Fw: Sandhills Cranes at Sherburne NWR

Subject: Sandhills Cranes at Sherburne NWR

Colleen Nelson, Margaret Kent, Nancy Henke & I were at Sherburne Sat, Oct 22nd.  There were thousands of cranes in the area but they don't like to get too close to people so they don't show up real good. 

 

Alma Ronningen

black-billed magpies

Late this afternoon a watched a flock of 10 magpies land in the trees at the corner of CR 159 and 330th St.  This is about 1 1/2 miles north of the magpie nest north of Hamden.  I also saw a magpie at the feed lot pond along CR 11 north of Audubon. 

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, MN

Eurasian-collared doves

Not a native bird.  Eurasian-collared doves came into the country from Eurasia through Florida a few years ago and have spread to much of the country.  Picture was taken near Audubon elevator.  Thanks to Denny Martin for informing me about them.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

GHO

Two GHOs were spotted about 8:30 PM Sunday.  Look at those claws!

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

Cardinal, Rose Breasted Grosbeak & Goldfinch

This picture was taken through our living room window so it's a bit fuzzy but I couldn't pass up the great color combination.

 

Alma Ronningen, Rural Dent, MN

Oops

Forgot to attach this picture to the previous posting.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon,  Mn

loon on nest

This picture was taken on Co. 39 a few miles west of Wolf Lake last thursday.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

young magpies

One more picture.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

young magpies

I have been seeing magpies for some time  at 24465 Co. Hwy 9 north of Lake Park but had not been able to locate the nest.  Today when I went by there I spotted 4 young magpies in the evergreens. The parents flew out of the tree squaking noisely and flew toward my car when I stopped.  While I sat there watching, both parents returned with food for the youngsters and quickly took off again.    

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

Indigo Bunting

One of the many different birds in our yard.   Alma

Red-Headed Woodpecker

I was fortunate to see two red-headed woodpeckers on Sunday.  This photo was taken east of Frazee on Hwy 39 about 1/2 mile south of the intersection of 39 and 87.  Just south of the farmyard on the east side of the road.  I saw another RHW near Long Prairie earlier in the day.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

Wilson's Phalarope and goslings

Spotted these phalarope along Becker County 13 at Hamden this evening.  Also goslings on Bisson Lake.

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

Sightings

Sunday, May 8^th brought our first Hummingbird and Rose-breasted Grosbeak!  Happy Mother’s Day!

Shar

Baltimore Oriole

Had a baltimore oriole at my feeder when I came home from the bird club field trip this afternoon. 

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

Marbled Godwit

Found a pair of marbled godwits today at Hamden.  This bird was crossing the road by the prairie chicken viewing grounds.  Mate was standing in the snow beside the road.

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

The Osprey is Back

The osprey returned to our nest pole yesterday.  Also had a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker on Sunday.   Bluebirds are back - also Turkey Vulture and White Pelican.  Every day brings something new!  Isn't spring great?

 

Alma Ronningen, Otter Tail Co., Rural Dent, MN

Magpies and Sandhill cranes

Tonight I saw 2 magpies 3.5 miles north of Lake Park on Co. 9.  I couldn't have been more thrilled but then I came upon 3 sandhill cranes feeding along Co. 12 north of Audubon.  Add to this several hawks, geese, prairie chickens and it makes for a very good night of birding.

Colleen Nelson
Audubon

Tree Sparrow & Robin

I saw my first of the year American Tree Sparrow today.  Also have had a Robin the last two days.  We have 3-4 Wild Turkeys that come and clean up under the feeders just about every day.  There were 3 Common Redpolls at the feeder today that haven't headed north yet.  Otherwise, the usual winter birds for now. 

 

Alma Ronningen, Otter Tail Co., Dent, MN

Prairie Chickens

I saw 15 prairie chickens yesterday on the display grounds at Hamden.

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

Great Gray Owl

I was fortunate to see this Great Gray Owl this afternoon along Co. 18 in Aitkin Co.  My reward for driving 300 miles! 

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn