-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *May 5, 2011 *MNDL1105.05-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: May 5, 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, May 5, 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.
We hope that the weather is finally straightening out as temperatures warm into the high 50's and low 60's here in the northwest. Birds don't seem to mind although the few bug eaters that have returned must be hungry or adapting with new foods. The landscape is turning green with the few spring showers and the late snow that we have had. Most of the sparrow species have been reported at least in small numbers, and now we eagerly await the warblers.
Not surprisingly , Otter Tail County has had the most reports of migrants appearing. Tom Smith reported a VESPER SPARROW on April 28. Alma Ronningen reported CHIPPING SPARROW, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW on April 30 at Dent. On May 2, Alma saw a BROWN THRASHER. WILSON'S SNIPE have been heard winnowing. Brad and Dee Ehlers reported a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK in Ottertail. Among species reported by Dan and Sandy Thimgan were GREEN HERON, BARN SWALLOW, and FIELD SPARROW on May 2, and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, and FORSTER'S TERN on May 3 in Fergus Falls.
Marshall Howe, reporting from Dorset in Hubbard County reported WHITE-THROATED SPARROW on April 30. Several late AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were also seen in Hubbard County that day.
Beau Shroyer in Becker County observed HERMIT THRUSH, VESPER SPARROW, SAVANNAH SPARROW, LARK SPARROW, NORTHERN CARDINAL, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD on May 1. Steve Midthune on May 5 reported GREEN HERON, PINE WARBLER, OVENBIRD, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW in Becker County.
A pair of TRUMPETER SWANS were reported by Mel Bennefeld in the swampy area of Buffalo River State Park in Clay County on May 4.
Ron Fischer observed an eaglet in the nest of the BALD EAGLES at East Grand Forks in Polk County on May 3. Bruce Flaig observed a YELLOW -RUMPED WARBLER in the southern part of the county on May 1. Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks observed a MERLIN, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW on April 30. On May 4, an INDIGO BUNTING appeared in her yard. In the eastern part of the county, Shelley Steva found 20 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 2 LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and a PECTORAL SANDPIPER at a small pond near the golf club in Fosston on May 3.
Linda Johnson saw a BROWN CREEPER in Thief River Falls on April 30. Tonight, May 5, I saw two TURKEY VULTURES soaring over the city of Thief River Falls in the late afternoon.
At Agassiz NWR in Marshall County, Maggie Anderson reported a PEREGRINE FALCON at Agassiz Pool on May 1. At headquarters on May 1 were SWAINSON'S THRUSH, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS were seen there on May 2.
Gretchen Mehmel in the Beltrami Island State Forest in Lake of the Woods County reported RUFFED GROUSE, AMERICAN BITTERN, WINTER WREN, SWAMP SPARROW, SONG SPARROW, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW on May 3.
Thanks to all the folks who sent in their sightings this week.
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, May 12, 2011.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN