This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, May 15, 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.
Migration continues, and warbler migration has begun in the area. With the cool weather, warblers should be easier to see this year. Almost everyone has also reported BALTIMORE ORIOLES, and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS in the last few days.
From Dent in Otter Tail County, Alma Ronningen reported she saw the first RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD today. Other species seen in her vicinity this week included TRUMPETER SWAN, OSPREY, VEERY, HARRIS’S SPARROW, SCARLET TANAGER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, and BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
Marshall Howe had a belated secondhand report of two possible WORM-EATING WARBLERS on Hubbard County 13, about 5 miles south of Nevis sighted on May 10. This would be a very exciting sighting is someone can verify it.
Linda Schumann at the Rainbow Resort in Becker County reported that RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD and BALTIMORE ORIOLES have arrived in the county. The first of the warblers are there also including CAPE MAY WARBLER, PINE WARBLER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.
Matt Mecklenburg reported COMMON RAVEN, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, and WESTERN KINGBIRD in Clay County this week.
On May 10, Sandy Aubol observed COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and PALM WARBLER in East Grand Forks in Polk County. On the 14th, she saw EASTERN TOWHEE, HARRIS’S SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, CAPE MAY WARBLER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, and ORCHARD ORIOLE. Steve and Terri Scholand , southeast of East Grand Forks, reported EASTERN BLUEBIRD, and 20 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS near their place on May 14. Shelley Steva and I found a WESTERN KINGBIRD on the UMC campus at Crookston on May 10. Also seen there were OVENBIRD, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and PALM WARBLER.
At our feeders east of Thief River Falls in Pennington County on May 15 were a couple of BALTIMORE ORIOLES, and a SWAINSON’S THRUSH was prowling in the flowerbed.
Steve and Teri Scholand saw a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINBIRD in Alvarado in Marshall County on May 11. Shelley Steva and I saw a GREAT HORNED OWL pair with two large owlets in the headquarters yard on May 10. Also seen there were eight species of warblers, VEERY, SWAINSON’S THRUSH, HERMIT THRUSH,LINCOLN’S SPARROW , and on Headquarters pool , a WESTERN GREBE, EARED GREBE, and PIED-BILLED GREBE.
Beth Siverhus reported BALTIMORE ORIOLE, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, and BROWN THRASHER in Warroad in Roseau County since May 12.
Beth also reported that Ben Huener saw two WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS on Lake of the Woods off Springsteel Island on May 9.
Thanks to Alma Ronningen, Beth Siverhus, Linda Schumann, Marshall Howe, Matt Mecklenburg, Sandy Aubol, Steve and Terri Scholand, 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, May 22, 2014.