-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *December 26, 2008 *MNDL0812.26 -Birds mentioned Trumpeter Swan Sharp-tailed Grouse Northern Hawk Owl Great Gray Owl Short-eared Owl Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker American Robin Snow Bunting Common Redpoll Pine Siskin -Transcript Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes Date: December 26, 2008 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 Friday, December 26, 2008 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. Christmas has come and gone, but what a wonderful white Christmas it was in the northwest! Snow lay deep and fluffy everywhere, bringing birds to the feeders. Beth Siverhus reported a NORTHERN HAWK OWL seen on a power pole in Salol in Roseau County on December 23. Pat Rice reported a GREAT GRAY OWL found by Dale Yerger during a CBC in Beltrami County, but outside the count circle! The bird was seen along CR 118. From Marshall County last week, Arlyne Johnson reported 15 SHARP-TAILE GROUSE, and 200 SNOW BUNTINGS along CR 6, and PINE SISKINS at the feeder. Gary Tischer at Agassiz NWR observed SHORT-EARED OWLS in all areas of the refuge on December 17. At the refuge feeder there were COMMON REDPOLLS, and numbers of SHARP-TAILED GROUSE were seen along CR 7 west of the Airport Road. Shelley Steva saw 150 SNOW BUNTINGS two miles south of Brooks on December 21, and 50 south of Oklee on December 19. Brad and Dee Ehlers, reporting from Otter Tail County mentioned that it is easy to see wintering TRUMPETER SWANS in downtown Fergus Falls. One of the best viewing spots can be reached by going east on Lincoln Ave across the tracks from Pamida, take a right at the first stop sign, next right to the river and follow left. Birds at their feeder included NORTHERN FLICKER, AMERICAN ROBIN, and three PILEATED WOODPECKERS on December 22. Thanks to Arlyne Johnson, Beth Siverhus, Brad and Dee Ehlers, Gary Tischer, Pat Rice, and Shelley Steva 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 Sunday,January 4, 2009. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN