-RBA
*Minnesota
*Detroit Lakes
*December 23, 2010
*MNDL1012.23

-Birds mentioned -Transcript

Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: December 23, 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, December 23, 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.

This has been a beautiful week of winter weather in the far northwest, little snow, but enough to keep all pristine white, and temperatures not too cold with little wind. Can we hope that this pattern continues?Caution is advised while travelling on secondary roads, and in towns, as curves and corners are extremely slippery, although there is no ice on the roads yet this year.

On December 17, Beth Siverhus observed 5 NORTHERN HAWK OWLS along MN 72 in Lake of the Woods and Beltrami Counties.

Larry Wilebski reported that the VARIED THRUSH was still in Lancaster, Kittson County on December 19.

From Polk County, Bruce Flaig reported a PILEATED WOODPECKER, some COMMON REDPOLLS, and strangely, a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD on December 18. Karen Suldahl in Climax saw a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH on December 20, and a BALD EAGLE on December 22. Also on the 22nd, Sandy Aubol observed a female NORTHEN CARDINAL in East Grand Forks; also seen that day were both CEDAR WAXWINGS and BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS.

In Clay County, the Fargo-Moorhead CBC had a great day on December 18 where 58 species were tallied. Minnesota sightings included BLACK DUCK, 2 NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, 17 GRAY PARTRIDGE, 25 WILD TURKEYS, 8 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS, 16 CEDAR WAXWINGS, and one WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL.

Beau Shroyer saw a GREAT HORNED OWL in Detroit Lakes,Becker County, on December 16, and about 400 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were there on December 18.

The Fergus Falls CBC was also held on December 18, and on that one, a female HARLEQUIN DUCK was discovered by Steve Millard near the railroad trestle in downtown Fergus Falls. To get to the location, turn south off Lincoln Ave onto Vine St. just west of the Service Food Store. This street dead ends, and the bird was seen in the river just before you reach the trestle. Other species seen that day included HOODED MERGANSER, BUFFLEHEAD, CANVASBACK, LAPLAND LONGSPURS, SNOW BUNTINGS, and COMMON REDPOLLS.

Thanks to Beau Shroyer, Beth Siverhus, Bob O'Connor, Brad and Dee Ehlers, Bruce Flaig, Dan and Sandy Thimgan, Karen Suldahl, Larry Wilebski, and Sandy Aubol.

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 30, 2010.

Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN