Minnesota Birding Report

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, December 17, 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.

The snow has arrived and the cold temperatures are due tonight. We are fully white in the northwest, but road conditions are  reasonably good , with some snow covered patches and some slippery places. Bird activity has been somewhat slow this week, but should pick up now. We are definitely in the winter birding mode however- gone are the fifty species days. Maybe the CBC’s being done now will produce those numbers.

Charlene Nelson reported four COMMON REDPOLLS  at Elbow Lake in Grant County on December 12.

A REDHEAD was seen by Thomas Ries in Douglas County on the north side of Lake Cowdry on December 15. The lake was still open at that time.

Alma Ronningen in Otter Tail County reported MOURNING DOVE, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, PURPLE FINCH  and COMMON REDPOLL  among others at her feeder on December 17.

In Hubbard County, Rebecca Engdahl saw a GREAT BLUE HERON  at Kabekona Lake on December 12.

A male RED CROSSBILL  came to the feeder of Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks in Polk County on December 13, but has not been seen now for two days. On December 16, she reported 24 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS  in East Grand Forks. Emily Hutchins , reporting from Rydell NWR, observed several COMMON REDPOLLS and one late HARRIS’S SPARROW  at the refuge on December 16.

From Itasca State Park area, Connie Cox observer 12 EVENING GROSBEAKS  four miles south of the park;  two RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS  were found a half mile south of the park and also 5.5 miles north of the park. An immature BALD EAGLE  was seen along MN 71 adjacent to the park.

Thanks to those who sent in their sightings this week. Please send in any special species that are seen on any CBC’s that you participate in.

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, December 24, 2015.