[mou] Miesville Ravine

[Steve Weston]

Sunday we (five participants besides me) spent a near perfect day birding in 
the ravaged remains of Miesville Ravine for our annual MRVAC field trip. 
Trails have been almost completely reopenned after a devasting storm in 
July. However, side trails were everywhere blocked. Storm damage appeared to 
be consistant with a tornado, as many trees had been twisted until they 
snapped.  I saw one tree that had snapped about twelve feet high, stripping 
the remaining truck bare of bark. Some areas were mowed down, while a few 
yards away, trees appeared untouched.

Despite the devastation, birding was fairly active.  Thirty-eight species 
were counted, including eight species of warblers (Blue-winged, 
Blackburnian, Black and White, Redstarts, Ovenbirds, No. Waterthrush, 
Canada, and Mourning) plus a Brewsters (hybrid Blue-winged x Golden-winged). 
This was found near where we found one in June, but was a different 
individual.  More notable than the birds found were the noticible absence of 
expected birds: cuckoos, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern 
Towhee, and Scarlet Tanagers.   At the meadow, canary reed grass had mostly 
choked out the jewelweed, and banished the hummingbirds.   On the way down 
from Miesville town, after coming out of the woods, I had a quick, but 
convincing look at a Western Kingbird.

Also, we found two to four Giant Swallowtails, mostly in Goodhue County. and 
an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

Steve Weston on Quiggley Lake in Eagan, MN
sweston2 at comcast.net