Another Couple of Life Birds

by | Jun 9, 2009 | Birding

The St. Paul Audubon Society held its last spring bird walk of the season today.  Today brought 2 more life birds for my records with a Willow Flycatcher (identified by sound before a visual) and (after our official walk), a Mourning Warbler. A BIG THANK YOU to...

Seen any warbler's lately?

by | Jun 5, 2009 | Birding

I was pleasantly surprised Tuesday at Benson Prairie to see and photograph several warbler species.  The Yellow Warbler sits up in the trees and sings out in the open.  The Common Yellowthroat on the other hand, is quite loud but secretive and usually flits low in the...

Sedge Wren

by | Jun 5, 2009 | Birding

Another fun bird we found this week at Benson Prairie was the Sedge Wren. This wren is a “..small, secretive wren that breeds in short grass and sedge marshes.”

LIFE BIRD !!!

by | Jun 2, 2009 | Birding, Photography

I hope you enjoy these pics half as much as I enjoyed taking them.  This is a Le Conte’s Sparrow found this morning at the restored Benson Prairie in White Bear Township on a St. Paul Audubon bird walk. From Cornell: “…the Le Conte’s Sparrow is difficult to see...

Raptor Center's Kestrel Watch

by | May 24, 2009 | Birding

Since about 2000, The Raptor Center has seen a precipitous decline in the number of kestrels admitted to the center; from 107 admissions in 2000 to only 22 last year.  At the same time, admissions of Cooper’s hawks have doubled, from 54 admissions in 2000 to 114...