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-RBA *Minnesota *Minnesota Statewide *February 29, 1996 *MNST9602.29 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota Statewide/Twin Cities
Date: February 29, 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 February 29th sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
At Black Dog Lake in Bloomington recently, birders report finding migrating LESSER SCAUP, NORTHERN PINTAIL, CANVASBACK and AMERICAN WIGEON. A blue phase SNOW GOOSE, A GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, and an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN were also seen, and a large flock of SNOW GEESE was seen over the town of Empire in Dakota County on Feb 24th.
As many as ten TRUMPETER SWANS can be seen at the Tamarac NWR in Becker County. You can call the refuge for further information on these and other birds in the area.
Up to ten ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS were seen by Carol Gresser on Feb 25th near the town of Jorden in Scott County, and a GOLDEN EAGLE was reported from Renville County along county road 81, 1.5 mies west of county road 9.
The adult GYRFALCON is still being seen in Duluth near Cargill grain elevator. It was last reported on the 25th. For more information on this and other birds in the Duluth area, you can the Duluth Birding Report at 218-525-5952.
Bruce Fall reports that the PRAIRIE FALCON, which has been overwintering at the Mpls/St. Paul airport was seen again on Feb 24. The bird was located southeast of the junction of 28th Ave. and 62nd street.
On the 24th, two SNOWY OWLS were found in western Minnesota. One was near Comstock in Clay County and the other was about three miles west of the town of Lawndale in Wilkin County. Interesting is the SNOWY OWL reported along Interstate 94, just west of Snelling Ave in St. Paul on Feb 28th.
Doug Johnson reports that on Feb 22nd in Beltrami County, a GREAT GRAY OWL was at Lake Bemidji State Park along the Fish Hawk Trail, and two more GREAT GRAYS were near the Pennington Bog Scientific Natural Area on the 21st. Other GREAT GRAY OWL sightings include a bird seen Feb 23rd near Detroit Lakes in Becker County. Bob Zink refound those two GREAT GRAY OWLS reported over the past few weeks along highway 96 near White Bear Lake. They were 1/4 mile east of Ideal Ave, just south of 96. On the 23rd Ken Lafond found two GREAT GRAYS in Anoka County, one was near the town of Columbus along Crossways Lake Drive, one half mile east of Lake Drive, and the other was north of Centerville on Furman Street and Rondeau Lake Road. That GREAT GRAY reported last week from Bredesen Park in Edina was seen as recently as Feb 28th. And there are two GREAT GRAY OWLS at the Tamarac NWR in Becker County.
A NORTHERN HAWK OWL was reported on Feb 29th from St. Louis county. Look along state highway 73, four miles south of Floodwood.
Oscar Johnson reports the SAVANNAH SPARROW, which has been spending the winter at his feeder in Golden Valley, has survived the month of February and was seen as recently as the 29th.
Finally, WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were reported from several locations at Carlos Avery Refuge on the 24th and 25th and in Lino Lakes on the 24th, and RED CROSSBILLS were seen in Bagley in Clearwater County, and additional sightings have been reported from Anoka and Hennepin counties.
The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday March 7th. If you have birds to report, please leave your name, location, phone number and a brief but specific message.