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

During this very cold period , there have been few who have been out looking , but a few reports have come in. One observation is that many SNOW BUNTINSG seem to be showing up, and even a few HORNED LARKS in the past few days.

Martin Kehoe sent in a report of a few birds seen by a friend of his during the week following January 20 in Baudette, Lake of the Woods County, including NORTHERN CARDINAL, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, DARK-EYED JUNCO, COMMON GRACKLE, and a few PINE GROSBEAKS.

Two NORTHERN SHRIKE were seen by Shelley Steva and I in Marshall County on February 1. Many SNOW BUNTINGS were seen along the roads that day.

In Pennington County on January 26, a NORTHERN SHRIKE flew through our yard during the blizzard that day. On February 1, Shelley Steva and I found a flock of 15 COMMON RAVENS in Pennington County feeding on a carcass. Several small flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS and two HORNED LARKS were also seen.

Shelley Steva reported two GRAY PARTRIDGE north of Oklee in Red Lake County on January 24.

From Becker County, Steve Midthune reported on February 4 that two SNOWY OWLS were still at Hamden Slough NWR along CR 13 and another was two miles north on CR 159. More than 100 SNOW BUNTINGS and 35 GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS were also seen there. Dave Hochhalter reported RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, PINE SISKINS, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES at his place in Detroit Lakes on February 4.

Jody Doll in Ottertail County saw a SNOWY OWL in her backyard near the intersection of MN 78 and 355 St about three miles north of the town of Ottertail on February 4. Other species seen included TRUMPETER SWAN, one COMMON GOLDENEYE, a BALD EAGLE, and 50 SNOW BUNTINGS.

In Douglas County at Lake Carlos State Park reported on February 5 of the birds seen in and around the park this week including one SNOWY OWL at the intersection of MN 29 and Buckskin Road. Other species seen included RUFFED GROUSE, RING-NECKED PHEASANT, BARRED OWL,BALD EAGLE, up to 80 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, a BROWN CREEPER, one AMERICAN ROBIN, and SNOW BUNTINGS.

Thanks to Benjamin Eckhoff, Dave Hochhalter, Jody Doll, Martin Kehoe, Sandy Aubol, Shelley Steva, and Steve Midthune 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, February 13, 2014.