Minnesota Birding Report

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, April 25, 2013 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 an interesting week in the northwest . With cool nights and slowing warming days, the snow is going at a leisurely pace, lessening the threat of flooding. Migration is proceeding, and as more and more open water in melt water ponds appears, so too do the waterfowl. All areas are reporting some waterfowl this week. At the feeders the numbers of DARK-EYED JUNCOS is increasing as the redpolls decrease. Even the waterfowl at any given area change every day now.

Steve and Cheryl Aversano reported TRUMPETER SWANS, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, CANVASBACKS, RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and LESSER SCAUP north of Elbow Lake in Grant County along US 59 on April 24.

In Otter Tail County, they saw HARRIS’S SPARROW, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD on April 19 in Fergus Falls. Several species of waterfowl were seen on the Otter Tail River including several AMERICAN WHITE

PELICANS. Brad and Dee Ehlers reported a BROWN CREEPER in their yard on April 24.

Marshall Howe observed a HOARY REDPOLL still in Dorset in Hubbard County on April 19.

Steve Midthune observed a WHITE-FACED IBIS in Becker County north of Lake Park on April 19. Two were later seen on May 20 by Tim Lamey along MN 32 two miles south of Hitterdahl. Other species spotted by Tim included NORTHERN

SHOVELER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, COMMON GOLDENEYE, HOODED MERGANSER, RING-BILLED GULL, TREE SWALLOW, and COMMON GRACKLE. On April 23, Steve Midthune found 5 LESSER YELLOWLEGS north of Lake Park, and two MARBLED GODWITS along CR 12.

In Clay County on April 20, Tim Lamey found 75 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, COMMON MERGANSER, 5 BALD EAGLES, AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, RING-BILLED GULLS, and a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS, at Hitterdahl and/or at Buffalo River State Park. Kathy Bresee reported NORTHERN CARDINAL and BROWN CREEPER in Moorhead on April 25.

Bill Blackburn reported WESTERN MEADOWLARK and COMMON GRACKLE at the Audubon Center in Polk County on April 25, and Shelley Steva observed the same two species in Oklee in Red Lake County today.

Shelley Steva visited the area of the Greenwood Bridge in Thief River Falls, Pennington County, on April 25 where she saw 20 HOODED MERGANSERS, 2 RING-NECKED DUCKS, 6 COMMON GOLDENEYE, one PIED-BILLED GREBE, two BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, and a BELTED KINGFISHER. Interesting was the fact that on April 20, we had about 75 PIED-BILLED GREBES there and at least 50 HOODED MERGANSERS, and more than 10 COMMON GOLDENEYE and an OSPREY. Maggie Anderson reported one RED CROSSBILL at her feeder in Thief River Falls on April 24. On the 25th, Gary Tischer saw a single YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER in Thief River Falls. At our feeder , there were several PURPLE FINCHES this morning.

In Marshall County, a large flock of LAPLAND LONGSPURS and 20 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen west of the impoundment near Radium on April 19. Lynda Knutsen reported on the returning species at Agassiz NWR this week, including RING-BILLED GULL on April 19 seen by Gregg Knutsen. A MARBLED GODWIT was seen along CR 7 west of the refuge this week, and other returning species included BLUE-WINGED TEAL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, COMMON MERGANSER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, TRUMPETER SWAN, RING-NECKED DUCK, AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, and 5 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS seen at headquarters. Gary Tischer saw two TURKEY VULTURES south of Newfolden on April 25.

Diana Morkassel reported 2 WILD TURKEYS in Clearwater County on April 18 at the intersection of CR4 with Cr 14.

One GLOSSY IBIS and 7 WHITE-FACED IBIS were reported along CR 4 about 12 miles east of Lancaster in Kittson County on April 24.

Heidi Hughes reported 9 ROUGH-LEGGEDHAWKS, 6 NORTHERN HARRIERS, HORNED LARKS and 8 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS in Roseau County on April 25.

Thanks to all 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 2, 2013.