Black-Billed Magpie

Observed a black-billed magpie north of Lake Park this evening.  It flew in front of my car and into a farmyard near the corner of CR 12 and CR 9. This is in the general area of where I have seen the magpies the last two summers.

Colleen Nelson   

G.H. Owl

A great horned owl is perched in a willow tree on Randolph Rd. in the Auto Value Parking lot near Lake Shirts and the Pelican River.  He was there from 1445 hours until 1503 hours when I left.  2-19-10.
posted by Beau Shroyer.

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WW crossbills in Detroit Lakes

At approximately 0900 this morning, 2-8-10, I saw a flock of about 15 ww crossbills on the 1200 block of Lake Ave. In Detroit Lakes.  They were flying southbound and stopping and feeding in every spruce tree that they encountered.  They'd stop for 1-2 minutes, then move on.  Also saw the first P. siskins of the winter in D.L
posted by Beau Shroyer, Detroit Lake

Rosate Spoonbill

Two of a flock of Rosate Spoonbills out on Big Slough this afternoon at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.  They get their pink from eating shrimp.

Posted by Denis Mudderman

W.W. crossbills

1317 hours on 1-25-10 on Granger Rd. in Detroit Lakes, MN. Yellow house across from 707 Granger Rd. No numbers on yellow house. Flock of 10 W.W. crossbills in the spruce tree.
Beau D. Shroyer

Brown creeper

I was so starstruck by my cardinal I forgot to mention my little brown creeper in my yard. I see him every morning between 8:30 and 9:30 eating on the suet cake. He comes at other times, too. I started noticing him right before the Christmas bird count so no telling how long he has been around. Such a cute little guy, he always makes me smile. 

Nancy Moulden
Detroit Lakes, MN
http://www.blissfulstamper.stampinup.net/

Finally--a cardinal

This morning (Saturday) about 9:30 I saw a beautiful male cardinal at my big sunflower feeder. He sat there a long time leisurely eating then he was gone. I hope he'll come back often and bring his wife if he has one. It was incredible how striking he looked surrounded by the white snow. I called Shar and left a message but was so speechless I have no idea what I babbled. This has been a dream of mine for a loooooooooong time!

Nancy Moulden
Detroit Lakes, MN
http://www.blissfulstamper.stampinup.net/

Great horned owl

A great horned owl was on top of the western goal post at the DL middle school this morning at approximately 7:45.  In the 10 seconds it took me to turn my vehicle around for a better look it was gone.
Beau Shroyer, Detroit Lakes

January Robin

Spring must be getting closer. I saw a robin in a crab
apple tree in my yard yesterday morning (Jan 7). Temp was
about 8 degrees below zero and a wind. I know they all
don't go south but I haven't seen one in Jan before.
Posted by Art Bakker.

Owls in Aitkin Co.

Took a short trip to Aitkin Co today to look for owls.  I had just about given up on seeing an owl when this Northern Hawk Owl landed on the power pole right beside my car.  About 15 minutes later we came upon a Great Gray Owl perched in a tree right along the road.  We observed it catch and eat something and fly back to perch in a nearby tree. We then saw a second Northern Hawk Owl.  Good Day of Birding!

Posted by Colleen Nelson
              Audubon, Mn