Return to Home Page
-RBA *Minnesota *Minnesota Statewide *January 4, 1996 *MNST9601.04 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota Statewide/Twin Cities
Date: January 4, 1996
Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU)
Reports: (612) 780-8890
Compiler: Anthony Hertzel
Transcriber: Anthony Hertzel (tony@mill2.MillComm.COM)
This is the Minnesota birding report for Thursday January 4th sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
The cold weather seems to be keeping many birders home, but those that have gone out are finding some interesting things.
Ducks of note include that male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE which was seen again at Blue Lake Sewage Ponds on January 4th. A WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was in Two Harbors on Jan 2, and two HARLEQUIN DUCKS were there as well on January 1st.
Ninety-two BALD EAGLES were along the Mississippi River between Redwing and Wabasha. Ken LaFond counted 25 BALD EAGLES at Reed's Landing on the 1st. Jim Goin reports a COOPER'S HAWK on December 28th along Interstate 35E near the junction with Diffley Road in Eagan. A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was seen by Robert Hall on December 29th at his feeder in Minneapolis. That RED- SHOULDERED HAWK reported over the last several weeks at the Old Cedar Ave Bridge area was still there on January 4th. And Craig Menze called to report that the RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, which has been seen in the town of New York Mills, was still there on December 29th. The bird has been seen most often near the intersection of Cornwell and Smith streets.
Ray Glassel found a WILD TURKEY in Acacia Cemetery on December 30th. It should be noted that WILD TURKEYS are now countable when found anywhere in the southern half of the state.
Peder Svingen birded the northwestern part of Minnesota and reports an adult GOLDEN EAGLE in Roseau County, at the intersection of highway 89 and county road 20. He also found a NORTHERN HAWK OWL in Kittson along county road 4, two and a half miles east of Lancaster. A second HAWK OWL was seen in Beltrami County on December 31st. This was at milepost 49 on highway 72. A SNOWY OWL was in Kittson County on Dec 30th along highway 59 SE of the town of Lancaster. The SNOWY OWL which has been at the Minneapolis - St. Paul airport was still there as recently as January 3rd. Interesting is the possible GREAT GRAY OWL in Chisago County. Personnel at the Wild River State Park reported the bird on December 31st. If anyone confirms this bird, I would appreciate a report.
BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were found on the Sherburne County Christmas Bird Count on December 30th on the western side of Eagle Lake.
Oscar Johnson still has a SAVANNAH SPARROW coming to his feeder in Brooklyn Park, and Goodman Larson has a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at his feeder in Minnetonka.
Finally, it seems that flocks of some species of winter finches continue to build. Large flocks of up to 200 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS are being seen in the town of Roseau in Roseau County. Several hundred COMMON REDPOLLS were in the Sax/Zim bog area on the 1st, Dave Cahlander has up to 13 Redpolls at his feeder in Burnsville, 300 Redpolls were in the Sherburne State Wildlife Refuge on the 30th. In Eagan, flocks of 50 PINE SISKINS have been reported. Robert Jessen had upwards of 60 PINE SISKINS at his feeder in Austin, and as many as 400 PINE SISKINS are visiting a feeder in the town of Scandia.
The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday January 11. If you have birds to report, please leave your name, phone number and a brief but specific message.