Minnesota Birding Report

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, October 10, 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.

This week we are finally getting a little of that coveted fall weather that is free of storms, but we would prefer it to be a bit warmer. Migration is winding down, and bird feeders are hosting mostly white-throated sparrows and yellow-rumped warblers.

Kurt Ellwanger reported a flock of several hundred SANDHILL CRANES south of Old Mill State Park in Marshall County on October 9.

Here at our feeder east of Thief River Falls in Pennington County, we had a GOLDEN–CROWNED KINGLET on October 4; on October 8, I recorded RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. All of the above are still here and a BROWN CREEPER came on October 9.

Sandy Aubol found a NORTHERN SHRIKE along the East Grand Forks greenway in Polk County on October 9, and several TUNDRA SWANS flew over the city. Kurt Ellwanger reported two large flocks of SANDHILL CRANES along Polk CR 21 east if US 75 on October 9. Each flock contained several hundred birds.

Marshall Howe in Hubbard County reported FOX SPARROW on October 2, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE on October 4, an Oregon type DARK-EYED JUNCO on October 8 , and DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT and RUSTY BLACKBIRD on October 8.

Thanks to Kurt Ellwanger, Marshall Howe , and Sandy Aubol 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, October 16, 2014