This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, December 5, 2013 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.

There is no doubt anywhere in Minnesota that winter is really here. In the northwest, snow depth varies, but I think I can say that all is white. As of today, roads are improving , but secondary roads and city streets are still snow covered and slippery.

The LEWIS’S WOODPECKER was seen on December 1 in Roosevelt, in Roseau County, at the home of the Anderson’s, the previously reported location. I have no word if it is still there after the latest weather event.

Katie Haws in Blackduck in Beltrami County reported on December 2 that a male NORTHERN CARDINAL is visiting her feeders.

Heidi Hughes saw a GOLDEN EAGLE a mile west of Angus in Polk County on November 29. On December 1,Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks reported SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, NORTHERN SHRIKE, 8 CEDAR WAXWINGS, a male NORTHERN CARDINAL, PURPLE FINCH, HOUSE FINCH, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.

Alma Ronningen in Dent in Otter Tail County had a similar list on December 5 including SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, CEDAR WAXWINGS, BROWN CREEPER, AMERICAN ROBIN, one AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and PURPLE FINCH.

Thanks to Alma Ronningen, Heidi Hughes, Katie Haws, Sandy Aubol, and Tanya Beyer for their reports.

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 12. 2013.