Detroit Lakes RBA
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-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *May 20, 2004 *MNDL0405.20 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: May 20, 2004
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, May 21, 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.
Warmer temperatures arrived this week and with them the beginning of the warbler waves. Particularly in the southern half of the northwest region, I have reports of many people seeing 20 or more warbler species in a single day. The shorebird picture is less encouraging as some of the key spots got too dry early, and although the water levels have recovered, it appears that the invertebrates that the birds feed on may not have survived in many places. As a result, shorebirds are scattered about throughout the area in potholes in farm fields, and around farm ponds- in short you have to work for them.
A PAINTED BUNTING was visiting a yard south of Detroit Lakes in Becker County for a few days, but it appears that the bird has left as no one has seen it in the last few days. However, another ( or the same) PAINTED BUNTING has turned up in Moorhead in Clay County at the feeders at Rich Pemble's house. Directions to that site are as follows: take I 94 to the Route 75 exit (the last exit before crossing into North Dakota), go north on 75 (8th St. S.) to the stoplight at 24th Avenue S., the street just north of Sunmart, and turn left (west) toward the Red River. At the end of 24th, where you'll see a double-headed arrow, turn left and park. Rich's house is the second on the right. His instructions are to walk around the south side of the garage and watch either from the wooden deck or the yard sloping toward the river.
A male HOODED WARBLER was reported by Dan and Sandy Thimgan and Eddy and Judy Edwards at Black's Grove Park (west of the town of Wadena) just off State Hwy 29 in east-central Otter Tail County on May 15th. From the parking lot go beyond the covered picnic shelter and take the trail where the orange bridge crosses the creek (note: this is NOT the smaller orange bridge that you can see from the old log cabin). Follow the meandering grass trail, which has been scalped to bare dirt, until you reach a "T," then turn left. Travel approximately 100 yards to where the trail takes a sharp turn right. The bird was seen in this area.
A WESTERN TANAGER was reported by John Loegering a few miles north of Crookston in Polk County. Directions are: From the US2/US75 corner north of Crookston and bordering the University of Minnesota Crookston, travel 2-4 miles North on US 75. Turn East (right) on Polk County 252, travel 1.2 miles to a yellow house on the south side of the road. Blue fire number on the south side of the road is 25045, mailbox on the north side of the road displays the sign Crookston FD715. The homeowner has consented to have birders visit, but requested that you stay in the car and observe from the shoulder of the road. The bird visits the feeders and also feeds on the driveway with other species.
A BLACK SCOTER was observed at the Thief River Falls wastewater treatment ponds by Dennis and Barbara Martin on May 14th. I searched on Tuesday and did not relocate the bird. Other species observed at these ponds in Pennington County on May 20 included one COMMON LOON, two RED-NECKED GREBES, 11 WESTERN GREBES, and 358 WILSON'S PHALAROPES.
>From Agassiz NWR in Marshall County, Maggie Anderson reported that Tom Nelson and Jim Hughes saw a CATTLE EGRET on the headquarters lawn last weekend. Also seen at the refuge were two GREAT GRAY OWLS - one in the wilderness area a few days ago, and one along CR 7 near the east boundary on May 17th. A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen last evening just west of the refuge along CR 7.
Pat Rice reported from Beltrami County that she had observed 20 species of warblers on May 16th including BLUE-WINGED WARBLER, GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, and NORTHERN PARULA. A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER has been seen at a feeder in that county.
Mike Christopherson saw three ORCHARD ORIOLES in the city of Crookston in Polk County on the 19th. At the Wetlands, Pines, and Prairies Audubon Sanctuary , Lori Becker reported that there is a nesting COOPER'S HAWK, and also a nesting LONG-EARED OWL.
Mel and Elaine Bennefeld saw an UPLAND SANDPIPER, and an INDIGO BUNTING at the Ponderosa Golf Club in Clay County on May 18th.
A WILD TURKEY was seen by Shelley Steva near Dunvilla. Kay Hartness reported an EVENING GROSBEAK in Becker County on May 18th, and an ORCHARD ORIOLE on the 20th. Many species of warblers and other passerines were reported this week from Becker County as well, too numerous to list here.
A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was reported in Otter Tail County by Colleen Nelson. Dave Sorgen reported a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, and BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO , the first report I have had of either species this migration.
45 GREAT EGRETS were reported by Susan Wiste in Douglas County a few miles west of Alexandria on a farm pond about a mile north of Highway 27.
Don't forget the Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds May 21-23 in Detroit Lakes. See you there.
Thanks to all the birders who sent in their sightings this week. Space prevents me from listing them all here, and also from mentioning each and every bird. I hope you all will understand.
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, May 28, 2004.
