Detroit Lakes RBA
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-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *March 25, 2004 *MNDL0403.25 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: March 25, 2004
Sponsor: Lakes Area Birding Club, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce
Reports: 1-800-542-3992 (weekdays during business hours)
Compiler: Jeanie Joppru (ajjoppru@wiktel.com)
This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, March 26, 2004 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218) 847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888.
There is no doubt that spring is here now. Large numbers of birds are moving north, and even a chipmunk has been reported this week. The warm weather is melting the snow quickly, and puddles have appeared. Some open water is in the southern part of the region and soon open water will be present throughout the northwest. Even a few insects were seen by several observers this week, so we are making progress.
Most reporters have mentioned decreasing numbers of COMMON REDPOLLS, and increasing numbers of DARK-EYED JUNCOS and PURPLE FINCHES. Raptors are on the move also with numerous reports of BALD EAGLES, RED-TAILED HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, and AMERICAN KESTRELS.
Bob and Adele Powell in Roseau County reported PURPLE FINCHES at the feeder this week. Katie Haws observed 9 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE two miles south of Wannaska along Highway 89.
Katie also reported TRUMPETER SWANS near Bemidji in Beltrami County. The BALD EAGLES have returned to their nest site in the county, and HORNED LARKS are being seen.
Marshall County species noticed by Alice Sather included CANADA GEESE, AMERICAN ROBINS, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. The redpolls are nearly all gone now. Gary Tischer of Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge says that some SANDHILL CRANES returned on March 23rd, twenty AMERICAN ROBINS were seen on March 24th, a pair of AMERICAN KESTRELS were seen along CR 7 just west of the refuge. A swan of undetermined species has returned to the refuge, and it is suspected that it may be the trumpeter that nested there last summer. A pair of GREAT HORNED OWLS are being seen regularly in the spruce trees at the east end of the Habitat Drive along CR 7.
In Pennington County, Sue Braastad reported NORTHERN SHRIKE, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. Several observers have mentioned seeing AMERICAN ROBINS in Thief River Falls this week, some of them singing. John Holland reported two BALD EAGLES perched in a tree along CR 3 near the Polk County line. Other birds mentioned by John included SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, WILD TURKEY, and AMERICAN KESTREL. He also observed several flocks of migrating ducks, and geese including some SNOW GEESE. A small flock of swans was also seen, but no determination of species was made.
Shelley Steva found an AMERICAN KESTREL and four ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS in Polk County on March 21st. Mike and Lori Becker at the Wetland, Pines , and Prairies Audubon Sanctuary reported that the redpolls have nearly all left and been replaced by DARK-EYED JUNCOS. An AMERICAN ROBIN was seen on March 23rd. RED-TAILED HAWK, SANDHILL CRANES, and SHORT-EARED OWL have returned to the area. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen near the sanctuary. Jason Eckstein reported from Rydell NWR that AMERICAN ROBINS, and AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS have returned this week. A few MALLARDS are back also. Elsewhere in the county, he observed GREAT BLUE HERON, SANDHILL CRANES, KILLDEER, an AMERICAN CROW carrying nesting material, and WESTERN MEADOWLARK as well as the raptors and grouse that are being reported by all this week. A second report of MALLARDS came from Randy Chaffee near Climax, so doubtless many more ducks are on the way following the open water areas as they move north.
In Norman County, Shelley Steva saw a NORTHERN SHRIKE on March 21st.
>From Becker County, Shar Legenhausen reported TRUMPETER SWANS, GREAT BLUE HERON, KILLDEER, AMERICAN ROBIN, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. Kay Hartness saw some of the same species as well as PURPLE FINCH. Joan Burke reported two GREAT BLUE HERONS, NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD.
Alma Ronningen saw a pair of EASTERN BLUEBIRDS in Otter Tail County on March 24th, and also reported a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, and a KILLDEER. At Glendalough State Park, Jeffrey Wiersma reports that the BALD EAGLES have returned to their nest in the park.
>From Douglas County Susan Wiste saw an AMERICAN KESTREL along Highway 27 on March 21st.
Thanks to Alice Sather, Jason Eckstein, Kay Hartness, John Holland, Randy Chaffee, Gary Tischer, Jeffrey Wiersma, Katie Haws, Susan Wiste, Shelley Steva, Sue Braastad, Mike and Lori Becker, Bob and Adele Powell, Alma Ronningen, and Shar Legenhausen for their reports.
Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@wiktel.com OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. When reporting by email please put "NW Bird Report" in the subject line of your message. The next scheduled update of this report is Friday, April 2, 2004.
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