Minnesota Birding Report

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, February 25, 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.

Temperatures  have  been slightly above normal this week , but birding  away from the feeders has been pretty slow. All the usual suspects are being seen in the area, but few newcomers are reported this week. Do the birds know something we don’t? On a trip to Fargo, hundreds of CANADA GEESE  were seen near the Moorhead wastewater treatment ponds and in the fields nearby, so obviously the warmer weather south of there has encouraged some to start north.

John Ellis found a few waterfowl in Douglas County near where the Long Prairie River leaves Lake Carlos on February 20. They included  TRUMPETER SWAN, CANADA GOOSE, COMMON MERGANSER, and PIED-BILLED GREBE. Also seen were BALD EAGLE, NORTHERN SHRIKE, and HORNED LARKS.

In Hubbard  County, Connie Cox observed several TRUMPETER SWANS at La Salle State Recreation Area which is about eight miles north of Itasca State Park on February 25. Also seen were a PIED-BILLED GREBE and some COMMON REDPOLLS.

Beau Shroyer found 150 to 200 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS  on Willow Street  near Lake Ave in Detroit Lakes, Becker County  on February 20.

Here in Pennington County, a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER  came to our feeder near Thief River Falls, and a flock of BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS  were seen in the yard on February 20. On the 21st, a flock of 10 – 15 AMERICAN ROBINS  were seen in Thief River Falls.

Thanks to Beau Shroyer, Connie Cox and John Ellis 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, March 3, 201