Volume 32 Issue 1 - Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter
Transcription
Volume 32 Issue 1 - Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter
The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter Trumpeter Volume 47 Issue 6–Bloomington MN May & June 2015 www.MRVAC.org Special Presentation May 21 Open to the Public Birds in Love by Steve Weston, Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter I will be talking about Bird Behavior drawn from my years of observing birds and trying to figure out what is going on. I will be talking about courting, mating, nesting, and raising young. Many of us have been lucky enough to watch birds mate, but have you seen them do it on the wing? And, what species mating habits suggest an orgy at a dance hall with the females lining up with their butts in the air and fluttering their wings? This may be the raciest talk given since I have been attending. When: Please join us Thursday, May 21 from 7:00-7:30 pm to socialize over cookies. A brief business meeting including the board of director’ elections and the featured speaker begin at 7:30 pm. The meeting will conclude before 9:00 pm. Where: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington. Take Hwy 494 to 34th Ave. Go south to American Blvd; turn left and go 2 blocks. Center will be on your right. Enter through the door at the middle of the building. Public Transit: Accessible by METRO Blue line (Hiawatha light rail), The Visitor Center is a couple of blocks east of the American Blvd. stop. Anne Hanley, articles editor Greg Burnes, field trips editor Potluck Supper & Birding Thursday June 4 at Hyland Park The MRVAC potluck picnic will be held the first Thursday of June - June 4th at Richardson Nature Center (8737 East Bush Lake Road, Bloomington) in the Aspen and Bluestem rooms (we’ll have room for 50 people). Everyone is enthusiastically invited to join in: eat, hike, bird and visit with other MRVAC members and friends. The room is rented from 5pm-8pm, so you may arrive with potluck items any time after 5pm and we'll plan to eat at 6pm. Birding can be done either before or after supper, whatever works best with your schedule Please bring a salad, fruit, main dish or dessert to share. Lemonade will be provided. Also, to help make this a minimal-waste event, please bring your own plates, cups and cutlery. Be sure to bring your binoculars for birding before or after the potluck. Non-members are enthusiastically invited; bring your friends or bring yourself – take this opportunity to get acquainted at this mostly-social event. Elect 2015-16 Board Members Please join us at the meeting on Thursday May 21 to vote on the slate of nine candidates for the Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter board of directors: President: Greg Burnes President Elect = ???? Vice President: Steve Weston Treasurer: Bob Williams, Secretary: Matthew Schaut, Members at Large: Becky Lystig, Ken Oulman, Patti Larson, Rick Magee, Dianne Rowse A Chapter of the National Audubon Society May & June 2015 Trumpeter Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter MRVAC Chapter News Chip Notes By Greg Burnes, MRVAC President As you read this addition of the Trumpeter the spring migration will be in full swing and spring should have arrived (but hopefully not the mosquitoes and black flies!) I hope you’ve signed up for the MRVAC Bird-athon. It’s one of the most important fundraising events we hold each year and your contributions, regardless of size, are critical for us to continue our support of many important programs that directly align with our mission. If you need more information regarding the Bird-a-thon you can go to our website, mrvac.org, or call me at 612205-3071. In the last Trumpeter, I promised to communicate where the board has decided to invest your generous donations. We considered a number of grant requests and because of your generosity we were able to fund a large majority of them. Wood Lake Nature Center: WLNC held a Bird-a-thon in April and we provided $400 so they could engage the raptor center to provide live birds and educational sessions. Hope you all had a chance to attend. Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge: This is our home base and we donated $3,500 for the Blue Goose Fund (transportation for underserved youth to experience the great educational programs at MRVNWR), educational programming, and the yearly intern program. We thank them for being such great hosts for our refuge meetings and are excited to continue our partnership. See more about the Refuge’s Partner Schools program here: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Minnesota_Va lley/visit/for_educators.html and http://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/partn erschoolsflyer(7).pdf Audubon Center of the North Woods: We have approved a $1,000 grant to the Audubon Center of the North Woods in support of youth scholarships for the Birding Bonanza Weekend and to the Ways of Wildlife Youth Camp for children ages 10-12. Red Headed Woodpecker Recovery Project: Many of you know about the great work this program is providing, doing research and providing habitat for this wonderful and formerly very numerous bird. We donated $500 earlier this year in support of their work. To read more about their work, see their web site at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: Annually the Arboretum serves over 36,000 K-6 students and has an active outreach program to engage underserved, low income schools from across the Twin Cities Metro area. They requested 15 pairs of binoculars to support their program and we are sending them 16 pairs ($850). Again, I want to thank each of you for your contributions of time and money to MRVAC. I hope you agree we are supporting a wide-range of programs that align with our mission of promoting the understanding, enjoyment, and protection of native birds, other wildlife and their habitat. Warren Nelson Memorial Fund: If you’ve visited the Sax-Zim Bog you’ve heard of, or possibly met Warren Nelson. Sadly, he passed away last year and a memorial fund has been established to purchase 40 acres of land in the Bog, on Blue Spruce Road. MRVAC is donating $1,000 and recently learned that our donation helped garner matching funds. If you would like to read more about Friends of Sax-Zim Bog or to contribute to the memorial yourself, please visit http://www.saxzim.org/ Amy Simso-Dean: Amy is a 4th grade teacher at Burroughs Community School in Minneapolis and she’s started a birding club. We are assisting her by donating $250 for field guides and other expenses for the 14 students in the club. Thanks Amy for getting these students interested in birding. Page 2 http://www.redheadrecovery.org/ Good health and good birding. Birdathon 2015 By Bob Williams, MRVAC Treasurer The dates for this year’s Birdathon are May 1st through May 17th. Participating birders may use the form on page 3. If you need additional pages, pick up a sponsor sheet at one of our monthly meetings or request one from Bob Williams at 612-728-2232 or via email at [email protected]. The Birdathon is really a great way to combine the pleasures of birding with the rewards of raising money for some great environmental projects. Printed on recycled paper May & June 2015 Trumpeter Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter 2015 Birdathon Sponsor Pledge Form Name ________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________________ Phone _________________________________________ Number of birds seen: ____________ on May ___, 2015 Location(s) ___________________________________: I, the undersigned, pledge __ per bird or a flat amount to support Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) projects that get children outside and provide environmental education. Please make checks payable to MRVAC. MRVAC is a 501(c)3 organization and your contributions are tax deductible. Sponsor Name Phone Email $ amount per bird seen Flat $ amount Date Paid Turn in donations & sponsor sheet(s) to MRVAC Treasurer Bob Williams at the May 21 meeting Page 3 Printed on recycled paper May & June 2015 Trumpeter Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter Upcoming Events Burnsville Native Plant Market May 30, 2015 Audubon Center of the North Woods 2015 Summer Camps and Expeditions Burnsville will host a Native Plant Market as a way to encourage people to grow native plants in their yards. In addition to beautifying the community, native plants provide food for pollinators, help improve water quality, and require less care than traditional garden plants. Native wildflowers, ferns, and grasses will be available for sale from multiple vendors. Arrive early for the best selection! All of our camps have a focus on wildlife, nature, challenge and outdoor skills. Experience the great outdoors and make memories that last a lifetime! The event will be held rain or shine. Only CASH and CHECKS will be accepted for payment. YOUTH CAMPS Partial scholarships are available for all our youth camps June 28 - July 3: Outdoor Adventures (Ages 12-14) July 26-31: Ways of Wildlife (Ages 10-12) Aug. 2-7: Backpacking Superior Hiking Trail (Ages 12-14) Aug. 9-14: BWCA Expedition Camp (Ages 12-14) Aug. 16-21: Hooked on Fishing (Ages 10-12) FAMILY CAMPS Native Plant Market Saturday, May 30, 2015 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Where: Parking lot across from Burnsville City Hall (100 Civic Center Parkway) Who: Open to all (including non-residents) • July 5-10: Summer Family Escape • July 12-17: Woods, Waters, & Wildlife - A Family Nature Adventure at the Lake (Road Scholar® #4966) Plant list and more info available on Burnsville web site: Online review of the Woods Waters and Wildlife camp: What: When: http://www.ci.burnsville.mn.us/ind ex.aspx?NID=1699 See more at http://audubon-center.org/ and click on Summer Camps or call 1-888-404-7743 “This was my first experience with Road Scholar and I'm extremely satisfied with the whole experience. The facilities were comfortable and the food was great and plentiful. The instructors were excellent, their interaction with the kids was super and the activities were engaging and informative. All in all, this was a great value for a minimal cost. I'd recommend it to any grandparents that want to spend a fun week with their grandchildren. Thanks for offering such a fun intergenerational program.” ______________________ Birding Trail Guides now online! Questions about the Native Plant Market? Contact Caleb Ashling at (952) 895-4543. Page 4 Now you can find great birding trails in Minnesota with Audubon Minnesota’s new online birding trail guides. The Minnesota River Valley, Great River (Headwaters to the Minnesota-Iowa Border), and North Shore Birding Trail Guides are now available in a beautiful, easy-to-use map tour application. Each online interactive map features location details, descriptions, and information about the main trail guide you have selected and also highlights locations from the companion bird trail guides. Find the online guides at http://mn.audubon.org/birdingminnesota Printed on recycled paper May & June 2015 Trumpeter Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter FIELD TRIPS – page 1 of 2 – Join us. All trips are free unless otherwise noted. Beginners and non-members are welcome on any trip. May & June Bird Watching Treks at Refuge Hok-Si-La Warbler Watching Bloomington Visitor Center 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington Saturday, May 2, 2015, 8:00 am Rapids Lake Unit 15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver Monday, May 4, 2015, 8:00 am Louisville Swamp Unit 3801 145th St. W., Shakopee Sunday, May 10, 2015, 8:00 am Monday, June 15, 2015, 8:00 am Black Dog Unit, Cliff Fen Park, (if the trail is open) 120 East Cliff Road, Burnsville ** Saturday, June 13, 2015, 8:00 am **will be canceled if trail is not open. Check http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Minnesota_Valley/ and click on the ‘Alert – Trail Closures’ link Craig Mandel - 952-240-7647 Join us for a bird walk on one of the many refuge units and learn about the birds that migrate to and through these wonderful wildlife areas. We will find a large variety of waterfowl, flycatchers, warblers, sparrows and other songbirds. Birders of all skill levels are welcome on these walks. Bring along your binoculars, favorite field guide and dress appropriately. Registration is not required for these refuge tours 2500 U.S. Highway 61, Lake City, MN 55041 Saturday, May 9, at 7:30 am Steve Weston - 612-978-3993 This is often the best weekend for migrating warblers and Hok-Si-La Park is ideally situated to see birds traveling up the Mississippi River flyway – making this a great Bird-a-thon trip. Meet at the parking lot at Hok-SiLa Park, a Lake City park. You may camp at Hok-Si-La or Frontenac State Park on Friday night or drive down in the morning. After lunch, we will hike to Sand Point. Expect lots of walking; bring water and food – snacks and lunch. No reservations necessary; just come. Beginning Bird Class (Hopkins Community Ed) 19300 Ritter Trail, Lakeville Saturday, May 19, 8:30am Jay Miller 612-325-3066 Spend the morning with us on the shore of Lake Marion at Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville. This park has mixed habitat and is a good location for spring migrants. First class is Monday, April 27 from 6:30-8:30 pm. Hopkins Community Ed 952.988.4070 You must pre-register with Hopkins Community Ed for this class. Increase your observation skills and your knowledge of birds. Indoor session is followed by three local field trips. Instructors George Skinner and Anne Hanley will provide binoculars and field guides for class use, if needed. Class will meet outdoors on May 4, 11, and 18. $27 course fee is per family. Please pre-register by calling 952.988.4070 (open M-F, 8 am-4 pm) or https://hopkins.thatscommunityed.com/co urse/winter-spring-adult2015/beginning-bird-watching Southeastern Minnesota Birding Days Thursday, Friday, May 7-8, 2015 at 6:00 am Craig Mandel 952-240-7647 $35/non-MRVAC members; $25/MRVAC members We will be spending time birding in Houston and Winona counties. Some of the locations we may explore include, Beaver Creek Valley & Great River Bluff's State Parks, some WMA's and a number of locations in the Richard Dorer State Forest. With luck, we'll have a nice mix of warblers and some other spring migrants. Please contact Craig to register for this trip Page 5 Carver Park Reserve Monday, May 11, 2015 at 7:00 am Craig Mandel 952-240-7647 Carver Park Reserve has a wide variety of habitat and is an excellent birding location. Join us for this early morning walk at the peak of spring migration. On past spring trips to Carver Park reserve, we have observed over 140 species of birds, including 14 species of Sparrows and 23 species of Warblers. Each year is a little different. Join us to find out what surprises are in store for you. Contact Craig to register for this trip. Ritter Farm Park Louisville Swamp MN Valley NWR 3801 145th St. W., Shakopee Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 8:30 until about noon George Skinner & Anne Hanley - 952-936-0811 Meet at the trailhead parking lot. (Take Hwy 169 S from Shakopee, turn R on 145th St., and continue past the Renaissance Fair parking lot.) Trailhead is on the left. Habitat here includes a nice oak savannah, a creek, a river and some marsh. We’ll look for Indigo Bunting, Brown Thrasher, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Orioles, Eastern Bluebirds and check the river area for marsh and water birds. Bring a hat, water, bug repellant and snacks. Long sleeves and long pants highly recommended. We will walk about 2-3 miles. . Printed on recycled paper with soy ink May & June 2015 Trumpeter FIELD TRIPS – page 2 of 2. All trips are free unless otherwise noted. Beginners and non-members are welcome. Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter P.O. Box 20400 Bloomington, MN 55420 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 90227 Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve Monday, June 1, 2015 at 7:00 am Craig Mandel - 952-546-3407 Early June is a prime time to visit Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve. Bobolinks, Grasshopper and Henslow's Sparrows can be found on the trails that run through the prairie, while Wood Thrush, Acadian Flycatcher and Hooded, Cerulean and Blue-winged Warblers can be found along the wooded trails. Please contact Craig to register for this trip. MRVAC Picnic Richardson Nature Center, 8737 East Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington Thursday, June 4, 2015 from 5:00-8:00 pm. Please join us for an evening of fun, conversation and of course food. We will begin eating at 6 pm but you are welcome to arrive earlier. The room will be available at 5 pm. See article on page 1 for more details. Rapids Lake Unit – MVNWR Ed. Center 15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver (formerly Carver Highlands Dr.) Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 8:30am George Skinner & Anne Hanley – 952-936-0811 Grassland sparrows, Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Eastern Bluebirds can all be found at this Refuge unit in Carver County, south of the town of Carver. We’ll also check out the Minnesota River and see what’s on Rapids Lake. We’ll bring extra binoculars and a scope. If you have a scope, please bring it for viewing the lake. RSVPs not required. Dakota County Prairie Birds 8395 127th Street East, Hastings, 55033 Sunday, June 7, 2015 at 7am Steve Weston – 612-978-3993 We will drive the “prairies” of Dakota County in search of a number of grassland species. Meet at Schaar's Bluff. No reservations needed. June Bird Watching Treks at Refuge Black Dog Unit, meet at Cliff Fen Park** 120 East Cliff Road, Burnsville Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 8:00 am **will be canceled if trail is not open Louisville Swamp Unit 3801 145th St. W., Shakopee Monday, June 15, 2015, 8:00 am Craig Mandel - 952-240-7647 See description on page 5 Page 6 Cannon River Bottoms Sunday, June 15, 2015 at 7am Steve Weston – 612-978-3993 We will explore a little known, but very productive trail near Red Wing in search of a surprising variety of birds. Target birds include Cerulean Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Scarlet Tanager and Wood Thrush. Please call Steve for more details about the meeting location. Maplewood State Park Thursday, Friday, June 25-26, 2015 at 6:00 am Craig Mandel 952-546-3407 $35/non-MRVAC members; $25/MRVAC members Thursday will be spent exploring parts of nearby Wilkin County, with stops at Rothsay WMA, Nature Conservancy tracts and maybe a water treatment plant. Friday will be spent birding in Maplewood State Park and in some nearby areas of Otter Tail County. Some of the species we may see on this trip include Greater Prairie Chicken, Upland Sandpiper and Marbled Godwit's. Passerines seen may include Grasshopper Sparrows and Orchard Orioles. Please contact Craig to register for this trip. Printed on recycled paper