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Nature Notes 2017 Nature Nature Notes
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13697 171217-1218 Nature Notes: Chickadees (calls), Cardinal calls,
Crows, Gray Squirrels, a WT Deer crossing before our car
at dusk,
Walking, Dog Walking, Jogging,
Cross-Country Skiing
our first Snowman of the season, Christmas yard lights are pretty.
Nature Notes 2017
13386 171010
Nature
Notes, Washington County, Minnesota Temperature: 11 - 3
Degrees C
A few flocks of about 10 Blue Jays and about 10 American Robins, a Junco, some
Sparrows (unidentified), a flock of about 10 Mallards flying overhead, a flock
of about 50 Canada Geese sitting on the grass,
a small rodent (unidentified) crossing the trail before us, many Gopher's
Mounds, Horse poop on the trail
In Bloom: some Fleabane
Seeds/Fruits: Sumac, Ash, Black Walnut, Canada Goldenrod, Thistle, White Pine
Fall Colors: Maple, Oak, Quaking Aspen, Virginia Creeper, Wild Grape, Sumac, ...
People: Walking, Running, Mountain Biking
Nature Notes 2017
13217 170903
Nature
Notes, Washington County, Minnesota
Blue Grosbeaks* (our first ones), an Eastern Bluebird family, Turkey Vultures
flying in circles, Song Sparrows, mysterious medium-sized birds (they might be a
family, identifying), an Egret fishing, Barn Swallows, a Red-tailed Hawk,
Dragonflies including Green Darner, a Red Admiral butterfly, Bumblebees, Paper
Wasps, Crickets, Carolina Grasshoppers, Annual Cicada calls
In Bloom: Goldenrod (Canada and Stiff), False Sunflower, Butter-And-Eggs, Common
Mullein,
Seeds/Fruits: Milkweed, Curly Dock,
* "Monica, a photographer, thank you for the great directions to locate the
birds."
"Julie, a naturalist, thank you for info on blue grosbeaks spotted at Flying
Cloud Airport a month ago or so."
Nature Notes 2017
13215 170902
Bird Walk led by Steve, September 2, 2017, 8 a.m. - , Roberts Bird Sanctuary
a GH owl, a Cardinal, Blue Jay calls, Chickadees (calls), Black & White
Warblers, Redstarts, a Swainson's Thrush (?), a Hairy Woodpecker, a Downy
Woodpecker, a Turkey family, a Gull, Goldfinches, a mysterious small bird (brown
back and yellow belly, unidentified, Steve was not with us then)
Deer family: parents with fawns, two fawns (still wearing spotted reddish
coats): each sitting on the grass alone, a Cottontail rabbit, Gray squirrels
(calls), Chipmunk calls,
a Monarch butterfly, Bees such as bumblebees,
In Bloom: Goldenrod (Canada and Zigzag), Jewelweed, Snakeroot, Bittersweet
Nightshade, Evening Primrose, Thistle, Bottle Gentian, Yellow flowers similar to
Sunflowers (a few different species, investigating)
Cardinal flower, Joe-Pye Weed, Cup Plant, Rough Blazing Star, Common Sunflower,
Purple Coneflower, Red Turtlehead,
Fruits/Seeds: Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Milkweed, Ironwood, False Indigo, Sumac,
mysterious red fruits (investigating)
Fall Colors: Virginia Creeper
Fungi
Guided Bird Walk @
Roberts Bird Sanctuary
Fall Bird Walks: Aug. 26 through Sept. 23, Saturdays, starting at 8 a.m.
Nature Notes 2017
13167 170823
Nature Notes, August 23, 2017, Ramsey County, MN
Blue Jays (calls), brown medium sized birds (unidentified),
Goldfinches (calls), a Red-tailed Hawk, About 50 Barn Swallows (calls) get
together and seem to prepare to migrate south, Barn Swallow babies just fledged
from the nest,
Chickadee calls,
a Cottontail rabbit, a young Deer, Pocket Gopher Mounds,
a Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, Cabbage White butterflies, a Gorgone Checkerspot
butterfly, a Little Wood-Satyr butterfly (most likely), Paper Wasps, Japanese
Beetles, Carolina Grasshoppers, Ants (unidentified species)
in Bloom: Canada Goldenrod, Daisy Fleabane, Wild Cucumber, Black-eyed Susan,
Common Tansy, Cup Plant, Birds-foot Trefoil,
Thistle, Queen Anne's Lace, Campion, Dandelion
Fruits/Seeds: Bur Oak, Boxelder, Amur Maple, Ash, Ironwood, Black Walnut,
Sumac, Curly Dock, Dandelion seed head, Thistle seed head
Goldenrod galls, Sumac galls,
Fall Colors: some Sumac leaves begin to turn red
Nature Notes 2017
13162 170822
Nature Notes, August 21, 2017, Washington County, MN, Viewed a partial solar
eclipse.
Blue Jays (calls), brown medium sized birds (unidentified),
Goldfinches (calls), a Red-tailed Hawk, a Pheasant, a mysterious bird call, Barn
Swallows, Gulls, a Mallard duck family - kids are almost as large as their mom -
crossing the trail just before us,
a Wild Cat (?), Pocket Gopher Mounds,
Monarch, Paper Wasp
in Bloom: Goldenrod, Daisy Fleabane, Wild Cucumber, Black-eyed Susan,
Common Tansy, Cup Plant, Birds-foot Trefoil,
Thistle, Queen Anne's Lace
Fruits/Seeds: Bur Oak, Boxelder, Amur Maple, Ash, Ironwood, Black Walnut,
Japanese Tree Lilac*, Sumac,
* Carole, a naturalist, thank you for identifying the fruits.
Nature Notes 2017
13087 170806 Temperature: High 70
F (21 C), Low 58 F (14 C), Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 6, 2017
Minneapolis, MN Weather Forecast and Conditions - The
Weather Channel Weather.com
12975 170713
Temperature: High 69 F (21 C); Low 57 F (14 C)
pretty cool, cloudy
July 13, 2017 Minneapolis, MN
Nature Notes: Broad-winged Hawks at close range (calls; Rod, thank you for
spotting those), a Red-tailed Hawk, Robins, Catbird calls, Blue Jay calls,
Chickadee calls, a Great-crested Flycatcher (calls); to our surprise, it showed
up, responding to our fake calls, a Song Sparrow, Starling nests, Mourning
Doves, Common Yellowthroat calls, Rock Pigeons, Double-crested Cormorants flying
low overhead (flight calls were heard), Crows,
Red-eyed Vireo calls
Gray Squirrels,
No insects on the wing in the morning (too cold)
in Bloom: Black-eyed Susan, Fleabane, Goat's Beard, Thistle (we don't know
which thistle), Sumac, Cow Parsnip (almost done), Yarrow, Wild Blue Phlox,
Campion, Birds-foot Trefoil, Creeping Bellflower, Hoary Alyssum, Milkweed,
Seeds/Fruits:
Goat's Beard, Blue Beech, White Cedar,
Black Raspberry,
Ash, Boxelder, Honeysuckle, Black Walnut, Curly Dock, mysterious fruits on the
trail (green, a half inch in size; not black walnut)
Many mysterious grass fruits (trying to identify species)
Fall Colors: some Sumac leaves (vivid red),
Nature Notes 2017
12908
170627 Nature Notes, June 27, 2017, Sunny, around 70
degrees F
Great-crested Flycatchers, Red-tailed Hawks, a Turkey Vulture, a Bald Eagle,
Egrets, Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy
Woodpeckers, House Sparrows, a Baltimore Oriole, a House Wren (calls, baby
calls), Yellowthroat calls, Barn Swallows, a Turkey, Blue Herons, Robin calls,
Gray Squirrels, Chipmunks, 13-lined Ground Squirrels,
a Garter Snake crossing the trail
a Monarch, a Cabbage White, Ants (unidentified), Mosquitoes
a bee house*
* Bee
Kind MN What is the Problem?
a swift tower**
**
Chimney Swift Conservation Project : Making Habitat
for Chimney Swifts
Chimney Swift Conservation | Audubon Minnesota
Annual Chimney Swift Sit | Audubon Minnesota
in Bloom: Milkweed, Butterfly-weed, Black-eyed Susan, Ox-eye (False Sunflower),
Crown Vetch, Daisy Fleabane, Japanese Tree Lilac, Creeping Bellflower, Yarrow,
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea), Hoary Alyssum, Birds-foot Trefoil, Lead Plant,
Yellow Wood Sorrel, Campion, Ox-eye Daisy (most likely), a mysterious flower
(could be ‘Spreading Yellow-cress’)
Fruits/Seeds: Black Raspberry, Curly Dock,
12901 170625-0626 Nature Notes, June 25,
2017,
Cloudy & Chilly; 55 degrees F (13 degrees C)
Craig’s Walk,
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
House Wrens (calls), Catbirds,
Great-crested Flycatchers (calls), a Redstart
male (calls), Red-eyed Vireo calls*, Robins (calls*), a Red-tailed Hawk, Blue
Herons, an Egret, a Hooded Merganser family, Cowbirds, Grackles, Waxwings,
Virginia Railing calls, Goldfinches, Red-winged Blackbirds, Red-bellied
Woodpeckers, a Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpeckers, Turkeys, Common Yellowthroat
calls, Barn Swallows, a Phoebe, Pewee calls, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Chickadees, a
Song Sparrow, Yellow Warblers, a Wood Duck female, Indigo Buntings (calls**), a
Mourning Dove,
Gray Squirrels, 13-lined Ground Squirrels,
a Monarch caterpillar on the Milkweed leaf, a Dragonfly, a Cabbage White
butterfly; we don't see many butterflies and dragonflies***, no Mosquitoes****
***
10 Things You May Not Know about Butterflies
butterflies can't fly if the temperature is below 60 degrees F.
****
Mosquito Facts - Things You Should Know hubpages
a Slug
In Bloom: Black-eyed Susan, Ox-eye (False Sunflower), Fleabane, Milkweed,
Butterfly-weed, Curly Dock, Dame’s Rocket, Yellow Sweet Clover, Mullein, False
Indigo, Campion, Hoary Alyssum, Birds-foot Trefoil, White Clover, Crown Vetch,
Canada Thistle?,
Fruits: Black Raspberry, Honey Suckle, False Indigo,
Growing quickly: Wood Nettle, Arrowhead, Goldenrod, Indian Hemp,
* Calls: Red-eyed Vireo
vs. Robin
Red-eyed Vireo Portrait - YouTube
Robin Singing - YouTube
** Listen to Calls:
Indigo Bunting - YouTube
Nature Notes 2017
12861 170614 Nature Notes, June 13,
2017, Sunny
a Blue Heron in flight, Barn Swallows, House Sparrows,
Crows, Red-winged Blackbirds
a Painted Turtle laying eggs
Frog calls (unidentified species)
Oak galls, Spittlebugs*
Ant Hills
In Bloom: Japanese Tree Lilac, Birds-foot Trefoil, Crown Vetch, White Clover,
Curly Dock, Spurge
Seeds/Fruits: Boxelder samaras, Black Walnut (still small and green fruits)
*
spittlebug foam - Google Search photos
Spittlebugs: Fruit: Yard and Garden: University of
Minnesota Extension
Froghopper Spittlebug nymphs
12841 170610-0612
Matt’s Walk with Karen @ Arboretum; this morning one of our staff members joined
Matt for his nature walk.
a hot, sunny, and windy day, no pesky mosquitoes: a Red-tailed Hawk in
flight, Clay-colored Sparrows (calls), Kingbirds, Field Sparrow calls, Song
Sparrow calls, Mourning Doves, Turkeys, Eastern Bluebird nest box* (blue eggs),
Tree Swallow nest box (white eggs); wren nest / bluebird nest - nest box**, Common
Yellowthroat calls, Bobolink males (calls), a Dickcissel (calls), a Turkey
Vulture flying overhead, Crows, Savannah Sparrow calls?
Tiger Swallowtail, Monarch, Green Darner, Bumblebee
In Bloom: Lady’s Slippers: Pink and Yellow, Blue Flag iris, Vetch, Alfalfa,
Spurge, Fleabane, Curly Dock, Japanese Tree Lilac, Basswood, Ox-eye (False
Sunflower),
Seeds/Fruits: Ash, Boxelder, Black Walnut (still small green fruits),
Cattle
grid - Wikipedia
*
Welcome Bluebirds With Nestboxes | Audubon
Eastern Bluebird:
Audubon Field Guide
Eastern Bluebird, Identification, All About Birds -
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Listen
to calls
Eastern bluebird - Wikipedia
Our
Bluebird photos
**
» There are Wrens in My Bluebird Boxes!
12822 170604 Nature Notes: June 4, 2017: Sunny, High Temp: 88 F (31 C),
Bloomington
Tree Swallow nests, Blue Herons in flight, Mallard families, a Hooded Merganser
family; babies dive to hunt, Robins, Song Sparrows, a Sparrow?, Catbirds
(calls), a Turkey Vulture flying overhead, Red-tailed Hawks, a pair of Turkeys:
Tom displays, a Cardinal, a Goldfinch, a Chickadee nest, a Mourning Dove,
Grackles,
Gray Squirrels,
Painted Turtles laying eggs on nests, a Snapping Turtle coming out of the pond
Monarch, Red-spotted Purple?, Dragonflies including Green Darner
In Bloom: Fleabane, Highbush Cranberry, Basswood, Yarrow, Canada Anemone, Wild
Rose
Seeds: Cottonwood, Ash, Dandelion
170603 St. Paul & Woodbury
Canada Goose families, very young Swallows
(unidentified species), Wood Ducks, a Blue Jay, Mallards,
Barn Swallows in flight, a Cliff Swallow colony, Starlings, House Sparrow nests,
House Finch nests (fledged)
Muskrats
Painted Turtles summing on the log
Dragonfly larval skin* (Jean found)
*
The Secret World of Dragonflies
|
Short Film Showcase - YouTube
In Bloom: Water Lily, Golden
Alexander,
12805 170530-0531
Nature Notes on Kris' Walk:
May 30, 2017:
Cloudy
Again, one of our staff members took a day off to join Kris for her bird walk on
May 30, 2017.
Morning Walk: Robin incubates on the nest, a
Mourning Dove, Grackles, Crows, a Wood Duck family, Great-crested Flycatchers
(calls), Red-winged Blackbirds, Gnatcatchers, Hummingbirds, a Blue Jay, a Canada
Goose family; goslings are becoming big, a Mallard duck family, a young Krider’s
Red-tailed Hawk, which was not afraid of us, an Oriole nest, Red-eyed vireo
(calls), a Warbling vireo, a Swainson’s Thrush, Cowbirds,
Gray Squirrels
In Bloom: Wild Geranium, Shooting Star, Highbush Cranberry, Wild Onion,
Virginia Waterleaf, False Indigo, Spiderwort,
Fruits/Seeds: Juneberry, Cottonwood, Dandelion Seedheads,
Moss,
Afternoon Walk: Tree Swallows, a Barn Swallow, Yellow Warblers, Song
Sparrows, Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Goldfinches, Pileated Woodpecker calls, Barred
Owl calls*, Robins, a Mallard duck family, a Hooded Merganser family, a Canada
Goose family, Broad-winged Hawks, a Turkey Vulture, Ospreys in flight; an Osprey
platform, Yellowthroat calls, Crows, Downy Woodpeckers, a Sedge Wren (calls), a
Field Sparrow (calls), Gulls, Indigo Buntings (calls), an Eastern Bluebird, a
Catbird,
a Deer with summer coat, Gopher’s Mounds
In Bloom: Spurge, Dame’s Rocket, American Yellow Rocket, White Campion,
Fruits: Wild Red Raspberry
Fungi, Duckweed,
*
Listen to owl calls - five owl species:
Barred Owl
"Who cooks for you? Who
cooks for you?"
12774 170523-0524
Nature Notes on Kris' Walk:
May 23, 2017:
Cloudy
One of our staff members took a day off to join Kris for her bird walk on May
23, 2017. "Kris, The walk was amazing! Thank you so much."
Morning: Hummingbirds, Chimney Swifts, woodpecker
drumming, Connecticut Warblers* (calls), Chestnut-sided Warblers (calls), Common
Yellowthroats (calls), Magnolia Warblers, Yellow Warblers, a Canada Warbler,
Redstarts, a Bay-breasted Warbler, a Blackburnian Warbler, a Veery, Cardinals,
Red-eyed Vireos (calls), Orioles (calls), Robins (calls), Crows, Gnatcatchers,
Mallards, a Caspian Tern flying over the lake, a pair of Loons, a Cormorant
flying overhead, Red-winged Blackbirds, a Pied-billed Grebe
* Listen to calls
Connecticut_Warbler, Identification, All About Birds
a Turkey, Red-tailed Hawk (Krider’s Red-tailed**), a Sharp-shinned Hawk, a
Broad-winged Hawk: “It all happened in the blink of an eye.” A Krider’s
Red-tailed Hawk flew down from its perch to try to get a Turkey on the trail,
and then a Sharp-shinned Hawk appeared out of no where to go after the Krider’s Red-tailed Hawk. So the
Krider’s Red-tailed Hawk flew away to perch on a branch in a tree, which is
about 50 yards away from the trail. We didn't know where the Turkey and the
Sharp-shinned Hawk went. Anyways, the good news is that nobody got hurt.
Three Hawks (most likely Red-tailed) flying in circles,
**
Red Tailed Hawk Krider’s – Wildlife Science Center
Krider’s Red-tailed Hawk - Google Search
photos
Gray Squirrels, a Gray Squirrel nest, a Deer,
an American Toad
In Bloom: Canada Violet, Violet, Wild Geranium, Spiderwort, False Indigo, and
more
Afternoon: a Goldfinch, a Starling, Canada Geese, Mallards, Wood Ducks &
ducklings, an Egret, Soras, Cardinals, a Mourning Dove, a Barn Swallow
incubating on the nest, Green Herons, Blue Herons, a Black-crowned Night Heron,
a House Sparrow, a Swamp Sparrow?, a Black-and-White Warbler, a Magnolia
Warbler, Indigo Buntings (calls), Common Yellowthroats (calls), a Red-tailed
Hawk chased by a small bird, a Kingbird, Red-winged Blackbirds, Warbling Vireo
calls, Oriole calls,
a Muskrat, Gray Squirrels
many Painted Turtles sunning on the logs
a Bumblebee, a Paper Wasp nest (last year’s?)
In Bloom: Garlic Mustard, Dandelion, Creeping Charlie, Bleeding Heart,
Seeds: Dandelion seedheads, lots of fallen brown samaras on the trail,
Cottonwood tree seeds are falling; ponds and trails are covered with white
stuff***
Duckweed
***
Cottonwood: Minnesota DNR
What's that white stuff? Cottonwood season's here -
Chronicle-Telegram
cottonwood tree white fluff - Google Search
photos
Two Red-tailed Hawks along the Hwy
12766 170521
Nature Notes on part of Steve's walk with Jason @ Roberts, May 20, 2017, Rain
Warblers: Tennessee (calls*), Magnolia, Chestnut-sided, Redstart, and Canada;
Flycatchers such as Great Crested Flycatchers and a Least Flycatcher, Baltimore
Orioles, Wood Ducks, Robins, Crows, Grackles, an Owl? in flight, Baltimore
Oriole's nests (last year's and this year's)
Gray Squirrels, a Chipmunk
* Listen to calls
Tennessee Warbler, Identification, All About Birds
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Red-tailed Hawks,
May 19, 2017 a Gnatcatcher, Mourning Doves, Robins, Grackles,
an Egret, Blue Herons in flight, Mallards,
a Canada Goose roadkill
In Bloom: Spiderwort, Virginia Waterleaf, Crabapple (red and white; almost
done), Dandelion, Honeysuckle (pink, red, and white), Spurge, Lilac, Canada
Violet (stalked), Creeping Charlie**,
Fruits (Seeds): Silver Maple samaras; brown samaras begin to fall,
Juneberry (small green fruits emerging), Mountain Ash
(green fruits), Dandelion seedheads, Willow (black?) seeds or catkins, Boxelder
samaras, Cottonwood fruits (green)
Trees: Norway Spruce;
forming new light green needles
each spring
Picea abies - Wikipedia Norway
Spruce
Mushroom, Moss, Liken, Grass,
**
Glechoma hederacea - Wikipedia
creeping charlie
12741 170515 Nature Notes, May 15,
2017, Rain Red-tailed Hawks, Red-winged Blackbirds, Robins,
Blue Herons, Egrets, Mallards, Mourning Doves, Crows, Blue Jay calls,
a group of three White-tailed Deer
May 14, 2017, Sunny
Trumpeter Swans, Red-winged
Blackbirds, Mallard Duck families (ducklings), Canada Goose families (goslings),
a Downy Woodpecker, a Baltimore Oriole pair
Muskrats, Muskrat lodges, a Beaver lodge, a Weasel (most likely Long-tailed
Weasel)
A intense and long territorial fight between two male huge Snapping Turtles in a
pond, Painted turtles sunning,
a Northern Watersnake swimming on the water surface
American Toad calls
Paper Wasps, Green Darner dragonflies, Gnats
In Bloom: Golden Alexander, Dandelion, Prairie Smoke, Columbine, Spurge,
Shooting Star, Crabapple, Wild Blue Phlox, Blue Flag Iris, Lilac, Anemone?,
Violet, Canada Violet, Ohio Buckeye, Spring Beauty, Bellflower?, Cherry?, and
more
Seeds: Dandelion Seedheads, Boxelder samaras,
Nature Notes 2017
12721 170511 Nature Notes on Kris' Morning Walk:
May 9, 2017:
Sunny
Warblers: an Ovenbird, a Redstart, Waterthrushes, Black and White Warblers, a
Canada Warbler, a Common Yellowthroat, Cape May Warblers, Yellow-rumped
Warblers, Magnolia Warblers, a Northern Parula, a Nashville Warbler, a Mourning
Warbler, a Palm Warbler, Wilson’s Warblers, etc.
a Vireo (Blue-headed?), a Great Crested Flycatcher, a Gnatcatcher, a Least
Flycatcher (calls), a Great Horned Owl in flight, Crows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets,
Mallards, Red-winged Blackbirds (calls), Robins (calls), a Chipping Sparrow,
White-throated Sparrows, Baltimore Orioles, a House Wren, a Swift, a Tom Turkey
in display, Robins, Grackles,
Gray Squirrels
In Bloom: Redbud, Crabapple, Prairie Smoke, Downy Yellow Violet, Violet, Canada
Violet, Dandelion, Elderberry, Garlic Mustard (invasive), Trillium, Oak
River Birch with catkins, White Birch with catkins, Dandelion seedheads,
Boxelder samaras
Nature Notes 2017
May 9, 2017 Sandhill Cranes, Trumpeter Swans, a Chickadee's
nest, Palm Warblers, Two Turkey
Vultures perching high in the tree, White-throated Sparrows, Red-winged
Blackbirds, Robins,
A Snapping Turtle swimming under the water, Painted Turtles, a Northern
Watersnake crossing the dirt trail
Butterflies: Red Admirals, a Tiger Swallowtail
12697 170506
Nature Notes on Steve's Walk with Jason @ Roberts, May 6, 2017: Sunny
Northern Waterthrushes, Palm Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a
White-throated Sparrow, a Swamp Sparrow, Song Sparrows (calls), Wood Ducks,
Mallards, Crows, an Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warblers (calls),
Gnatcatchers, Robins, a Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpeckers (calls),
Cowbirds, Grackles, a Broad-winged Hawk flying in circles, a Cooper’s Hawk
chased by several Crows, Chickadees, a Crow chased by a Red-winged
Blackbird, Turkeys: a Tom Turkey displays,
a Great Egret, Cardinals, a White-bellied Nuthatch, a House Wren calls
a Muskrat, Gray Squirrels, a Red Squirrel,
American Toad calls
Blooming: Redbud, Crabapple, Juneberry (almost done), Columbine, Elderberry,
Violet, Canada Violet, Dandelion, Creeping Charlie
Fallen fruits or flowers: Black Willow?, Maple?, unidentified seeds: looking
like a sort of a green leaf (half an inch long).
Activities: Walking, Birding, Running, Biking, Playing Golf,
Nature Notes 2017
12679 170502 Nature Notes on Kris' Morning Walk:
May 2, 2017:
Sunny
Yellow-rumped Warblers, Orange-crowned Warblers, a Northern Waterthrush, a
Palm Warbler, a Black and White Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Cardinals
(calls), Blue Jay calls, Robins, Horned
Grebes, Ruddy Ducks, White-throated Sparrows, a Lincoln Sparrow,
a Swamp Sparrow, Chickadees, Red-winged Blackbirds (calls), a Nuthatch,
Coots, Mallards, a Sharp-shinned Hawk (most likely) flying overhead, a young Bald Eagle soaring in circles, a Least Bittern*
flying overhead
*
Least Bittern, Identification, All About Birds -
Cornell Lab of Ornithology Note: Our first bird in our
lives.
Herons
Gray Squirrels
Western Chorus Frog calls
Listen to the calls
Chorus Frog Call - YouTube
Tree frogs: Western/Boreal chorus frog: Minnesota DNR
The western chorus frog is
among Minnesota's smallest frogs.
Frogs
a Bee House for native bees
Blooming: Dandelion, Eastern Redbud (Judas-tree), Juneberry (Serviceberry), Elderberry, Violet,
Canada Violet,
River Birch catkins, catkin-like fruits fallen on the ground (Laurel or
Black Willow),
Mushrooms: several kinds, for example, inky caps?
*************************
Yellow-rumped Warblers, Phoebes, Mallards, a Downy Woodpecker nest?,
Red-winged Blackbirds,
Crows, Canada Geese, Egrets, a Blue Heron in flight, sparrows (unidentified)
a bee (our first
one of the season, unidentified species) sucking nectar from Dandelion flowers, a Green Darner
dragonfly,
Several Painted
Turtles sunning on logs in the pond
Two people, who we met in the park, are saying that they spotted a Northern
Harrier.
Pocket Gopher's Mounds
Blooming: Dandelion, Violet, Creeping Charlie, Elderberry,
Crabapples almost begin to bloom and their leaves begin to appear, a tree
has catkins, leafing out (unidentified),
River Birch with catkins, Boxelder with tiny samaras,
Duckweed, Moss
May 1, 2017: It snowed for a while, St. Paul, MN.
12672 170429 Nature Notes: April 29, 2017:
Cloudy
a Palm Warbler, a small Hawk (likely a male Cooper’s Hawk or Sharp-shinned
Hawk), Marsh Wrens?, Ruddy Ducks in the distance, Gadwalls, Sandpipers,
Yellowlegs, Tree Swallows, a Sandhill Crane, Wood Ducks, Mallards, Canada
Geese, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals (calls), Song Sparrows (calls),
a White-throated Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbirds (calls), a Bald Eagle nest, a Young Bald Eagle flying
overhead, Robins, Trumpeter Swans, an unhatched egg left on the goose nest,
Yellow-rumped Warblers, Egrets, Crows, Blue-winged Teals, Green-winged
Teals, Forster’s Terns, a Killdeer (calls), Willets, Nuthatches, Chickadees
(alarm calls), a male Ruby-crowned Kinglet, many Northern Shovlers, Phoebes,
a male Hooded Merganser, an old Pileated Woodpecker nest
Birders, who we met on the trail, spotted: Northern Waterthrush,
Yellow Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Buffleheads, Sora
calls, a Hermit Thrush, a Barn Swallow in flight, Goslings,
Muskrat Lodges, a Beaver Lodge
Western Chorus Frog calls
Blooming: Dandelion, Violet, Violet (white color, but not Canada Violet:
unidentified),
Creeping Charlie?
Bracket mushrooms
April 27, 2017: Cloudy Temp.: around 32 F
Yellow-rumped Warblers, Robins, Egrets fishing, a Canada Goose, Red-winged
Blackbirds,
Pocket Gopher’s Mounds
No Western Chorus Frog calls
Blooming: Elderberry, Box-Elder (flowers are done, small samaras),
Almost all trees and shrubs leafing out, including Aspen
Nature Notes 2017
12657
170427 Nature Notes on Kris' Morning Walk: April 25, 2017: Cloudy
Yellow-rumped Warblers, Cardinals, Robins, Horned Grebes,
Song Sparrows (calls), White-throated Sparrows, a Gnat Catcher, Chickadees
(alarm calls*, spring calls), Red-winged Blackbirds (calls), a Nuthatch,
Mallards, an old Oriole nest
*
2005/06/23/ Chickadees' alarm calls carry
information about size threat of predator
a Black Squirrel
Western Chorus Frog calls
Blooming: Dandelion, Juneberry (Serviceberry), Elderberry, Violet
Almost all trees and shrubs begin to leaf out.
weird looking mushrooms
12634 170423
Nature Notes: April 23, 2017: Sunny Ruby-crowned
Kinglets, Phoebes, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Red-winged Blackbirds
(calls), Canada Geese: a mom is incubating her eggs on the top of the
muskrat lodge,
Mallards, Robins, Crows, Chickadees, Song Sparrows (calls), Trumpeter
Swans, a Coot, Wood Ducks, Northern Shovelers, a Sandhill Crane, Blue-winged
Teals, Sandpipers, a Double-crested Cormorant fishing, a Red-tailed Hawk, Rock
Pigeons, House Sparrows, a Starling having nesting materials in its beak,
Yellowlegs, a Nuthatch (calls), Northern Cardinals (calls), a Bald Eagle nest,
mysterious calls (unidentified)
a Muskrat, Muskrat lodges, Beaver lodges, found a Raccoon den in a hollow
tree destroyed by a recent storm
Western Chorus Frog calls
a Painted Turtle sunning on the log
Blooming: Dandelion, Violet
12632 170422
Nature Notes: April 22, 2017: Sunny Ruby-crowned
Kinglets, Phoebes, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Red-winged Blackbirds
(calls), Canada Geese,
Mallards, Turkeys, Robins, Crows, Chickadees, Sparrows (unidentified),
info from birders who we met on the park trail: a Black-and-White Warbler, a
Palm Warbler, a female Kingfisher, a Meadowlark (calls), a Barred Owl,
Gray Squirrels, two horseback riders, horse poop on the trail, horseshoe
tracks,
This Prairie still looks brown around this time of year.
Western Chorus Frog calls
Swarming Gnats
parts of the trail flooding a little bit.
Nature Notes 2017
Activities: playing golf, walking, walking dogs, jogging/running, mountain
biking, birding, nature photography, nature walks, horseback riding, fishing,
12630 170421-0422 Nature Notes: April 21, 2017: Sunny
a White-throated Sparrow, House Sparrows, Pied-billed Grebes,
Ring-necked Ducks, Wood Ducks, Blue-winged Teals, Ruby-crowned Kinglets,
Phoebes, Yellow-rumped warblers, Red-winged Blackbirds: males and females
(calls), Starlings on the utility line, Canada Geese: three nesting sites,
Mallards, a Nuthatch, Robins,
info from our birder's friends: a House Wren's nest in their yard
Gray Squirrels, a Cottontail rabbit, Muskrats, Muskrat lodges,
Western Chorus Frog calls
Shrubs with showy white flowers
blooming (unidentified)
Nature Notes 2017
April 20, 2017: Cloudy/Sunny
Egrets, Canada Geese (calls), Mallards, Sparrows (unidentified), a male Northern
Cardinal, a Mourning Dove on the utility line,
Pocket Gopher's Mounds
April 19, 2017: Rain/Cloudy
a mom Goose incubates her eggs, Mallards, an Egret, a Blue Heron, Crows, a Gull,
Red-winged Blackbirds (calls), no House Finches on last year's nests,
April 18, 2017: Rain/Cloudy
Egrets, a Blue Heron, Mallards, Canada Geese, a male Northern Cardinal (calls),
a flock of several small birds (likely a kind of sparrow), Red-winged
Blackbirds, Crows,
Two White-tailed Deer families: a herd of three Deer (looks like siblings) and
two deer, a Gray Squirrel, Pocket Gopher's Mounds
Western Chorus Frog calls
12602 170417 Nature Notes, St.
Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 17, 2017: Sunny
T= around 56 F (13 C) "A Lovely Spring Day!" Chickadees (spring calls), Crows,
Canada Geese, a Wood Duck pair (flew away while making calls as we approached),
a Horned Grebe (breeding adult), a flock of around 10 Buffleheads, a Red-winged Blackbird,
Ring-billed Gulls,
a male Bufflehead, Egrets fishing, Mallards, a Blue-winged Teal pair, a small Hawk
(unidentified because it flew away), a female Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warblers^ (calls):
our first warbler of the season, Eastern Phoebes: one is busy catching insects, Robin's calls, Red-bellied Woodpecker calls, a
Double-crested Cormorant flying
overhead, Rock Pigeons, a Blue Heron flying overhead around 8:15 p.m. at dusk to
get back to its rookery. (Hope he/she isn't hungry.), Bird calls become louder as the breeding season begins.
Old Osprey platform nest (Ospreys haven't used this since several years ago),
Bald Eagles: a nest with three babies
^
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Identification, All About Birds -
Cornell Lab of Ornithology Listen to their calls.
A Gray Squirrel, a Raccoon roadkill,
Western Chorus Frog calls
Painted Turtles (about 10) sunning on the log (Info from a cyclist)
Green Darner Dragonflies; a pair almost mated, a black beetle (about half an
inch long) walking on the ground
Dandelions blooming, Creeping Charlie (likely) blooming, Magnolia (?) blooming,
River Birch's flowers, Quaking Aspen's catkins, Oak trees blooming, Maple trees
blooming, Highbush Cranberry leafing out while keeping last year's fruits,
Bracket Fungi,
Lichens,
Nature Notes 2017
Activities: Kayaking, playing Golf, Walking, Jogging, Biking, Walking dogs,
Inline Skating, Fishing,
12601 170416 Nature Notes, St. Paul,
Minnesota
April 16, 2017: Sunny T= around 65 F (18 C) Chickadee
spring calls, Song Sparrow calls, Crow mobbing --- a quiet day.
A Gray Squirrel crossing the road just before our car.
Western Chorus Frog calls
Nature Notes 2017
12575 170415 Nature Notes, St. Paul, Minnesota
April 15, 2017: Cloudy/Rain
Canada Geese, Mallards, Ring-necked Ducks, a duck pair (too far to identify),
Wood Ducks, a Chickadee,
Western Chorus Frog calls
April 14, 2017: Rain/Cloudy
Red-tailed Hawks, Rock Pigeons, Red-winged Blackbirds,
Mallards, Ducks (too far to identify,
a flock of around 20), Coots (most likely), Chickadees, a Gull,
Western Chorus Frog calls
Shrubs are leafing out, some Oak trees begin to leaf out, some Maple trees begin
to leaf out, many trees begin to leaf out (unidentified)
April 12, 2017: Rain
A mother Goose continues to incubate, a Chickadee's nest
a tiny spider (a house spider?, about 2 mm in size), a tiny beetle (about 5 mm
long)
12575 170410 Nature Notes, St. Paul, Minnesota
April 10, 2017: Rain, Temp: 35 F (2 C)
Egrets, Sparrows (unidentified), Crows (calls), Mallards, bird calls
(unidentified)
A young White-tailed deer crossing the trail just in front of us
Western Chorus Frog calls
Shrubs continue to leaf out, Some Maples with inconspicuous flowers begin to
leaf out, Some trees (unidentified) begin to leaf out
12564 170408
2017 "ice-out" March 20 - March 27, Lake Phalen, St.
Paul, MN
Ice-out
photos:
Minnesota
Spring
12563 170408 Nature Notes, St. Paul, Minnesota
April 8, 2017: Sunny, Temp: 70 F a Blue Jay, House
Sparrows, Sparrows (most likely Fox Sparrows), Chickadee spring calls, Northern
Cardinal calls, Canada Geese, Crow calls, Mallards, a
Blue Heron flying overhead
a White-tailed Deer crossing the road just before our car, Pocket Gopher Mounds,
Some shrubs begin to leaf out, Grass, Moss, Lichens
12521 170329-0406 Nature Notes, St. Paul, Minnesota
April 6, 2017: Sunny
Chickadees (alarm calls, spring calls), Northern Cardinal calls, Robins*
(calls), Mallards, Canada Geese (calls), Killdeers* (calls), a Blue-winged
Teal** pair, Ring-necked Ducks*, RW Blackbirds* (calls), a Downy Woodpecker,
Wood Ducks,
a Gray Squirrel, Squirrel nests, a Cottontail rabbit (two birders spotted), a
Muskrat
April 5, 2017: Sunny An Egret, a Chickadee, Robin calls, Northern
Cardinal calls, Red-winged Blackbirds, Sparrows; most likely Fox Sparrows, a
Gull flying overhead, Mallards flying overhead, a medium-sized gray bird on the
utility line (unidentified)
Pocket Gopher Mounds
Western Chorus Frog calls
April 4, 2017: Sunny
Egrets, Blue Herons, Chickadees, Robins, Mallards, Canada Geese; Geese incubate
on nests, Killdeers, Red-winged Blackbirds (calls), Wood Ducks, a medium-sized
brown bird with calls (unidentified), Crows,
Muskrats, a Muskrat lodge, Gray Squirrels, a Cottontail Rabbit (info from O & A)
Our first Painted Turtle sunning on the log, of the season
Western Chorus Frog calls
April 3, 2017:
Rain
April 2, 2017: Cloudy One Bald Eagle parent incubates on the nest
while its partner stands guard on a nearby branch, Mallards, Canada Geese,
Red-winged Blackbirds* (calls), Red-breasted Mergansers**, Ring-necked Ducks*, a
Northern Cardinal pair, Chickadees, Crows (calls), Robins*, Killdeers*: mating
games?,
Juncos***, a bird on the utility line (unidentified), No Mallard nests were
found.
Killdeer Mating Games - YouTube
Gray Squirrels
Western Chorus Frog calls
April 1, 2017: Sunny
an Egret* at close range, Chickadees (spring calls), Mallards, Crows, Red-winged
Blackbirds*, a Fox Sparrow*, Red-bellied Woodpecker calls**, Song Sparrow**
calls (most likely), Nuthatch calls?, a bird on the utility line (unidentified),
a Mourning Dove** on the utility line (most likely)
Pocket Gopher Mounds
Western Chorus Frog calls
March 31, 2017: Sunny
an Egret**, Blue Herons*, a male Northern Cardinal (calls), Red-winged
Blackbirds* (calls), Crows, Mallards, Canada Geese, Killdeers*, Ring-necked
Ducks*, Wood Ducks*, a few birds perching on the utility line (unidentified)
Muskrats, two Gray Squirrels chase each other,
Why Do Squirrels Chase Each Other?
March 30, 2017: Cloudy
Robins*, Fox Sparrows**, a male Northern Cardinal (calls), Crow calls, Mallards flying overhead, a few small birds?
(could be swallows) perching on utility lines
a Gray Squirrel, a herd of deer (a
family of three White-tailed Deer)
at close range
March 29, 2017:
Mallards, Canada Geese,
Ring-necked Ducks*, a Ring-billed Gull*, Wood Ducks*, Killdeers*, Red-winged
Blackbirds* (calls), a Blue Heron*, a Hooded Merganser** pair, a Mallard pair
seems to look for its nesting site
a Gray Squirrel
March 28, 2017: Canada
Geese: a parent incubates on the nest, House Finches** return to the old nests
Crow mobbing, a Robin* (calls), Red-winged Blackbirds*
our first Western Chorus Frog calls
March 27, 2017:
Mallards, Robins* (calls), Canada Geese, a Blue Heron**,
Red-winged Blackbirds* (calls), a Blue Jay (calls), Dark-eyed Juncos***, Killdeers**, Wood
Ducks**, Ring-necked Ducks* (several pairs), a white bird (unidentified), Male
downy woodpecker?,
Many Muskrats, a Red Squirrel, Gray Squirrels,
Maple sap collection time
2017 "ice-out" March 20 - March 27, as long as we observed.
* ** *** Migratory birds: ** Our first sighting of the season,
*** Dark-eyed Juncos stay here in Minnesota in the winter and in the spring they
migrate north.
Wildlife
12451 170315
Our 3rd migratory bird of the season: a flock of about 15
Ring-billed Gulls sitting on ice on a lake, St. Paul, MN
Plus a flock of Canada Geese, Chickadee's spring calls, Crows, Northern
Cardinals, Rock Pigeons
Bald Eagles: two adult eagles and two juvenile ones
Birds
Roadkill (most likely Raccoon)
Mammals
12439 170314
Our 2nd migratory bird of the season: a male
Red-winged
Blackbird (calls), Battle Creek Park, St. Paul, MN
Plus a Chickadee (calls), a Red-tailed Hawk at close range, Sparrows
(unidentified)
Birds
a Gray Squirrel crossing the road just in front of our car
Mammals
March 13, 2017 Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle parents take turns incubating
eggs, male/female Ring-necked Duck pair (our first migratory bird of the
season), Rock Pigeons, Crows (calls), Nuthatch calls
12436 170313 Our first migratory bird
of the season: a male/female Ring-necked Duck pair floats on lake water as the
ice begins to melt, St. Paul, Minnesota
Birds
Feb. 18, 2017 A Bald Eagle flying overhead, a Crow, Mallards,
ice fishing: two guys six around 24 inch - northern pikes.
Feb. 17, 2017 Chickadees
Feb. 15, 2017 park trails are slippery
Feb. 14, 2017 a flock of
about 10 Robins, Downy Woodpeckers, Crow mobbing, three Deer watching us.
one guy who I met on the trail is saying, "I just saw a Coyote."
Feb. 13, 2017 a Bald Eagle, Rock Pigeons
Feb. 12, 2017 a Red-tailed Hawk, a Chickadee (spring calls), a
Gray Squirrel
Jan. 31, 2017 a Great Horned Owl, Red-tailed Hawks,
Crows, Rock Pigeons
a Snowman
Jan. 1, 2017 Chickadees, Juncos, Gray Squirrels
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