[mou] Northwest Minnesota Birding Report- Friday, June 25, 2004

[Jeanie Joppru]

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, June 25, 2004
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.

There have been fewer reports this week due to a variety of
circumstances- wet, cold, windy weather, vacations, class reunions and
other social events in the busy last days of June. Many species are now
bringing their young out into the open to feed them. This is the time to
document nesting and fill out brood cards.

Mark Otnes was in Otter Tail County on June 24th where, at Glendalough
State Park, he found a pair of PILEATED WOODPECKERS at a nest with two
young peeking out just east of the swimming beach at Molly Stark Lake.

In Wilkin County on June 24th, Mark found an AMERICAN WOODCOCK and two
SANDHILL CRANES at the Pine to Prairie trailhead at the Rothsay WMA.

Bruce Flaig sighted more than 50 TRUMPETER SWANS at a lake in
southeastern Polk County this week. Among the species reported by Alex
Wendorf from Rydell National Wildlife Refuge was a WHITE PELICAN, a
possible COMMON TERN, COOPER'S HAWK, and PILEATED WOODPECKER.

Here in Pennington County, we have EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in two boxes; one
or both families have hatched and will soon be out in the open. A pair
of HAIRY WOODPECKERS have brought their fledglings to the suet this
week. There are two RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS coming regularly to the
feeder, and we have occasional visits from a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER
also.

Linda Johnson's report from Old Mill State Park in Marshall County spoke
volumes about the presence of insects in the northwest this week- in
addition to RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, she included four species of
flycatchers in her report. They were EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE, LEAST
FLYCATCHER, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, and EASTERN KINGBIRD. Ben Wieland
was at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge on June 18 where he reported
large numbers of FRANKLIN'S GULLS, which have a large breeding colony
there; many BLACK TERNS were also seen there.

Melanie Torkelson reported from the Roseau River WMA in Roseau County
that a WESTERN GREBE was seen on Pool 1 near the parking area, and
another was at the Pool 2 spillway. A Forster's Tern  was seen on Pool 1
near CR3, while a MARBLED GODWIT was observed along CR 112 west of CR 3.
Pool 1 is drawn down, and some shorebirds are present. Peder Svingen
reported that on June 20th YELLOW RAILS were calling along CR 123 in
western Roseau County. Shorebirds observed in Roseau County included
MARBLED GODWIT, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, WILSON'S SNIPE, and WILSON'S
PHALAROPE. Birders are warned that the roads are not in good shape due
to the wet conditions, and some roads may not be passable. Be very
careful where you drive.

In Beltrami County, Ben Wieland had some interesting sightings to
report. He found a GREAT GRAY OWL perched along CR 42 about a mile east
of the Beltrami County line. Also in northwest Beltrami County, he found
a WOOD THRUSH , and three GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS. These last species
were on roads that may be inaccessible with an ordinary vehicle
depending on conditions. There is similar habitat that is more
accessible along CR 42 and on paths that can be walked.

Thanks to Linda Johnson, Ben Wieland, Melanie Torkelson, Mark Otnes,
Bruce Flaig, Peder Svingen, and Alex Wendorf 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, July 2, 2004.