This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 5, 2015 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.
We are hoping that the forecast for warmer weather comes true. It has been a very cold week in the northwest. The sun shines, but on the white snow, has little effect, and the wind blows constantly. Some birds that are day length oriented will find it hard going if they return now.
In Roseau County on the weekend, Shelley Steva and I found BALD EAGLES, five NORTHERN HAWK OWLS, a PILEATED WOODPECKER, SNOW BUNTINGS, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE.
Beth Siverhus reported a GREAT GRAY OWL in Beltrami County on the west side of MN 72 at mile marker 27 on February 27. On March 1, she saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL near the Big Bog Recreation Area. A BALD EAGLE was also seen in Beltrami County.
In western Itasca County , Beth reported RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, COMMON REDPOLLS, PINE SISKINS, and an occasional EVENING GROSBEAK at the feeder.
In Pennington County, Sara Nelson reported a PILEATED WOODPECKER in her yard in Thief River Falls on March 4. Shelley Steva saw the first SHARP-TAILED GROUSE lek of the season with 10 birds present on Pennington CR 23 on February 26. Seems as if they would need to dance to keep warm this year!
Shelley Steva observed two HORNED LARKS near Brooks in Red Lake County on February 26.
A NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen in the Polk WMA in Polk County on February 26.
Kelly Blackledge reported a BLACK-BILLED MAPGIE in Two Inlets State Forest in Hubbard County on March 1. Also from Hubbard County Marshall Howe observed COMMON REDPOLLS, one HOARY REDPOLL, and a few PINE SISKINS on March 5.
Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Kelly Blackledge, Marshall Howe, Sara Nelson, and Shelley Steva 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, March 12, 2015.