| 5/22/2008 | |
| Banded
Shorebirds On a brisk rainy overcast morning on 22 May a group of shorebirds were feeding along the blue bulkhead along the trail to the pond feeding on horseshoe crab eggs. Among the group were six Ruddy Turnstones, of which one was flagged and banded. After logging a report to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory, I began search the web for more information on the possible location of this bird. It lead me to the Pan American Shore Bird Program part of the Canada Wildlife Service. A list of colors suggests this bird was banded in Suriname which uses light green flags and bands. A report was submitted to the CWS as well. I will add any new information I receive from my reports when I am contacted. |
 Flagged & Banded |
| 5/8/2008 | |
|
New Bird to the MNSA Life List On a rainy overcast morning on 8 May, as Kim and Mike head out to do the daily morning bird count, neither of them knew they would be discovering a new species to the MNSA life list. While rounding the pond on the east side a sparrow caught their attention. It has characteristics of a Savannah and Sharp-tailed Sparrow but not a perfect match, thinking the bird was also wet and may appear a little different. Upon returning to the office Mike breezed through the field guides and found the bird they just saw. As he panned up to read the name he was surprised to read Grasshopper Sparrow. He checked the list… no record, he then checked the index cards… no record. “New bird!” Mike shouted, with camera in hand he went back in hopes it would be still there for some photo documentation, and it was. The Grasshopper was feeding on the trail near the northern bench on the east side, in the same area. Singing in the tops of the cut phragmites was a Seaside Sparrow, and at the base scurrying among the grass line was a Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow as well. |
 1st record at MNSA |
| 5/2/2008 | |
|
Exotic Visitor On 2 May, after loud and unfamiliar calls, Kim’s curiosity finally got to her, while working near to office. A loud squawking was coming from along the northeast fence line from the parking lot. As she approached the trail the noise continued. One of our neighbors collects pet birds; with the beautiful weather they had them outside enjoying the day. It sounded like their birds were responding to the loud calls. As she got closer the call was coming from atop a tree. To her surprise, sitting on the branch in all its brilliance was a Monk Parakeet. She quickly called Mike from the dunes to witness her discovery. Mike was able to snap a few photos before the bird flew north into the neighborhood. Later that day the parakeet was seen flying over the marsh into the dunes, before disappearing. The next time it was seen was on 7 May in the late afternoon. It flew over the parking lot from its original location, on the northeast fence line, west to the dunes. |
 1st photo record, last observed 11/05/2005 |