Birds and Beers This Thursday!

It's last minute, but there is a Birds and Beers this Thursday, July 29 at Merlin's Rest at 6pm! We can discuss the orange-billed nightengale thrush in South Dakota or strategies for applying to be president for the American Birding Association Presidency! Also, I booked the next Birds and Beers on Tuesday, August 17 at 6pm at Merlin's Rest.

What is Birds and Beers?  It's an informal gathering of birders of ALL abilities to meet outside of the Internet and connect.  Are you a hardcore lister--you're invited. Are you a researcher working on a cool project and want to recruit volunteers or just talk about your study--you're invited. Are you someone who just enjoys the birds you see out of your kitchen window--you're invited. Are you a birding guide and want to promote your tours and business--you're invited. Are you someone who has heard of this whole bird watching thing and want to see what it's all about--you're invited!  Looking for birders to volunteer at a booth for the State Fair--you're invited!

It's low key and it's fun.  Maybe you'll find a new friend to enjoy birds in the field?  Maybe you'll learn that secret spot to finally see a Henslow's sparrow?  Maybe you'll learn some tips on thwarting grackles from your feeder?

Biggest Birds & Beers EVER!

Holy Cow!

I have just come home from the biggest Birds and Beers I have ever hosted. It was a blast and everything that I hoped Birds and Beers would become. Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of people of all interests in birds. From the hardcore lister to the beginner. It's a way for people interested in birds to get together, have a beverage, maybe some food and talk some birds. If people have a birding activity to promote--like a banding study, a bird store, a blog, a tour business--they are welcome to share. If someone is interested in finding a bird partner locally or for a day trip--this is a great way to get to know someone face to face.

We had 52 people show up! I was stunned. We took up the whole loft of Joe's Garage, some of the second tier and a large table at the bottom of the stairs. It was almost too much for me, I barely had a chance to meet everyone who came. It was a lively mix of Birds and Beers regulars and many new people.  The regulars did a great job of mixing in with the new people at all the tables and I think many friends were made.  As I paused a moment and looked around the room at all the birders sharing tales and laughing, I was so happy: this is what I had always imagined for Birds and Beers: a great big birder party.  The best part was that there was a great mix of people of all ages.  Not just a single twenty-something--several.  We even had our youngest member: Micah who I think was eight.  It was amazing!

We had all sorts of people with projects to share, including some people from the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center looking for volunteers for the avian nursery, a man who I met years ago in Kearney, NE while watching blackbirds with deformed bills--he leads tours to Nebraska and was looking for people to come watch the crane migration with him. We also had people looking for birding partners in various parts of Minnesota--it was a lively and crowded party of birders.

And then the crows started to stream into Loring Park. I joked that we should start a drinking game--every time you see a crow--Drink! However, no one would ever have been able to leave Joe's Garage had we kept that up. Some went outside, others watched with binoculars from the inside--rivers of noisy crows practically poured into the tops of the trees--it was quite the show.

As I was leaving, the moon was rising behind the roost, I had fun getting photos of the crows silhouetted against the beautiful celestial body. That's a digiscoped image of the crows and moon at the top of this blog entry.

Joe's Garage was fantastic. If you would like to enjoy the roost--try booking a table at dusk before the end of February. I have to give some major props to the wait staff. I said that we typically get 10 - 15 people at Birds and Beers and our poor but intrepid server Ashley took on our huge group and never let us see her get too frazzled. The food was fantastic--how can you not love a place that has a mashed potato bar?

We may have to do this again next winter.

Thanks again to everyone who showed up. The next Birds and Beers will be at the end of February. I'll try to schedule it before I leave for Panama but make no promises.

Follow Up On Banded Trumpeter Swan

First A couple of announcements: I'll be on Showcase Minnesota this morning sometime between 10am - 11am answering your bird questions.

And the next Birds and Beers is scheduled for this Sunday at 4pm at Joe's Garage to try and watch the winter crow roost. Now, the crows have shifted the roost a little bit to the west but we'll still have some crow action.

I got a certificate yesterday from the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center regarding the history of the above trumpeter swan with the neck collar 2M7 at Point Douglas:

This is a male trumpeter swan hatched in 2006 in Ruthven, Iowa by Mr. Guy Zenner.

Still no word on the Canada goose with the tight band, I'll be curious to see if I hear about the origin of that goose.

Christmas Bird Count & Birds and Beers

The next Birds and Beers is December 17, 2009 at 6:00 pm at Merlin’s Rest.

Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of birders of all abilities–if you’re interested in birds, you’re invited. You can meet other birders–maybe find a carpool buddy, ask about where to find target birds, share cool research projects you might be working on, ask a bird feeding question, share life lists, share some digiscoping tips, promote your blog–the sky is the limit. It’s low key and it’s fun. I'll have to head out early that night. We added a performance to our A Christmas Carol: The Golden Girls Remix and I'll have a show at 9:30pm that night.

To get updates on when the next Birds and Beers will be, become a fan of Birds and Beers on Facebook and when a new event it planned, you’ll get a notification. Or check back here.

I imagine that we will be talking quite a bit about Christmas Bird Counts. And, hey, if anyone in the Twin Cities would like to try out a Christmas Bird Count, I'm looking for volunteers. We'll count any bird we see like the cardinal above to house sparrows to eagles to ducks to hopefully something really cool like maybe a Thayer's gull.

The Christmas Bird Count started in reaction to the 19th century tradition of people going out to shoot as many birds as they could on Christmas Day. In 1900 a group went out and counted birds rather than shoot at them and the tradition as grown to the big December event now. The data collected is used to document winter bird population trends in North America.

I've always wanted to participate, but for many years I worked retail and getting time off on a weekend in December is next to impossible. This year, I'm helping out with St Paul Audubon and their Christmas Bird Count area, specifically the Lilydale Area on December 19, 2009. I'm looking for people to help with the count!

This is my count area. If you live in this area, have some feeders (or not) and want to track what birds you see and turn those in, that would be great! If you want to bird Lilydale Park, we should have a great time. If you're thinking, I don't want to watch birds outside of the warmth of my vehicle and want to cruise some neighborhoods for birds, I can use you. Let me know in either the comments or drop me an email: sharon at birdchick dot com.

If you don't live near the Twin Cities but want to participate, find out what Christmas Bird Counts are in your area and see if you can help them.

Birds & Beers & OpenSky

Birds and Beers is this Thursday, October 29 at 6:30pm at Merlin's Rest and we have something to celebrate.  I've been testing the waters with OpenSky--creating a shop that only has products I like, use and enjoy.  Well, I thought to myself:  all the best bird companies give back to the birding community and I'd love the blog to be able to help with that.  I told OpenSky that I wanted 10% of my share to go to young birder programs for the American Birding Association.  They said, "Great, we'll match that!" What a cool company!  I never had the chance to go to any kind of bird convention or one specifically for kids.  I would love it if the shop gets enough sales to provide a full scholarship to some aspiring kid birder!  So, if you have any birding needs, check out my OpenSky Store and know that all the things in there are products that I love and that you can see in my photos in my blog and that 20% of the profits are going to help fun young birder programs!  I'm so excited about this and happy that the blog can help kids in some sort of way.

To help celebrate, OpenSky is offering discount codes for five products and you'll be able to get the discount code by attending Birds and Beers this Thursday. Wingscapes BirdCam, EZ lift hanger, Aspects Hummzinger Mini, Finch Flocker, Green Mesh Feeder.

As always, Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of birders to get together and talk some birds.  Anyone from the hardcore lister to the backyard birder to someone who has heard about birding and wants to find out what it's about is invited to attend.  If you have a bird blog--come and tell us about it!  If you are a field trip leader--come and share your upcoming trips!  Have a cool research project--we'd love to learn about what you are doing!  Have a Christmas Bird Count in need of some volunteers--come ask us!  It's low key and fun--many new birders to the area have found some great birding partners.

Birds and Beers Thursday

Don't forget that Birds and Beers will Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 6pm at Merlin’s Rest. Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of birders of all abilities–if you’re interested in birds, you’re invited. You can meet other birders–maybe find a carpool buddy, ask about where to find target birds, share cool research projects you might be working on, ask a bird feeding question, share life lists, share some digiscoping tips, promote your blog–the sky is the limit. It’s low key and it’s fun.

Birds and Beers

The next Birds and Beers will July 9, 2009 at 6pm at Merlin's Rest. Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of birders of all abilities–if you’re interested in birds, you’re invited. You can meet other birders–maybe find a carpool buddy, ask about where to find target birds, share cool research projects you might be working on, ask a bird feeding question, share life lists, share some digiscoping tips, promote your blog–the sky is the limit. It’s low key and it’s fun.

One thing will talk about is having the next Birds and Beers on a Mississippi River boat.

Distracting Cedar Waxwings

Tonight is Birds and Beers at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park--with maybe a little bird banding.  Should be awesome with all the migrants around. Starts at 6pm. Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of birders of all abilities to mildly interested to hardcore.  It's a way to get together and talk some birds.  Normally, we meet in a pub, but migration is so awesome, we're meeting outside...and Coon Rapids does allow alcohol if you would like to BYOB.

A huge flock of cedar waxwings have descended upon my neighborhood.  It started at dawn yesterday, I sat up in bed and Non Birding Bill asked, "What's wrong?"

"Waxwings," I groggily replied, "they're everywhere, hear them?"

"That sound is a bird?"

And they've been covering the trees and using puddles on the surrounding apartment buildings for birdbaths.  They were using the one that was further away, but I set my scope and camera over towards the pool that's closest to my window (it's the puddle that the Cooper's hawk used a couple of years ago).

And sure enough, just as I was about to hop on my bike for a lunch meeting, all the waxwings finally came down to the puddle in good light.  I decided to be late and get a few shots--look at them, it's like a bunch of tarted up female cardinals.  I took a video and you can hear the waxwings, a robin, my cockatiel, and my fingers typing a text message to my friend telling him that I'm going to be late to our lunch because of the waxwing photo opportunity:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBBcqu1KHhk[/youtube]

I wondered why the waxwings kept avoiding this particular pond and if you noticed in the video, they all took off as if startled by something?  Well, here's the reason why:

This male robin was not happy with anyone using this puddle.  He chased off house sparrows, the waxwings, and other robins.  His nest must be near it.  I'll be curious to see if he tries to chase off that Cooper's hawk if she decides to use it again.

Contest & Another Birds and Beers

Don't forget that there's still time to enter the Birdorable Guest Blogging Contest.  Get those blog entries in soon. Hey! We're having our May Birds and Beers at Coon Rapids Dam this Thursday, May 7, 2009.  The bonus, Mark Newstrom is going to set up his nets to see if we get any birds.  Sure it will be evening, but it's migration, so anything is possible.  For the start, my buddy Michelle Anderson (and the hottest naturalist in the Twin Cities) will give us a list of coming programs and then we can talk, bird and have a beverage--alcohol is allowed in this park if you would like to bring your own.  We'll start at 6pm.

Birds and Beers is usually an informal gathering at a pub for birders of all abilities to get together, have a beverage, and talk some birds.  However, we had so much fun at the tailgating birds and beers, we thought we would do some more outdoors to add in a little informal birding.

Woodcock Birds and Beers Reloaded

Well, it was a mixed bag at last week's Birds and Beers, but we had a first!

Birds actually showed up to Birds and Beers!  For those new to this site, Birds and Beers is an informal gathering of birders of all abilities.  Normally, we meet at a pub and talk some birds.  This time, we decided to take it on the trail to a park to gather for some socializing and then watch woodcocks.  As we had our little tailgate party going in the parking lot of the park, this pair of mallards waddled over in the parking lot to join in the fun.  I think they sensed chips and crackers (and a few bird suckers).  They were welcomed with open arms.

The original plan with this Birds and Beers was to tailgate a bit at Lebanon Hills Regional Park until the sunset, then we were going to look for woodcocks.  All went according to plan--it got dark and the woodcocks started to do their "peent"...for about two minutes then they abruptly stopped singing, never to be heard for the rest of the night!  We heard some other birds including wild turkey, great horned owl and barred owl, but the woodcocks...they totally teased and ditched us.  I felt bad, this was a life bird for some in the group.  However, with birding, that's the way it sometimes crumbles, cookie-wise.

But, Birds and Beers regular and all around good egg, Linda Whyte has suggested that we use this coming Wednesday's rain date for Birds and Beers to go to Cliff Fen in Burnsville and try for woodcocks there.  Which I think is a capital idea.  She emailed me directions and a map!

Cliff Fen Park is just east of the 35W bridge, on the south side of the river, and you access Cliff Road East from Highway 13 or Cliff Road W directly from the 35W exit and Frontage road just south of the river.

Once in the lot, you walk along a dirt drive/path at the edge of the adjacent ballpark, passing close by some small cinder block buildings, and find a brown wooden sign with information about the Scientific and Natural Area. This marks the entrance to the path that crosses the tracks, and there is no other trail through the  area. The trail will lead past a pair of power stanchions, just after which we should find a likely open patch to do a stake-out.

So, we're going to try again for the woodcocks on Wednesday, April 29 and this time we'll meet at about 8pm. If it's raining, it will be cancelled.

Now, there is one small snafu that could happen.  I might not be there.  I just got word that our bees are supposed to arrive any time this week.  If I get the call that our bees arrive on Wednesday, then I will have to go out and hive the packages--must get them installed in their new home right away.  But Linda and the rest of the gang will be there.  Who knows, maybe my absence will insure that the woodcocks will put on a great show?

If you can't make this Birds and Beers, we are planning another one before I go to Kazakhstan either May 7 or 8 at Coon Rapids.  As soon as I get the details worked out, I'll post them in the blog and on the Facebook Twin Cities Birding Group.

I have to say that I really enjoyed the tailgate end of the Birds and Beers this time.  It was fun to gather and laugh while doing some light birding.  It fit well with the theme that Birds and Beers is an informal get together for other birders to meet...and this time have birds join the party.