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-RBA *Minnesota *Duluth/North Shore *February 6, 1997 *MNDU9702.06 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota Duluth/North Shore
Date: February 6, 1997
Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU)
Reports: (218) 525-5952
Compiler: Kim Eckert
Transcriber: Mike Steffes - only roughly, especially since the
information is very similar if not identical to the last update.
This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, February 6th sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
This backup telephone answering machine now has technical problems. The birding situation in northeastern Minnesota continues to remain as summarized on the last report; i.e., better than average winter for birding.
Species mentioned include: SPRUCE, SHARP-TAILED and RUFFED GROUSE, GLAUCOUS GULL, GREAT GRAY OWL, NORTHERN HAWK OWL, SNOWY OWL, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, BOREAL CHICKADEE, VARIED THRUSH, BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, HARRIS' SPARROW, PINE and EVENING GROSBEAKS and both crossbills.
SPRUCE GROUSE were seen again last weekend on Lake County Road 2, three miles south of the Minnesota Highway 1 intersection or about 43 miles north of Two Harbors and this is the same location where this species has been seen previously this winter.
Warren Nelson reports that SHARP-TAILED GROUSE are being consistently seen in Aitkin Countly west of Duluth, especially early in the morning. To reach this location go north on County Road 5 from Minnesota Highway 210 for 3.6 miles and then turn east along the north side of Jenkins Lake.
GLAUCOUS GULLS were seen at the Superior Landfill at the south end of Wisconsin Point along with HERRING GULLS.
GREAT GRAY OWLS continue to be seen at several locations which are literally to numerous to mention, with birds seen this weekend in Duluth along Scenic Highway 61 at Brighton Beach undoubtably the same individual seen previously northeast of there at Lakewood Road. Also individuals were seen along the Ryan Road 4 mi north of 61 and along the Homestead Road 1/2 mile north of 61.
Also GREAT GRAY OWLS have in seen in the Sax-Zim Bog on county Road 7 two miles north of Sax, and at various locations in Aitkin County.
Elsewhere, NORTHERN HAWK OWLS were seen this weekend in Superior on Hammond Avenue a couple of blocks south of 28th Street, just northeast of Duluth on Berquist Road, 1.6 miles north of Highway 61 near the intersection of Lismore road, and in the Sax-Zim Bog on County Road 28, two miles west of Sax.
Also watch for SNOWY OWLS at various locations in the Duluth-Superior Harbor area and especially near the hospital in Superior on Tower Avenue.
Another SNOWY OWL was seen near Virginia, MN in northern St. Louis County.
In the Sax-Zim Bog, watch for BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES at the north end of County Road 211, which turns north off of County Road 133, three miles east of Meadowlands. Also watch for BOREAL CHICKADEES near the south end of 211 or northwest of here in the vicinity of the junction of County road 52 and 2o3, four and one half miles from Toivola.
The VARIED THRUSH is still at Pat Thomas' feeder in Duluth on east Superior Street. Birders have permission to walk up the driveway and around to the back door and look especially for the THRUSH by the feeders behind the garage.
HARRIS' SPARROWS are now present at two feeders in duluth. One is at Dave Kirkorian's feeder by the sauna behind his house beyond the French River Fish Hatchery on Scenic Highway 61, and Viola Adams has a probable HARRIS at her feeder by her front door. Both Dave and Viola have said that birders are welcome to look for these sparrows but please use common sense and courtesy if you do so.
Finally, about the best place to see both RED and WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS and both PINE and EVENING GROSBEAKS continues to be in Lake County, especially along the last three or four miles of County Road 2 and along Highway 1 between County Road 2 and Isabella.
The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, February 20th and as always if you have birds to report, you may leave a message after the tone.