Minnesota Birding Report

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, November 19, 2015 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218)847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888.

It’s here- winter that is! We have been blanketed with snow in the last twenty-four hours, and temperatures are dropping fast. Activity has been brisk at the feeders, and numbers of migrants has decreased.

A late fledging COMMON GRACKLE was seen under the feeder of Charlene Nelson in Grant County on November 12. She observed twenty SNOW BUNTINGS along CR 8 on November 15, and by November 18 there were more than 300 TRUMPETER SWANS on Lake Christina along with CANVASBACKS and several other species of waterfowl.

From Otter Tail County, Teresa Jaskiewicz reported COMMON REDPOLLS, a FOX SPARROW, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, and DARK-EYED JUNCOS north of Fergus Falls on November 16.

The LONG-TAILED DUCK was still on Stakke Lake as of November 16, and the two VERMILION FLYCATCHERS were still hanging out at the previously reported farm in northern Becker County. We are all hoping that the latter leave for warmer climates very soon.

Sandy Martens reported that two BALD EAGLES were working on the nest north of East Grand Forks in Polk County on November 15. Two BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen by Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks on November 18. Dave Lambeth reported CANVASBACKS, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, a HORNED GREBE, two EARED GREBES, and a WESTERN GREBE at the East Grand Forks WTP on November 18. Emily Hutchins saw HAIRY WOODPECKER, DOWNY WOODPECKER, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, PILEATED WOODPECKER, PINE SISKINS, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES at her home near Mentor this week.

In Pennington County, Dave Harbott saw three PILEATED WOODPECKERS, a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, and DOWNY WOODPECKER at St. Hilaire, and a SNOW BUNTING along CR 3 this week.

On November 13, Cliff Steinhauer reported that at least 2000 SANDHILL CRANES were still feeding along Marshall CR 7, along with about 25 swans and some small geese. It probably can be assumed that they have gone by now.

Gretchen Mehmel reporting from Lake of the Woods County, this week observed ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, GRAY JAYS, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and PINE GROSBEAKS in and around Norris Camp.

Thanks to all who submitted sightings this week.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@mncable.net OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber’s toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, November 26, 2015