This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, May 6, 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.

This has been the first real spring week in the northwest, and the birds are responding. With today’s southwest winds, more migrants can be expected tomorrow. Woodland flowers are starting to appear and leaves are popping out.

A CHIPPING SPARROW  was reported by Judith Clayton in Alexandria, Douglas County on April 30.

A DICKCISSEL  was seen by Linda Slagter at Manston WMA in Wilkin County on May 3.

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD  was observed by Jason Swelstad in Otter Tail County on April 28.

From Becker County, Steve Midthune reported that the warblers are starting to appear at Tamarac NWR. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and NASHVILLE WARBLER  have all been seen at Tamarac NWR. GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS  are dancing at Hamden Slough. Sandy Aubol also saw a PINE WARBLER  at Tamarac NWR on May 3.

In Clay County, Tony Lao reported an UPLAND SANDPIPER  at Bluestem Prairie on April 30. On April 29, Sandy Aubol and I found a NORTHERN PARULA and two WINTER WRENS  at Buffalo River SP. Sandy also found a pair of LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES  at Felton Prairie on May 3.

In Polk County, John Richardson found SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER  at the Crookston WTP on April 30. Sandy Aubol reported LINCOLN’S SPARROW  in her yard at East Grand Forks on May 2. LE CONTE’S SPARROW  was seen on May 3 at Pancratz Prairie, and an UPLAND SANDPIPER  at Timpanuchus Prairie. Bruce Flaig reported the first BALTIMORE ORIOLE  in the southern part of the county on May 5. A SEDGE WREN was found by Sandy Aubol on the Red Lake River Greenway on May 6.

Here in the yard in Pennington County, today, May 6, I saw a pair of COMMON RAVENS, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, PALM WARBLER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.

Nancy Wasik in Beltrami County reported RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, CHIPPING SPARROW, YELLOW WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and PINE SISKIN  this week.

Thanks to those who sent in their 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, May 13, 2016