-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *November 24, 2011 *MNDL1111.24-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: November 24, 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, November 24, 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.
This has been a pleasant week in the northwest, but more and more wintering species are appearing. Most notable are the many reports of snowy owls in the open country of the northwest. It will be interesting to see how many stick around all winter.
Larry Wilebski in Kittson County reported a GOLDEN EAGLE and 15 GRAY PARTRIDGE this week at his place northwest of Lancaster.
From Agassiz NWR in Marshall County, Maggie Anderson reported an AMERICAN ROBIN at the headquarters feeder, along with a large flock of COMMON REDPOLLS. Shelley Steva saw a CANADA GOOSE near Viking on November 19.
Five SNOWY OWLS were reported in Pennington County - I found one along 200 Ave NW north of 190th St NW on November 20, and one was seen by Lynda Knutsen along MN 1 east of CR 20 this week. On November 23, Heidi Hughes saw a female at the turn off MN 1 to the Thief River Falls wastewater treatment ponds, and Mary Casavan reported one at the Pennington - Red Lake County line on MN 32; another was seen today along CR8 close to CR10 .
Sandy Aubol reported that the EASTERN TOWHEE was still in her yard in East Grand Forks in Polk County as of November 18. Other species seen there included HARRIS'S SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and a flock of about 30 COMMON REDPOLLS and on November 23, a BROWN CREEPER showed up. Heidi Hughes reported a MERLIN south of the airport at Warren, and a GOLDEN EAGLE at 190th St NW and 310 Ave. NW on November 18. 5 BALD EAGLES and 5 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were seen and there was a SNOWY OWL at the Warren wastewater treatment ponds that day. A few SNOW BUNTINGS were observed as well. Leon Thoreson observed 3 adult BALD EAGLES at his place near Climax on November 19. Today, Shelley Steva and I saw about 50 CANADA GEESE, and 13 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS in western Polk County near Glacial Ridge NWR, as well as two SHORT-EARED OWLS and a late AMERICAN KESTREL.
Gary Otnes found COMMON REDPOLLS at Buffalo River SP in Clay County on November 18.
Gary Otnes found WOOD DUCK, MALLARD, and HOODED MERGANSER at Dunton Lock County Park in Becker County on November 18; at Calloway he saw 3 EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES. Also in Becker County, he saw GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS, GRAY PARTRIDGE, 2 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 9 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, BLACK-B ILLED MAGPIE, and two large flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS. Beau Shroyer reported 40 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS near the high school in Detroit Lakes on November 18. Kelly Blackledge reported that a VARIED THRUSH has been visiting the headquarters at Tamarac NWR for several days.
Marshall Howe reported that a VARIED THRUSH had been seen in Park Rapids in Hubbard County for over a week, but the last sighting was on November 19. On November 20 a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen near Dorset, on the 21st, a BROWN CREEPER, and on November 23, a late RED-TAILED HAWK was seen there.
From Otter Tail County, Alma Ronningen observed a RUFFED GROUSE in her yard on November 21, and a COMMON RAVEN at Maplewood SP on November 22. Brad and Dee Ehlers reported 50 TRUMPETER SWANS feeding on waste corn south of Amor, and mentioned that many species of waterfowl are along the shores of Otter Tail Lake, including a COMMON LOON.
Thanks to all who sent in their sightings this week. Happy Thanksgiving!
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 1, 2011.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN