Fair Weather Birder

Okay, so I didn't go see the Clark's Nutcracker. I just have too much work to do. I'll be in Duluth on Thursday geeking out with Brian Wheeler so maybe I'll head to Silver Bay to check it out.

I had every good intention going on Friday before work, but the bed was so warm...

Saturday was Stan Tekiela's Crex Wine and Crane Tour. It was fun. Amber and I were waiting for Stan to show up, I was having second thoughts with the wind blowing all over the place, wishing I had gone out with Bill to Lorraine's. We drove around Crex and I got a life bird. I had never seen a sharp-tailed grouse before and we saw one right on the side of the road. We also saw snow buntings and a dark morph rough-legged hawk--look at the top of Bill Schmoker's Page to see a dark morph rough-legged.

We watched a few thousand cranes come in as well. The birding was mostly by car, so Stan and his assistant pulled the vans over in an "L" shape to try and block the wind. He set up his little card table, broke out the crackers, meat, cheese and wine. We chatted for about 15 - 20 minutes and turned around. We found most of the food and wine gone and everyone else pretty much loaded back in the van. Stan pointed out that there were still more cranes coming but everyone had had enough and was ready to drive around Crex some more to look at other birds and mammals.

Sunday Morning

This morning I will be on My Sister's Garden on fm107. One of the sisters is under the weather so I'm going to go on in her place and talk birds. The gals are a great time so I can't wait to be on with them.

I currently have a young female cardinal eating at the feeder. I hadn't seen one for a couple weeks, so I'm glad to have one back. She's pretty relaxed for an Uptown cardinal. She doesn't mind me sitting here typing (the feeder is right out the window where my iMac is. She also isn't mind all the pigeon activity which usually puts off older cardinals.

Stake Out Bird

The posse has been formed and birders across the state are heading to Silver Bay to see a Clark's Nutcracker hanging out at someone's bird feeder. The homeowner is being very generous and letting people view the bird in their yard as long as you stay on the sidewalk and don't trample the grass. I really want to go see it, but yesterday and today would have been the fun days to do it and I'm too busy. Stake out birds are a good time. It's like the birder equivalant of an impromptu cocktail party...only without the cocktails. People share stories of how they found the bird being staked out, or how they heard about it, how many miles traveled, appointments canceled, how many spouses ticked off about being ditched for it. It really is a good time. If it's still around Monday, I might head up to go see it after KARE 11.

Click Here for Link

It's rare for a bird to attack a person, but this is one of those rare exceptions when it happens.

Junco Splosion and Raptor ID

Juncos were the topic this morning, they were everywhere. Someone posted on MnBird that she had several move in overnight and I looked behind my store and they were everywhere--even lurking under my car.

Teake Bratcher had a photo of a raptor she saw in her yard in Hutchinson, Minnesota. She asked if anyone would be willing to look at the photo and wager a guess. Here's the photo, what do you think it is?

For some, this bird is tricky to identify because of the whitish belly, leading many to think it's a hawk. The bird in question also appears to have a bib. I love the crow comparison in this photo-it's dwarfed by the bird in question. They look like a couple of thugs planning mischief in the neighborhood. Have a guess on the bird yet? If not, I'll give one last hint--look how big that beak is in relation to the head. That's an immature bald eagle.

Blackbird

I love cold autumn days. I love the way the trees look against the gray clouds, the smell of wet leaves and watching to see what birds are blown in. Today it's blackbirds.

Behind the store this morning is a whole slew has just came in. It's mostly red-winged blackbirds out there but there are a good number of starlings mixed in as well. They're raiding the feeders and I don't mind so much because they'll move further south very quickly. They sound like they all just came home from an all night bender. Their song is not the cheery forceful "where are my keeeeeys" that we normally hear in the summer, but a very groggy and short "krees". I suppose migrating does that to a bird.

I'm even enjoying watching the crows. We had some cobs of corn show up in a bag that had been liberally chewed by mice. Rather than try to sell them, I tossed them behind the store. With the orange leaves, gray sky, yellow corn and black crows it's a wonderful Halloween scene. Although I know some of you don't like crows and think that all that's missing is a pumpkin being chucked at them.

We just had a whole new line of bird food blocks come in. This stuff is really good stuff, it's sunflower and pecans. The pecan smell is so strong I can smell. It smells really good. I wish I had more for breakfast now. Although, I'm off eating bird food...and this time I mean it. Really, I'm not going to sample the bird food any more. Certainly not less, just not any more.

I love egg

Not one hundred percent bird related, but kind of. For a very weird song and strange animation visit:

www.iloveegg.com

Then click on egg song.

I now have someone aiding and abetting my affair with Fred the cat. Bill Anding gave me a copy of Birds of Hawaii to brush up on before Fred and I head out to start our little bird store. I'm most curious on how to attract a red crested bulbul.

Me and My Fred

Here is my Fred whom I plan on running away with to Hawaii. Lorraine tells me that if cats speak to you, that they lie, but look at his face! Nothing but sweet sincerity. Bill tells me that there is no way Fred will ever change, but I pointed out that Fred grew up with a tough hand and that all he needs is love and understanding and then he'll change. It will be a whole week until we see each other again, I will try to manage...somehow.

Autumn Leaves

Today was absolutely beautiful. I went walking in a friend's woods today. Earlier this spring it had been loaded with indigo buntings, common yellow throats, rose-breasted grosbeaks and even a blue winged warblers. Today the woods were practically silent. I was kind of sad to think of these birds long gone until next May and then I heard the wind rustle the leaves and the resident chickadees began chattering. I wondered too if resident birds are glad when the warblers, buntings and grosbeaks leave since all they do is come up, sing their songs very loudly, mate like crazy and then raise kids and leave. I wonder if this is the bird version of Florida spring break?

I came a across a large flock of bluebirds warbling to each other and was surrounded by their worrisome churry call.

I was getting lots of writing done at my friend's cabin today. I was distracted momentarily by a young male cardinal. His bill was still slightly black, but the rest of him was mostly red--well on his way to manhood. He was skulking about in the brush, searching for food and practicing his song to himself. Even though he was within six feet of me, I could barely hear his song. The song sort of sounded like a cardinal, but not quite, he was most definitely practicing. I gave my own version of the cardinal "wha cheer" call and he immediately stopped what he was doing, erected his crest and chipped his disapproval (or embarrassment at being caught). Here's the young cardinal checking for the source of the song superior to his own--oh the humilliation if he learned the truth: he was being out whistled by a human.

I also heard a song sparrow and white-throated sparrow practicing calls.

Sunday

Yesterday I got a good chunk of my calendar finished. Afterwards I had dinner with friends and we made bonfire to roast marshmallows. While admiring the night sky we could hear a barred owl whooing away in the distance. Eventually just my husband and I were left around the fire. The owl was further away but it could still be heard. Then we heard an odd hollow sound, like something hissing in a tube. Bill and I tried to put on a brave face asking each other what we thought it was. I tried to say owl or raccoon but I must not have sounded very convincing. Bill suggested we put out the fire and go inside immeadiately which we did.

I have also come the conclusion that I'm going to run off with Neil Gaiman's cat Fred. He's little, he's black, he was almost eaten by an owl, and he's such a bad boy. I'm sure he kills many birds and yet I can't turn from him. It's all decided, we're going to run away together to Hawaii and start a bird store together. I know I can change him and his evil killing ways, all he needs is the love of a good woman. Every clogged sinus from my cat allergy will be worth just ten seconds with Fred. Fred promised that after we get settled and get on our feet, he'll take me to Paris--what a cat. Bill is taking this revelation surprisingly well.