Minnesota Birding Report

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, February 4, 2016  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 weather continues to be somewhat settled in the northwest, although a few snow flurries have occurred in the past week. Days are getting longer and some species are beginning the courtship process.

Over the weekend in Lake of the Woods County Josh Wallestad observed a NORTHERN HAWK OWL  on the Roosevelt Forest Road in the Beltrami Island State Forest about 1.5 miles north of the Norris fire tower. He also saw a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE  along MN 72 eight miles south of Baudette. Beth Siverhus also reported a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS  south of Baudette this week.

In Roseau County, Josh Wallestad found BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES  in several locations including along the Sprague Creek Road, and also south of Roseau. A NORTHERN HAWK OWL  was seen along MN 310, along with a NORTHERN SHRIKE, and PILEATED WOODPECKER. Beth Siverhus reported a BALD EAGLE  between Warroad and Roseau, and 70 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS  along the Warroad bike trail.

Ron Erpelding and friends observed BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS  in Blackduck in Beltrami County on January 27. They also found a NORTHERN CARDINAL  in Bemidji, and 27 RED CROSSBILLS  off CR 25 on Staghorn Lane SE.

In northwestern Itasca County, Beth Siverhus reported BROWN CREEPER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH,  PINE GROSBEAK, EVENING GROSBEAK, and COMMON REDPOLLS  last weekend.

Spring must not be far away, as Cliff Steinhauer in Marshall County continues to report an  AMERICAN ROBIN  at his feeder, and 30 PINE GROSBEAKS  feeding in his apple tree. Yesterday, I found a BALD EAGLE, and an enormous WILD TURKEY  being harassed by four BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES along CR 2. About 150 COMMON REDPOLLS  were seen  in a CRP field in south central Marshall county on February 3.

In Pennington County , Shelley Steva saw three AMERICAN ROBINS  in Thief River Falls this week. A MOURNING DOVE  showed up at our feeder on January 31.

In Red Lake County, Shelley Steva saw 30 AMERICAN CROWS  in a flock north of Oklee.

On January 27 in Hubbard County  , Ron Erpelding saw the TUNDRA SWAN  reported earlier by Jerry Pruett.

In Wadena County last weekend, Ron and his friends found 75 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS  and  a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE.

Thanks to all who sent in their 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, February 11, 2016