-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *March 17, 2011 *MNDL1103.17-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: March 17, 2011
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, March 17, 2011 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.
Spring finally seems to be on the way, judging by the warm temperatures, and the variety of bird species being reported. The birds are slowly returning. By now, there are HORNED LARKS everywhere, and even a few geese have been seen in the northwest, scouts looking for open water. BALD EAGLES are at the nests throughout most of the area, as are the GREAT HORNED OWLS.
Larry Wilebski reported on March 13 that there is another VARIED THRUSH in the Lancaster area. It is being seen at a property outside of the town, and if anyone is interested in seeing the bird , please contact Larry for directions. His email address is [log in to unmask]
Diana Morkassel, near Warren in Marshall County , on March 10 saw 2 BALD EAGLES , some HORNED LARKS. BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen near the Good Samaritan Center in Warren. A possible NORTHERN CARDINAL was heard east of Warren on March 17. Maggie Anderson reported that a pair of CANADA GEESE returned to headquarters pool at Agassiz NWR on March 15. Cory and Angie Floden saw a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL at a farm southeast of Warren on March 16.
Shelley Steva observed a NORTHERN HARRIER in southern Pennington County 3 miles east of the Seven Clans Casino.
In Red Lake County, Shelley reported an AMERICAN KESTREL in Plummer on March 14.
Sandy Aubol saw MERLIN and heard it calling in East Grand Forks in Polk County on March 17. She also saw a male NORTHERN CARDINAL and some AMERICAN ROBINS there on March 17. Bruce Flaig saw a pair of TRUMPETER SWANS in the southern part of the county on March 16. John Loegering reported a MERLIN has returned to Crookston.
Marshall Howe saw an adult NORTHERN GOSHAWK in Dorset, Hubbard County on March 12. Other species seen in Hubbard County this week included BALD EAGLE, BROWN CREEPER; a GRAY JAY was seen at the Lake Alice Bog in central Hubbard County.
For those in Otter Tail County, spring seems to be progressing quickly. Brad and Dee Ehlers reported 50 TRUMPETER SWANS, and a variety of ducks including NORTHERN PINTAIL, RING-NECKED DUCK, GADWALL, COMMON MERGANSER, and HOODED MERGANSER. AMERICAN COOT ,and AMERICAN KESTREL were seen, as well as BALD EAGLES on the nest. Teresa Jaskiewicz at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center reported AMERICAN KESTREL, HORNED LARK, NORTHERN SHRIKE, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. Alma Ronningen on March 17 reported WILD TURKEY, AMERICAN ROBIN, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, and still some COMMON REDPOLLS near Dent.
Thanks to Alma Ronningen, Brad and Dee Ehlers, Bruce Flaig, Cory and Angie Floden , Diana Morkassel, John Loegering, Larry Wilebski, Maggie Anderson, Marshall Howe, Sandy Aubol, Shelley Steva, and Teresa Jaskiewicz 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, March 24, 2011.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN