-RBA
*Minnesota
*Detroit Lakes
*October 29, 2009
*MNDL0910.29

-Birds mentioned -Transcript

Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: October 29, 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, October 29, 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.

The temperatures have been pleasant this week and we have sure enjoyed it, but today has been dark, drizzly, and there is promise of snow to come. Leaves may now come down, as many have been hanging on and colors are drab this fall. Migration is drawing to a close. We still see migrating hawks, but more and more the wintering rough-legged hawks are starting to appear. Sandhill Cranes are massing for the migration and can be seen in any suitable location.

From Zippel Bay State Park in Lake of the Woods County, Susan Olin reported a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER at the feeding station there on October 25.

Larry Wilebski observed GREAT EGRET, GREAT BLUE HERON, several EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, many DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and the first flock of SNOW BUNTINGS on October 27 at his place northwest of Lancaster in Kittson County.

Here in Pennington County, a small flock of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS visited our yard on October 24. One WHITE-THROATED SPARROW remained in the yard that day.West of Thief River Falls could be found a number of SANDHILL CRANES, and one ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was spotted along CR 8. On October 29, Zeann Linder reported a large number of SANDHILL CRANES along CR 12 near its intersection with CR 3.

On October 24, in Polk County, I saw a SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, several BALD EAGLES and RED-TAILED HAWKS, one SWAINSON'S HAWK, and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. On that day, Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks, reported a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, HERMIT THRUSH, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and HARRIS'S SPARROW among others at her feeder.

Beau Shroyer found two BLACK SCOTERS on North Stakke Lake south of Lake Park on October 22. These birds were only viewable from a boat on this private lake in Becker County.

Thanks to Beau Shroyer, Larry Wilebski, Sandy Aubol, Susan Olin, and Zeann Linder 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, November 5, 2009.

Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN