tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38859163703878575172024-02-07T03:27:43.184-06:00Agassiz Audubon Celebrating America's Tallgrass Aspen ParklandUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-3243643742936855922020-03-22T13:07:00.000-05:002020-03-23T13:36:54.485-05:00Rare Owl Spotted in Grand Forks<div>
<br />
Josh
Moe was out walking his dog in Grand Forks late Saturday night (March 21, 2020) when he
saw a small owl pounce on a squirrel (note the furry tail hanging below the owl). He went home to get his smart phone and
took a picture. </div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rszDmctajASIX8S2Xz-ybb61hA8xsBhL7zuZFdjDoIAcWt8KUISQwKrOdGaUELzHZYYgPEq9ZreaWSaJdqs1NtwJ8BMAr_gJgph3UpmYLFJrCb_QYQCE-Odu8iJCpmw3uVcJaHQVnqCu/s1600/GrandForks03-21-2020BorealOwl%25C2%25A9JoshMoe+.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rszDmctajASIX8S2Xz-ybb61hA8xsBhL7zuZFdjDoIAcWt8KUISQwKrOdGaUELzHZYYgPEq9ZreaWSaJdqs1NtwJ8BMAr_gJgph3UpmYLFJrCb_QYQCE-Odu8iJCpmw3uVcJaHQVnqCu/s320/GrandForks03-21-2020BorealOwl%25C2%25A9JoshMoe+.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boreal Owl ©Joshua Moe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Who was this tiny owl? When he got home, he looked it up. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At
first he thought it was a Northern Saw-whet Owl, the smallest owl in
the Red River Valley at about 7-inches (an inch or so bigger than a
Downy Woodpecker).<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoejGKxeLonW_FTpc9es8OWVmyebvToZrJJRkMDXb-XM6RA87K1wKbt4R3te-AuP9zbh8zPCIXhxwLIA3PWmEy1_WoD6ajoAr-VfY5S5-32nxm70ZDRKTtT0UJ5TghNlzyTgQwt8FWmeL/s1600/NoSawwhet+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="505" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzoejGKxeLonW_FTpc9es8OWVmyebvToZrJJRkMDXb-XM6RA87K1wKbt4R3te-AuP9zbh8zPCIXhxwLIA3PWmEy1_WoD6ajoAr-VfY5S5-32nxm70ZDRKTtT0UJ5TghNlzyTgQwt8FWmeL/s320/NoSawwhet+copy.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Saw-whet Owl ©HvHughes, 2000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Moe sent his photo to Agassiz Audubon Society in
Warren, MN asking if they could confirm the owl's identity.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"It
isn't a Northern Saw-whet," said Heidi Hughes Agassiz Audubon's
education coordinator. "But," she said, "it's a close relative, a
Boreal Owl (8-11 inches), a bird rarely seen in the Red River Valley." </div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqh87ARWTdPcgQeZISkBP7FEHJEqab8MHZyNHOFk9Krb0E8ff8B2-GVDjqDXa6TLwPI8DkBaVjYTKAu6FRIoz-c-g3V4lWtBAUwnU1bHKju-MhabIMG3hsiZ18kFAVf-j_tjizBvXQe1ov/s1600/**BorealOwl100_7919.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="808" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqh87ARWTdPcgQeZISkBP7FEHJEqab8MHZyNHOFk9Krb0E8ff8B2-GVDjqDXa6TLwPI8DkBaVjYTKAu6FRIoz-c-g3V4lWtBAUwnU1bHKju-MhabIMG3hsiZ18kFAVf-j_tjizBvXQe1ov/s320/**BorealOwl100_7919.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boreal Owl ©HvHughes, 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
In
fact, the last time Hughes saw a Boreal Owl was 7-years ago in January,
perched on a woodpile at the Audubon Center.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Named for
their preferred habitat, Boreal Owls live in the northern forest of
North America and Europe. According to AllAboutBirds.org, these owls
venture south during years when prey are scarce. If you
go out for a walk at night, mid-February through April, you just might
hear their mating hoots.<br />
<br />
For more information about these owls, their range, calls and behaviors, click on this link:<br />
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Boreal_Owl/overview<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-11772049906298172022019-12-30T12:14:00.000-06:002020-01-22T17:31:35.046-06:00Snowy Owls Winter 2019-2020<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLvP_OaY_efrimw367qzKF-coOlcGnvnwHnDDu4IUo1n41zgYRmq5dLzQmds8RUVUUx8xKH4sUIR2FE_ptVs4ZoLfa-p7mnRnrGGJvZWaHbd1nPQ3lo-ExWm-2CcQY3nsymtFftJ-X7Y/s1600/Snowy150%25C2%25A9MPFeldmeier_8185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLvP_OaY_efrimw367qzKF-coOlcGnvnwHnDDu4IUo1n41zgYRmq5dLzQmds8RUVUUx8xKH4sUIR2FE_ptVs4ZoLfa-p7mnRnrGGJvZWaHbd1nPQ3lo-ExWm-2CcQY3nsymtFftJ-X7Y/s320/Snowy150%25C2%25A9MPFeldmeier_8185.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">©Marie Feldmeier, Kittson County, Dec 21, 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>NW Minnesota and the Red River Valley </i></b></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>are high on the list of the most reliable places to spot Snowy Owls </i></b></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest</i></b></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><i> </i></b></h3>
Official "irruption" year - or not - over the past decade we've always had at least a few reports, more often - dozens (or more) throughout the winter season. They're relatively easy to spot from the comfort of your car. Look for them on power poles along roadsides, on top of grain bins, barns and road signs, and on the ground in the middle of - and along side - "minimum maintenance" roads.<br />
<br />
But before you venture out, be sure you and your vehicle are prepared for the cold, your gas tank is full and your car maintenance is up-to-date. Keep your cell phone charged. Use your car navigation system and pay attention to road signs - so you know where you are in case you need to call for help.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Always use your flashers and turn signals. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Use your vehicle as a bird blind - STAY IN YOUR CAR!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stock your car for winter emergencies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Drive defensively. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
====</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The first report of the fall season came in on 24 October. It was spotted on a very muddy township road near a sugar beet field west of US 75 and south of Euclid. Several birders went out to document the report with a photo. Nobody got lucky. <br />
<br />
Isn't October too early? According to the records in Robert Janssen's "Birds of Minnesota" (the new, updated edition of his "field guide to the distribution of 400 species of birds in Minnesota" will be on the bookshelves in 2019), September
would be "early." It's "normal" to start seeing
snowies in the Red River Valley in October and November.<br />
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Our 2nd report came from Thief River Falls, east of Northland College on Minnesota State Hwy 1. An owl was spotted on a township road, two days in a row (Nov 11 & 12) - early in the morning. No photos were taken and the bird was not found again. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIxaW5_1Z1owXjRWrGX0gUUKGJJc7-RTZsTp4zlIA00OvM_jSBA_5ilj_o4-13BSBONMfgGS9meTLO7Ip3dNrY2ZkBMl49EMKA4Hf3ht2NR3mjDm62zdUmsSTTLJjly3lTYxGUCuiY4c/s1600/KyraMidderighCrxOwl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIxaW5_1Z1owXjRWrGX0gUUKGJJc7-RTZsTp4zlIA00OvM_jSBA_5ilj_o4-13BSBONMfgGS9meTLO7Ip3dNrY2ZkBMl49EMKA4Hf3ht2NR3mjDm62zdUmsSTTLJjly3lTYxGUCuiY4c/s320/KyraMidderighCrxOwl.png" width="244" /></a></div>
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The first documented Snowy Owl of the Season was photographed on Nov 12 by Kyra Midderigh - southeast of Crookston.</div>
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13 November - we got a report from rural East Grand Forks. Again, no photographs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHWNv6b1qYEEm9t-oxFdsg440DOyCk-SiN3myIFeQV-ryWbOixVUiHo86VQlxlonvdeDs_g6-vyl5HskSWNBX71u4HOfSOPHYcI_dyOq-G167as72zuU6FA1B-awAoXxQRL3irP1Q-l8/s1600/Leon_5183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHWNv6b1qYEEm9t-oxFdsg440DOyCk-SiN3myIFeQV-ryWbOixVUiHo86VQlxlonvdeDs_g6-vyl5HskSWNBX71u4HOfSOPHYcI_dyOq-G167as72zuU6FA1B-awAoXxQRL3irP1Q-l8/s320/Leon_5183.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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On 13 November, 2019 Leon Thoreson provided cellphone photos of this bird south of Crookston.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbwIO5GA1a6SLdliXu_wYPsvuq5WbA_IrNmLWW06ysDl7IYoF0WNt-HMaeSjjedBEoh6gsFDo_IJrTDncFmdtyq8r3P379REU3nXjWnHxe-qIpONdZpeTOl_VplBFeb4plI1lZxIVi0c/s1600/Mckenzee%2527sSnowyOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbwIO5GA1a6SLdliXu_wYPsvuq5WbA_IrNmLWW06ysDl7IYoF0WNt-HMaeSjjedBEoh6gsFDo_IJrTDncFmdtyq8r3P379REU3nXjWnHxe-qIpONdZpeTOl_VplBFeb4plI1lZxIVi0c/s200/Mckenzee%2527sSnowyOwl.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInpFdWqv5ZfxB0rDkyV164mXCGe81U6wtoSbUgKBsjtgT-J8A2JUXavREkRB1YMt4gm2jUPalOMwTzaWXjfa1_SICbOmmE7QqzSSW9b4cjF5cjjEfuomqPKaTCnwgUyttKbCDkzomBis/s1600/Ryan%2527sSnowyOwl_171816%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInpFdWqv5ZfxB0rDkyV164mXCGe81U6wtoSbUgKBsjtgT-J8A2JUXavREkRB1YMt4gm2jUPalOMwTzaWXjfa1_SICbOmmE7QqzSSW9b4cjF5cjjEfuomqPKaTCnwgUyttKbCDkzomBis/s200/Ryan%2527sSnowyOwl_171816%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div>
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On Nov 19 we received 2 reports of Snowy Owls south of Crookston on US 75. Tim Drisoll's Raptor Ecology Class (University of Minnesota - Crookston) provided photos.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAZPLPmbtdbIQJ0ECF4k10PCQha2LugpAzJKDWdwYjrEL6x5Rrro-zWz7oTsX9RvBUNcErO9pCNKBDBjsmI-sh2G8A_pnvQaNzXaYdrIl2thhVPWvi5guHE-HZdWtvi2LrYkVZS9_SsA/s1600/Snowy_5737-11_26-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1436" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAZPLPmbtdbIQJ0ECF4k10PCQha2LugpAzJKDWdwYjrEL6x5Rrro-zWz7oTsX9RvBUNcErO9pCNKBDBjsmI-sh2G8A_pnvQaNzXaYdrIl2thhVPWvi5guHE-HZdWtvi2LrYkVZS9_SsA/s320/Snowy_5737-11_26-19.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">©HvHughes, November 26, 2019</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYqAuxR2pgZSHGbrjhBVWijyo5Jb1DM-aMi8PyGeGEeZamMrMVFd9B0kYlZFKnb4kipBrIPFElvsb0CpQXOYQVkgiUib8E5rdIZEWpQ865_aeQqzrzcZLVUz0PgJ3SOSFn6MrCIxvtgo/s1600/snowyRoad300-5724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYqAuxR2pgZSHGbrjhBVWijyo5Jb1DM-aMi8PyGeGEeZamMrMVFd9B0kYlZFKnb4kipBrIPFElvsb0CpQXOYQVkgiUib8E5rdIZEWpQ865_aeQqzrzcZLVUz0PgJ3SOSFn6MrCIxvtgo/s320/snowyRoad300-5724.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© HvHughes, November 26, 2019</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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On 26 November, this owl was photographed - on a power pole and in the middle of the road - south and west of Warren.</div>
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Today the number of Snowy Owls reported so far this season is 20 with 14 photos.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAD8yY4SfKnG-T6K5fFLCA206-LbhmTgOZa3qLIHjOfYVAAIOvH8piTKC999BzQ4yr3YIodq8Drf-rdTVyETQXcPQQ1Tk9gxl_3WtfwBH1Z65K3EAL0e_f-KGilxtlo0HS1b0S5WPHoA/s1600/*2017SnowyEuclid300_4990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAD8yY4SfKnG-T6K5fFLCA206-LbhmTgOZa3qLIHjOfYVAAIOvH8piTKC999BzQ4yr3YIodq8Drf-rdTVyETQXcPQQ1Tk9gxl_3WtfwBH1Z65K3EAL0e_f-KGilxtlo0HS1b0S5WPHoA/s320/*2017SnowyEuclid300_4990.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© HvHughes, Oct 27, 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you see one, please view them from a distance - for more advice click on this link:<br />
http://www.projectsnowstorm.org/snowy-owl-etiquette/<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
If
you spot one in the Red River Valley of the North, please send us a
text (218-745-5663) or email (AgassizAudubon@gmail.com) with the
following information:<br />
<br />
your name<br />
phone number<br />
date and time of your sighting<br />
location (nearest intersection or GPS coordinates)<br />
and a photo - even if it's not a great photo, it may be useful.<br />
<br />
We do <u>NOT</u> post exact locations of owls. <br />
<br />
Thank you!!!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-6421500023918601692019-12-29T15:57:00.000-06:002019-12-31T13:31:08.283-06:00Moose west of Warren MN<br />
I don't like to start my day sitting in front of a computer. But that's where I was on Friday, December 27 at 9:33. I heard an email "ping" and up popped a message from my friend Bonnie Howard. When I get an email, call or text from Bonnie, I know she's seen something special. She had.<br />
<br />
Her message was simple and to the point: "It's not a Snowy Owl, but there's a moose..." <br />
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I've only seen one moose in the wild - ever - and that one was way far off in the distance.<br />
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I grabbed my equipment, hopped in my little Toyota RAV-4 Hybrid and headed west. About 20 minutes later, I spotted 2 cars pulling away from the location Bonnie had sent me. Oh no, I thought. Did I "miss" it?<br />
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I looked around. Off in the distance I noticed dark spot on the snow.<br />
Was that the moose? Yes! But it was way far off in the distance.<br />
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What to do? I considered my options: go east, go west, or pull off the road, snap a photo and sit still. Just watch.<br />
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I pulled to the side of the road and took a photo, hoping I'd get a better one. But a lousy "proof of a moose in the distance" photo is better than no moose photo at all. Then I sat and watched. What is this creature gonna do? <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A moose north of Warren MN. ©HvHughes</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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She started walking east, and moved closer to the road towards my car. I watched her through my open window.</div>
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She stopped several times. Hard to say who was more curious. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose in the snow ©HvHughes</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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All of a sudden, she lifted up her head and took off.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A moose trotting along a rural road near Warren MN ©HvHughes</td></tr>
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She was headed towards a major highway - less than a mile away.</div>
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Not good. Maybe I could head her off at the next intersection - and encourage her to go north. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose gathering speed ©HvHughes</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I got to the intersection before the moose did. She headed towards the tree line north of the farmstead just up the road.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose heading to a tree line. ©HvHughes</td></tr>
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Lucky for me, the farmer was out plowing his driveway. I pulled in, hopped out of my car and went over to talk. </div>
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Would he be okay with me driving through his yard and up to the tree line? </div>
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"No problem," he said. "That moose you're looking for, it's just to the north of the trees." I thanked him and hopped back into my car.</div>
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Imagine my surprise when I turned the corner at the tree line and moose was right there!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A moose along the treeline ©HvHughes</td></tr>
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I couldn't help but realize just how BIG she was - way bigger than my car. I didn't want to spook her. </div>
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I watched her through my opened window and whispered: "Here's where ya wanna head north." </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose by the tree line ©HvHughes</td></tr>
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She stood there and posed for one last photo. Then I slowly backed up my car, giving her plenty of room to escape to the north. </div>
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That's exactly what she did.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moose heading north away from the highway ©HvHughes</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-83791234418959604772019-12-14T16:10:00.000-06:002019-12-30T16:56:07.240-06:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">First Sighting of a Lesser Goldfinch </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">in Minnesota - Near Warren </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">December 8 - 11, 2019 </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Goldfinch in Warren, MN on<br />
on Sunday, December 8, 2019<br />
photo ©HvHughes</td></tr>
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There are 444 birds on the official 2019 "Checklist of
the Birds of Minnesota."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spotting
a bird that's not on the list doesn't happen very often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when it does, birdwatchers flock to see it -
even when the temperature drops below zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That's what happened on Wednesday, December 11, 2019, near the Agassiz Valley impoundment, 8
miles southeast of Warren.</div>
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The bird was first photographed at a feeder on Sunday, December 8th. Experts from the Twin Cities confirmed the identification,
first from photographs - then birders came up to see it first-hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lone Lesser Goldfinch spent 4 days hanging
out with dozens of Pine Siskins at feeders full of hulled sunflowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According
to AllAboutBirds.org, these birds are normally found on the west coast, the
southwestern states and parts of Central America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">What's it doing here in Warren, Minnesota? </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">It's impossible to know for sure. It could be it got blown here in a storm. It could be that they've been coming here every winter here and nobody noticed. It could be that the bird was directionally challeged. It could be that this species is expanding its range. Or it could be another reason altogether. </span></div>
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No matter where you live, you can help scientists keep track
of wild birds at eBird.org<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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For more information about Minnesota's wild birds, go to
moumn.org.</div>
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If you spot an unusual bird in the Red River Valley, Agassiz
Audubon Society wants to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call, text (218-745-5663) or email (AgassizAudubon@gmail.com).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please include<br />
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1. your name and phone number<br />
2. your email address,
phone number,<br />
3. when and where you spotted the bird and<br />
4. a photo - if you have one.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-23966282561414254262014-02-09T17:48:00.001-06:002019-12-30T07:03:54.241-06:00Owls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Owl at Agassiz Valley</td></tr>
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It's no secret that the winter of 2013-2014 has been a very big one for Snowy Owls. Most of our sightings started in January (we were otherwise occupied over the holidays - moving to a new office in Warren).<br />
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On New Year's Eve Day, we spotted the first of more than a dozen Snowy Owls on the Minnesota side of the Red River Valley. Yesterday Lynne King spotted one about 3 miles east of the Audubon Center, and today I spotted one at the Agassiz Valley impoundment. Mostly young females... but it was a treat to see a couple of little white males.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old male Snowy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young female Snowy</td></tr>
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We see Snowies every winter in the Red River Valley, but this year has been special. Get out and look - now!<br />
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Last winter the "big" owl irruption was of the smaller kind - the Boreal Owl. This little guy showed up at our birdfeeders at dusk.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boreal Owl</td></tr>
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A week or so later, this bird was hunting mice at the woodpile.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boreal Owl</td></tr>
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Seeing Boreals is a mixed blessing. Many of them didn't make it through the winter. A total of 6 Boreal Owls were found dead in the Warren area last year.<br />
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Minnesota's smallest owl species - the Northern Saw-whet Owl was spotted in an evergreen up the road in Radium - near the Snake River. I suspect there are more - especially during migration.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Saw-Whet</td></tr>
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Other owls spotted at the Agassiz Audubon Center the past couple of years -<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short-eared Owls</td></tr>
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While these birds are known for being nomadic, they've declined to the point where I didn't see one last year. Neighbors have complained about people shooting them - despite the fact that they are protected species. Many succumb to collisions with vehicles speeding down minimum maintenance roads. Two years ago, I was fortunate to see their wing-clapping display at 3pm on a cloudy spring day - just down the road.<br />
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There are records of Long-eared Owls nesting at the Agassiz Audubon Center. Vanessa Lane spotted one last winter... We need to call them at dusk...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-eared Owl</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We have a resident nesting pair of Great Horned Owls too (a mixed blessing as they will eat anything their size and smaller - including other owls). The little male hangs out on the 40-acre property owned by National Audubon/Audubon Minnesota every fall.<br />
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If you do come out to see the owls... please call first - we don't allow visitors to play recordings without permission.<br />
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Thanks.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-16656439060336380012012-07-11T23:41:00.000-05:002019-12-30T16:01:48.477-06:00Agassiz Valley Weather Station<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mark Ewens, National Weather Service</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">When I toured Beltrami Island State Park several months ago, I noticed they had an an official National Weather Service (NWS) weather station on-site. I asked Gretchen Mehmel, how do you get one of those? You have to join the "Cooperative Weather Observer Program," she said. And she gave me the name and phone number.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I called and talked with Mark Ewens, the program manager. I recognized his name from WDAZ-TV news. When there's severe weather, he's one of the NWS spokespersons. Mark said he'd have to do some paperwork and he'd get back to me once he got the required approval.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It took awhile, but he finally came out today to install the equipment: a maximum-minimum thermometer and 8" diameter rain gauge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had no idea what to expect. Mark knew exactly what to do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">First he took a walk around the site, now known as Agassiz Valley weather station #80 in Minnesota. He found a perfect location for the rain gauge and pounded the base into the ground. The thermometer would take more time and effort.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">trenching and burying the cable</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">installing a pole for the thermometer</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">connecting the cable</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bringing the cable indoors</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cables connected - we have temperature!</span></td></tr>
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</style><span style="font-size: small;">Before he left, Mark showed us how to collect the data and uplink it. Nation-wide, more than 11,000 volunteers take observations
on farms, in urban and suburban areas, National Parks, seashores, and mountaintops.
The data are truly representative of where people live, work and play.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJr80MCjkU5w8Y-e8Z-h9ft6uEQkhT8Tbpllv6v2-cdxIabf8w1SLgwgsZ6j8NjgoD-dekbUCrIgsZo3MS4vEVHXH1Wse-B78s13PhnOOqAx4BOuUJXJMqANxcnzfnXWjxf456T2OaLU/s1600/CooperativeObserverProg72_2217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJr80MCjkU5w8Y-e8Z-h9ft6uEQkhT8Tbpllv6v2-cdxIabf8w1SLgwgsZ6j8NjgoD-dekbUCrIgsZo3MS4vEVHXH1Wse-B78s13PhnOOqAx4BOuUJXJMqANxcnzfnXWjxf456T2OaLU/s320/CooperativeObserverProg72_2217.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Cooperative Observer Website</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Over the years, there have been only two observers in Warren, Minnesota:
</span><style>
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</style><span style="font-size: small;">John Pearson and Dr. Wally Lamb. Collecting weather observations has a long history in the
United States.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> The first network of
cooperative stations was set up as a result of an act of Congress in 1890 that
established the Weather Bureau, but many COOP stations began operation long
before that time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The earliest known observations in the
United States date back to 1644.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Collecting weather data was a popular "citizen-science" project. Many people, including
George Washington Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson recorded weather observations. Jefferson maintained an almost unbroken record of
weather observations between 1776 and 1816, and Washington took his last
observation just a few days before he died.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">These days, data are used by the NWS to define the climate of the
United States, to help measure long-term climate changes, and to provide
observations in near real-time to support forecast, warning and other public
service programs of the NWS. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Agassiz Audubon plans look at weather data in relation to local phenology observations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Stay tuned....</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />
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<span id="goog_1593082831"></span><span id="goog_1593082832"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-64922284348326298542012-06-21T14:30:00.000-05:002012-06-24T22:53:37.936-05:00Banding Kestrel Chicks<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qthtC-IQFI5wDKuP9hC8D6Q0CC7DPqX0FRBRJFZUYHwa7B9_wWgv_dFFyv011QTdtjGt4utVOf31dQSC5FlMYtWQ-xgy2jzv9z3Ogp5TquU3OlcNwhKklt3T4Byr2RZIYoGXEsvr6e0/s1600/KestrelChix0849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qthtC-IQFI5wDKuP9hC8D6Q0CC7DPqX0FRBRJFZUYHwa7B9_wWgv_dFFyv011QTdtjGt4utVOf31dQSC5FlMYtWQ-xgy2jzv9z3Ogp5TquU3OlcNwhKklt3T4Byr2RZIYoGXEsvr6e0/s320/KestrelChix0849.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">American Kestrel nestling</span> ©HvHughes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last March, PKM Electric Co-operative helped us put 10 kestrel nest boxes on retired utility poles and then installed them around the Agassiz Valley Water Resources Project impoundment and Agassiz Audubon property.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGfVsDCqcAcN9bnWS5Pk9DbsDPNQSPK3c6xVioNqiNOOOm_YLuYIjRWPduQ-TAlZ4DJTWmuSeigcLPman-H1tRPxE97PdWpebFJ1D21A-ZeSrwFe0zOrl141bW1UlQe7yZKQal5zRzaU/s1600/722PKMlinemen_1712+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGfVsDCqcAcN9bnWS5Pk9DbsDPNQSPK3c6xVioNqiNOOOm_YLuYIjRWPduQ-TAlZ4DJTWmuSeigcLPman-H1tRPxE97PdWpebFJ1D21A-ZeSrwFe0zOrl141bW1UlQe7yZKQal5zRzaU/s320/722PKMlinemen_1712+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ben Pahlen, </span>Chris Derosier, Dane Hanson and Joe Marcotte</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When the kestrels returned this spring, we had high hopes that they'd nest in our boxes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQdOILCp5z09QhObRwSi-nVBvocmguqjEBMWV8hdaGPc0-BeJmUEUJyaMznwNbELsOv_i6BXZ2HTJ_Y2TrRlN4rXrOSRTHPNM1Af9VfV08ZRaaZ15IAor-oBNJslh7pyxwnNIg3Sljeo/s1600/AmKestrel2294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQdOILCp5z09QhObRwSi-nVBvocmguqjEBMWV8hdaGPc0-BeJmUEUJyaMznwNbELsOv_i6BXZ2HTJ_Y2TrRlN4rXrOSRTHPNM1Af9VfV08ZRaaZ15IAor-oBNJslh7pyxwnNIg3Sljeo/s320/AmKestrel2294.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Kestrel on a power line © HvHughes </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5Ai4OBuQC8ir-HJwHZcWhifyk1EfG9avIaCL0z_GuhMJRkALCmopWLwctPZUTu7SXsuHJ8u4135A7yERfwET79COR1HvxV5cGEp9znX2dLXPsKwhoWbHIw_5JV1mZu6tzgGTH2m5Hl4/s1600/Aaron%2526Ben72_0497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5Ai4OBuQC8ir-HJwHZcWhifyk1EfG9avIaCL0z_GuhMJRkALCmopWLwctPZUTu7SXsuHJ8u4135A7yERfwET79COR1HvxV5cGEp9znX2dLXPsKwhoWbHIw_5JV1mZu6tzgGTH2m5Hl4/s320/Aaron%2526Ben72_0497.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Aaron Wall and Ben Gubrud check nest boxes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We did our first nest check on June 5th: 5 eggs in one of our boxes! Another had one egg.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8SLY-tOzsc68WggD3iRCzIpoJ-kmbkK1eDR6qFCuNKYBfctgCYR629L4WQEoTgVLBA5eQuki_UyWP2DdJE5TFpTNUdygRrmitYMbC9Wszw90p66Fv01PKVtkSyoJ4WKxjswZN947-nk/s1600/Kestrel%2526eggs_1295_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8SLY-tOzsc68WggD3iRCzIpoJ-kmbkK1eDR6qFCuNKYBfctgCYR629L4WQEoTgVLBA5eQuki_UyWP2DdJE5TFpTNUdygRrmitYMbC9Wszw90p66Fv01PKVtkSyoJ4WKxjswZN947-nk/s320/Kestrel%2526eggs_1295_72.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Female with 5 eggs ©Ben Gubrud</span></td></tr>
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On June 18th we checked again. The box with one egg was a disappointment. We could smell it before we opened the box. The egg had been abandoned - and it was stinky rotten.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInCozdbVQ9yS5Ou9Q6UOmR6xPuhAFR5Jbwyh3OzkmDFF4aWR01PYYlAo3SLLHX5n8WkbzX4McJfhdqN9q4ojC9K6G-I0a_c56Y_jdGjIXG7X6ZaTiFpi0eS1b-gVTtjhUZXFGHl6B7cA/s1600/Kestrel-Egg0845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInCozdbVQ9yS5Ou9Q6UOmR6xPuhAFR5Jbwyh3OzkmDFF4aWR01PYYlAo3SLLHX5n8WkbzX4McJfhdqN9q4ojC9K6G-I0a_c56Y_jdGjIXG7X6ZaTiFpi0eS1b-gVTtjhUZXFGHl6B7cA/s320/Kestrel-Egg0845.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned kestrel egg <span style="font-size: xx-small;">©HvHughes</span></td></tr>
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The box with the five eggs was in good shape: Five chicks!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4QxZ3rLTkZ_ceWXUlsiqbqbyt49ilVZWEZX0aNUukGT_CsbUMTDKMLfD4PMNivXwoth_dhyphenhyphenH_cjF-OT7zX56_HdJFF8gNjpA-UDi3uP9wz-aG8b61U8ESMzIELmUelcMHS8GvgLMPLw/s1600/AaronWall_Kestrel_72_131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4QxZ3rLTkZ_ceWXUlsiqbqbyt49ilVZWEZX0aNUukGT_CsbUMTDKMLfD4PMNivXwoth_dhyphenhyphenH_cjF-OT7zX56_HdJFF8gNjpA-UDi3uP9wz-aG8b61U8ESMzIELmUelcMHS8GvgLMPLw/s320/AaronWall_Kestrel_72_131.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Kestrel on 5 chicks ©Aaron Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Today we invited the news media and WAO school students to help Tim Driscoll, a raptor researcher from Grand Forks and John Loegering from the University of Minnesota, Crookston install leg bands on each of the chicks. If these chicks return to nest here next spring, banding is the only way we can identify individual birds.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ_0XOevWJpmAgEh1BzxOWWTGnEY1mA_IfeCLcA2tcvd67BPF14j-gTsMcK1vigMmHMtfkuYto9Wg9_XfdWAcrxI9YDdKrbQmhZ1wLj2mTkvI4ZIXndjFY_1bEXxMKDyL2iBJWbVmuLg/s1600/Banding72_0515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ_0XOevWJpmAgEh1BzxOWWTGnEY1mA_IfeCLcA2tcvd67BPF14j-gTsMcK1vigMmHMtfkuYto9Wg9_XfdWAcrxI9YDdKrbQmhZ1wLj2mTkvI4ZIXndjFY_1bEXxMKDyL2iBJWbVmuLg/s320/Banding72_0515.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WDAZ reporter Lezlie Johnson tapes the action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XxB96sG_u9panJ8h1IxnxYnkWte09X9b032s_cjITYQf-JhD2kKwYsxkSZuEjAk_qajnSG6Ck-vBmVE23_Yb9sHllCRFA-_goLvLC2mzt3B6qFJMcKZ9HcWYgM841QcDFQGmGyz7EBo/s1600/Tim%2526Julie72_0518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XxB96sG_u9panJ8h1IxnxYnkWte09X9b032s_cjITYQf-JhD2kKwYsxkSZuEjAk_qajnSG6Ck-vBmVE23_Yb9sHllCRFA-_goLvLC2mzt3B6qFJMcKZ9HcWYgM841QcDFQGmGyz7EBo/s320/Tim%2526Julie72_0518.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie holds a kestrel chick while Tim puts on the band</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSjWPj94FwysuCsk647h7WipKzO2SXKlaiO-AGCoNQ3cSCatLLlXcCiFAU3C1lE9A4JIPifKWBIfRGuBFTBVC4dh3vZ8YmxKexlq0zOTAE_s1PBagEebVdV2TPdwdDIChD9lYxI5TpWs/s1600/Marlys6x8Falcon72_0517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSjWPj94FwysuCsk647h7WipKzO2SXKlaiO-AGCoNQ3cSCatLLlXcCiFAU3C1lE9A4JIPifKWBIfRGuBFTBVC4dh3vZ8YmxKexlq0zOTAE_s1PBagEebVdV2TPdwdDIChD9lYxI5TpWs/s320/Marlys6x8Falcon72_0517.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WAO teacher, Marlys Swanson holds a kestrel chick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
WAO students and teachers - and two of the reporters who came to cover the story got up-close and personal looks at the chicks before the birds were returned to their nest box, unscathed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIK20B8nCEBeDhIp_1V8WDyh53ih55kxxYHbGdGxQNg5xfHEZbQWZJ7Pzwrj9d6aA7fUM00MfbhNc5K39byN6oyB9DYqkQQfzc5faFlhkdmmp4CCxUMkjjp0cFRF-zbP2yyx9AA5KzUM/s1600/KatieDavidson_0514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIK20B8nCEBeDhIp_1V8WDyh53ih55kxxYHbGdGxQNg5xfHEZbQWZJ7Pzwrj9d6aA7fUM00MfbhNc5K39byN6oyB9DYqkQQfzc5faFlhkdmmp4CCxUMkjjp0cFRF-zbP2yyx9AA5KzUM/s320/KatieDavidson_0514.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie Davidson, Crookston Times</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Check out the story Lezlie Johnson filed... click <a href="http://www.wdaz.com/event/article/id/14283/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-4551299020369040282012-06-05T11:33:00.001-05:002012-06-20T19:16:49.743-05:00Feed The Birds This Summer<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKtE42pSXbLFduez6RK2xiGtqE5A3lrcRs7eMW8PHdDS4ag1OTczNqc7oXjiCJyX1lzmFoWD9iDG3FNk5_2FFyNPYLw6ejSQ72A8eY5SlyrHDHn5dzt-oFqDZXA8qAaXn5NHPz_n2JOE/s1600/bOriole_6404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKtE42pSXbLFduez6RK2xiGtqE5A3lrcRs7eMW8PHdDS4ag1OTczNqc7oXjiCJyX1lzmFoWD9iDG3FNk5_2FFyNPYLw6ejSQ72A8eY5SlyrHDHn5dzt-oFqDZXA8qAaXn5NHPz_n2JOE/s320/bOriole_6404.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore Oriole at Grape Jelly <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> © Hv Hughes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now's the best time to feed wild birds.</div>
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
Most songbirds feed insects to their nestlings. When we get a couple of rainy days in a row, birds can have a tough time finding enough food. Supplemental feeding helps.<br />
<br />
There's more to see in the summer. Their plumage is at its best. Species diversity is high. Wait long enough and they'll bring their fledglings to the feeders.<br />
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What’s best for summer feeding? That depends who you want to see.</div>
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Goldfinches:
sunflower (chips/hulled or black oil) </div>
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Siskins: Nyjer
thistle</div>
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Orioles: grape jelly and sugar water (4 parts water to one part sugar)</div>
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Hummingbirds: sugar
water (4 parts water to one part sugar)</div>
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Woodpeckers: peanut
butter suet</div>
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Bluebirds and other thrushes: mealworms</div>
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Summer is a great time to attract wild
birds – but be careful how you do it.
Food can spoil and birds can get sick if you don’t keep your feeders and
bird baths clean. If you don't have the time to keep it clean - just plant trees, shrubs and flowers. Don't use pesticides and herbicides. And keep your cats indoors.<br />
<br />
Agassiz Audubon is selling bird seed, feeders and poles this summer. Stop by and take a look at who's been visiting our feeders... and pick up a bag of seed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QOJPIhwEQqwEPZJjx1Crk0P-KSl1zfyjb5zy9Sgqe_1BMb5lRLWDAHBEZioS-KDSrWpnGEQkljlsghmeuzYGWSdEIRQOR9GvDo-BJFSoFsMt74dRKKLzOKfSHEMnZH6e6uQjn8G571s/s1600/proseed_0410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QOJPIhwEQqwEPZJjx1Crk0P-KSl1zfyjb5zy9Sgqe_1BMb5lRLWDAHBEZioS-KDSrWpnGEQkljlsghmeuzYGWSdEIRQOR9GvDo-BJFSoFsMt74dRKKLzOKfSHEMnZH6e6uQjn8G571s/s320/proseed_0410.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Have we got a deal for you: A 50-pound bag of locally-grown hulled sunflower for only $30!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl299-hh3BSKo3QEfrey8zlyk4GlqTyiVWH6TRsAmfXatLKwnK1IQw5lT12HslRyTtJxUhKAwJMqefVhVltMHqgZSZks9fJuP5PvkY_QdrJ4dAgZO4b3nHj9H0EikWNNh6J2CWEuYXqg8/s1600/Sunhearts_0408_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl299-hh3BSKo3QEfrey8zlyk4GlqTyiVWH6TRsAmfXatLKwnK1IQw5lT12HslRyTtJxUhKAwJMqefVhVltMHqgZSZks9fJuP5PvkY_QdrJ4dAgZO4b3nHj9H0EikWNNh6J2CWEuYXqg8/s320/Sunhearts_0408_72.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="mailto:AgassizAudubon@gmail.com" target="_blank">Email</a> or call first to make sure our seed sales person is on-site ... 218-745-5663.</div>
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-64385768627602504462012-04-17T23:28:00.000-05:002012-04-27T19:06:21.319-05:00Audubon Prairies Go Up in Flames<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpkeya1dNv7K6ROn8_V3lzcxXWbF-brHvCdJGW_30WGu-p5MXtH4gFremceJY5F8HZugMXgVH5pCy84fmaVNB_Yop5_EyolQ9LkKeNF8TXzMIkLGKzRf885YCXzxjfm_2B69AQcBWbXc/s1600/72fireCrew_2080+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpkeya1dNv7K6ROn8_V3lzcxXWbF-brHvCdJGW_30WGu-p5MXtH4gFremceJY5F8HZugMXgVH5pCy84fmaVNB_Yop5_EyolQ9LkKeNF8TXzMIkLGKzRf885YCXzxjfm_2B69AQcBWbXc/s320/72fireCrew_2080+copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighting the fire on the south perimeter</td></tr>
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It was a perfect day for a fire. Wind speed was low and rain was in the
forecast. </div>
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Fish & Wildlife Service fire crews from Rydell and
Agassiz National Wildlife Refuges arrived at the Audubon Center around 10:30am on April 17<sup>th</sup>. They unloaded and checked their fire vehicles
and gear, then gathered around crew
leader Darrin Franco as he reviewed the detailed burn plan and safety
precautions.</div>
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When the briefing was over, the 10 members of the burn crew
headed to the prairie on the southwest side of the Audubon Center. They put up the road barriers, reviewed the
plan a second time and checked their radios. The wind speed kicked up a little, but by
11:30 they were ready to light the perimeter fires. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjV2xOfWKbaVOx5vzFC9EGoxqi38lhQfJOSoNQQLnGZAjvEotvKCJKQR3Kk8ERBsrBjJdaIM4zcCziOzLIOpEqx1m7NNMSs4fEsfjbss31_EM4j_o_651CC3N4kiUU4L11iOn8Q88kx0/s1600/72Smoke%2526Flames_2094+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjV2xOfWKbaVOx5vzFC9EGoxqi38lhQfJOSoNQQLnGZAjvEotvKCJKQR3Kk8ERBsrBjJdaIM4zcCziOzLIOpEqx1m7NNMSs4fEsfjbss31_EM4j_o_651CC3N4kiUU4L11iOn8Q88kx0/s320/72Smoke%2526Flames_2094+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoke and Flames</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgaDiuCk6KLS7Eh01D8t2YepjQPIjyrT8kKbq3Om6JIW4qO5hrH36N8D2vEfzholIrPuqrDlwhlEgnKp3coApHkDGSb1lRmGPxBk75AcNEv2AFU_o2nPLiJ_H5w-q6snEt2SE2frzH_s/s1600/72DarrinFranco_5807+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgaDiuCk6KLS7Eh01D8t2YepjQPIjyrT8kKbq3Om6JIW4qO5hrH36N8D2vEfzholIrPuqrDlwhlEgnKp3coApHkDGSb1lRmGPxBk75AcNEv2AFU_o2nPLiJ_H5w-q6snEt2SE2frzH_s/s320/72DarrinFranco_5807+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burn Crew Chief Darrin Franco </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Four hours later, what would be a “text book perfect”
prescribed burn was over. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchKvJr1OI-SRkOJZsFIwIk8jEQs-tmk2uXxlY9D_5dpQzOG9CT-G-s91kQwfLvRxoYPLX60aDGCj10zUrgXVWw9swrhJy-K1wx-ynBntuMHtEZDqq9Lt3x5dGU_87_-OTLfNPncGDAXM/s1600/72HosingAfter_2096+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchKvJr1OI-SRkOJZsFIwIk8jEQs-tmk2uXxlY9D_5dpQzOG9CT-G-s91kQwfLvRxoYPLX60aDGCj10zUrgXVWw9swrhJy-K1wx-ynBntuMHtEZDqq9Lt3x5dGU_87_-OTLfNPncGDAXM/s320/72HosingAfter_2096+copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hosing the grasses<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEN2noyWtgVYQPUEqyQHG3opwWgH4qRJe9u6k2_STyWx5xLh56NDMO9I8Hgc8XOJDz8LKOD9ApsqKV2hrdwPd08OIJOQL0xFGtCrGPIR3r2pVsKFphkaPRReVqrk713T3qNpRGDL4uVw/s1600/5_25_12lookingNorth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEN2noyWtgVYQPUEqyQHG3opwWgH4qRJe9u6k2_STyWx5xLh56NDMO9I8Hgc8XOJDz8LKOD9ApsqKV2hrdwPd08OIJOQL0xFGtCrGPIR3r2pVsKFphkaPRReVqrk713T3qNpRGDL4uVw/s320/5_25_12lookingNorth.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking north - a goose-eye's view <span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo © Chris Anderson</span></td></tr>
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<br />
Lots of
smoke. Lots of flames. Nobody hurt.
Not even a wood fence post was damaged.
Over a hundred acres of grassland were left blackened and smoldering -
ready to be soaked by the rain that would come overnight. </div>
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The Agassiz Audubon Society prescribed burn was funded by the federal Fish
& Wildlife Partners program - which is designed to help private landowners maintain
healthy habitat for birds and other wildlife.
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<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-38828479708410934442012-03-23T21:01:00.053-05:002012-03-24T07:03:54.124-05:00Early Swan Fall<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqE6npYkEpg85qTU3uR918cfov45idfosA-3crZaH0CNtpluGP29ZmCCeW2S3Le65F9JHKaNtMMs1ZpItkuEHjmEjZBL3HKyvyolD_SFTi2ANkgU0sEU1lBPTcxkzMUErhgqiRyNAQACA/s1600/72tundras_5578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqE6npYkEpg85qTU3uR918cfov45idfosA-3crZaH0CNtpluGP29ZmCCeW2S3Le65F9JHKaNtMMs1ZpItkuEHjmEjZBL3HKyvyolD_SFTi2ANkgU0sEU1lBPTcxkzMUErhgqiRyNAQACA/s320/72tundras_5578.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hundreds of Tundra Swans in Warren</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
"Hey, have you seen all the swans in the fields down 190th Street?" Randy Trudell asked me when he stopped by to give me an estimate on a tree removal job at the Audubon Center.<br />
<br />
"When?" I asked.<br />
<br />
"I saw them just now when I drove up here," Randy said.<br />
<br />
No, I hadn't.<br />
<br />
Soon as we were finished looking at the trees, I got in my car and drove west on 190th Street towards US 75. I didn't get more than a mile when my eye caught a half dozen big birds flying, like moths attracted to a street light - around in a circle over the CRP.<br />
<br />
The sky was overcast. It had been raining all morning. So the light was not so good for photos. I got out of the car and took a picture anyway.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGreNVYwsCVynUxa6GLGnHd-7vx5hy6Dcoq1BFB-bzPfVK5lv369A3PxEDvvqPJHnMlf6vB60kLnS2amEtpw6WIAIL5L2iFLv1IHNWoNNbzYmBcw7Plvif_cKOE2352c33CLsNA4_CoM/s1600/72Short-eared+Owl_5552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGreNVYwsCVynUxa6GLGnHd-7vx5hy6Dcoq1BFB-bzPfVK5lv369A3PxEDvvqPJHnMlf6vB60kLnS2amEtpw6WIAIL5L2iFLv1IHNWoNNbzYmBcw7Plvif_cKOE2352c33CLsNA4_CoM/s320/72Short-eared+Owl_5552.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of a half-dozen Short-eared Owls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDS5BYkVTiqKa8lWNJNX27G11_PQhbgRIkZysUCuftNbsk538beCw1M-sRAwkEUBPsxZQ55P6wpS2RfhUF1F05PVUiMte3Bgy_QyYFHu4-4jmvygdKkiBqiLi8iw46rs2cyJYINwy7ipw/s1600/72ShortearedOwl_5551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDS5BYkVTiqKa8lWNJNX27G11_PQhbgRIkZysUCuftNbsk538beCw1M-sRAwkEUBPsxZQ55P6wpS2RfhUF1F05PVUiMte3Bgy_QyYFHu4-4jmvygdKkiBqiLi8iw46rs2cyJYINwy7ipw/s320/72ShortearedOwl_5551.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short-eared Owl on 190th Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I wondered when we'd start seeing Short-eared Owls again, but I didn't expect it soon - and so early in the day.<br />
<br />
Seeing them reminded me of an unforgettable experience I'd had years ago - watching these birds do their breeding display - barking like dogs and "wing-clapping" at dusk. Maybe we'll get lucky and see the "show" here in Warren this spring.<br />
<br />
After the owls flew out of view, I got back in the car and continued down 190th looking for the field full of swans.<br />
<br />
I didn't have much further to go. I could see hundreds of them in the farm field off to the north at the intersection of 190th and 300th Ave.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqZ0Fg4otLjMMxkBgX8kqjjymHSEJEXZhkBxvwP5sja8_C04F5kfKCYMoVx0UiGwKJ2LOBY6vkKqL7Z1rHtFNYrBF-7ju1tAaDzcV4JxfRluwVzTQQXy5iLsiqZSQcrEhnyXhsrGQVBI/s1600/72Swans_5574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqZ0Fg4otLjMMxkBgX8kqjjymHSEJEXZhkBxvwP5sja8_C04F5kfKCYMoVx0UiGwKJ2LOBY6vkKqL7Z1rHtFNYrBF-7ju1tAaDzcV4JxfRluwVzTQQXy5iLsiqZSQcrEhnyXhsrGQVBI/s320/72Swans_5574.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But they were skiddish - taking off even though I was driving ever-so-slowly.<br />
<br />
I've seen (and heard) hundreds of Tundra Swans whistling on the Mississippi River near Nelson, Wisconsin - but never did I expect to see them in Warren, Minnesota.<br />
<br />
They're here thanks the Middle-Snake-Tarmarac Rivers Watershed District's new Agassiz Valley Water Resources impoundment just east of Warren on Minnesota Hwy 1. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyr0qRcOqTCXFujXvtecvY02pobmyxFTM0wkR4Zxjop-eburx9WfprSov4JK3servXhT0yWrNCoaxsdPKMoi77cxtoiOtqV0Ey_jHw0RO75bLKn5A1YZceDLS8FEBIGPi-MEkeibfXJ0/s1600/swan_4479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyr0qRcOqTCXFujXvtecvY02pobmyxFTM0wkR4Zxjop-eburx9WfprSov4JK3servXhT0yWrNCoaxsdPKMoi77cxtoiOtqV0Ey_jHw0RO75bLKn5A1YZceDLS8FEBIGPi-MEkeibfXJ0/s320/swan_4479.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tundra Swan in a muddy field </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The best time to see them (and the thousands of other waterfowl at the impoundment) is dawn or dusk... and if you're lucky - midday in the fields south of Warren.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-15943648979264525832012-03-05T20:30:00.029-06:002012-03-20T12:10:26.548-05:00Visiting Bear Dens<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvuhRBVUvz0F4j6GM82RPnsM3K2FVtYmOJXxGUpk70ME0UR36oYbwfJxIkHzujZV9soxELMoIwMFUuOrYVF7b30SwveU7CXbEtq5KoqOq5pbnCSpi3Eh8osSxgr-SdeluoAxVK8lgeCk/s1600/72aaChris%2526Cubs_1036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvuhRBVUvz0F4j6GM82RPnsM3K2FVtYmOJXxGUpk70ME0UR36oYbwfJxIkHzujZV9soxELMoIwMFUuOrYVF7b30SwveU7CXbEtq5KoqOq5pbnCSpi3Eh8osSxgr-SdeluoAxVK8lgeCk/s320/72aaChris%2526Cubs_1036.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UM-C Student Chris Anderson </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Agassiz Audubon volunteers got an invitation to join </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">University of Minnesota scientist Mark Ditmer and DNR bear biologists Karen Noyce and </span><span class="st" style="font-size: small;"> Dave Garshelis on their annual winter bear den check in northwestern Minnesota.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Black bears are slowly pushing westward into the agricultural landscape of northwestern Minnesota – the western fringe of this animal’s Minnesota range. The DNR-University of Minnesota research team has been studying why - and how these bears are adapting to their new habitat. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBa8uywykaFcIROD3KNUieHxaXYWJEIYT1LPisV5E5G4typC3mjMwWRXPFW8Acw_IAmvvy4R3eTSI2gJ8XJejPR5-AoiEPhQ9_cuNy6k4NvOXYH4L5atypW6HHxmmk5JRSwmez6u0Af4/s1600/72Chris@Den_0990noCAP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBa8uywykaFcIROD3KNUieHxaXYWJEIYT1LPisV5E5G4typC3mjMwWRXPFW8Acw_IAmvvy4R3eTSI2gJ8XJejPR5-AoiEPhQ9_cuNy6k4NvOXYH4L5atypW6HHxmmk5JRSwmez6u0Af4/s320/72Chris@Den_0990noCAP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UM-Crookston student Chris Anderson at a bear den near Strathcona, MN</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">How do they locate the dens? </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">They <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">use high-tech GPS collars that relay movements of bears to the researchers in near-real time. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">When they get to the dens, scientists sedate the bears and then check their general health and their heart monitors – tiny subcutaneous implants that provide data for scientists from Medtronic and the University of Minnesota’s Visible Heart Lab who are studying the physiology of hibernation. The researchers also collect hair samples to take back to the lab to analyze - to how much corn is in the bears' diet. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RhVraRIShIinEvnG1M2Xutv9W248OAc0Ku6fuxEG7oJznky7CZnJ0GoVSMN_JvOdvJn35DlEU5ObKJCwk885K2EgbVliW7Do5afqmtWTi9txuluPAYcNCTm3eivzW9xBtMQ6c9C_h1U/s1600/72aMaleBlackBear%2523227_1756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RhVraRIShIinEvnG1M2Xutv9W248OAc0Ku6fuxEG7oJznky7CZnJ0GoVSMN_JvOdvJn35DlEU5ObKJCwk885K2EgbVliW7Do5afqmtWTi9txuluPAYcNCTm3eivzW9xBtMQ6c9C_h1U/s320/72aMaleBlackBear%2523227_1756.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">500+ pound boar sleeping in his cozy den near Strathcona</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chris Anderson, a UM-Crookston student, was one of several volunteers who took turns keeping the cubs warm, while the scientists checked out a sow. “It was awesome to get this close to these bears,” said Anderson. “This was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in northwestern Minnesota.”</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-85855766561395718882012-02-21T21:47:00.000-06:002012-02-21T21:47:12.359-06:00Bird Talk in downtown Warren MinnesotaI made a stop at Dale's Supermarket in downtown Warren today, and was pleasantly surprised that the conversation at the check-out line was all about birds. <br />
<br />
"Are you still looking for Snowy Owls?" asked the woman in front of me. "Yes," I said. "Seen any lately?"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRVmkBG5_h8CsxMemtJeoLwjio3pqWz-ffJNwxZ34fdu7v7yaQzfRrXSgvUmXidcxqheh-sMUF2QHWPrCHSTBFQCo_rQZpsXUgY9MGeDVfp5PKshm6Zjk82UQj9qiK8abrh8X8A_vo5o/s1600/Snowy_5048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRVmkBG5_h8CsxMemtJeoLwjio3pqWz-ffJNwxZ34fdu7v7yaQzfRrXSgvUmXidcxqheh-sMUF2QHWPrCHSTBFQCo_rQZpsXUgY9MGeDVfp5PKshm6Zjk82UQj9qiK8abrh8X8A_vo5o/s320/Snowy_5048.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Why yes, she said, just the other day. She told me her story about the huge owl she spotted over by Carpenter's Corner (east of Warren on MN Highway 1). <br />
<br />
Call me if you see another one, I said as she grabbed her bags and headed out the door. <br />
<br />
Then my groceries started to move forward on the belt, the woman at the check out counter told me about her close encounter with an adult Bald Eagle along the highway. The bird was dining on a deer carcass.<br />
<br />
Seeing our National Bird eating roadkill didn't seem to bother her at all.<br />
<br />
She went on to share another memorable eagle-along-the-road experience. She was on a bus when an eagle started to fly at eye-level, right outside her window. The bird kept up with the bus, for what seemed like miles. Way cool!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nkdggYHwcLc/S2R0qtGpEWI/AAAAAAAAAs8/shu-2JZsSZo/s1600-h/72BaEaFly9245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nkdggYHwcLc/S2R0qtGpEWI/AAAAAAAAAs8/shu-2JZsSZo/s320/72BaEaFly9245.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
On my way home, as I drove past the Agassiz Valley Flood Control impoundment, I picked up a bird story of my own - one that I shared at the watershed district meeting early this evening.<br />
<br />
I spotted a pair of grouse up a tree in the snow. Nothing unusual about that - except they weren't the usual tree grouse - the Sharp-tailed. They were Prairie Chickens!<br />
<br />
The first time I've seen them near the Audubon Center - and the first time I've ever seen them in trees. It looked like they were eating buds - everything else was encased in snow and ice.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7j6BlRZkkHdVu7d8P01kPnPJq0D24MY9feLj_ioiwMsX8cOjWKhS1sOqyNBZA8bezrJjsvTSlrIG1nOwF21AML_cJy_YekmR17CgnhpG5DNir70fMacGM7edq4niUps36SUTnzuMlR0/s1600/prairieChickTree_5273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7j6BlRZkkHdVu7d8P01kPnPJq0D24MY9feLj_ioiwMsX8cOjWKhS1sOqyNBZA8bezrJjsvTSlrIG1nOwF21AML_cJy_YekmR17CgnhpG5DNir70fMacGM7edq4niUps36SUTnzuMlR0/s400/prairieChickTree_5273.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prairie Chickens up a tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-82816768178215115082012-02-03T22:15:00.002-06:002012-02-05T08:11:25.693-06:00A Foggy Winter Surprise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0p24Vm6YX6yM2SHvz-W9grWytEHiEpzTtQAZ3Qir1PmhGEeyraDGluufCXWb1KXKSjIcm93OsO5jVnEUFaaZruHluJHznjKKuC8a-9u7GFvYsC0t5kfWDr7eiCfYt-bcMx5kZD-yJ6Gg/s1600/AmericanRobin_5205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0p24Vm6YX6yM2SHvz-W9grWytEHiEpzTtQAZ3Qir1PmhGEeyraDGluufCXWb1KXKSjIcm93OsO5jVnEUFaaZruHluJHznjKKuC8a-9u7GFvYsC0t5kfWDr7eiCfYt-bcMx5kZD-yJ6Gg/s320/AmericanRobin_5205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I wasn't looking for birds this afternoon. But I brought my cameras along - just in case I came across a Snowy Owl or that elusive Short-eared Owl down the road by the <a href="http://www.mstrwd.com/?p=463" target="_blank">impoundment</a>. Other than the frozen fog, which I've only experienced once before, there wasn't much to see.<br />
<br />
Or so I thought.<br />
<br />
I was out looking for places to put utility poles for our Community Nest Watch program when I noticed a bird along the shoulder of the road. At first glance, the "giss" (pronunciation: "jizz") screamed "thrush." Could it be a west coast robin - a <a href="http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recNum=BD0270" target="_blank">Varied Thrush</a>?<br />
<br />
I backed up - and, of course, the thrush flew off. I waited. It returned.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YBYPDM-9IqS7KfIY7JWjKyXhrFveSr5hqWVKzYikeNlesffP-1M_j1n8zbwFynPDmydBbSWRRq8mTwThCs7puyGtLX0KtRbHWpE31UNOexC_zL1PxvnngGw_c_AyOUpk3djfU377K10/s1600/Robin_5199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YBYPDM-9IqS7KfIY7JWjKyXhrFveSr5hqWVKzYikeNlesffP-1M_j1n8zbwFynPDmydBbSWRRq8mTwThCs7puyGtLX0KtRbHWpE31UNOexC_zL1PxvnngGw_c_AyOUpk3djfU377K10/s320/Robin_5199.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Robin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Not a Varied Thrush - it was an American Robin.<br />
<br />
No, it's not the first sign of spring - the day after Ground Hog's Day.<br />
<br />
It's not that unusual to see them in the Upper Midwest during the winter. But what was it doing on the side of the road?<br />
<br />
I sat and patiently watched as this thrush lifted leaves and pulled at grasses. I've seen them act like Cedar Waxwings and eat fruits and berries this time of year, but there aren't any berries under the leaves along the roadside in Marshall County Minnesota in February.<br />
<br />
It could be that the unseasonably warm weather the past couple days has awaken some invertebrates along the roadside. Maybe there were insects under those leaves. Whatever it was, that bird wasn't about to leave it.<br />
<br />
But I had get going...<br />
<br />
Not a great day to look birds. But there's always something to see in this neck of the woods - despite the weather.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-5134962913062080862012-01-04T19:11:00.456-06:002012-01-14T22:29:55.358-06:00Community Nest Watch Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0Mbfw9HnsX3L46xWazV4_Plpyq1gVy7YC_vsaNKSHzfJDeyTea66A9MH9rHHksSYOPtFniFHIUGsXy82pnv9AyOO6LXeUMglfPkVryIzm7WnFWhbBtrok8NwR7TlXKdsRhdxmHfElsc/s1600/bluebird72_8432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0Mbfw9HnsX3L46xWazV4_Plpyq1gVy7YC_vsaNKSHzfJDeyTea66A9MH9rHHksSYOPtFniFHIUGsXy82pnv9AyOO6LXeUMglfPkVryIzm7WnFWhbBtrok8NwR7TlXKdsRhdxmHfElsc/s320/bluebird72_8432.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Female Eastern Bluebird © HvHughes</span></td></tr>
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The idea for the Community Nest Watch Project was sparked when when I met with Nathan Wozniak last September. I was looking for ways to connect students to the Audubon Center, and I needed to fix or replace our seed shed (the doors had started to rot). Nathan was looking for community service projects for his Tech Ed students at Warren-Alvarado-Oslo High School.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32OTyBwyw7fdGPktG9_JnDZUMLm3bETqkTwOhRBCiyIcUbn_NBk627V0wZ4rRKFGuIFZVPGaFSVteA2mgKn-f9RlxCON3nw4OazHtXlbxwuXcewuCwvZ3ImOe8TxbwIOdc1ZhFwnMNTs/s1600/seedShed0669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32OTyBwyw7fdGPktG9_JnDZUMLm3bETqkTwOhRBCiyIcUbn_NBk627V0wZ4rRKFGuIFZVPGaFSVteA2mgKn-f9RlxCON3nw4OazHtXlbxwuXcewuCwvZ3ImOe8TxbwIOdc1ZhFwnMNTs/s320/seedShed0669.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Nathan came out to the Audubon Center to take a look at the shed and we talked about that and other projects. I mentioned that we also had a housing problem. Most of the houses at the Audubon Center are in need of repair. After decades of heavy use, they needed to be renovated - and in many cases, replaced. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“This is a perfect project for our 8<sup>th</sup> graders,” Wozniak said. “We can start in November.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Agassiz Audubon obtained funding for the building supplies from Northwest Minnesota Foundation and Audubon Minnesota. Argyle Building Center delivered the lumber (western red cedar) and adhesives to the school. I supplied the schematics.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Nathan called it a lesson in mass production.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I called it a citizen-science conservation project.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiMdLcmWkGeNE9dinBaqCwKVfEIfg6KfK7Rj5UCpkcrvxT-uICo6YXWW7JzUrlTqa_dwq5FBpfI28YhZ2nFiPeOct_gc2MaRnSnxHporthMWdXu4T2XcRWJw4n4DV7YULJa4bGstPAnk/s1600/aSadieScherberJakeSpeer_1362a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiMdLcmWkGeNE9dinBaqCwKVfEIfg6KfK7Rj5UCpkcrvxT-uICo6YXWW7JzUrlTqa_dwq5FBpfI28YhZ2nFiPeOct_gc2MaRnSnxHporthMWdXu4T2XcRWJw4n4DV7YULJa4bGstPAnk/s320/aSadieScherberJakeSpeer_1362a.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sadie Scherber and Jake Steer put together the walls</span></td></tr>
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The fifteen Tech Ed students had another name for it: FUN!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Their first challenge: how to assemble 50 houses for Eastern Bluebirds. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Their solution: create an assembly line - and fabricate the tools and templates for mass production.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYMp_H3mQNmWZvXk9XZ4GBbPEVwtEElo-5NyX4TBjhY9Ej8DxInPHWMg9MPZpPVXNkaDlsh3x29L25oj5zBLGNEoaf9VGysYGAwfwxtHC8br8JgfhcIh2S1L9ZIwSTeuUqRbiMm-9wM0/s1600/aTaylorMortimer_1359a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYMp_H3mQNmWZvXk9XZ4GBbPEVwtEElo-5NyX4TBjhY9Ej8DxInPHWMg9MPZpPVXNkaDlsh3x29L25oj5zBLGNEoaf9VGysYGAwfwxtHC8br8JgfhcIh2S1L9ZIwSTeuUqRbiMm-9wM0/s320/aTaylorMortimer_1359a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Taylor Mortimer attaches the back and walls</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zayt7FsT3o4-74aBUX3GOnijQxQCl2Eg-T1Zfv1YYzLBtw6QcJ3yT70wkeotRKDRhGsbZr7s-uuDUG2819QJj8jYdhPsteKpQs2QCftiaAACljvChAapUQfm4Gm_CuMFPdnyab9JTCc/s1600/aPaigePeterson_1360a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zayt7FsT3o4-74aBUX3GOnijQxQCl2Eg-T1Zfv1YYzLBtw6QcJ3yT70wkeotRKDRhGsbZr7s-uuDUG2819QJj8jYdhPsteKpQs2QCftiaAACljvChAapUQfm4Gm_CuMFPdnyab9JTCc/s320/aPaigePeterson_1360a.jpg" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Paige Peterson glues the floors</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHhoQjaLgsncmEBkp-EMeG_nx-2p_EOMqKIvMUlzQQRGWh4T3nLFvDjp1_G5myBWASX5wYr-TX4tDkfq1ZQPLkSIBSFxcORUQ0n20_VSsfECpMVGunwQn-y1PmeD8f3HQIAEDv3Q7FwU/s1600/aChaseSalmon_1358a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHhoQjaLgsncmEBkp-EMeG_nx-2p_EOMqKIvMUlzQQRGWh4T3nLFvDjp1_G5myBWASX5wYr-TX4tDkfq1ZQPLkSIBSFxcORUQ0n20_VSsfECpMVGunwQn-y1PmeD8f3HQIAEDv3Q7FwU/s320/aChaseSalmon_1358a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chase Salmon attaches a roof</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznwtS_1LASFMChHHW0Y_TVRtq6Kp4r8JD7a4YPRRFl8qGijOVKeKNcujx1qJrslpVp8a9vqj2I9rG_egElwNxlKupEN6wSm6SNxeTPhbmwaUiUK1qlulSzv1oAUNvu7T6EDFu-lMCon0/s320/aBriceMiller_1366a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="256" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Brice Miller fits a nest box into a template</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboTorZWwHFE3Cj7v_dARscTjX5YwMQ0eptHoH2Zm-7vHlM_jqILFplANZSNlHlLv6dNdNunqwsNXhUYwtoiCq8FGJrTz70r54fVRrC64j_vZqTMkdtTwcIWw46xQlWqvsQtwU8nM4OuM/s1600/aAngelaSpindahl_1364a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboTorZWwHFE3Cj7v_dARscTjX5YwMQ0eptHoH2Zm-7vHlM_jqILFplANZSNlHlLv6dNdNunqwsNXhUYwtoiCq8FGJrTz70r54fVRrC64j_vZqTMkdtTwcIWw46xQlWqvsQtwU8nM4OuM/s320/aAngelaSpindahl_1364a.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Angela Spindahl attaches the front panel</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_aCwnbIKQexSmepO6IvNnDiJtsu_LKRvAlUAH5_ErwmgQCBB5H32u-Jjru-kCk52KLDVRZzJkPGTELZF4WZtw5jA-5gk1BSqWVBt0rx39zyXQyC5KK32N-48rCpXkBDGYNL2D0ZcvIs/s1600/aMaxSundby_1365a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_aCwnbIKQexSmepO6IvNnDiJtsu_LKRvAlUAH5_ErwmgQCBB5H32u-Jjru-kCk52KLDVRZzJkPGTELZF4WZtw5jA-5gk1BSqWVBt0rx39zyXQyC5KK32N-48rCpXkBDGYNL2D0ZcvIs/s320/aMaxSundby_1365a.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max Sundby adds finishing touches with the sander</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIZybhXqunuqGPp5RJbym86oR6NQTmSF9PPRhSU5Uez3iWLKSh63hXEE-Fxg1z6ZIch3audNcJ1Gzvz0Yjm8fwapoi289mrbFSx5TgV5QmMQ2MRbo7iktvzRGvHrDUrIgfMTvuYBKtDI/s1600/aConnorSwope_1369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIZybhXqunuqGPp5RJbym86oR6NQTmSF9PPRhSU5Uez3iWLKSh63hXEE-Fxg1z6ZIch3audNcJ1Gzvz0Yjm8fwapoi289mrbFSx5TgV5QmMQ2MRbo7iktvzRGvHrDUrIgfMTvuYBKtDI/s320/aConnorSwope_1369.jpg" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Connor Swope sands a finished nest box</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The class will have the boxes finished by the end of the week. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzsJz0sp5sQhP4u1SJKXPJc-FqOTKLlZETL2xconB6HvvVz7PRX9rDpHCFdKebuTTCyb3ZSYHwq3MJIuNJ7kZUZrZ4ggG_l4AlR5NMhEkzCqzfG1WOUuGah_5pQI8LqEhpoD3NdSwAJQ/s1600/group_1354+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzsJz0sp5sQhP4u1SJKXPJc-FqOTKLlZETL2xconB6HvvVz7PRX9rDpHCFdKebuTTCyb3ZSYHwq3MJIuNJ7kZUZrZ4ggG_l4AlR5NMhEkzCqzfG1WOUuGah_5pQI8LqEhpoD3NdSwAJQ/s320/group_1354+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: xx-small;">Front (l-r): Samantha Ortiz, Angela Spidahl, Max Sundby, Trevor Matelski, Ethan Woinarowicz</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: xx-small;">Second Row: Paige Peterson, Taylor Mortimer, Sadie Scherber, Chase Salmon, Brice Miller, Jake Steer</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: xx-small;">Third Row: Mr. Wozniak, Connor Swope</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: xx-small;">Not pictured: Rabekah Nelson, Sydney Moug, Esmi Ortiz</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In April, we'll be looking for volunteers to help install the nest boxes - in downtown Warren, at the Audubon Center, along the flood control diversion east of Warren and at the Agassiz Valley flood control impoundment southeast of Warren.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Want to help?<br />
<br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHzL0LeQuRKoDYWBzbDWF7nJd5pQ1TC3yOXRpP__xk2RtLIPIhCVV8s7JgX5vNmADmGHlU024VVY2wRgQh8Cn2jFQvjJ6f-HdbaRBbtcX4WaXFw5fjyXNF_80Zl3_p1w0DBvt3AEgpAo/s1600/BBfledgling72_3019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHzL0LeQuRKoDYWBzbDWF7nJd5pQ1TC3yOXRpP__xk2RtLIPIhCVV8s7JgX5vNmADmGHlU024VVY2wRgQh8Cn2jFQvjJ6f-HdbaRBbtcX4WaXFw5fjyXNF_80Zl3_p1w0DBvt3AEgpAo/s320/BBfledgling72_3019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Eastern Bluebird Fledgling © HvHughes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You don't need to know anything about birds. I'll show you what you need to do. And I'll be presenting programs on nesting birds at the Northwest Regional Libraries, at Senior Centers, at Scout and 4-H meetings and at schools. Click here to look at the <a href="http://agassizaudubon.blogspot.com/p/calendar.html" target="_blank">schedule</a>. <br />
<br />
It's a great project for families, kids and adults.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSbci4UYPnKEsbo6q0m51dX4EOAy8cjjlsJRVijZL6kdnLQrXIJ59deEgGAtJoxs3iOPLLxpy-nI84LykJtLTdSaOf9RRbwyjp6l3IlMaO8vkgC3hQLLz31YXQBLqJ1spP0fAUtwBEO0/s1600/box%2526eggs1jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSbci4UYPnKEsbo6q0m51dX4EOAy8cjjlsJRVijZL6kdnLQrXIJ59deEgGAtJoxs3iOPLLxpy-nI84LykJtLTdSaOf9RRbwyjp6l3IlMaO8vkgC3hQLLz31YXQBLqJ1spP0fAUtwBEO0/s400/box%2526eggs1jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you’d like to help install and monitor the boxes, call Agassiz Audubon Society <a href="tel:218-745-5663" target="_blank" value="+12187455663">218-745-5663</a> or send me an email: <a href="mailto:AgassizAudubon@gmail.com" target="_blank">AgassizAudubon@gmail.com</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21qOmmI-l93XqJ49vUUXk2V4Td5GRmpGU8fK53fnZu-SkAVDhDKGCPpVfVbv3eaW_1v9i0Ah05CUn3bhawEy0qibhA9nnFBgX-_ZTLYPzOa6FWl5JeX7uVSTA7VlDLqLXrHx4DDHRlKs/s1600/bb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21qOmmI-l93XqJ49vUUXk2V4Td5GRmpGU8fK53fnZu-SkAVDhDKGCPpVfVbv3eaW_1v9i0Ah05CUn3bhawEy0qibhA9nnFBgX-_ZTLYPzOa6FWl5JeX7uVSTA7VlDLqLXrHx4DDHRlKs/s400/bb2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you’d like to sponsor a nest box, a donation of $10 or more will help us cover the cost of the project. Please send donations to Agassiz Audubon (27391 190th Street NW, Warren MN 56762) or donate on line at <a href="http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Bluebirds" target="_blank">http://givemn.razoo.com/story/<wbr></wbr>Bluebirds</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGbex8IQ3NE17hVr810wN2XTwqbxcIGWgrthDz9fzjVXL1wfRYMGt1piIuYorpYZ3Ioo50d1A8xwStwM3A4pTP4QfZDLGk9eOV0QwzArzcY3I_gLx-XaPm7duJYP6zwZyKZW2E1OtK6c/s1600/bbfledglings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGbex8IQ3NE17hVr810wN2XTwqbxcIGWgrthDz9fzjVXL1wfRYMGt1piIuYorpYZ3Ioo50d1A8xwStwM3A4pTP4QfZDLGk9eOV0QwzArzcY3I_gLx-XaPm7duJYP6zwZyKZW2E1OtK6c/s400/bbfledglings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-26441587607514179502012-01-02T21:00:00.001-06:002012-01-24T14:36:56.020-06:00Christmas Bird Count 2011I got up well before dawn and went out to look - and listen - for the Great Horned Owl that's been hanging around the Audubon Center since November.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGeMku9YMMlbk-hOZ-4p2b-HfPKGu2wfugvOXEiygVfU0NVaxHWI1eAv8BZWVTMc9068Vwk7zQfFzpEKjUzD6J5lXAXqOXyuUZoG-u1HVFEppYSL2Ch89JZNSNJ9Rnh9h0MlX_NIPw2Q/s1600/72GHOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGeMku9YMMlbk-hOZ-4p2b-HfPKGu2wfugvOXEiygVfU0NVaxHWI1eAv8BZWVTMc9068Vwk7zQfFzpEKjUzD6J5lXAXqOXyuUZoG-u1HVFEppYSL2Ch89JZNSNJ9Rnh9h0MlX_NIPw2Q/s320/72GHOW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I didn't see anything stirring. I looked at the thermometer - what happened to the balmy weather we had last week? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyiaYOMUwmn0NSm5VgTv3Fr83BkV0x712_-E0c1UP0G2dcav8w8DhBxt9krYPbMi919xcOunMRoBW9aaToBHbsKDmQ4W4gH2UsHTnYdZGU-4GPeQ3GRad7TlInLVvi3lTeD7X18Uu8QE/s1600/IMG_1343+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyiaYOMUwmn0NSm5VgTv3Fr83BkV0x712_-E0c1UP0G2dcav8w8DhBxt9krYPbMi919xcOunMRoBW9aaToBHbsKDmQ4W4gH2UsHTnYdZGU-4GPeQ3GRad7TlInLVvi3lTeD7X18Uu8QE/s320/IMG_1343+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The first sound I heard was "moo mooo mooo" - the mournful call of one of my neighbor's cows. Then the scolding chatter of a little red squirrel.<br />
<br />
I stood still and listed again.<br />
<br />
Minutes later I heard what I had been hoping for: the "who who who whoooo..." of our resident Great Horned Owl, calling from a nearby perch. The "official" first bird of the 2011 Warren Christmas Bird Count.<br />
<br />
I went back home, brewed a pot of coffee and checked the weather forecast.<br />
<br />
Sunrise: 8:18 CDT<br />
Sunset: 4:44 CDT<br />
Winds: NW 13 mph<br />
Scattered Clouds<br />
Temps: 6º to 8º F<br />
<br />
Great weather - relatively speaking (we had a blizzard warning on New Year's Eve).<br />
<br />
After I finished my cup of coffee, I walked out to 190th Street to see if the road had been plowed. Not yet.<br />
<br />
Chris Anderson came over to the driveway Saturday night, but he said getting to the Audubon Center was a challenge (he slid into a ditch). He said the main roads were icy and the Township roads had not seen a plow. Should I give it a try?<br />
<br />
The sun's out. There's not a lot of snow. Maybe it's not so bad. I'll drive around the section and see for myself. If I slip into a ditch, I'll be close enough that I can walk home.<br />
<br />
Next challenge: getting from my driveway a mile and a half to the paved county road. I opened the garage door, unplugged the block heater on my Honda CRV and started the car, no problem. I let it run while went back indoors to get my gear.<br />
<br />
I headed out at 8:30 for a test drive.<br />
<br />
A little slippery, but the CRV kicked in to all-wheel drive and I made it out to Polk Co. 68 where I saw what would be my first of nearly a dozen Rough-legged Hawks for the day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3G3Wt-Vd3RenLVYapP6eMgZe7OqzxGkbrskLiQR_05kEDHbotTrXFc_NT7ypwUlrbYh2FKZQOIjIJsTIVJ22dBKZY68oD_pFojBwXVhQOp9TKTWrT0-tdDPIeqVcpVyJ9uZI6_wdblU/s1600/roughlegged_4965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3G3Wt-Vd3RenLVYapP6eMgZe7OqzxGkbrskLiQR_05kEDHbotTrXFc_NT7ypwUlrbYh2FKZQOIjIJsTIVJ22dBKZY68oD_pFojBwXVhQOp9TKTWrT0-tdDPIeqVcpVyJ9uZI6_wdblU/s320/roughlegged_4965.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough-legged Hawk</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
County Road 68 had been plowed. But this is what I saw as I drove down Polk County Rd 67...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg342TiYbh-5fabdgDld9kFcYOiau1-B0awb7Dj_YQvTshygcpzk2FDbfIzYEGwWqL9EJp51z5xSJ7U4-bzqzfTC-070I2jOpKO1fxJl_hUW0VnYUE2jd0WSaGQa78XCXYwU9BJXQ3KZGc/s1600/county67_1342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg342TiYbh-5fabdgDld9kFcYOiau1-B0awb7Dj_YQvTshygcpzk2FDbfIzYEGwWqL9EJp51z5xSJ7U4-bzqzfTC-070I2jOpKO1fxJl_hUW0VnYUE2jd0WSaGQa78XCXYwU9BJXQ3KZGc/s320/county67_1342.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As it turned out, this would be the best of the township roads - and a day of slow driving.<br />
<br />
I headed north on 280th Ave and east on 190th Street. Not a bird to be seen.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsD4SlZfz8xuWKVohj6Qfc3tjtN0dza4Jb05SQ0iszkcNk4jyrAMDcUfhQ7lLLDtcwU9JIyVTuxhyphenhyphenAbJP9lzN1K6AhSoCacCp0bXMYWs-_DPTYYwWwGmjSA76zKtuyaUe1xzabUpGiU60/s1600/STgrouse_5146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsD4SlZfz8xuWKVohj6Qfc3tjtN0dza4Jb05SQ0iszkcNk4jyrAMDcUfhQ7lLLDtcwU9JIyVTuxhyphenhyphenAbJP9lzN1K6AhSoCacCp0bXMYWs-_DPTYYwWwGmjSA76zKtuyaUe1xzabUpGiU60/s320/STgrouse_5146.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharp-tailed Grouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Then I headed north to MN Hwy 1. As I passed the Agassiz flood control impoundment, I spotted a handful of Sharp-tailed Grouse kicking up snow. Further north at the intersection of Hwy 1 and Marshall County 26, a huge flock of Snow Buntings blew up into the sky, then floated back to the roadside where they went back to picking at grass uncovered by the wind whipping the snow from the shoulder of the road.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCWuGd2-Wq4g-Q6XDKWuo7P9ctkgh4P2GN0NX2HaSLApzjxYu2VIPsorZ-6vy-_cC0Tny0YoO5QJ9x2cwY3kSPAJSXcqWrV_JqQjS-aMS1dgovq5cp-UVmp037ryu81jD9ZdTzbG1cYA/s1600/snowbuntings_5150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCWuGd2-Wq4g-Q6XDKWuo7P9ctkgh4P2GN0NX2HaSLApzjxYu2VIPsorZ-6vy-_cC0Tny0YoO5QJ9x2cwY3kSPAJSXcqWrV_JqQjS-aMS1dgovq5cp-UVmp037ryu81jD9ZdTzbG1cYA/s320/snowbuntings_5150.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snowing Snow Buntings</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Because the rural roads were so slippery, I headed east to Warren and drove up and down the in-town streets. I spotted lots of birdfeeders, but they were all empty (except the feeding station at the Godel Library). No seed = no birds. I spotted several crab apple trees full of fruits. But no American Robins and no waxwings. Nada.<br />
<br />
I checked out the cemeteries, golf course and fairgrounds. Not a creature was stirring. <br />
<br />
Hm... I headed over to CHS grain and drove around until I stirred up a small flock of Rock Pigeons. Then I drove west to check out the sewage lagoons. Nothing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v-LkzfwY1W-sjQxGJjS48vOj6uPR0_7OqGUg4q6kIt1mu7w4Lk_3glFKp06PgMUckQryGks3_Lj8iOesr_2obJKAzPzfX58Atk0Eed_oZlTjBZHbaIA_6yx-j037pN8shR15GcKKNX0/s1600/SnowBuntings579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v-LkzfwY1W-sjQxGJjS48vOj6uPR0_7OqGUg4q6kIt1mu7w4Lk_3glFKp06PgMUckQryGks3_Lj8iOesr_2obJKAzPzfX58Atk0Eed_oZlTjBZHbaIA_6yx-j037pN8shR15GcKKNX0/s320/SnowBuntings579.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Buntings</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
North to towards Argyle, I caught up with another flock of Snow Buntings on US 75 and a couple of pigeons.<br />
<br />
Back down US 75 towards Angus, I spotted a small flock of what appeared to be sparrows at the granary on 190th Street by the railroad tracks (aka Roon). I pulled off the highway to take a closer look. They turned out to be much better than sparrows: Common Redpolls.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtk6ZaYt3szfK1_L0ktw-qc-VRlotC94yb_xPu7i-xVI1GHR-RZBYiLAa4NWrnwPhmupROmBy80DlCVEttzp6gHa9ypWtLnrOBLSO3rLFox-70AjuUg_H3-8Qb4QJ5unnQMW48zrkUpQ/s1600/CommonRedpoll72_4895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtk6ZaYt3szfK1_L0ktw-qc-VRlotC94yb_xPu7i-xVI1GHR-RZBYiLAa4NWrnwPhmupROmBy80DlCVEttzp6gHa9ypWtLnrOBLSO3rLFox-70AjuUg_H3-8Qb4QJ5unnQMW48zrkUpQ/s320/CommonRedpoll72_4895.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Common Redpoll at my feeder</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I drove down to Angus then back towards the official "count circle" via 290th Ave., slip-sliding my way north.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk7lwl5nw_JU0VHlf4xoiGbAVN3Ln4ANYH7M4EPYlB-GzwqeGAnNZ5AcIAgiFJ7BZ_kSBuRcV4OPxpIlKmG72lWMAoQTBeZJ7ESOwvhdCwodtQDoHzNyVMWZPV5sgZgleokFN0HECEnM/s1600/RLHA_1726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk7lwl5nw_JU0VHlf4xoiGbAVN3Ln4ANYH7M4EPYlB-GzwqeGAnNZ5AcIAgiFJ7BZ_kSBuRcV4OPxpIlKmG72lWMAoQTBeZJ7ESOwvhdCwodtQDoHzNyVMWZPV5sgZgleokFN0HECEnM/s320/RLHA_1726.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rough-legged Hawk</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A couple of Rough-legged Hawks and several Common Ravens. When I hit Polk County 67, a gray bird with a white rump flew over my car.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsx86ttpLiXJ-PxREYY8iHIbjWkYXvGvfHaBr109UV9ex6wiYss1qUue31kev4JMA1OldiH968zBvkinDUAFlg345cR3XIRmrkFkhrK4plNkSzl38PvESx_rfhNgaUejR3UFyAtmr6bk/s1600/harrier_5151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsx86ttpLiXJ-PxREYY8iHIbjWkYXvGvfHaBr109UV9ex6wiYss1qUue31kev4JMA1OldiH968zBvkinDUAFlg345cR3XIRmrkFkhrK4plNkSzl38PvESx_rfhNgaUejR3UFyAtmr6bk/s320/harrier_5151.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
I didn't expect to see a male Harrier today.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUd3imjxytBCqSib4QvhDYhi2nLGQbl6EDu4GSnWrheeVNpQjR-XR3bh-cTIOglhXK55PK5zkb21V2RE12d16KM1BgTKDPwD3k3FU1TJ7O1UIzDlgL1xyE9Ff0LpkmAPI9G015_5Bpjc/s1600/harrier_2515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUd3imjxytBCqSib4QvhDYhi2nLGQbl6EDu4GSnWrheeVNpQjR-XR3bh-cTIOglhXK55PK5zkb21V2RE12d16KM1BgTKDPwD3k3FU1TJ7O1UIzDlgL1xyE9Ff0LpkmAPI9G015_5Bpjc/s320/harrier_2515.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a male Harrier </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Inspired, I headed over to the Warren Airport to look for Snowy Owls. More ravens, but no owls.<br />
<br />
After 8 hours and 72 miles, I decided to call it a day. On the way home, I lamented that I hadn't seen a single Black-billed Magpie. Then, wouldn't you know, as I was turning the corner of 190th Street I spotted two magpies hanging out with a flock of ravens - just a mile east of my driveway.<br />
<br />
After dinner, my neighbor, Faith Rud called to tell me her husband Larry spotted not one, but 2 Short-eared Owls when he drove by the Audubon Center on 190th Street at dusk. A perfect ending to a great day of birding in Northwestern Minnesota!<br />
<br />
Check our <a href="http://agassizaudubon.blogspot.com/p/christmas-bird-count.html">Christmas Bird Count</a> page for the details.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-62584540079454114522011-12-11T22:14:00.002-06:002011-12-11T22:17:54.846-06:00Golden Eagles!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluKa1ygn-OjmBMQYS3ReZDroFH7DtCnRhlU71a9aWt5DBphOjMhfdAvXJWbabg8KzPP2hQiJq48jNXv9N2brEyN5eDzqhhRNDThw3cCLBfB8xwV-pXGxe9mIR2Wep2ad1SWgKlu99ZH4/s320/GoldenEagle_2504.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Young Golden Eagle <span style="font-size: xx-small;">© Heidi Hughes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Snowy Owls aren’t the only rare birds to visit the Red River Valley in the winter. The other “big birds” have arrived. They’re raptors … but they’re not owls.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They’re Golden Eagles, one of the largest birds in North America.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We've had three reports of two different Golden Eagles near the Audubon Center in the past two weeks,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">How do we know they were two different birds? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Their plumage. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One was an adult. All dark with a golden head and light colored beak. The other was a young bird with white wing patches and a white bar at the base of its tail.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Both were spotted just south of Warren, Minnesota. The young bird was chasing a hare in the fields along County Roads 68 and just south of Warren. The adult was east on 190<sup>th</sup> Street NW over by 230<sup>th</sup> flying low to a perch on a pile of rocks in the middle of a CRP field.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Golden Eagles can be found from the arctic to the deserts in the western states. While they’re rare in the Red River Valley – winter is the best time to spot them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you see one, send an email to <a href="mailto:AgassizAudubon@gmail.com" target="_blank">AgassizAudubon@gmail.com</a> or call 218-745-5663 with the day, date, time and location.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-79643012284420524052011-12-04T20:10:00.000-06:002011-12-04T20:10:39.896-06:00Snowy Owl Sightings - UpdateThe following is a summary of the Snowy Owls spotted in the Red River Valley starting Thanksgiving week, 2011:<br />
<br />
<u>Sunday December 4</u><br />
<br />
At 9am, Van Hapka reported a female Snowy Owl on 190th Street NW in rural Warren - 2.5 miles west of the Audubon Center. Heidi Hughes photographed that bird... and on the way to see it she spotted 3 Rough-legged Hawks, 2 Bald Eagles, 4 Ravens, a flock of redpolls and 4 Black-billed Magpies.<br />
<br />
Rex Crapeau reported another Snowy Owl at 9:30am at Evans Scrap & Steel on Hwy 32 in Thief River Falls.<br />
<br />
Craig Mickelson spotted a Snowy Owl this afternoon - a half mile south of Plumber on Hwy 59 in a tree.<br />
<br />
<u>Saturday, December 3</u><br />
<br />
Shelley Steva spotted a Snowy Owl Saturday on Polk County 20 in Sherack. <br />
Rhoda Gust of Roseau reported a Snowy Owl 2 miles northwest of Badger, MN.<br />
Donna Wensloff reported another on a power pole 8 miles south of Roseau.<u> </u><br />
<br />
<u>Thursday, November 30</u><br />
<br />
Heidi Hughes spotted a Snowy Owl on Hwy 11 north of Salol (between Roseau<br />
and Warroad) and a Goshawk flying over Hwy 11 just north of Badger, MN. <br />
<br />
<u>Wednesday, November 29</u><br />
Duane Potucek reported a Snowy owl 3 miles north and 1 mile west of Radium, MN on Wednesday. <br />
<br />
Jan Pietruskewski reported a Snowy Owl southwest of Karlstad near Kick'n Up Kountry - Wagon Wheel Ridge - 1160 410th Ave and Hwy 11.<br />
<br />
Bette Allison reported a dead Snowy Owl on Monday at Roseau County Rd 2 and Hwy 89 near Badger. <br />
<br />
<u>Tuesday, November 28</u><br />
<br />
Vern Genovich reported 1 Snowy Owl near Vahallla.<br />
<br />
<u>Monday, November 27</u><br />
<br />
Laura Skornicka spotted a Snowy on US 75 between Climax and Crookston, MN.<br />
<br />
<u>Sunday, November 26</u><br />
<br />
Suzy Fiesel reported a snowy near Crary, ND.<br />
<br />
<u>Saturday, November 25</u><br />
<br />
Jeff Pulkrabek spotted a Snowy Owl in East Grand Forks.<br />
Another was reported east of American Crystal Sugar.<br />
Cheryl Pesh spotted one 2 miles north of East Grand Forks.<u> </u><br />
<br />
<u>Thanksgiving Week</u><br />
<br />
Angie Owens reported 2 Snowy Owls in Euclid.<br />
Tom Valega spotted a Snowy Owl in Thief River Falls and one at the Warren sewage lagoons.<br />
Faith Rud reported 1 Snowy owl south of 190th Street NW in rural WarrenUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-68682273917592139642011-12-04T12:50:00.000-06:002011-12-04T12:50:19.307-06:00Call the Snowy Owl Hotline!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvb_nfYWPquqdWmsLwkkDDUb6s7NRT7lsJOq3ik3nclG0nuD1qyPCMo7OmmK3VWxDGTkKwZ_1G7-szGuBfH3K6HWZZ2GsK_IHv61d7tr95KNgF8WxVaM4PdxVBsm7RqdqFVJbDEUClIg/s1600/SnowyTRF72a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvb_nfYWPquqdWmsLwkkDDUb6s7NRT7lsJOq3ik3nclG0nuD1qyPCMo7OmmK3VWxDGTkKwZ_1G7-szGuBfH3K6HWZZ2GsK_IHv61d7tr95KNgF8WxVaM4PdxVBsm7RqdqFVJbDEUClIg/s320/SnowyTRF72a1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thief River Falls - Snowy Owl (female) © Heidi Hughes</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Reports of Snowy Owl sightings started started trickling in to Agassiz Audubon Society around Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
Now we're getting several calls a day - from all over the Red River Valley.<br />
<br />
Van Hapka called Sunday morning at 9am to report a Snowy Owl on 190th Street and 300th Ave just south of Warren. I drove over, and sure enough, there was big female owl sitting on a field drainage pipe.<br />
<br />
Last Tuesday, I got a call from Wayne Moses reporting another owl near the Audubon Center, a small male, 5 poles east of the Radium turn-off on State Hwy 1 and Marshall County 36. <br />
<br />
There have been so many sightings in the Upper Midwest ornithologists say this could be a record - a big "irruption" - winter. There could be as many as hundreds of snowy owls in Minnesota and Wisconsin at this time.<br />
<br />
Winter Snowy Owls in the Red River Valley are not unusual. But why so many this year - and before the snowy weather?<br />
<br />
Snowy Owls live way up north in the tundra. Their populations are controlled by the availability of food. When there's lots of of their favorite rodents (lemmings) up on the tundra, there's lots of food for Snowy Owls to feed their young. More baby owls survive. This summer was a great year for arctic rodents and for their predators - owls and hawks.<br />
<br />
Scientists at Cornell University reported an interesting "twist" on<a href="http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/got-snowies"> eBird</a>:<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #444444;">"...lemmings this year were at historical population highs allowing for a very successful breeding season for Arctic raptors, including Snowy Owls. The resulting population boom causes overcrowding and competition at typical wintering grounds pushing inexperienced birds farther south into the Lower 48."</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #444444;">Agassiz Audubon is keeping track of these birds this winter - if you see one, call the "Red River Valley Snowy Owl Hotline:" 281.745.5663 - or send us an email (AgassizAudubon@gmail.com<a href="mailto:AgassizAudubon@gmail.com" target="_blank"></a>) - with the following information:</div><div style="color: #444444;"><br />
</div>1. day of the week:<br />
2. time of day:<br />
3. location (from the nearest intersection - or GPS coordinates):<br />
4. what the bird was perched on:<br />
5. description of the amount of black barring:<br />
6. relative size of the bird: (much bigger than a crow or about crow-size):<br />
<br />
Photo submissions are welcome - but please don't chase the birds to get a good picture. They're already stressed - looking for the 7-8 or more rodents they need to catch every day just to survive. And sadly, many of them are starving.<br />
<br />
"We received an email with a photo of a dead owl from Bette Allison of Roseau recently," said Hughes. She was on her way to Badger when she spotted a Snowy Owl by a ditch on Hwy 89. On her way back home, she spotted the bird again - tipped over on its side - dead. She reported it to the DNR who later picked it up. They told her it had not been hit by a car, it had starved to death.<br />
<br />
Dead or alive, owls are protecting in Minnesota, so if you find an injured (or dead) bird in northwestern Minnesota, be sure to call the DNR <span><a href="tel:%28218%29%20755-2976" target="_blank" value="+12187552976">(218) 755-2976</a>.</span><br />
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<span id="goog_68748559"></span><span id="goog_68748560"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-72461866994033741672011-11-29T12:42:00.006-06:002014-02-14T08:54:07.786-06:00Backyard Bird-feeding Made Simple<div style="color: black; text-align: left;">
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<b>Check out Agassiz Audubon Society's facebook page for updates on public programs</b><br />
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<b>www.facebook.com/AgassizAudubon </b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3885916370387857517.post-31448965393755692832011-11-25T22:43:00.002-06:002014-02-14T08:54:27.230-06:00Owls, Owls, Fantastical Fowls!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9buJlU0sb8UdSXswfIRSc6Yj6QmmPC0YlzvUT4Iup-DW8fp8RwHQmx7rMYEpIsQi1yi38jQEQWNxFSi0uLG4_C1twgeU_qsCUmVojvQ7UaRPpQTRhMIyCrYFgmujQ_xJKFtSr1hyphenhypheneHPU/s1600/owlMastEvent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9buJlU0sb8UdSXswfIRSc6Yj6QmmPC0YlzvUT4Iup-DW8fp8RwHQmx7rMYEpIsQi1yi38jQEQWNxFSi0uLG4_C1twgeU_qsCUmVojvQ7UaRPpQTRhMIyCrYFgmujQ_xJKFtSr1hyphenhypheneHPU/s400/owlMastEvent.jpg" height="152" width="400" /></a></div>
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Throughout history and in every culture, owls have been part of local literature, folklore and superstitions.<br />
They’ve been considered wise –and foolish.<br />
They’ve been feared by some, and venerated by others.<br />
They’ve been both admired and despised.<br />
But there’s one thing about owls on which we can all agree: <b>they are fascinating!</b><br />
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<b>Join us for a FREE program on the Owls of Minnesota</b><br />
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<i> for adults (and older children accompanied by an adult)</i><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0