-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *January 15, 2009 *MNDL0901.15-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: January 15, 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, January 15, 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.
We are in the deep freeze in most of the state, frigid in the north, but still cold throughout. Luckily, the winds have been on the light side, so the cold has been somewhat tolerable. With a promise of an end to the chill, everyone is starting to perk up. It will be interesting to see if bird numbers will change. Feeders have been busy, and sunshine encourages both birders and birds alike.
Brad and Dee Ehlers report that about 100 TRUMPETER SWANS can be seen in Fergus Falls, along with MALLARDS, COMMON GOLDENEYES, and AMERICAN COOTS. Dan and Sandy Thimgan had a visit from nine NORTHERN CARDINALS at their feeder on January 10.
Jim and Sue Thomas have a VARIED THRUSH coming to their yard at Pickerel Lake northeast of Detroit Lakes. Shar Legenhausen observed RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, COMMON REPOLLS, and PINE SISKINS at their feeder on January 11.
From Polk County, Bruce Flaig observed 80 SNOW BUNTINGS along the roadsides this week. Diana Morkassel saw 20 GRAY PARTRIDGE, a BALD EAGLE, three AMERICAN CROWS, and three flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS along US 75 between Crookston and Warren on January 11.
In Pennington County on January 8, Phil McKenzie reported a WILD TURKEY along CR 3 five miles west of St. Hilaire. Later that day, he saw 16 WILD TURKEYS along CR 12 about 3.5 miles north of CR 3.
At their place east of Warren in Marshall County, Diana Morkassel reported BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, COMMON REDPOLLS, and PURPLE FINCH on January 11. There were more than 100 ROCK PIGEONS at the Angus elevator. Gary Tischer at Agassiz NWR reported DOWNY WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, a NORTHERN SHRIKE, and COMMON REDPOLLS at the headquarters feeder. BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES, SNOW BUNTINGS, and a small flock of LAPLAND LONGSPURS are being seen along CR 7 and CR 12 outside the refuge.
In Beltrami Island SF,Beltrami County, last week Neal Slick observed two NORTHERN HAWK OWLS and a SHARP-TAILED GROUSE northwest of the intersection of Dick's Parkway and the Morehouse Road last week. Elsewhere in the county, Katie Haws reported three NORTHERN HAWK OWLS north of Waskish along MN 72 on January 13. She also observed PINE GROSBEAKS at Hines, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE in Bemidji.
Lance Crandall reported an increase in HOUSE FINCHES at the Lake Bronson State Park feeder this week. Several HOARY REDPOLLS were seen at the home of Larry Wilebski in Lancaster, and at least two more were found at his Evergreen Acres northwest of Lancaster on January 11.
From Roseau County, Beth Siverhus reported a GREAT GRAY OWL at White Pine Loop in the Beltrami Island SF east of Dick's Parkway south of the former Clear River Forest station on January 11.
Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Brad and Dee Ehlers, Bruce Flaig, Diana Morkassel, Gary Tischer, Jim and Sue Thomas, Katie Haws, Lance Crandall, Neal Slick, Phil McKenzie, Shar Legenhausen, and Dan and Sandy Thimgan 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, Thursday, January 22, 2009.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN