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Other Hotlines: Minnesota Duluth/North Shore | Detroit Lakes

-RBA
*Minnesota
*Minnesota Statewide
*August 14, 2003
*MNST0308.14

-Birds mentioned

• Neotropic Cormorant
• Black-bellied Plover
• American Golden-Plover
• Semipalmated Plover
• Pectoral Sandpiper
• Buff-breasted Sandpiper
• Long-billed Dowitcher
• Red-necked Phalarope
• Eurasian Collared-Dove
• Spotted Towhee

Hotline: Minnesota Statewide
Date: August 14, 2003
Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) http://biosci.umn.edu/~mou/
Reports: (763) 780-8890
Compiler: Anthony Hertzel
Transcriber: Anthony Hertzel (ahertzel@sihope.com)

This is the Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday August 14th.

Karl Bardon found a pair of NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS in Big Stone County on August 12th and both birds were still present on the 14th. Take U.S. Highway 75 south out of Ortonville. In about six miles, the road, which had been going east, will bend to the southeast. Take Big Stone County Road 21 to the west. After a short distance take the first left and park at the end of the road. The cormorants spend their time on the peninsula with about one hundred Double-crested Cormorants.

On the 12th, two EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were seen in Milan, Chippewa County. They were a half block south of 1st and Main Street.

Shorebirds continue to dominate the reports called in. On August 7th, fifteen species were counted at various locations in Lac Qui Parle and Lyon counties, including BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE.

Ten Red-necked Phalaropes were found August 9th at the Heron Lake sewage ponds in Jackson County, along with nine other shorebird species.

The weekly survey of shorebirds at Agassiz NWR was conducted on August 9th. Numbers and variety were similar to earlier surveys and included a total of 18 species among the 2520 individuals. Highlights included the first confirmed LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, and first juvenile SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. Also recorded were three Black-bellied Plovers and two Red-necked Phalaropes.

An August 12th survey of shorebirds in Big Stone County produced 3450 individuals of 16 species. Among the birds reported were BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER and Red-necked Phalarope. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was also found at the Sleepy Eye sewage ponds in Brown County on the 12th.

And finally, the SPOTTED TOWHEE was still present on Grey Cloud Island in Washington County on the 10th. From the entrance at 110th Avenue, take the trail toward the railroad tracks. When the trail veers right after about 300 feet, take an older trail straight ahead toward the bluff overlooking the tracks. When you can see the tracks, check the clump of trees and brush here. Thanks to Warren Woessner for these more specific directions.

This state-wide birding report is brought to you and financially supported by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU). The MOU is Minnesota's oldest and largest bird club.

The report is composed from observations generously submitted by MOU members and other birders throughout the state. You can support this weekly update by submitting your bird reports to Anthony Hertzel at axhertzel@sihope.com or by calling the hotline directly at 763-780-8890 and leaving a detailed message.

MOU members receive this report directly on MOU-net, the club's free e-mail listservice, which is available to anyone interested. For information contact David Cahlander at .

MOU members receive the organization's quarterly journal "The Loon" and the bimonthly magazine, "Minnesota Birding". For membership information, send an e-mail message to our membership secretary at moumembers@yahoo.com.

In cooperation with the Minnesota Office of Tourism, highlights of this hotline can be now heard at a toll free number which is available to callers outside the Twin Cities area. The number is 1-800-657-3700.

The MOU is pleased to offer this service. Thank you, and good birding.

The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday, August 21st.

Send your rare and unusual Minnesota sightings to our electronic hotline: MOU-net@biosci.umn.edu. To learn more, send a message (the message being these two words: info mou-net) to majordomo@biosci.umn.edu.

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