Minnesota Detroit Lakes RBA
Minnesota Detroit Lakes RBA
Minnesota Detroit Lakes RBA
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Previous reports: March 5 12 19 26, April 2 9 16.
Other Hotlines: Minnesota Statewide | Minnesota Duluth/North Shore
-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *April 23, 2009 *MNDL0904.23-Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: April 23, 2009
Sponsor: Lakes Area Birding Club, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce
Reports: 1-800-542-3992 (weekdays during business hours)
Compiler: Jeanie Joppru (ajjoppru@q.com)
This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, April 23, 2009 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 arrived in the northwest.The migrants are passing through in large numbers. All of the first wave species have been represented in the past week. Species reported from all areas include all the common ducks, SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS, PIED-BILLED GREBES, all the resident raptors, AMERICAN COOT, BELTED KINGFISHER, EASTERN PHOEBE, BROWN CREEPER, both kinglets, EASTERN BLUEBIRD,SONG SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, and PURPLE FINCH.
The best sighting this week was a CINNAMON TEAL found by Nate Emery across from the Nature Conservancy office along MN 32 at Glacial Ridge late on April 17. Unfortunately, several people looked for it the next day to no avail.
On April 20, Brad and Dee Ehlers in Otter Tail County reported an OSPREY nesting northeast of Fergus Falls along CR1. Dan and Sandy Thimgan reported that the colonial nesters in Fergus Falls are back at Lake Alice and Grotto Lake. At Lake Alice there are DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, and GREAT EGRETS, while at Grotto Lake there were BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, and some more GREAT EGRETS. Other species seen at the lakes were CACKLING GOOSE, COMMON LOON, and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER.
Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann found BONAPARTE'S GULLS at the Park Rapids WWTP in Hubbard County on April 17, along with a small assortment of early shorebirds.
Scott Kahan reported that GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS can be seen from blinds at Hamden Slough NWR in Becker County . To reserve a blind call the Detroit Lakes Wetland Management Office at 218-847-4431. A PRAIRIE FALCON was seen on the refuge on April 15.
Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann found COMMON GOLDENEYE , HORNED GREBE, RED-NECKED GREBE among others at the Ada WWTP in Norman County on April 19. Shelley Steva and I observed a flock of about 2000 LAPLAND LONGSPURS along Norman CR3 on April 18. In Mahnomen County, Ron and Herb found a BONAPARTE'S GULL at the Mahnomen WWTP on April 19.
Kelly Larson found GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, FRANKLIN'S GULLS, and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS in Polk County at Glacial Ridge on April 18. Both SHARP-TAILED GROUSE and GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS were seen there, and blinds can also be reserved there to view the birds dancing on the leks. At least 5000 SANDHILL CRANES were feeding at the refuge and very visible from US 2, but numbers are decreasing rapidly. A GREAT EGRET and a COMMON LOON were seen at the refuge gravel pit pond. Nate Emery reported an AMERICAN BITTERN and BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS at Glacial Ridge also.
Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann found a GREAT EGRET near Huot in Red Lake County on April 18. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was seen along the Red Lake / Pennington County line a quarter mile west of CR 3. At the Red Lake Falls WWTP, Shelley Steva and I found COMMON GOLDENEYE, COMMON MERGANSER, and two beautiful FRANKLIN'S GULLS on April 18.
A large flock of CEDAR WAXWINGS were in Thief River Falls, Pennington County, on the weekend cleaning up the last of the crabapples. Shelley Steva reported the first TREE SWALLOW on April 17, while Ron and Herb found an AMERICAN WOODCOCK a mile west of the intersection of CR 12 and the Red Lake County line. They saw a HERMIT THRUSH and a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER at St Hilaire Park on April 19. A pair of MERLINS is nesting in Thief River Falls again this year.
Gary Tischer at Agassiz NWR reported RED-BREASTED MERGANSER at the Ditch 11 control structure on April 17, BLACK DUCK and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD on April 21. Other species seen included DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, MARBLED GODWIT along CR 12, WILSON'S SNIPE, and large numbers of FRANKLIN'S GULLS.
Kelly Larson reported a TREE SWALLOW and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in Clearwater County on April 18. The first WHITE-THROATED SPARROW appeared in her yard on April 21. Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann reported that the Clearwater rice paddies are hosting a large variety of waterfowl including TUNDRA SWANS, 14 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, HORNED GREBES and also a PEREGRINE FALCON.
In Beltrami County, Ron and Herb observed an AMERICAN WOODCOCK three miles north of Shooks on April 17.
Larry Wilebski reported a GREAT EGRET two miles north of Lancaster in Kittson County on April 19.
Beth Siverhus in Roseau County observed an EASTERN PHOEBE in Warroad on April 22. On April 23, she saw COOPER'S HAWK, BROWN CREEPER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER.
From Lake of the Woods County on April 22, Ted Dick reported a good movement of raptors over CR 19 south of Baudette on April 21. Species seen included NORTHERN HARRIER, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. TRUMPETER SWANS, SHARP-TAILED GROUSE on a lek, 425 SANDHILL CRANES,A SHORT-EARED OWL, and WILSON'S SNIPE were among the many other species seen in Lake of the Woods County that morning.
Thanks to all those who sent in sightings this week.
Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@q.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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, April 30, 2009.
Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN
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