Detroit Lakes RBA
Detroit Lakes RBA
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-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *October 13, 2005 *MNDL0510.13 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: October 13, 2005
Sponsor: Lakes Area Birding Club, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce
Reports: 1-800-542-3992 (weekdays during business hours)
Compiler: Jeanie Joppru (ajjoppru@wiktel.com)
This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, October 14, 2005 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.
What a wonderful week of great fall weather in the northwest. Warm temperatures and still conditions have allowed some migrants to move in and stop for a few days of gorging on fruit in the yards. Many big flocks of AMERICAN ROBINS, and lots of sparrows are currently moving through the area. Leaves are more than half on the ground and the wind is starting to sound hollow as it does in winter.
The first northern owl reported this fall was found by Dr. Jim Duncan of Winnipeg, who found a NORTHERN HAWK OWL in the Roseau bog, Roseau County, about 2.5 miles south of the border crossing on October 10.
Otter Tail County sightings by Alma Ronningen included a BELTED KINGFISHER on October 8, a RUFFED GROUSE on October 9, and BROWN CREEPER on October 12. Dan and Sandy Thimgan reported GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, many AMERICAN ROBINS stopping to stoke up for the journey south, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW among others. At Maplewood State Park, Roland Jordahl observed TRUMPETER SWAN, COMMON LOON, NORTHERN FLICKER, and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET.
Shelley Steva visited Hamden Slough NWR in Becker County on October 8 where she reported that Bisson Lake was dry so there were no shorebirds there. However, she found some CACKLING GEESE at the refuge.
Doug Johnson relocated the EURASIAN COLLARED-D0VE in Glyndon, Clay County, on October 7. He sent revised directions: go south from the light across the main railroad tracks to the second street, turn left for 1 1/2 blocks to an alley on the left, turn left into the alley. The bird goes to feeders and power lines along the alley. Bob O'Connor reported that a beautifully marked CAROLINA WREN appeared in his Moorhead backyard on October 11. No word yet as to whether the bird has reappeared.
Mahnomen county sightings reported by Shelley Steva included CACKLING GEESE north of Mahnomen, SWAINSON'S HAWK just north of Waubun, and PEREGRINE FALCON just south of Mahnomen.
Polk County , and indeed much of the northwest, has been invaded by hoards of DARK-EYED JUNCOS as reported by Gladwyn Lynne in East Grand Forks. He also mentioned WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were being seen in the area.
In Pennington County, I visited the Thief River Falls wastewater treatment ponds briefly where I found thousands of waterfowl including many MALLARDS, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, RUDDY DUCKS, and others which I did not stick around to identify due to the nearby presence of two young hunters. At home in the yard near Thief River Falls, there are large flocks of AMERICAN ROBINS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and several species of sparrows including FOX SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, HARRIS'S SPARROW, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Today, a RUSTY BLACKBIRD joined the group.
>From Agassiz NWR in Marshall County, Gary Tischer reported that up to 6 GREAT EGRETS are still in the refuge. GADWALLS number about 5000 birds, and AMERICAN WIGEON numbers are down a little from their peak of near 5000 birds last week. A few SANDHILL CRANES can be seen on private land on the west side of the refuge.
Pat Rice in Beltrami County reported that the CAROLINA WREN was still present in her yard as of October 6. Along with that bird her yard was visited by a BROWN CREEPER, SAVANNAH SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and HARRIS'S SPARROW. Elsewhere in Beltrami County, she saw 30 RING-NECKED DUCKS, more than 100 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, 30 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS, and one HORNED GREBE among others.
Larry Wilebski in Kittson County reported a few SNOW GEESE, 7 WILD TURKEYS, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, and large flocks of AMERICAN ROBINS.
Thanks to Pat Rice, Larry Wilebski, Shelley Steva, Doug Johnson, Bob O'Connor, Alma Ronningen, Dr Jim Duncan, Gladwyn Lynne, Roland Jordahl, Gary Tischer, and Dan and Sandy Thimgan for their reports.
Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@wiktel.com 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. When reporting by email please put "NW Bird Report" in the subject line of your message. The next scheduled update of this report is Friday, October 21, 2005.
