12/9/2011

While leading a trip around the East Metro, for the Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter.  We made a stop at the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center today and were lucky enough to run into John Zakelj, who had refound the Townsend's Solitaire there.  Likely the same bird that he and his wife Bonnie had first observed there on November 27th.  John first observed the bird along the Savanna trail, around Noon and we refound the bird along the Savanna trail around 2:00 pm.  The bird was found in the trees to the East of the trail, South of the River Overlook and just North of the first bench, South of the River Overlook.  A map of the trail system, showing this location can be found at the visitor center when you check in.  We also tried to refind the Summer Tanager.  But we were unsuccessful in our attempt at refinding the Summer Tanager.  Thanks John and others who have posted from Washington county.  Here are a few of the other species we observed today.

Trumpeter Swan - Point Douglas county park
Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Goldeneye and Common Mergansers, were also observed from Point Douglas county park.
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Horned Lark
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Townsend's Solitaire - At location mentioned above.
American Tree Sparrow
Lapland Longspur - A flock of about 20 Lapland Longspurs were observed along 100th St S, about 1/4 mile East of Manning Avenue S.

Craig Mandel
Minnetonka, Hennepin County
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