-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *April 9, 2009 *MNDL0904.09-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: April 9, 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, April 9, 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.
Spring finally seems to have arrived, but don't tell the weather man - he might revoke it. Warmer , drier conditions have encouraged a slow melt, and finally at our house, on April 8, the last of the ice went out of the Red Lake River. I believe that there are still some small areas where that has not yet happened, but we are on the way. There are many reports this week, especially of migrating BALD EAGLES, as well as the other common hawks. AMERICAN ROBINS are moving through the whole northwest in large numbers now and this week have found their voices, as the first sound these mornings is the ringing calls of many robins as they awake to the day.
In Douglas County near Alexandria, Deb Johnson reported AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, and LARK SPARROW on April 3.
Teresa Jaskiewicz reported 75 possible KRIDER'S REDTAILED HAWKS over the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center near Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County on April 3. Other species seen included AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, AMERICAN KESTREL, and CHIPPING SPARROW. Tom Smith reported BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD and COMMON GRACKLE at the feeder on April 4. Also that day, Brad and Dee Ehlers saw a flock of 11 GREAT BLUE HERONS fly over the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. Dan and Sandy Thimgan reported that as of April 7, the EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES have returned to Perham. Other species they reported included BLUE-WINGED TEAL, COMMON MERGANSER, COMMON LOON, GREAT EGRET, COOPER'S HAWK, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, and HERRING GULL. Deb Johnson reported HOODED MERGANSER in Otter Tail County on April 8.
Kelly Larson reported a TURKEY VULTURE in Hubbard County on April 7.
Duane and Marilyn Olson saw a WILD TURKEY near Lake Park in Becker County on April 7.
Mel and Elaine Bennefeld went birding at the Ponderosa Golf course in Clay County on April 7 where they saw a SNOW GEESE, WOOD DUCKS, a GOLDEN EAGLE, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS among others.
AMERICAN KESTRELS have made it to Polk County as reported by Charles Christianson on April 7. Kelly Larson in Polk County on April 8 reported a NORTHERN SHRIKE at the Gully fen, a GREAT HORNED OWL at the Larix WMA, several EASTERN MEADOWLARKS singing, and also SANDHILL CRANES, and SHARP-TAILED GROUSE in several places.
John Braastad reported AMERICAN KESTREL and CHIPPING SPARROW in Pennington County on March 30. Shelley Steva saw 3 SANDHILL CRANES just north of the Red Lake County line in Pennington County on April 3. A MOURNING DOVE showed up at our feeder near Thief River Falls on April 8, and the ice finally went out of the Red Lake River by our house that day. Tonight, I saw several HOODED MERGANSERS swimming in the river. Earlier in the week, I saw a flock of 10 RING-BILLED GULLS flying over the town. Zeann Linder reported much activity by a pair of MERLINS in her neighborhood in Thief River Falls this week.
At Agassiz NWR in Marshall County on April 2, John Braastad reported that the BALD EAGLES are on the nest at Parker Pool. Recent arrivals include many ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, a few BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, and 25 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS seen at Madsen Pool. Greg Knutsen reported only one new species this week - a single REDHEAD. Dana Jenkins reported 6 BALD EAGLES 13 miles north from the Petro Pumper in Thief River Falls and 4 miles west on Marshall CR 7. These birds have been hanging around some old deer carcasses for several days. .
Kelly Larson in Clearwater County reported on April 7 that SANDHILL CRANES, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, BARRED OWL, and EASTERN BLUEBIRD have returned to the county. On April 8 she reported TUNDRA SWANS, and TRUMPETER SWANS on the Clearwater rice paddies along with a gathering of ducks.
Beth Siverhus saw a NORTHERN HAWK OWL along MN 72 north of Waskish in Beltrami County on April 3.
On April 6, Larry Wilebski reported a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in Kittson County. Lance Crandall at Lake Bronson State Part reported dancing SHARP-TAILED GROUSE on April 7. Other species seen at the park included WILD TURKEY, BALD EAGLE, and MOURNING DOVE.
In Roseau County, Beth Siverhus saw a MERLIN on April 4 near the Roseau Hospital and also one visited her yard in Warroad. On the 7th, she had a visit from the first FOX SPARROW this year.
Lake of the Woods County sightings by Beth included a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK near Williams, a RED-TAILED HAWK near Roosevelt, and a TRUMPETER SWAN flying over the Rainy River in Baudette, all on April 3.
Thanks to all the folks who sent in their sightings this week.
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, April 16, 2008.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN