Merlin

A very well fed Merlin was perched on a sunny branch for about an hour this morning just to the east of our house.  It was preening it feathers and dozing part of the time and ignoring all the bird activity around it - thus the assumption that it was well fed.    Alma Ronningen   rural Dent, MN

Brown Pelican posing for the camera

I photographed this brown pelican yesterday on the jetty at Surfside, Texas. The pelican was hanging around a fisherman who was occasionally feeding it some of his bait.

Great horned owl

On Saturday December 19, 2009 a great horned owl was heard by the youth birding club at city park in DL during the CBC.

Pileated Woodpecker

A pileated woodpecker made a noisy appearance at my house this morning.  Guess he wanted to be sure he got included in the Christmas Bird Count.


Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

Black-necked Stilt

Other than the Rosate Spoonbill, the Black-necked Stilt is one of the more interesting birds to watch.   Photo taken at San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge on the Texas gulf coast on Dec. 18.   Posted by Denis Mudderman

Riverview Waterfowl Sanctuary, Fergus Falls

Thousands of geese, many ducks - mostly mallards, and about 3 dozen trumpeter swans were enjoying the Sanctuary today. 
Posted by Colleen Nelson.

Common Redpoll

There was one male Common Redpoll on the sunflower feeder today mixed in with all the Goldfinches.  I wonder if more will follow.     Alma Ronningen, Rural Dent

Yard Bird

We have had a very large Raven visit our yard the past two days.  It just stays for a very short time - looks things over and leaves again.    Alma Ronningen

Brown Creeper

I've seen a brown creeper for several days going up and down checking out a couple of trees. Maybe there are more around than other years. Nancy Moulden Detroit Lakes, MN http://www.blissfulstamper.stampinup.net/

White-throated Sparrow on 12/03/09

Shar reports seeing a White-throated Sparrow on 12/03/09.

Also, at the suet feeder were two Brown Creepers and a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches.