Northwest Minnesota Birding Report – Thursday, February 21, 2013

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, February 21, 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.

This has been a wintry week in the northwest and all is pristine white again. Birding has been good as feeders have been busy. The irruption of northern owls continues with all four species being reported. Most sightings are in Roseau County near the Canadian border. More GREAT GRAY OWLS are being seen than we have seen for a long time.

GREAT GRAY OWLS were seen by many observers north and northeast of Roseau and also north of the Warroad Airport. 9 NORTHERN HAWK OWLS were seen in the same general area on February 17 by Steve and Diane Millard on February 17. Others have reported lesser numbers there last weekend. Brad McDonald reported a NORTHERN SHRIKE 7.5 miles north of Roseau on February 17. Beth Siverhus observed a MERLIN in Warroad and reported a NORTHERN CARDINAL that is coming to a feeder there. Dave and Cec Lambeth reported 12 GRAY PARTRIDGES on Mattson Island Road on February 20 and a SNOWY OWL 3 miles east of CR 28. Several GREAT GRAY OWLS were seen north of the Warroad airport and a NORTHERN SHRIKE was also seen in that general area.

Larry Wilebski in Kittson County saw a SNOWY OWL between Orleans and Humboldt on February 17.

Dave and Cec Lambeth saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL and three adult BALD EAGLES along MN 72 in Beltrami County on February 21.

Marcie Fisher reported a probable BOREAL OWL at their place near Holt in Marshall County on February 16. Lynda Knutsen reported PINE GROSBEAK, and COMMON REDPOLLS at the headquarters feeders this week. Shelley Steva and I found two BALD EAGLES at the nest site on Parker Pool at the Agassiz NWR on February 16. Brad McDonald saw a flock of GRAY PARTRIDGE on the east side of Middle River on February 17.

Heidi Hughes at the Audubon Center in Polk county near Warren reported NORTHERN SHRIKE, 2 HOARY REDPOLLS, and 12 PINE GROSBEAKS on February 20.

From Waubun in Mahnomen County Kristy May reported that the MOURNING DOVES are back this week.

Randy Toppen saw a RED-TAILED HAWK in Moorhead , Clay County, on February 16.

In Becker County, Linda Schumann at Rainbow Resort reported that the EVENING GROSBEAK was at the feeder on February 16. Dave and Betty Hochhalter in Detroit Lakes reported RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, NORTHERN CARDINAL, and PINE GROSBEAKS among other species at their feeders this week. Kristy May reported a RING-NECKED PHEASANT along US 59 south of Ogema.

Gary and Marion Otnes saw a FIELD SPARROW at their feeder in Otter Tail County on February 17.

Benjamin Eckhoff saw a NORTHERN SHRIKE in Douglas County on February 18, and in Pope County at Glacial Lakes SP he found a NORTHERN GOSHAWK closely observing a COMMON GOLDENEYE below.

Thanks to all the folks 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, February 28, 2013.