This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, April 30, 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.

Finally, the weather seems to have turned, and warmer conditions are here. We in the northwest remain dry , however, but a little rain is forecast for tonight. Migration is increasing and many first of the year species have been reported this week. Accordingly, I will only report the highlights, but keep on sending in your reports as all are noted.

Two EURASIAN WIGEONS  were reported this week. One in Kittson Count was seen at Twin Lakes by several folks this week as recently as today, and one was seen by Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann at Agassiz NWR in Marshall County on April 30. The latter bird was at Mud River Pool behind the locked gates. A key can be obtained from the office if you can return it the same day before the staff leaves. Due to activities in the refuge, the time when the office closes varies.

A ROCK WREN was observed at the Lake Bronson dam in Kittson County on April 25 and reported to eBird by Chantel Sledge. Several of us have looked for the bird to no avail and believe it has moved on.

Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann found what is believed to be a CLARK’S GREBE  hanging out with two WESTERN GREBES  at the Karlstad Wastewater Treatment ponds in Kittson County on April 30.

An OSPREY  was seen at Lake Bronson State Park on April 29. Today, I found a HORNED GREBE  at the Karlstad WTP, and heard MARBLED GODWITS  in Kittson County.

This week in Pennington County, I saw a BROWN CREEPER  in the yard on April 25, EASTERN BLUEBIRD and NORTHERN FLICKER  appeared on April 26, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW  and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD  on April 27. A COMMON LOON  was seen in the Red Lake River. On April 30, a BROWN THRASHER  is coming to our feeder.

Sandy Aubol in Polk County reported HORNED GREBE and RED-NECKED GREBE  on April 24, and AMERICAN WOODCOCK, WINTER WREN and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER  in East Grand Forks on April 25. At the Agassiz Valley impoundment on April 26, she observed WILLET, MARBLED GODWIT, HUDSONIAN GODWIT, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. A BROAD-WINGED HAWK was seen on April 27 in East Grand Forks.

From Hubbard County, Marshall Howe reported WHITE-THROATED SPARROW , AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, and PURPLE MARTIN on April 25, PINE WARBLER  on April 26, and CHIPPING SPARROW  on April 27.

Alice Martin in Otter Tail County saw BONAPARTE’S GULL, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER  on April 24.

Thanks to Alice Martin, Marshall Howe, Ron Erpelding  and Herb Dingmann, 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, May 7, 2015.