This section includes a variety of articles from Roger Schroeder related to bird and bird watching. All material is copyright 2008 Roger Schroeder, Marshall, Minnesota.
|
|
Singing Wings -
Singing Wings
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
UPDATE:This appears to be a melanistic Cooper's Hawk. First observed at 3:30pm April 17 at the Lyon County Fairgrounds along the Redwood River. The bird was first observed in flight about 20m above me. An American Crow was following this bird. The bird was about the side of a crow, but had broader wings, but a more streamlined body with a long tail. My first reaction was Cooper's Hawk, but this bird was very dark in general color both above and below. I am not aware of color morphs in accipiters. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Singing Wings -
Singing Wings
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
This bird was seen at Black Rush Lake, Lyon County. About 3:00pm on March 28-2009 after a Youth Mentorship Program (YMP) field trip. Before leaving, I scanned through several hundred Ring-billed Gull for other species. Also in the mix were 5 Herring Gull, and one Franklin's Gull. Also in this large group of several hundred gulls was a dark backed gull. I knew immediately this would require extra study. Viewing the bird through a 15-45x spotting scope, I observed characteristics that suggest it is a Slaty-backed Gull. If accepted by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union Recorcs Committee (MOURC) it would constitute only the second time this species has been reported with sufficient details to be included into Minnesota's official record. There may hve been other sightings (one other I know of was found to not have conclusive identification details recorded) in the state, of course, but perhaps were not viewed to an extend which made conclusive identification possible. |
|
Read more...
|
|
Singing Wings -
Singing Wings
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
Recent warm weather and rains are eroding ice off local lakes. As if on cue, the first waves of spring migrants are making their trek northward to their nesting grounds. Varieties of geese and ducks abound; feeding on open water lakes as well as those most important spring wetlands.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Singing Wings -
Singing Wings
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
|
Winter in Arizona must be more enjoyable than winter in Minnesota. Some of the reasons are obvious, such as no frozen appendages, and no shoveling. Other reasons are more subtle, and dependent on your interests. My Mom and dad have wintered in Tucson for the past several winters, staying in the same general vicinity as my Sister, Janine.
All of us are bird watchers, and either by chance, or design, Janine has planted herself in the heart of one of the primary destination areas for the North American bird watcher. Several strays from Mexico flit just north enough to enter North American territory, thus allowing the chasers and listers of birds an opportunity to glimpse a species that few North American bird watchers ever see. |
|
Read more...
|
|
Singing Wings -
Singing Wings
|
|
Written by Administrator
|
On a calculated whim I accepted an offer from a fellow Christmas Bird Count coordinator to stay in his cabin the Beltrami Island State Forest (near Baudette) and help out on the bird counts. Crazy as it sounds the thought of staying in a rustic cabin - no running water, no electricity, wood stove for cooking, etc. - in one of Minnesota's more remote locations with 15 miles of skiing trails to use in search of birds sounded like the perfect tonic for my current level of employment-induced stress.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 1 of 2 |
