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