Minnesota Birding Report

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, September 4, 2014 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.

This week there are definite signs of approaching fall with cool nights and so far warm days. Migration is picking up and the warblers are moving south now. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS are also being reported, and where there is habitat, also shorebirds.

Charlene Nelson reported a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO in her yard at Elbow Lake in Grant County as recently as September 4.

On August 30, Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann found SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, BONAPARTE’S GULLS, and 47 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS at the Walker WTP in Cass County on August 30. In Wadena County they found a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER at the sod farm on 190th Ave. Other species seen in Wadena County included BARRED OWL, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, CANADA WARBLER, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. A WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER was found at the Verndale WTP. They relocated the 5 COMMON GALLINULES in Todd County that were previously reported by Ben Fritchman. Other species seen in Todd County included NORTHERN PARULA, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, and at the Eagle Bend WTP- STILT SANDPIPER and CASPIAN TERN.

From Hubbard County, Ron and Herb reported STILT SANDPIPER at Nevis. Craig Mandel and Barb and Denny Martin were in Hubbard County on August 28, where they observed WILD TURKEY, and OSPREY. At Ferris County Park, they reported PHILADELPHIA VIREO, BROWN THRASHER, 13 warbler species, EASTERN TOWHEE, and PURPLE FINCH.

In Norman County Craig Mandel and Barb and Denny Martin reported HORNED GREBE at Ada, RED-NECKED GREBE at Roy Lake, GREAT EGRET at Agassiz Olsen WMA, and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, 5 species of vireos, and 12 species of warblers, most of these at the Twin Valley City Park.

Craig, Barb, and Denny also birded in Mahnomen County where they found GREEN HERON, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, GOLDEN EAGLE, a few shorebirds, 5 vireos, and YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. A EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was seen in the town of Mahnomen.

Sandy Aubol reported from East Grand Forks in western Polk County. Species were reported from her yard and also from the Red River Greenway. During the course of the week she saw GREEN HERON, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, COMMON NIGHTHAWK, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER, 5 vireo species, SWAINSON’S THRUSH, and 12 species of warbler.

Here in Pennington County, Shelley Steva reported a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT in her yard in Thief River Falls on August 30. On September 1, she saw BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, CANADA WARBLER, and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER along the new Greenwood Trails bike path, and the next day added MAGNOLIA WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, and BLUE-HEADED VIREO. Our yard continues to host both RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRDS, and BALTIMORE ORIOLES. Warblers continue to trickle in also.

The MOU weekend in northwest Minnesota lead by Kim Eckert found 20 species of warblers, most in Beltrami County between Diamond Point Park and the Gould St. lake access, and in Lake of the Woods County at Arneson’s Resort and Springsteel Island.

In Roseau county the MOU weekend found RED-NECKED PHALAROPES at the Warroad WTP among the 11 species of shorebirds there. 8 SHORT-EARED OWLS were found along 440th Ave 5 miles east and 2-3 miles north of Roseau. There was a WESTERN KINGBIRD near the junction of MN 313 and Springsteel Island Road.

Two BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS were found just west of the junction of Lake of the Woods County roads 17 and 9 a mile south of Arneson’s Resort. 12 species of shorebirds were found here including BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, STILT SANDPIPERS, and BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS. There were warblers at Springsteel Island and Arneson’s. PINE SISKINS were seen there also.

Thanks to Charlene Nelson, Craig Mandel, Kim Eckert, Ron Erpelding, Sandy Aubol, and Shelley Steva 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, September 11, 2014