-RBA
*Minnesota
*Detroit Lakes
*November 26, 2009
*MNDL0911.26

-Birds mentioned -Transcript

Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: November 26, 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, November 26, 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.

While it remains mild here in the northwest, we suspect that will end very soon. The long fall has kept the water open a lot later than usual and still some waterfowl can be seen in various places throughout the area. Winter visitors are showing up in the state, including owls, and a few winter finches are being seen.

Larry Wilebski in Kittson County on November 23 echoed what many others have been saying about this fall - it has been a very quiet migration with very poor birding in the northwest. He reported a single RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD as the only interesting species at his place.

Katie Haws reported an injured SNOWY OWL east of Blackduck in Beltrami County. The bird was transported to the raptor center for treatment. Keep your eyes open as this is a prime time to see them as they move south, and with no snow they ought to be more visible than ever.

At Agassiz NWR in Marshall County, Maggie Anderson reported that a PEREGRINE FALCON flying over headquarters was seen by John Braastad on November 22. Currently at the refuge are about 3000 MALLARDS, a SHORT-EARED OWL, and many BALD EAGLES. Several GREAT HORNED OWLS can also be seen at dusk, and often at other times of the day as well.

Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks, Polk County, reported a COMMON REDPOLL and a MERLIN on November 22.

From Becker County, Beau Shroyer reported on gulls on Lake Detroit on November 20. They included many RING-BILLED GULLS, one HERRING GULL, and eleven BONAPARTE'S GULLS.

On November 21, Barb and Dennis Martin, as well as John Ellis, reported TRUMPETER SWANS, two BLACK SCOTERS, and one WHITE-WINGED SCOTER on the Todd County side of Lake Osakis.

In Otter Tail County Dan and Sandy Thimgan found an IBIS species south of Fergus Falls in the extreme southwest part of Otter Tail County on November 20. The bird was still there the next day. Also there were several ducks, and a WILSON'S SNIPE.

Thanks to Barb and Dennis Martin, Beau Shroyer, Dan and Sandy Thimgan, John Ellis, Katie Haws, Larry Wilebski, Maggie Anderson, and Sandy Aubol 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, December 3, 2009.

Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN