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-RBA *Minnesota *Minnesota Statewide *May 23, 1996 *MNST9605.23 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota Statewide/Twin Cities
Date: May 23, 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 May 23rd sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
There was an impressive showing of rare and unusual species over the past week, so much so that this tape will have to be limited mainly to those species which are most unusual. Of particular interest to birders are a WESTERN SANDPIPER, a ROCK PTARMIGAN, a MISSISSIPPI KITE, two NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS, a PAINTED REDSTART, a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, a KENTUCKY WARBLER and a WORM-EATING WARBLER, a LAZULI BUNTING and at least one and possibly several BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, none of these species stayed around past last Tuesday.
As noted on last Monday's unscheduled update of this tape, a ROCK PTARMIGAN was identified by Molly Hoffman in the town of Grand Marais in Cook County. Though the bird was seen until dark by several observers along the eastern break wall in harbor on the evening of May 20th, it could not be relocated the following day. If this bird is rediscovered, this tape will be updated immediately.
On the afternoon of May 18th, Kim Eckert identified an adult WESTERN SANDPIPER at the 40th Ave. mudflats in Duluth, but the bird stayed around only a few hours and has not been seen since. 27 other species of shorebirds were identified by various observers at the mudflats on the same day.
A MISSISSIPPI KITE was found on May 18th by Ed Jacobs in Big Stone County. The location was given as being along the Prairie Road which runs to the east, 1.5 miles south of the Big Stone Dam.
Two NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS were discovered at separate locations, both on May 19th. One was seen along Culver Road between highway 100 and Regent Ave in Golden Valley, and the other mockingbird was found at the Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Headquarters. It is not known if either of these two birds is still in the area.
Tom Tustison, who discovered the mockingbird at the National Wildlife Headquarters, reports that a YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER was also in the area on May 19th. Three HOODED WARBLERS, a WORM-EATING WARBLER and a KENTUCKY WARBLER were all seen by members of the St. Paul Audubon Society at Murphy Hanrehan Park in Burnsville on May 20. The location was along the main trail between markers 13 and 15. Another KENTUCKY WARBLER was found this week in the Louisville Swamp area. The bird was just before the first bridge along the southeast side of the Mazomani Trail loop. Very interesting is the PAINTED REDSTART which showed up briefly at a bird bath in Edina on May 20th. If confirmed, this would be a second state record, and certainly if this bird reappears, this tape will be updated and directions will be given.
At this time of year it is not unusual to get reports of female BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS. Most field guides do not adequately portray the female Rose-breasted Grosbeak which can look very similar. Most of these sightings do in fact turn out to be Rose- breasted Grosbeaks, and it should be stressed that identification of this casual species should be made with great care. This is not so true for the male BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, and the one which was reported from Hastings on May 17 was well described. Unfortunately, it too stayed around for only a few minute.
That male LAZULI BUNTING in the town of Wabasha, reported on last Monday's update has not been seen since then and it is presumed to have left the area. Thanks especially to Jon Peterson for updates on this Casual species.
In other birding news, all expected species of vireos and warblers have now been seen and reported. A BELL'S VIREO was seen at Cottonwood Lake in Lyon County on May 22nd along the gravel road which runs along the north side of Cottonwood Lake. A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen by Ken Lafond at Carlos Avery Refuge on May 19th, a LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was found at Lake Elmo in Washington County on May 13th, and a BREWSTER'S WARBLER was at the north end of Lake of the Isles on May 19th.
Additional species reported in good numbers recently include CASPIAN TERN, COMMON NIGHTHAWK, and SCARLET TANAGER.
The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday May 30th. If you have birds to report, please leave your name, location, phone number and a specific message.