-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *April 7, 2011 *MNDL1104.07-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: April 7, 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, April 7, 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 seems to have finally arrived. The first wave of migrants is here in force. Species reported in most counties this week, and probably present in all counties of the northwest include CANADA GOOSE, BALD EAGLE, NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-TAILED HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL, MERLIN, SANDHILL CRANE, AMERICAN ROBIN, DARK-EYED JUNCO, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, COMMON GRACKLE, and WESTERN MEADOWLARK.
Gary Otnes in Otter Tail County reported several thousand waterfowl in Western Township on the first few days of April including SNOW GOOSE, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, TUNDRA SWANS, and COMMON MERGANSERS. More birds were found at Orwell Reservoir . Two ROSS'S GEESE and 3 GREAT EGRETS were also seen there. Elsewhere in Otter Tail County on April 4 were PIED-BILLED GREBE, FOX SPARROW, and PURPLE FINCH. Brad and Dee Ehlers reported EASTERN PHOEBE on April 3, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, and HERMIT THRUSH on April 4. Alma Ronningen observed TURKEY VULTURE and AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN on April 7.
Marshall Howe in Hubbard County reported CANVASBACK on April 1. On April 7, he saw SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, MERLIN, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER in the county.
Beau Shroyer reported a flock of about 300 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS on April 7 in trees along Washington Ave in Detroit Lake, Becker County. Steve Midthune saw a HARRIS'S SPARROW along CR 9 and a HOODED MERGANSER at Hamden Slough NWR. Gary Otnes saw a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK at Dunton Locks County Park on April 2. Dave and Betty Hochhalter reported AMERICAN ROBIN on March 31.
Kathy Bresee in Moorhead , Clay County, reported 100's of AMERICAN ROBINS, NORTHERN CARDINAL , BROWN CREEPER, and DARK-EYED JUNCO on April 3. Mel and Elaine Bennefeld found an EASTERN BLUEBIRD at the Pondorosa Golf Club on April 5.
Shelley Steva observed a GREAT BLUE HERON near Erskine in Polk County on April 1. A NORTHERN FLICKER was reported by Donna and Leon Thoreson at Climax on April 4. Mike Christopherson in Crookston reported MERLIN, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and FOX SPARROW on April 5. Sandy Aubol saw a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER on April 4, and a kettle of 52 hawks ,mostly RED-TAILED HAWKS on April 6. A TURKEY VULTURE was also seen over East Grand Forks.
In Red Lake County, Shelley Steva saw a MERLIN and a COMMON GRACKLE in Oklee on April 4, and a WESTERN MEADOWLARK near Plummer on April 6.
In Pennington County, I heard SANDHILL CRANE and KILLDEER on April 5.
Maggie Anderson reported from Agassiz NWR in Marshall County this week. Many of the same species mentioned in other counties arrived there also. In addition she reported NORTHERN PINTAIL , LESSER SCAUP, COMMON MERGANSER, BUFFLEHEAD, EASTERN PHOEBE, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.
Wes Bailey reported a BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER off the Thompson Forest Road in Roseau County near the Bemis Hill Campground on April 5. Other species seen in Roseau County included GREAT BLUE HERON, SANDHILL CRANE, and RED CROSSBILL.
In Lake of the Woods County, Wes saw SPRUCE GROUSE in the Beltrami Island State Forest, SANDHILL CRANE, KILLDEER, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, GREAT HORNED OWL, BARRED OWL, and PURPLE FINCH this week.
Thanks to all the folks, too numerous to mention who sent in their sightings this week. Keep up the good work.
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, April 15, 2011.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN