Thank you to the over 2200 birders, which is close to the record high, who participated in the 126th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, despite some challenging weather conditions. They reported more than 233 thousand birds of 127 species. Both represent somewhat of a drop from recent counts.
The cold weather earlier in December resulted in many lakes in the state already frozen and a drop in waterfowl numbers and diversity. In addition many of the winter species numbers were low including crossbills, siskins, and longspurs. Still a few like Juncos and Pine Grosbeaks were well represented in the state. While most common winter residents did not have unexpected numbers, some of the less common birds were definitely more widely reported than expected including American Robin, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Golden Eagle, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, and Red-winged Blackbird.
The story of the count was the 28 Eurasian Tree-Sparrow found on 5 counts. This is up from 3 birds birds a couple of years ago, which shattered the "casual" designation of species at the time. Later counts at a couple of the sites indicated that even these numbers were a fraction of the birds at these locations.
Data entry has been completed with 91 of the 92 counts reporting. The Philbrook count with over 20 years of counting and Long Prairie count with over 35 years in central Minnesota will be inactive next year unless a new compiler can be found. The Philbrook count data was never submitted and I don't even know if the count was conducted.
A more in depth analysis is in the works.
Steve Weston On Quigley Lake in Eagan, MN <sweston2g...>
Date: 3/24/26 11:32 am From: Miller Johnson <johnson-miller...> Subject: [mou-net] Nesting Red-breasted Nuthatch?
I've had a pair of red-breasted nuthatches overwintering here in Dakota County. Today, one of them was pulling thin strips of "bark" off a cedar tree. I've seen chickadees doing the same for their nests.
I know some birds do some "prep work" before they actually build their nests. What are the odds this pair will stay and nest?
Also, the brown creeper took offense that the red-breasted nuthatch was hanging out in its cedar and chased it away. Does that make the nuthatch's nesting less probable?
Date: 3/22/26 10:35 pm From: Steve Weston <sweston2g...> Subject: [mou-net] MRVAC (Zoom) Meeting this Thursday
he Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) invites you to join us
for:
*John Mittermeier: Director ofthe Search for Lost Birds at
the American Bird Conservancy"The Search for Lost Birds"*
*Thursday, March 26th - 7:30 p.m. (Virtual on Zoom)*
Around the world, close to 120 bird species are currently “lost,” meaning
they are not considered extinct but there has been no confirmed
documentation of their existence in ten or more years. What are these lost
birds, where do they live, and why can’t anyone find them? Do they matter
for conservation? The Search for Lost Birds project is a collaborative
effort by conservation organizations to find these birds. Join John C.
Mittermeier to learn more about this large scale project and the
efforts underway to rediscover bird species around the world.
The Black-naped Pheasant-pigeon (above) was captured only partially on a
trail camera!
*This meeting will be only via Zoom and not in person.* *All MRVAC meetings
are free and open to the public. *
Date: 3/19/26 5:23 am From: Gelvin-Innvaer, Lisa A (DNR) <000049809f756d99-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles
Both redwing blackbirds and grackles observed in Nicollet Co at least a week ago ( I didn't note the date but it was during the spring-like weather before the snowstorm)
-Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer
-----Original Message-----
From: Minnesota Birds <MOU-NET...> On Behalf Of MOU-NET automatic digest system
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2026 12:00 AM
To: <MOU-NET...>
Subject: MOU-NET Digest - 14 Mar 2026 to 18 Mar 2026 (#2026-18)
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Do not select links or open attachments unless verified. Report all suspicious emails to Minnesota IT Services Security Operations Center.
________________________________
There are 8 messages totaling 410 lines in this issue.
It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March when I have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between Virginia and Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to the south would have posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They have by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders. Reports are that they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring arrivals?
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:03:28 -0500
From: Dan Ahlman <daahlman...>
Subject: Re: Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles
I have been seeing Red winged black birds regularly in the twin cities. I haven’t seen a grackle yet.
Dan Ahlman
Sent from my iPhone
> On Mar 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Tanya Beyer <epiphaniesafield...> wrote:
>
> It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March
> when I have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between
> Virginia and Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to
> the south would have posted their first of season sighting of our
> common blackbirds. They have by this time normally come a few at a
> time to our feeders. Reports are that they're dying off due to
> neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how drastic is this
> die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring arrivals?
>
> *Tanya Beyer*
>
> http://www.e/ > piphaniesafield.com%2F&data=05%7C02%<7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer...>
> S%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c2159828
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> 60%3D&reserved=0
>
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moum/ > n.org%2Flistservice.html&data=05%7C02%<7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer...>
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> Archives:
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Interesting. Grackles, as I remember from a piece in Audubon magazine, have suffered massive setbacks due to pesticides. Thanks for your reply.
*Tanya Beyer*
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026 at 11:03 AM Dan Ahlman <daahlman...> wrote:
> I have been seeing Red winged black birds regularly in the twin
> cities. I haven’t seen a grackle yet.
> Dan Ahlman
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Mar 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Tanya Beyer
> > <epiphaniesafield...>
> wrote:
> >
> > It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March
> > when I have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between
> > Virginia and Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to
> > the south would
> have
> > posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They
> > have by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders.
> > Reports are
> that
> > they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By
> > now--how drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many
> > other spring arrivals?
> >
> > *Tanya Beyer*
> >
> > http://www/ > > .epiphaniesafield.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer%40STATE.
> > MN.US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c2
> > 159828c%7C0%7C0%7C639094932384026833%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB
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> > p79WITCQL9hZJpl8%3D&reserved=0
> >
> > ----
> > General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moum/ > n.org%2Flistservice.html&data=05%7C02%<7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer...>
> .US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c21598
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> N%2BGPrs%3D&reserved=0
> > Archives:
> > http://lis/ > > ts.umn.edu%2Farchives%2Fmou-net.html&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innv
> > <aer...>%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c44
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>
>
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:22:20 -0500
From: Sue Keator <chickadeedee55...>
Subject: Re: Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles
Here in Edina I had FOY Grackle 3/10 and RWBL the 9th.
Sue Keator
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 11:03 AM Dan Ahlman < <00004fc1683d3fd8-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> I have been seeing Red winged black birds regularly in the twin
> cities. I haven’t seen a grackle yet.
> Dan Ahlman
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Mar 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Tanya Beyer
> > <epiphaniesafield...>
> wrote:
> >
> > It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March
> > when I have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between
> > Virginia and Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to
> > the south would
> have
> > posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They
> > have by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders.
> > Reports are
> that
> > they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By
> > now--how drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many
> > other spring arrivals?
> >
> > *Tanya Beyer*
> >
> > http://www/ > > .epiphaniesafield.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer%40STATE.
> > MN.US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c2
> > 159828c%7C0%7C0%7C639094932384115571%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB
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> > MFvWQ4F8akBo%3D&reserved=0
> >
> > ----
> > General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moum/ > n.org%2Flistservice.html&data=05%7C02%<7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer...>
> .US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c21598
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> KrGU%3D&reserved=0
> > Archives:
> > http://lis/ > > ts.umn.edu%2Farchives%2Fmou-net.html&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innv
> > <aer...>%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c44
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> > JJju1cm4z2Rl15YyIKCnqSFw%3D&reserved=0
>
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moum/ > n.org%2Flistservice.html&data=05%7C02%<7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer...>
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> X8%3D&reserved=0
> Archives:
> http://lists/ > .umn.edu%2Farchives%2Fmou-net.html&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer%
> 40STATE.MN.US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f2
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>
I saw a RB nuthatch at my feeder. Before I have only had white breasted ones. I live near the Isles-Ceder lagoon.
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026 at 11:03 AM Dan Ahlman < <00004fc1683d3fd8-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> I have been seeing Red winged black birds regularly in the twin
> cities. I haven’t seen a grackle yet.
> Dan Ahlman
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Mar 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Tanya Beyer
> > <epiphaniesafield...>
> wrote:
> >
> > It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March
> > when I have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between
> > Virginia and Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to
> > the south would
> have
> > posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They
> > have by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders.
> > Reports are
> that
> > they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By
> > now--how drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many
> > other spring arrivals?
> >
> > *Tanya Beyer*
> >
> > http://www/ > > .epiphaniesafield.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer%40STATE.
> > MN.US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c2
> > 159828c%7C0%7C0%7C639094932384231191%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB
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> > OKkmpN%2F5G8Hg%3D&reserved=0
> >
> > ----
> > General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moum/ > n.org%2Flistservice.html&data=05%7C02%<7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer...>
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> 4vU4%3D&reserved=0
> > Archives:
> > http://lis/ > > ts.umn.edu%2Farchives%2Fmou-net.html&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innv
> > <aer...>%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c44
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> > BhGSb04ih9gHcIFAxtWroIOw%3D&reserved=0
>
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moum/ > n.org%2Flistservice.html&data=05%7C02%<7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer...>
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> h%2B1c%3D&reserved=0
> Archives:
> http://lists/ > .umn.edu%2Farchives%2Fmou-net.html&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer%
> 40STATE.MN.US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f2
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>
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:23:34 -0500
From: linda whyte <birds...>
Subject: Re: Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles
Both Red-winged Blackbirds and occasional Grackles have been showing up in the metro area. At Carpenter Nature Center a huge flock of the former species showed up following our recent snowstorm. They're likely having to adjust their travel-schedule regularly, due to our weather craziness.
Linda Whyte
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 10:00 AM Tanya Beyer <epiphaniesafield...>
wrote:
> It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March when
> I have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between
> Virginia and Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to
> the south would have posted their first of season sighting of our
> common blackbirds. They have by this time normally come a few at a
> time to our feeders. Reports are that they're dying off due to
> neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how drastic is this
> die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring arrivals?
>
> *Tanya Beyer*
>
> http://www.e/ > piphaniesafield.com%2F&data=05%7C02%<7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer...>
> S%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c2159828
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> DM%3D&reserved=0
>
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moum/ > n.org%2Flistservice.html&data=05%7C02%<7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer...>
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> GZNY%3D&reserved=0
> Archives:
> http://lists/ > .umn.edu%2Farchives%2Fmou-net.html&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer%
> 40STATE.MN.US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f2
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> rOv72nHRANJk%3D&reserved=0
>
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026 at 12:23 PM linda whyte <birds...> wrote:
> Both Red-winged Blackbirds and occasional Grackles have been showing
> up in the metro area. At Carpenter Nature Center a huge flock of the
> former species showed up following our recent snowstorm. They're
> likely having to adjust their travel-schedule regularly, due to our weather craziness.
> Linda Whyte
>
> On Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 10:00 AM Tanya Beyer
> <epiphaniesafield...>
> wrote:
>
>> It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March
>> when I have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between
>> Virginia and Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to
>> the south would have posted their first of season sighting of our
>> common blackbirds. They have by this time normally come a few at a
>> time to our feeders. Reports are that they're dying off due to
>> neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how drastic is this
>> die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring arrivals?
>>
>> *Tanya Beyer*
>>
>> http://www/.
>> epiphaniesafield.com%2F&data=05%7C02%<7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer...>
>> .US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c2159
>> 828c%7C0%7C0%7C639094932384440984%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1
>> hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldU
>> IjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=owesv0TJqrBEZT%2FWr6w%2FYShxCXVuRzPvN
>> CFFagNTYTw%3D&reserved=0
>>
>> ----
>> General information and guidelines for posting:
>> https://mou/ >> mn.org%2Flistservice.html&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer%40STATE.
>> MN.US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c21
>> 59828c%7C0%7C0%7C639094932384457021%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0e
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>> dUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bJ3SUGYFJDERPsHclM78PHyrW%2BcLURbKt
>> 1Tt79YVkOo%3D&reserved=0
>> Archives:
>> http://list/ >> s.umn.edu%2Farchives%2Fmou-net.html&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvae
>> <r...>%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c44519
>> 8f26b89c2159828c%7C0%7C0%7C639094932384472627%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d
>> 8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoi
>> TWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=jV7jA%2FlLPsUuh%2FqBba%2F
>> JhEdC8Mr8HVi9aVIB2fddHUw%3D&reserved=0
>>
>
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:56:05 -0500
From: john nelson <dsgabaska...>
Subject: Re: Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles
Had large flock of Red-Winged BB with a few Grackles clean up my feeders Monday and Tuesday and just a few this morning in rural Blue Earth County.
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026 at 12:23 PM linda whyte < <0000004e7b0e779a-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Both Red-winged Blackbirds and occasional Grackles have been showing
> up in the metro area. At Carpenter Nature Center a huge flock of the
> former species showed up following our recent snowstorm. They're
> likely having to adjust their travel-schedule regularly, due to our weather craziness.
> Linda Whyte
>
> On Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 10:00 AM Tanya Beyer
> <epiphaniesafield...>
> wrote:
>
> > It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March
> > when I have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between
> > Virginia and Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to
> > the south would
> have
> > posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They
> > have by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders.
> > Reports are
> that
> > they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By
> > now--how drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many
> > other spring arrivals?
> >
> > *Tanya Beyer*
> >
> > http://www/ > > .epiphaniesafield.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer%40STATE.
> > MN.US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c2
> > 159828c%7C0%7C0%7C639094932384519889%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB
> > 0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCI
> > sIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ClCz7jwHOWtwD2L4y7WCplunmxXmYtx
> > JPQiPAYolX8c%3D&reserved=0
> >
> > ----
> > General information and guidelines for posting:
> > https://mo/ > > umn.org%2Flistservice.html&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer%40STAT
> > E.MN.US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89
> > c2159828c%7C0%7C0%7C639094932384535446%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFb
> > XB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpb
> > CIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Z1UE%2FWfgSHeCdWhPtQvhIOq7AqF
> > Py95SIjy9Sl9yoAE%3D&reserved=0
> > Archives:
> > http://lis/ > > ts.umn.edu%2Farchives%2Fmou-net.html&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innv
> > <aer...>%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c44
> > 5198f26b89c2159828c%7C0%7C0%7C639094932384551511%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZ
> > sb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkF
> > OIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4ZM4TEYnMm3Ar3TF%2F
> > AUBlsy3lmoXBry0bIEaIbwiCDU%3D&reserved=0
> >
>
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moum/ > n.org%2Flistservice.html&data=05%7C02%<7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer...>
> .US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f26b89c21598
> 28c%7C0%7C0%7C639094932384567656%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hc
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> D6XCDM%3D&reserved=0
> Archives:
> http://lists/ > .umn.edu%2Farchives%2Fmou-net.html&data=05%7C02%7CLisa.Gelvin-Innvaer%
> 40STATE.MN.US%7C3a6a9840d50f4fa2894a08de857474c3%7Ceb14b04624c445198f2
> 6b89c2159828c%7C0%7C0%7C639094932384584240%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJ
> FbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpb
> CIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=A4Fc9l4fM1tlHcg%2BQ%2FX5q1s0hNm
> hfP2OpxAhiRn%2B9I0%3D&reserved=0
>
Date: 3/18/26 1:56 pm From: john nelson <dsgabaska...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles
Had large flock of Red-Winged BB with a few Grackles clean up my feeders
Monday and Tuesday and just a few this morning in rural Blue Earth County.
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026 at 12:23 PM linda whyte <
<0000004e7b0e779a-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> Both Red-winged Blackbirds and occasional Grackles have been showing up in
> the metro area. At Carpenter Nature Center a huge flock of the former
> species showed up following our recent snowstorm. They're likely having to
> adjust their travel-schedule regularly, due to our weather craziness.
> Linda Whyte
>
> On Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 10:00 AM Tanya Beyer <epiphaniesafield...>
> wrote:
>
> > It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March when I
> > have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between Virginia and
> > Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to the south would
> have
> > posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They have
> > by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders. Reports are
> that
> > they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how
> > drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring
> > arrivals?
> >
> > *Tanya Beyer*
> >
> > http://www.epiphaniesafield.com > >
> > ----
> > General information and guidelines for posting:
> > https://moumn.org/listservice.html > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > >
>
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026 at 12:23 PM linda whyte <birds...> wrote:
> Both Red-winged Blackbirds and occasional Grackles have been showing up in
> the metro area. At Carpenter Nature Center a huge flock of the former
> species showed up following our recent snowstorm. They're likely having to
> adjust their travel-schedule regularly, due to our weather craziness.
> Linda Whyte
>
> On Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 10:00 AM Tanya Beyer <epiphaniesafield...>
> wrote:
>
>> It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March when I
>> have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between Virginia and
>> Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to the south would
>> have
>> posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They have
>> by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders. Reports are
>> that
>> they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how
>> drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring
>> arrivals?
>>
>> *Tanya Beyer*
>>
>> http://www.epiphaniesafield.com >>
>> ----
>> General information and guidelines for posting:
>> https://moumn.org/listservice.html >> Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >>
>
Date: 3/18/26 10:23 am From: linda whyte <0000004e7b0e779a-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles
Both Red-winged Blackbirds and occasional Grackles have been showing up in
the metro area. At Carpenter Nature Center a huge flock of the former
species showed up following our recent snowstorm. They're likely having to
adjust their travel-schedule regularly, due to our weather craziness.
Linda Whyte
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 10:00 AM Tanya Beyer <epiphaniesafield...>
wrote:
> It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March when I
> have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between Virginia and
> Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to the south would have
> posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They have
> by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders. Reports are that
> they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how
> drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring
> arrivals?
>
> *Tanya Beyer*
>
> http://www.epiphaniesafield.com >
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
I saw a RB nuthatch at my feeder. Before I have only had white
breasted ones. I live near the Isles-Ceder lagoon.
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026 at 11:03 AM Dan Ahlman <
<00004fc1683d3fd8-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> I have been seeing Red winged black birds regularly in the twin cities. I
> haven’t seen a grackle yet.
> Dan Ahlman
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Mar 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Tanya Beyer <epiphaniesafield...>
> wrote:
> >
> > It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March when I
> > have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between Virginia and
> > Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to the south would
> have
> > posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They have
> > by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders. Reports are
> that
> > they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how
> > drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring
> > arrivals?
> >
> > *Tanya Beyer*
> >
> > http://www.epiphaniesafield.com > >
> > ----
> > General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moumn.org/listservice.html > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
Date: 3/18/26 9:22 am From: Sue Keator <chickadeedee55...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles
Here in Edina I had FOY Grackle 3/10 and RWBL the 9th.
Sue Keator
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026, 11:03 AM Dan Ahlman <
<00004fc1683d3fd8-dmarc-request...> wrote:
> I have been seeing Red winged black birds regularly in the twin cities. I
> haven’t seen a grackle yet.
> Dan Ahlman
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Mar 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Tanya Beyer <epiphaniesafield...>
> wrote:
> >
> > It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March when I
> > have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between Virginia and
> > Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to the south would
> have
> > posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They have
> > by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders. Reports are
> that
> > they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how
> > drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring
> > arrivals?
> >
> > *Tanya Beyer*
> >
> > http://www.epiphaniesafield.com > >
> > ----
> > General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moumn.org/listservice.html > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
Interesting. Grackles, as I remember from a piece in Audubon magazine, have
suffered massive setbacks due to pesticides. Thanks for your reply.
*Tanya Beyer*
On Wed, Mar 18, 2026 at 11:03 AM Dan Ahlman <daahlman...> wrote:
> I have been seeing Red winged black birds regularly in the twin cities. I
> haven’t seen a grackle yet.
> Dan Ahlman
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Mar 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Tanya Beyer <epiphaniesafield...>
> wrote:
> >
> > It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March when I
> > have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between Virginia and
> > Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to the south would
> have
> > posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They have
> > by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders. Reports are
> that
> > they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how
> > drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring
> > arrivals?
> >
> > *Tanya Beyer*
> >
> > http://www.epiphaniesafield.com > >
> > ----
> > General information and guidelines for posting:
> https://moumn.org/listservice.html > > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html >
>
Date: 3/18/26 9:03 am From: Dan Ahlman <00004fc1683d3fd8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [mou-net] Red-winged Blackbirds, Grackles
I have been seeing Red winged black birds regularly in the twin cities. I haven’t seen a grackle yet.
Dan Ahlman
Sent from my iPhone
> On Mar 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Tanya Beyer <epiphaniesafield...> wrote:
>
> It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March when I
> have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between Virginia and
> Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to the south would have
> posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They have
> by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders. Reports are that
> they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how
> drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring
> arrivals?
>
> *Tanya Beyer*
>
> http://www.epiphaniesafield.com >
> ----
> General information and guidelines for posting: https://moumn.org/listservice.html > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
It's been on my mind each day lately that this is the first March when I have yet to see a single blackbird. I live way north between Virginia and Cook, but even so had felt that someone in counties to the south would have posted their first of season sighting of our common blackbirds. They have by this time normally come a few at a time to our feeders. Reports are that they're dying off due to neonicotinoid and other pesticides. By now--how drastic is this die-off? How late due to weather are many other spring arrivals?
Date: 3/14/26 8:57 am From: Matt Hoberg <mhoberg1...> Subject: [mou-net] MOU Field Trip: Rapids Lake/Louisville Swamp April 25
*April 25*
*8 AM*
William Marengo will lead a field trip to the Rapids Lake unit of the
Minnesota Valley NWR and Louisville Swamp. We’ll spend the morning hiking
the trails at the Rapids Lake unit. Then break for lunch, meet at the
trailhead and parking area near the Renaissance Festival and spend the
afternoon hiking the Louisville Swamp unit.
We’re on the very edge of spring songbird migration. This outing isn’t
geared toward any specific species but just an opportunity to see what
early migrants have arrived. We’ll look for grassland and deciduous wood
species. If the conditions are good we should see some hawk migration along
the river valley and waterfowl should still be present on Rapids Lake and
the “swamp” at Louisville.
For more information and registration (required), visit the registration
page
<https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F48A9AC2FA5FFCE9-62234486-rapids#/>.
