-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *April 5, 2012 *MNDL1204.05-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: April 5, 2012
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 5, 2012 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.
It has been a delightful week here in the northwest, but there are suggestions that this may end this weekend as a cold snap is predicted. We are all hoping that snow will not be involved. Migration has picked up again as the days get longer these latest migrants may not want to be so cold.
Brad and Dee Ehlers reported that the GREAT EGRETS have returned to their rookery across from the Dairy Queen in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County.
A HERMIT THRUSH was found by Ron Erpelding in Wadena County east of Menahga on April 4.
Hubbard County sightings by Marshall Howe included TURKEY VULTURE on March 31, EASTERN PHOEBE and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET on April 1, HERMIT THRUSH on April 2, and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW and FOX SPARROW on April 3. An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was seen about 2 miles southeast of Dorset on April 5, and COMMON GOLDENEYE are nesting in his nest box.
From Becker County, Steve Midthune reported on March 30 that a few shorebirds are appearing at Bisson Lake at Hamden Slough NWR - a dozen PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, and one SPOTTED SANDPIPER were seen there.
Brad and Dee Ehlers saw about 200 TUNDRA SWANS in a wetland in Clay County near the intersection of I-94 and CR 10 on March 29.
Ron Erpelding found a NORTHERN CARDINAL in Norman County near the town of Faith, and a HERMIT THRUSH was seen at Twin Valley City park.
In Norman County, Ron spotted a NORTHERN CARDINAL in the town of Mahnomen on his way to the wastewater treatment ponds. Kristy May reported the first PURPLE MARTIN and some WILSON'S SNIPES in Mahnomen County on April 5.
Heidi Hughes saw a GOLDEN EAGLE in Polk County on April 1 at the corner of 190th St NW and CR 68. Other species seen included NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-TAILED HAWK, and 10 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. Ron Erpelding found a HERMIT THRUSH in western Polk County along MN 220 near Climax on April 4.
Linda Johnson in Thief River Falls reported a FOX SPARROW on April 4.
In Marshall County, Heidi Hughes found more than two dozen SHORT-EARED OWLS along 190th St NW by the impoundment and east of there on April 3. WILSON'S SNIPE and AMERICAN WOODCOCK are also back. At Agassiz NWR Linda Johnson found NORTHERN SHOVELER, RED-NECKED GREBE, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and COOPER'S HAWK among many other species on April 4.
From Roseau County on April 3, Beth Siverhus reported SONG SPARROW in Warroad, and she heard LONG-EARED OWL and NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL on an owl survey that begins at the Hiwood Trail Forest Road.
Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Brad and Dee Ehlers, Heidi Hughes, Kristy May, Linda Johnson, Marshall Howe, Ron Erpelding, and Steve Midthune for their reports.
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 12, 2012.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN