Minnesota Birding Report

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, April 16, 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.

Spring has finally arrived in the north, and the flood of migrants is increasing. The first wave of returning species includes  most of the ducNorthernFlickerKK1ks, the resident hawks,  KILLDEER, MOURNING DOVE, some gulls, NORTHERN FLICKER, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, TREE SWALLOW, a large variety of sparrows, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, COMMON GRACKLE, and PURPLE FINCH.

Gretchen Mehmel reported that a group doing a goshawk survey in the Beltrami Island State Forest on April 11  found a SNOWY OWL  at Norris Camp of all places.  A GREAT GRAY OWL  was also seen on Dick’s Parkway during the survey, and at least one NORTHERN GOSHAWK was reported.

In Roseau County, Beth Siverhus observed a flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS at Warroad on April 10.

Hillary Stoltman found a male SNOWY OWL  10 miles east of Fourtown in Beltrami County on April 9.

In Marshall County, Cliff Steinhauer reported SANDHILL CRANE  and 14 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE  on April 9. Gary Tischer reported an EASTERN BLUEBIRD  seen by Jerome Sorenson. Gary saw a FRANKLIN’S GULL  at Agassiz NWR on April 13, reported a major migration of TUNDRA SWANS on April 14, and found two GREATER YELLOWLEGS  near Strandquist on April 15.

Here in Pennington County, a pair of TRUMPETER SWANS came to our part of the Red Lake River on April 10. On April 12, there were DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS and HOODED MERGANSERS, and on April 14, twenty WOOD DUCKS  were seen feeding on the lawn.

In southern Polk County, Bruce Flaig  reported EASTERN PHOEBE, and COMMON LOON on April 11. I saw a large flock of TUNDRA SWANS  along CR 252 , and a MERLIN near the campus of UMC Crookston today, April 16. Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks  reported NORTHERN FLICKER, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, HERMIT THRUSH,  and a variety of sparrow species along the river  on April 13.

Steve Midthune in Becker County saw a GREATER YELLOWLEGS  at Bisson Lake at Hamden Slough NWR on April 10.

From Hubbard County, Marshall Howe reported TUNDRA SWANS east of Lake George on April 10, OSPREY  and a large flock of PINE SISKINS  on April 11, NORTHERN FLICKER  on April 12, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER  on April 13, a TREE SWALLOW  on April 14,  EASTERN PHOEBE, FOX SPARROW, and PURPLE FINCH  on April 15, and VESPER SPARROW  on April 16.

Otter Tail County sightings sent in by Alice Martin included HERRING GULL  on April 10, GREEN-WINGED TEAL on April 12, BLUE-WINGED TEAL  on April 13, PIED-BILLED GREBE  and BELTED KINGFISHER  on April 14, and LESSER SCAUP  on April 16. Alma Ronningen observed BROWN CREEPER  on April 11, OSPREY on April 12, BROWN THRASHER  and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER  on April 16.

John Ellis found a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE  at the public landing in Osakis in Douglas County on April 9.

Thanks to all  who sent in 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, April 23, 2015.