-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *April 7, 2017 *MNDL1704.07-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: April 7, 2017
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 Friday, April 7, 2017 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.
Spring has finally come to the northwest, and migrants are streaming in. All it needs is a quick shower to bring up the wildflowers and paint the landscape green. Sandhill cranes, American kestrels, mourning doves, killdeer, both swans, and most of the common species of ducks are being reported everywhere, and some of the early migrant sparrows are starting to be seen.
At the North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County, Wayne Perala reported BONAPARTE'S GULL on April 2, on the 4th he found both GREATER YELLOWLEGS and LESSER YELLOWLEGS and PECTORAL SANDPIPER. Charlene Nelson observed WOOD DUCK, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD at Elbow Lake on that day. On the 6th at the North Ottawa Impoundment, Wayne Perala saw BELTED KINGFISHER, WILSON’S SNIPE, 50 SNOW GEESE, and a wide variety of ducks.
From Otter Tail County, Alma Ronningen reported SANDHILL CRANE, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, FOX SPARROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW on March 30, EASTERN PHOEBE, and TREE SWALLOW on April 4, and NORTHERN HARRIER, GREAT BLUE HERON, RING-BILLED GULL, PIED-BILLED GREBE, COMMON LOON, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and others on April 5.
Rebecca Engdahl in Hubbard County saw BELTED KINGFISHER along CR 13, and RUSTY BLACKBIRD at Lake George on March 30; both GREATER YELLOWLEGS and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and the continuing LINCOLN'S SPARROW on April 3.
Dave and Betty Hochhalter in Detroit Lakes reported PILEATED WOODPECKER and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS among others this week.
WESTERN MEADOWLARK was seen by Joe Fierst in Norman County 25 miles north of Moorhead on April 3.
In western Polk County, Sandy Aubol observed GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE and many species of ducks, SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN, GREAT EGRET, MERLIN, COOPER'S HAWK, AMERICAN TREE SPARROW, and FOX SPARROW on April 2. On a quick trip to Rydell NWR on April 6, I found RING-NECKED DUCKS, WOOD DUCKS, HOODED MERGANSERS, SANDHILL CRANES and WILSON’S SNIPE.
Here in Pennington County, TUNDRA SWANS were seen on April 1. More than 150 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS came to our yard on April 2. A SONG SPARROW showed up on April 5, and two TURKEY VULTURES were seen soaring over the city of Thief River Falls on April 6.
In Marshal County on April 6, I found TRUMPETER SWANS, two BALD EAGLES, COMMON GOLDENEYE and many other species of ducks , AMERICAN COOT, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and AMERICAN KESTREL at Agassiz NWR.
Larry Wilebski in northern Kittson County reported SHORT-EARED OWL, LONG-EARED OWL, both TRUMPETER SWANS and TUNDRA SWANS, and BELTED KINGFISHER on April 2.
Thanks to all who sent in 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, April 13, 2017.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN