-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *November 17, 2011 *MNDL1111.17-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: November 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, November 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. The northwest got its first snowfall of the year this week, and as temperatures plummeted towards zero, it has stayed with us for now. That brought in many birds to feeders, and even a few more migrants.
Gary Otnes in Otter Tail County reported 70 to 100 BONAPARTE'S GULLS on an open slough 6 miles SW of Fergus Falls on November 14. On the 16th, Alma Ronningen reported a HARRIS'S SPARROW, HOUSE FINCH, and PURPLE FINCHES at her feeder in Dent .
Marshall Howe sent in a secondhand report of a VARIED THRUSH on private property 7 miles ENE of Park Rapids on November 12. So far as I know it has not been seen since that time.
Teresa Wilde reported a BALD EAGLE in East Grand Forks, Polk County, on November 13. Sandy Aubol, also in East Grand Forks still had an EASTERN TOWHEE in their yard on November 16. The snow also brought in a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, PURPLE FINCH, and PINE SISKIN. Donna and Leon Thoreson's feeders near Climax are apparently a big draw. They reported on November 17 BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, MOURNING DOVE, DARK-EYED JUNCO, HARRIS'S SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, a female RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, RUSTY BLACKBIRD, and PINE SISKIN.
Larry and Linda Johnson have had an OVENBIRD in their yard in Thief River Falls, Pennington County, for the last two weeks. Shelley Steva was surprised to find a SNOWY OWL two miles south of CR 3 on CR 23 on November 14. She also reported a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK along CR 3.
Heidi Hughes reported three SNOWY OWLS in Marshall County this week. One was near Viking at 240th St NW and 145 Ave NW; another was north of Warren near the intersection of 240 St NW and 350 Ave NW, and the third was along 230 Ave south of 190 St NW. At the Audubon Center feeders were COMMON REDPOLLS, and PINE SISKINS. At Agassiz NWR, Maggie Anderson reported TUNDRA SWANS, MALLARDS, and CANVASBACKS on November 14. A SNOWY OWL was seen on CR 7 on both November 14 and 15. There are quite a few BALD EAGLES at the refuge. Lynda Knutsen saw 10 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS on November 17. Most of the refuge is iced over after a couple of very cold nights. Gary Tischer saw a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK at the intersection of US 59 and CR 6 on November 12. A NORTHERN HARRIER was seen in the county. Gary saw a SHORT-EARED OWL two miles southwest of the southwest corner of the refuge along CR 131.
In Lake of the Woods County, Gretchen Mehmel reported that the feeders at Norris Camp are attracting a BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, GRAY JAYS, and PINE GROSBEAKS at this time.
Thanks to all the observers who sent in sightings this week. Keep an eye out for that vagrant that got surprised by the snow.
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, November 24, 2011.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN