-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *October 28, 2010 *MNDL1010.28-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: October 28, 2010
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 28, 2010 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.
I think we have arrived at winter birding , and we are definitely in the season of the vagrants. Be on the watch for birds that have lost their way or strayed from the normal routes. This week, there are reports of snow buntings from several counties, and many fewer reports of sparrows. The nice weather has broken, and the first really chilly days are upon us.
Sandy Aubol made a trip north on October 23 and reported 5 GRAY JAYS in Lake of the Woods County. Other species seen in the Beltrami Island State Forest included RUFFED GROUSE, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, HORNED LARKS, AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, and SNOW BUNTINGS.
In Roseau County Sandy saw SNOW GOOSE, BALD EAGLE, and BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE.
In northern Beltrami County several BOREAL CHICKADEES were seen along the White Pine Trail off the Rapid River Road . Other species seen in Beltrami County included PILEATED WOODPECKER, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, and SNOW BUNTINGS.
Jim Fitzpatrick , while in Clearwater County on the weekend observed SNOW GOOSE, TRUMPETER SWAN, COMMON LOON, BARRED OWL, GREAT HORNED OWL, and SNOW BUNTINGS.
Here in Pennington County, Keith and Beth Wheeler in Thief River Falls, had a visit from three EVENING GROSBEAKS at their feeder on October 22. On October 23, I found 4 SURF SCOTERS among the scaup at the Thief River Falls wastewater treatment ponds. This morning a late GREAT EGRET was standing alongside the Red Lake River east of Thief River Falls. On October 24, a NORTHERN SHRIKE was seen along Johnson Drive east of the city.
Sandy Aubol reported BALD EAGLE and SNOW BUNTINGS in Polk County this week. Kim Eckert's Minnesota Birding Weekend group was in Polk County this weekend. Highlights included GRAY PARTRIDGE, SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, and NORTHERN SHRIKE. EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES, and a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER were seen in Fertile, and three RED CROSSBILLS were found at Glacial Ridge NWR.
In Mahnomen County, a ROSS'S GOOSE was found at the Mahnomen wastewater treatment ponds, and a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER was seen at the park there.
Rick Gjervold observed a GREAT EGRET on October 21 flying over the highway just south of the Moorhead Cashwise store in Clay County. Herb Dingmann found 3 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS at the Hawley Golf Course in the spruce trees near the entrance on October 24.
Brad and Dee Ehlers saw a NORTHERN SHRIKE on October 21 eleven miles north of Morris, and on October 22, saw two FOX SPARROWS, both in Otter Tail County.
Thanks to Brad and Dee Ehlers, Herb Dingmann, Jim Fitzpatrick, Keith and Beth Wheeler, Kim Eckert, Rick Gjervold, 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, November 4, 2010
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN