Previous reports: November 12 19 26, December 3 10 17 24.
Other Hotlines: Minnesota Statewide | Minnesota Duluth/North Shore

-RBA
*Minnesota
*Detroit Lakes
*December 31, 2009
*MNDL0912.31

• Sharp-tailed Grouse
• Great Horned Owl
• Northern Hawk Owl
• Great Gray Owl
• Pileated Woodpecker
• Northern Shrike
• Snow Bunting

Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: December 31, 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, December 31, 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.

There is no doubt that winter is finally here and we have enough snow to enjoy it too! Most roads in the northwest , except for some small township roads, are plowed and open to travel. When travelling on township roads it is wise to be cautious, for what looks open from the end may be blocked by a drift a mile in. Check first before venturing in.

On December 28, Brad and Dee Ehlers in Otter Tail County saw a flock of SNOW BUNTINGS on the northwest shore of Otter Tail Lake.

In Polk County, Sandy Aubol saw a SHARP-TAILED GROUSE in her yard in East Grand Forks on December 30.

Steve Dahl heard two GREAT HORNED OWLS calling near Plummer in Red Lake County on Christmas weekend.

Gary Tischer in Thief River Falls, Pennington County, had a PILEATED WOODPECKER briefly in his yard on December 26.

Near Agassiz NWR in Marshall County this week, Gary reported two flocks of SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, one just south of the southeast corner, and one along the west boundary. Be aware that the township roads on these areas are not plowed. Marty Peterson saw another flock north of Grygla along MN 89 last weekend.

Kris Guggisberg in Roseau County found a GREAT GRAY OWL along MN 310 a few miles south of the Canadian border.

In Lake of the Woods County on December 27, Beth Siverhus saw a flock of SHARP-TAILED GROUSE south of Baudette off MN 72 , and also a NORTHERN SHRIKE, and 5 miles south of Baudette there was a NORTHERN HAWK OWL. On December 29, Jeff Birchem saw a NORTHERN SHRIKE on the Roosevelt Road about two miles north of the Faunce-Butterfield Road.

Thanks to Brad and Dee Ehlers, Beth Siverhus. Gary Tischer, Gretchen Mehmel, Jeff Birchem, Kris Guggisberg, and Sandy Aubol for their reports.

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, January 7, 2010.

Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN

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