-RBA
*Minnesota
*Detroit Lakes
*December 31, 2009
*MNDL0912.31

-Birds mentioned
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Great Horned Owl
Northern Hawk Owl
Great Gray Owl
Pileated Woodpecker
Northern Shrike
Snow Bunting
-Transcript

Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: December 31, 2009
Sponsor: Lakes Area Birding Club, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce
Reports: 1-800-542-3992 (weekdays during business hours)
Compiler: Jeanie Joppru ([log in to unmask])

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, December
31, 2009 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.

There is no doubt that winter is finally here and we have enough snow to
enjoy it too! Most roads in the northwest , except for some small
township roads, are plowed and open to travel. When travelling on
township roads it is wise to be cautious, for what looks open from the
end may be blocked by a drift a mile in. Check first before venturing
in.

On December 28, Brad and Dee Ehlers in Otter Tail County saw a flock of
SNOW BUNTINGS on the northwest shore of Otter Tail Lake.

In Polk County, Sandy Aubol saw a SHARP-TAILED GROUSE in her yard in
East Grand Forks on December 30.

Steve Dahl heard two GREAT HORNED OWLS calling near Plummer in Red Lake
County on Christmas weekend.

Gary Tischer in Thief River Falls, Pennington County, had a PILEATED
WOODPECKER briefly in his yard on December 26.

Near Agassiz NWR in Marshall County this week, Gary reported two flocks
of SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, one just south of the southeast corner, and one
along the west boundary. Be aware that the township roads on these areas
are not plowed. Marty Peterson saw another flock north of Grygla along
MN 89 last weekend.

Kris Guggisberg in Roseau County found a GREAT GRAY OWL along MN 310 a
few miles south of the Canadian border.

In Lake of the Woods County on December 27, Beth Siverhus saw a flock of
SHARP-TAILED GROUSE south of Baudette off MN 72 , and also a NORTHERN
SHRIKE, and 5 miles south of Baudette there was a NORTHERN HAWK OWL. On
December 29, Jeff Birchem saw a NORTHERN SHRIKE on the Roosevelt Road
about two miles north of the Faunce-Butterfield Road.

Thanks to Brad and Dee Ehlers, Beth Siverhus. Gary Tischer, Gretchen
Mehmel, Jeff Birchem, Kris Guggisberg, and Sandy Aubol for their
reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than
Thursday each week, at [log in to unmask] 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, January 7,
2010.



Jeanie Joppru
Pennington County, MN