw a GREAT GRAY OWL on the 19th along the Stony River Forest Road, 3.3 miles south of MN Highway 1. He also saw a SPRUCE GROUSE along the Stony River Forest Road, 0.2 mile north of the Whyte Road. David Alexander and Frank Nicoletti saw 3 NORTHERN HAWK OWLS over the weekend along US Highway 71 in Koochiching County. One was near Margie at mile marker 377, one was at mile marker 374, and another was north of Big Falls near mile marker 390. They also saw a GREAT GRAY OWL at mile marker 369 near Gemmel. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, March 4th. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. Information about bird sightings may be left following the recorded message. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum, e-mail us at mou AT moumn.org, or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Nesting? From: Brian and Cindy Drill <bcdrill AT charter.net> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:48:19 -0600 Good evening to all. This morning I saw a couple pairs of house sparrows squabbling over my bird houses in the apple tree. One sparrow had actually brought in a piece of dried grass or twig, and was putting it in place. The birdhouse is a decorative one that has never actually housed a family, so I am not anticipating anything from that, and the second house is a wren house that chickadees have dwelt in over the years. The sparrows were arguing over occupancy, and just who got to be close to the the birdhouse branch. On a cold winter morning, it sure seemed like Spring. Cindy _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, February 25, 2010 From: "Jeanie Joppru" <ajjoppru AT q.com> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:16:48 -0600 This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, February 25, 2010 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218)847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. With lengthening days and warming sun, there seems to be more activity in the yards and feeders this week. Weather has been very pleasant this week, except for a brief return to very cold temperatures which promise to warm up again in coming days. With wind at a minimum, and frequent small snowfalls, the snow is pristine white, making it much more easy to see the members of the grouse family on the snowy fields. Rick Gjervold found 7 SHORT-EARED OWLS in the Lawndale are of Wilkin County on February 16, but by the 18th, he saw only one. There was a flock of 15 GRAY PARTRIDGE on the shoulder of CR 19 southwest of Rothsay on February 18. Two flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS were also seen. Cleone Stewart saw a BALD EAGLE near Frazee in Otter Tail County on February 23. Sandy Aubol in Polk County reported two possible GOLDEN EAGLES east of East Grand Forks on February 20, a SNOWY OWL on a telephone pole along CR 55 a mile east of the CR 13 intersection, and 9 GRAY PARTRIDGES along CR 13. Karen Suldahl saw a PILEATED WOODPECKER in Climax on February 23. On February 24, she saw some COMMON REDPOLLS and one AMERICAN ROBIN in the cemetery at East Grand Forks. Shelley Steva saw twelve SHARP-TAILED GROUSE in Red Lake County on February 19, feeding on crabapples three miles north of Oklee. A GREAT HORNED OWL was reported in Thief River Falls, Pennington County, by Shelley Steva on February 19. Doug Johnson reported from Beltrami County on February 15. He observed 120 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, a NORTHERN SHRIKE, and over 50 PINE GROSBEAKS in Blackduck. There were COMMON REDPOLLS in southern Beltrami County at Three Island County Park near the Turtle River. He sent a belated report of 20 EVENING GROSBEAKS near Gilstad Lake the second week of February, the most that anyone has reported this season in the northwest. A MOURNING DOVE south of Blackduck and an AMERICAN ROBIN were also seen. Larry Wilebski found a NORTHERN HAWK OWL at St Vincent in far northern Kittson County on February 19. The bird was still there on Sunday, February 21. A second NORTHERN HAWK OWL was found on Sunday at the intersection of CR 34 and MN 175 between Hallock and the Red River. Larry Wilebski also reported GRAY PARTRIDGE at Humboldt, and BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES at his cabin northwest of Lancaster. Carol Parker had a pair of PINE GROSBEAKS at her house in Warroad, Roseau County on February 15. She also reported a large flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and a PILEATED WOODPECKER in Warroad last week. On February 18, Gretchen Mehmel in Lake of the Woods County reported a NORTHERN HAWK OWL following the bulldozers at a shear site northeast of the east end of East Hiwood Road which goes east from Dick's Parkway. Thanks to Carol Parker, Cleone Stewart, Doug Johnson, Gretchen Mehmel, Karen Suldahl, Larry Wilebski, Rick Gjervold, Sandy Aubol, and Shelley Steva for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, March 4, 2010. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: bats From: Maureen Cooney <mjcooney810 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:09:50 -0800 (PST) I have seen flies outside my window "sunning" them selves last week...there are bugs. M J Cooney Winona, MN ________________________________ From: KCTEPO00 To: mnbird Sent: Wed, February 24, 2010 11:06:00 AM Subject: [mnbird] bats Last night at dusk I saw a bat flying around near my apartment in Saint Paul.  This was along Shepard Road at 35E, adjacent to Crosby Park.  I'm not any sort of bat expert but I've never seen a bat this early in the year in Minnesota.  I don't know how it would have found anything to eat, and it wasn't very warm yesterday, what would have brought it out?   Kyle TePoel St. Paul  _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: bats From: KCTEPO00 <KCTEPO00 AT smumn.edu> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:06:00 -0600 Last night at dusk I saw a bat flying around near my apartment in Saint Paul. This was along Shepard Road at 35E, adjacent to Crosby Park. I'm not any sort of bat expert but I've never seen a bat this early in the year in Minnesota. I don't know how it would have found anything to eat, and it wasn't very warm yesterday, what would have brought it out? Kyle TePoel St. Paul_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: not birds but orchids From: "dan&erika" <danerika AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:42:20 -0600 Hi All-- Erika and I enjoyed the U of M Landscape Arboretum's current orchid show. We recommend it if you have any interest in things botanical. The Arboretum, near Victoria, is one of our favorite birding spots in the region, though we saw few birds yesterday. I've posted a couple of orchid photos on my blog http://dantallmansbirdblog.blogspot.com dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Northfield, Minnesota http://sites.google.com/site/tallmanorum http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika danerika AT gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet" "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ...."--Thoreau_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: BirdSafe follow up question From: bluebill AT surfbest.net Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:43:27 -0000 >A few years back Henn. Parks (Now Three Rivers Parks) had observers monitoring possible nighthawk breeding sites. They may have some information. Larry Gillette, wildlife manager, may be able to steer you to the person with the information. Don Grussing Minnetonka > > >---- Original Message ---- >From: jobaud AT comcast.net >To: nicho561 AT umn.edu, Mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net >Subject: Re: [mnbird] BirdSafe follow up question >Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:17:11 +0000 (UTC) > >> >> >>Sami >> >> >>Thanks for your inquiry.  I suggest you send a note over MN Bird >asking for their help.  I'll forward your message so that you can get >their address.  Also you should contact Ron Windingstad, who is >heading up the chimney swift program in Minnesota, he may be able to >help with his group. >> >> >> >>A couple of years ago I started the Red-headed Woodpecker Recovery >program, through the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis.  At that time I >was debating between the RHWO and the Nighthawk.  I chose the RHWO >because I felt it was easier to do and that they would be more likely >to re-establish in a large metropolitan area like Minneapolis. >> >> >> >>Jerry Bahls >> >>Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis >> >> >>----- Original Message ----- >>From: "Sami Nichols" >>To: jobaud AT comcast.net >>Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 11:35:01 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada >Central >>Subject: BirdSafe follow up question >> >>Dear Mr. Bahls, >>We met briefly at the BirdSafe Meeting two weeks ago, and I had a >>follow-up question for you. Bob Zink recommended you as the person >to >>ask a 'where to find' bird question. >>As the other half of my research project, I am planning to >investigate >>Common Nighthawk breeding behavior in and around the Twin Cities. I >hope >>that this individual and population level study of how buildings, >>especially rooftop structure, affects birds can serve as a nice >>complement to the work I'm hoping to do with the BirdSafe data. >However, >>before I can study Nighthawk breeding behavior, I need to find some >>nests. I'm hoping to mine the knowledge bank of local birders to >help me >>find many of my nests. So, do you know of any places where I would >be >>likely to find Nighthawk nests come spring? Do you know who else I >could >>ask this question? >>Any information you have on the subject would be much appreciated, >>Thanks, >>-Sami- _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: BirdSafe follow up question From: jobaud AT comcast.net Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:17:11 +0000 (UTC) Sami Thanks for your inquiry.  I suggest you send a note over MN Bird asking for their help.  I'll forward your message so that you can get their address.  Also you should contact Ron Windingstad, who is heading up the chimney swift program in Minnesota, he may be able to help with his group. A couple of years ago I started the Red-headed Woodpecker Recovery program, through the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis.  At that time I was debating between the RHWO and the Nighthawk.  I chose the RHWO because I felt it was easier to do and that they would be more likely to re-establish in a large metropolitan area like Minneapolis. Jerry Bahls Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sami Nichols" To: jobaud AT comcast.net Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 11:35:01 AM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central Subject: BirdSafe follow up question Dear Mr. Bahls, We met briefly at the BirdSafe Meeting two weeks ago, and I had a follow-up question for you. Bob Zink recommended you as the person to ask a 'where to find' bird question. As the other half of my research project, I am planning to investigate Common Nighthawk breeding behavior in and around the Twin Cities. I hope that this individual and population level study of how buildings, especially rooftop structure, affects birds can serve as a nice complement to the work I'm hoping to do with the BirdSafe data. However, before I can study Nighthawk breeding behavior, I need to find some nests. I'm hoping to mine the knowledge bank of local birders to help me find many of my nests. So, do you know of any places where I would be likely to find Nighthawk nests come spring? Do you know who else I could ask this question? Any information you have on the subject would be much appreciated, Thanks, -Sami- _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Re: Swans From: "Warren Woessner" <WWoessner AT slwip.com> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:28:01 -0600 There has been a little group of Trumpeter Swans at Black Dog all winter (I saw them at the east end on Sunday). Also at the observation deck in the west pool, there were 17 Robins hoping along the edge of the ice about 50 feet from shore, picking some sort of food out of the ice. There were also 4 young Eagles in the air at once. Warren ________________________________ From: mnbird-bounces AT lists.mnbird.net [mailto:mnbird-bounces AT lists.mnbird.net] On Behalf Of JODASHJO AT aol.com Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 7:07 AM To: mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net Subject: [mnbird] Swans About 5PM Sun Feb 22 I was on the way to a home in InverGrove Heights so I was going S over the 494 Mn River bridge. As I looked West over the side of the bridge I spotted several Swans with maybe a dozen or more ducks. I haven't seen these on a report yet. As I lay abed I thought, there isn't much open water there and it isn't very deep, I hope the went to the Black Dog plant for the evening. If anyone spots these swans nearby this location, would they please report on them. Joyce in Historic East Bloomington_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Swans From: JODASHJO AT aol.com Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:06:51 EST About 5PM Sun Feb 22 I was on the way to a home in InverGrove Heights so I was going S over the 494 Mn River bridge. As I looked West over the side of the bridge I spotted several Swans with maybe a dozen or more ducks. I haven't seen these on a report yet. As I lay abed I thought, there isn't much open water there and it isn't very deep, I hope the went to the Black Dog plant for the evening. If anyone spots these swans nearby this location, would they please report on them. Joyce in Historic East Bloomington_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: MRVAC meeting this thursday From: "Steve Weston" <sweston2 AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:52:28 -0600 Stan Tekiela, Naturalist and Author, will present a program "Fascinating Loons" this Thursday (2/25) at 7:30pm at REI in Bloomington. Loons have fascinated people for thousands of years. Stan has spent over 20 years studying and photographing loons for his book Fascinating Loons and for this presentation. Stan's talk is filled with stunning pictures of loons in all their splendor. He answers the age-old questions about loons such as: "Do they mate for life? Do the same loons return to the same lake each year?" Join us for a loon-filled evening! For more on Stan and his books check his website: www.NatureSmartImages.com When: Please join us at 7:00 pm at the Bloomington REI store to socialize over coffee and cookies from 7:00 to 7:30 pm. A brief business meeting and the featured speaker begin at 7:30 pm. The meeting will conclude before 9:00 pm. Where: REI is located at 750 American Blvd.W, Bloomington, (494 and Lyndale Ave. S, in the southwest corner of the intersection). Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN sweston2 AT comcast.net_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: birding around the metro From: "Steve Weston" <sweston2 AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:40:14 -0600 Yesterday we had fly-by of a Flicker that has been hanging around this winter. Tonight (Sunday) I stopped by Miesville Ravine and was rewarded with a calling Long-eared Owl. also found a pair of Beaver crunching wood along the Canon River there and at least two packs of coyote howling. Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN sweston2 AT comcast.net _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Fox sparrows From: "Liz Stanley" <liz AT lizstanley.com> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:17:34 -0600 I've had a fox sparrow overwintering in my yard this year. First saw it right before the Christmas bird count, and it's been here regularly. It has a badly mangled or missing right leg, so it can't do the normal double scratch hop to get at anything underneath the snow. I keep thistle and safflower on the ground for it. It's pretty skittish so I haven't been able to take a picture. Today I noticed a second, uninjured fox sparrow, and I managed to get a photo of it though the back window. Here's the fox sparrow: http://www.pbase.com/gymell/image/122174750 And my friend the pileated woodpecker, who shows up pretty much every day. http://www.pbase.com/gymell/image/121941004 . -- Liz Stanley Bloomington, MN liz AT lizstanley.com Backyard weather and feedercam: http://www.overlookcircle.org/ Photo gallery: http://www.pbase.com/gymell/liz_favorites Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lizmstanley _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: saw-whet owl/Rice Co. From: "dan&erika" <danerika AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:57:57 -0600 I have posted a photo of a Northern Saw-whet Owl in Rice Co. on my blog-- http://dantallmansbirdblog.blogspot.com good birding dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Northfield, Minnesota http://sites.google.com/site/tallmanorum http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika danerika AT gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet" "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ...."--Thoreau_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Blue Jay behavior and Red-breasted Nuthatch pair From: "Erika Sitz" <esitz AT goldengate.net> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:13:35 -0600 This morning I watched a female Hairy Woodpecker remove a nut-size piece of suet, shinny up to a higher crotch in the tree, deposit the suet in the bark and prepare to start hammering on it, only to have a Blue Jay swoop in and grab the suet chunk right out from under her. They looked at each other for a few seconds, then the Jay flew off and she went back down the tree to the suet. That's the most outrageous example of Blue Jay boldness that I've ever witnessed. I have a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches. I've seen her for a couple months, finally confirmed him last month and now see them coming regularly to the suet and peanut feeders. Sometimes they come to the suet feeder together, he feeds first and she waits on the limb above it. My fingers are crossed that they hang around and nest. Erika Sitz Ramsey, north Anoka County _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Duluth RBA 2/18/10 From: "Jim Lind" <jslind AT frontiernet.net> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:35:42 -0600 This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, February 18th, 2010 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. The male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was relocated by Peder Svingen on the 18th at Leif Erikson Park in Duluth. Melissa Boyle found a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL on the 13th along the Lakewalk near Chester Creek. Craig Mandel and others saw a first-cycle GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL on the 14th at Canal Park. Craig's group also saw 12 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE in the Sax-Zim Bog along CR 28 at Cranberry Lane. Four first- cycle GLAUCOUS GULLS and a LONG-TAILED DUCK were seen on the 17th at Agate Bay in Two Harbors. An AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER was found on the 17th by Norma Malinowski along the Spruce Road at the snowmobile trail about 3.5 miles east of MN Highway 1. She also saw a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER along the Gabbro Lake access road about 5 miles east of MN Highway 1. NORTHERN HAWK OWLS were seen over the weekend at several locations in the Sax-Zim Bog including CR 7, CR 133, the Admiral Road (CR 788), the Sax Road (CR 28), the Stone Lake Road, and US Highway 53 south of Cotton. The NORTHERN HAWK OWL east of Two Harbors along MN Highway 61 at Flood Bay was relocated on the 13th, and another was seen along CR 3, 0.4 mile north of MN Highway 61. The one at Gooseberry State Park was relocated on the 12th. David Alexander saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL on the 16th in northern St. Louis County along MN Highway 65, 2.1 miles north of Silverdale. Michael Gordon and others saw a GREAT GRAY OWL on the 13th in Aitkin County along CR 18, 0.6 mile east of Pietz's Road. The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, February 25th. The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. Information about bird sightings may be left following the recorded message. The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum, e-mail us at mou AT moumn.org, or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org. _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Thursday, February 18, 2010 From: "Jeanie Joppru" <ajjoppru AT q.com> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:00:02 -0600 This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, February 18, 2010 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218)847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888. We have had a very pleasant week in northwestern Minnesota with reasonable temperatures, calm winds, and sunshine prevailing. Bird sightings are picking up, as their activity picks up with lengthening days. Joel Claus found an AMERICAN 3-TOED WOODPECKER in Lake of the Woods County on the west side of the Faunce Road 0.8 miles south of the Bankton Trail on the weekend. Ron Erpelding, Herb Dingmann, and I saw five GRAY PARTRIDGES along CR 118 in far northwestern Roseau County. Two NORTHERN HAWK OWLS were seen - one along MN 310, and one beside the Sprague Creek road. There was a large flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in Warroad on Saturday, and the female NORTHERN CARDINAL is still visiting Carol Parker's feeder in Warroad. Also seen in Roseau County were SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, and several LAPLAND LONGSPURS. In Beltrami County, Katie Haws reported PINE GROSBEAKS at her feeder. Clearwater County sightings by Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann included three PINE GROSBEAKS at a feeder on the east side of CR 2 about two miles south of Shevlin on February 14. PINE GROSBEAKS were seen in Grygla, Marshall County on February 13. A male NORTHERN FLICKER, red-shafted form, was seen by Mel Bennefeld at the Ponderosa Golf Course on February 16. In Hubbard County on February 14, Ron and Herb found RED CROSSBILLS along CR 4 north of Lake George, and EVENING GROSBEAKS at a feeder on the west side of CR 4 in Lake George. 8 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen along CR 95 just east of CR 3. PINE GROSBEAKS were seen flying over MN 227 two miles east of Sebeka, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE was observed on the south side of CR 12 one mile east of Nimrod. Brad and Dee Ehlers saw a MOURNING DOVE along CR 1 in Otter Tail County near Walker and Otter Tail Lakes. Thanks to Brad and Dee Ehlers, Diana Morkassel, Joel Claus, Katie Haws, Mel Bennefeld, Ron Erpelding, and Herb Dingmann for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru AT q.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, February 25, 2010. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: trumpeter swan From: "Bruce & Ann Wolfe" <1bgwolfe AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:57:10 -0600 I walked outdoors today (Cottage Grove, MN) and saw one trumpeter swan swimming with some Canada Geese and mallards. Can spring be far behind?? Ann Wolfe White Bear Lake_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Audubon Minnestoa is now on Facebook From: terry99 <terry99 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:31:56 -0600 The title says it all but check us out on Facebook. A place to meet and greet fellow birders. A place to learn about important events and what may be happening in the legistature. Look forward to seeing you online. terry houle Hennepin County _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: MRVAC - NE Minnesota Birding - 2/14, 15, 16, 2010 - Field trip report From: "CRAIG MANDEL" <EgretCMan AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:31:50 -0600 February 14, 15, 16, 2010 While leading a trip to NE Minnesota our group observed the following species: Leif Erickson Park Common Goldeneye Common Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Canal Park Greater Black-backed Gull - 4:00 pm - A 1st winter bird was observed sitting on the ice and in flight close to the canal entrance. Sax Zim Bog Sharp-tailed Grouse - CR 28 & Cranberry Lane- 12 Sharp-tailed Grouse were observed flying South across CR 28 and landing South West of the intersection of CR 28 and Cranberry Lane. Northern Hawk Owl - 5 birds were observed at the following locations: 1. 8:00 am - The East side of CR 7, . 5 miles South of Sax Road. 2. 11:55 am - The East side of Admiral Road, 1/10 of a mile North of Cranberry Lane. 3. 12 20 pm - The North side of CR 28, 1/4 mile East of Cranberry Lane. 4. 5:45 pm - South side of Stone Lake Road, 1/2 mile East of CR 7. 5. 6:10 pm - Highway 53, South of Cotton - Exact location not recorded. Northern Shrike Gray Jay Blue Jay Black-billed Magpie - CR 28 & Cranberry Lane & CR 29, 1/4 mile South of Correction Line Road. American Crow - Flock of 100 plus flying NE over CR 7 Monday morning Common Raven - 50+ in one flock at Admiral Road 5:30 pm, on Monday. Boreal Chickadee - Admiral Avenue - 2.7 Miles South of CR 27. This was at the feeding station, which had been set up again that afternoon. Two boreal Chickadee's were observed eating the peanut butter at the site, from 5:10 to 5:20 pm. Snow Bunting - Sax Road and CR 7. Snow Buntings were observed at this intersection throughout the day. Pine Grosbeak Purple Finch White-winged Crossbill - Fly over of a small flock on McDavitt Road. Common Redpoll Pine Siskin Lake County Boreal Chickadee - CR 11, 2.3 miles East of CR 2. Cedar Waxwing - Two Harbors American Robin - Three flocks of 10+ American Robins, were observed along CR 61, on Tuesday. St. Louis County Northern Goshawk - Stoney Point - Tuesday afternoon. Craig Mandel EgretCMan AT msn.com Minnetonka, Hennepin County_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Spring Boreal Birding & Northern Landscapes Festival From: Sue Weber <sue AT boreal.org> Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:14:42 -0600 SPRING BOREAL BIRDING and NORTHERN LANDSCAPES FESTIVAL - June 3-6, 2010 - at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, MN ** Complete details regarding the annual Spring Boreal Birding and Northern Landscape Festival are now available on the recently updated festival web site. Bernd Heinrich (noted author of many books including the classic book "Ravens In Winter") will be the 2010 featured speaker. His talk "Ravens: Adventures with the Wolf Birds" will take place Saturday evening, June 5th. In addition, Bernd will lead a field workshop focused on nesting behavior. More than a dozen different courses and workshops are at the heart of the festival. Highlights include MN Birding with Bob Janssen. Spring Wildflowers with Jim Gilbert. Boreal Birding with Dedrick Benz. North Shore Birding with Jerry Bonkoski/John Hockema. North Shore Geology with John Green. Owl In A Night's Work with Bill Lane. Courses range from 1 to 3 days in length. Discovering the birds, birdsongs, wildflowers, geology and more of the rich North Shore and Boreal Forest landscape is the focus of this hands-on and field-based festival weekend. Get all the details and review registration information at: -- http://www.northhouse.org Call 218-387-9762 with questions. North House Folks School is a 501c3 non-profit _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Male Red Shafted Flicker From: Melvin C Bennefeld <emben1 AT juno.com> Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:19:06 -0600 Spotted a Male Red Shafted Flicker at the Ponderosa Golf Course in Clay County yesterday, Tuesday, 16 February, it was busy working on a dead branch in an Ash Tree, also heard a Pileated Woodpecker but did not see it. ____________________________________________________________ Love Spell Click here to light up your life with a love spell! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=yp0hesTE6HqoyUlWT08GPgAAJ1ByD7hYr3qPPwUcE2PO6CpNAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARwAAAAA= _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: Fw: mnbird post from snoeowl@aol.com requires approval From: Paul Schumacher <wnpauls AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:58:05 -0800 (PST) from Al Batt A meadowlark is dining on the ground under a feeder in=the fine city of Hartland in Freeborn County. Perhaps it is a harbinger of a=20 weakening winter--or not. Al Batt Storyteller "Never let a kind word go unsaid." http://albatt.net/ _______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: House Finch musing and Red-headed Woodpeckers From: "dan&erika" <danerika AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:26:21 -0600 I have added thoughts about House Finches to my blog: http://dantallmansbirdblog.blogspot.com/ Today (Feb 16, 2010), Erika and I saw at least six Red-headed Woodpeckers at the feeders at the entrance to Big Woods State Park in Rice Co. dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Northfield, Minnesota http://sites.google.com/site/tallmanorum http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika danerika AT gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet" "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ...."--Thoreau_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s Subject: age and sex of American Goldfinches From: "dan&erika" <danerika AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:20:32 -0600 Hi All-- I was able to band birds this morning for the first time in 2010 and caught about a dozen American Goldfinches. I posted my techiques for telling age and sex of winter goldfinches in the field on my blog, http://dantallmansbirdblog.blogspot.com dan -- Dan or Erika Tallman Northfield, Minnesota http://sites.google.com/site/tallmanorum http://picasaweb.google.com/danerika danerika AT gmail.com ".... the best shod travel with wet feet" "Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes ...."--Thoreau_______________________________________________ mnbird mailing list mnbird AT lists.mnbird.net http://lists.mnbird.net/mailman/listinfo/mnbird Unsubscribe: %(user_optionsurl)s