-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *May 21, 2009 *MNDL0905.21-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: May 21, 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, May 21, 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.
As I compile this report, we are starting to see the end of the cold weather we hope, with temperatures forecast to reach into the 70's in the coming days. Hopefully the winds will subside now, so that birds will be more visible. Most of the summer residents are back now, and warblers are streaming in.
Interesting this week has been an influx of tanagers. From May 12 to at least May 18, a SUMMER TANAGER has been visiting the feeders at Bert's Cabins in Itasca State Park. Several WESTERN TANAGERS have been reported this week. One was seen by Muriel and Donovan Olson a few miles south of Warroad in Roseau County on the weekend of May 10, another appeared at Beth Siverhus's feeder in Warroad on May 19; still another was reported by Pam Wockenfuss at the Wetlands, Pines , and Prairies Audubon Sanctuary near Warren in Marshall County on May 19, one appeared in Kittson County at Larry Wilebski's cabin feeder on May 20 and on May 21, Gregg Knutsen saw one at his home one mile east of Middle River, Marshall County, just south of CR 6.
From Otter Tail County, Amy Drake reported BARN SWALLOW, HOUSE WREN, VEERY, several warblers, and many others.
Beau Shroyer reported that SANDERLINGS were still on the beach at Detroit Lakes, Becker County as of May 15. Dave and Betty Hochhalter observed WILD TURKEY, SCARLET TANAGER, and NORTHERN CARDINAL among others.
The Detroit Lakes festival of birds tallied 172 species for the weekend including 21 species of shorebirds, CASPIAN TERN, 5 species of flycatcher, all the swallows, WOOD THRUSH, 21 species of warbler, and 13 sparrow species in northwest Minnesota.
Connie Norheim reported a PAINTED BUNTING at a home in Moorhead, Clay County on May 20. The bird was spotted at 438 Birch Lane. Homeowner Kathy Bresee has given permission for people to come see the bird from the street. From Main Ave, turn east at Oak Way by the hockey arena, and take the first left onto Birch Lane. Ben Fritchman reported tonight that the bird was seen again today.
Bruce Flaig in Polk County reported GREAT EGRET,SWAINSON'S THRUSH, INDIGO BUNTING, and SCARLET TANAGER on May 17 and a BOBOLINK on May 20.Kelly Larson visited the rice paddies in the eastern part of the county along CR 2 where she found 9 species of ducks, 4 AMERICAN AVOCETS and 3 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS on May 19. Eve Freeburg saw 50 HUDSONIAN GODWITS just west of the sugar beet plant in a flooded field on May 20.
In Pennington County, on May 17, an INDIGO BUNTING survived a crash into our window. I discovered a SHARP-TAILED GROUSE lek about 5 miles east of Thief River Falls, and one mile south of MN 1. On May 19 an EASTERN TOWHEE was heard singing in the town of Thief River Falls, near where we have found a MERLIN pair nesting. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER came to our feeder on May 15.
In Marshall County, Shelley Steva saw a WESTERN KINGBIRD near Old Mill State Park on May 15. Herb Dingmann discovered a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD along CR 38 at the driveway of the house marked 26547.
Kelly Larson saw a WILD TURKEY along MN 200 in Clearwater County a half mile west of Stockyard Road.
Katie Haws reported that an injured GOLDEN EAGLE was turned in at Park Rapids in Hubbard County on May 13 and taken to the Raptor Center in the Twin Cities.
Steve Patterson in Beltrami County reported a nesting MERLIN in his backyard. Doug Johnson saw a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK on Pincherry Road 1/3 mile south of CR 20.
Larry Wilebski in Kittson County reported a GREAT EGRET, and a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD at his cabin northwest of Lancaster on May 16 in addition to the WESTERN TANAGER on May 21.
Beth Siverhus in Roseau County reported many species returning to the area including GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, and a nice selection of warblers. Other sightings included GREATER SCAUP, COMMON TERN, FORSTER'S TERN , and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
Susan Olin at Zippel Bay State Park in Lake of the Woods County reported SANDHILL CRANES south of CR 8, and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and BALTIMORE ORIOLE at Zippel Bay State Park on May 18.
Thanks to all who sent in 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, May 28, 2009.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN