-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *May 12, 2011 *MNDL1105.12-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: May 12, 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 12, 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.
Migration is going full out now, and every day brings more species back to the area. Weather has not warmed up very much, but the grass has turned green overnight one night last week and trees are budding. So many species have arrived in the area that I will be forced to list separately only the most interesting. All the sparrows that migrate through or nest here have returned now, most swallows are here in small numbers, a few shorebirds are starting to show up, and now the warblers are coming in. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS , ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, and BALTIMORE ORIOLES have returned to most of the area. Unusual numbers of PINE SISKINS have appeared at northern feeders this week.
In Kittson County on May 8, Larry Wilebski reported LEAST BITTERN, BONAPARTE'S GULL, LONG-EARED OWL on a nest, and an EASTERN TOWHEE.
At Itasca SP Connie Cox reported that a WHIP-POOR-WILL returned on May 7, and a GRAY CATBIRD was seen on May 11.
Birds are returning in force to Agassiz NWR in Marshall County this week. Maggie Anderson reported that the first goslings were seen this week. On May 11 a WESTERN TANAGER was seen at the headquarters feeders. AMERICAN BITTERN , LEAST BITTERN, VIRGINIA RAIL, SORA, and YELLOW RAIL have all been observed there this week. COMMON NIGHTHAWK was seen on May 7. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and NORTHERN PARULA were observed on May 11.
In Pennington County, Shelley Steva observed five TURKEY VULTURES soaring over Thief River Falls on May 8. Keith Wheeler reported HARRIS'S SPARROWS at his home on May 8.
Sandy Aubol in Polk County reported NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, LARK SPARROW , PALM WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD on May 7. Ron Fischer observer two eaglets in the BALD EAGLE nest near East Grand Forks on May 11. On May 12, Mike Christopherson observed a CAPE MAY WARBLER in Crookston.
Clay County sightings by Mel and Elaine Bennefeld included WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, and HARRIS'S SPARROWS at the Ponderosa Golf Club on May 10.
Becker County sightings by Beau Shroyer included a SPOTTED SANDPIPER, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, and BROWN THRASHER on May 6, and on May 12 he saw 11 species of warblers including GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER at Dunton Locks County Park. Dave and Betty Hochhalter had an INDIGO BUNTING at their feeder on May 10. Steve Midthune , reporting from Tamarac NWR on May 11 included 12 species of warblers including ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.
Janet McMillen found a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD along the Heartland Trail in Hubbard County on the east side of Park Rapids between CR 1 and CR 4 near the golf course on May 6. Marshall Howe reported a CASPIAN TERN and SWAINSON'S THRUSH in Park Rapids on May 8. On May 10 he saw YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, WARBLING VIREO, and VEERY in Hubbard County. A NORTHERN CARDINAL was seen by Charlene Nelson at Perham on May 10. A BROWN THRASHER was seen by Roland Jordahl on May 12 in Pelican Rapids. Alma Ronningen reported INDIGO BUNTING on May 11, and GRAY CATBIRD on May 12..
Brad and Dee Ehlers reported that 23 BLUE JAYS dropped down in his yard in Otter Tail County on May 9. Craig Menze found a SNOWY EGRET on the west side of I-94 just north of the Douglas County line on May 8. Gary and Marion Otnes observed COMMON TERN, FORSTER'S TERN, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, FIELD SPARROW, and an ORCHARD ORIOLE in Otter Tail County on May 9.
The list of warblers reported this week includes GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, YELLOW WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, CAPE MAY WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT
Thanks to all who sent in their sightings this week. Space did not allow inclusion of all sightings individually, but all were noted and recorded.
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 19, 2011.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN