Detroit Lakes RBA
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-RBA *Minnesota *Detroit Lakes *April 14, 2006 *MNDL0604.14 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes
Date: April 14, 2006
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, April 14, 2006 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.
This week's warm weather and the absence of ice on the rivers has given a real boost to the migration. There have been great increases in the number and species of ducks being reported in the northwest with most species now being reported by many observers; the swan migration is in full swing with large numbers being reported, especially in areas with rice paddies or other large areas of open water. Raptors are starting to nest, many NORTHERN HARRIERS have been reported, and many folks are being treated to their courtship displays. A few early shorebirds have come back, notably WILSON'S SNIPE and AMERICAN WOODCOCK. The TREE SWALLOWS have returned, always among the first to come back. Other species reported by many observers included both GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, EASTERN PHOEBE, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, HERMIT THRUSH, SONG SPARROW, and FOX SPARROW.
Most unexpected sightings this week were five SNOWY OWLS. Two were reported by Donna and Leon Thoreson in Polk County at the junction of CR 41 and CR 14 on April 6. Two others were reported in Kittson County by Larry Wilebski. One was located along MN 175 on the Welcome to Minnesota sign on April 7, and the other was about 10 miles south of Humboldt on April 10. Randy Prachar reported one at the Roseau River WMA on April 9.
A banded WHOOPING CRANE from the Wisconsin flock was found in Todd County on the week of April 7. Ben Fritchman saw it again on the 8th a half mile south of CR 104 west of Swanville.
Susan Wiste in Douglas County reported COMMON LOON, TURKEY VULTURE, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, EASTERN PHOEBE, and EASTERN BLUEBIRD on April 10. Beau Shroyer reported the first shorebirds in Douglas County on April 6 - they were KILLDEER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and LESSER YELLOWLEGS.
In Otter Tail County on April 8, Gary Otnes reported a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, and a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL at his place south of Fergus Falls. Mark Otnes saw a NORTHERN GOSHAWK along MN 34 13 miles east of Barnesville on that day. Other species seen then included a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, NORTHERN CARDINAL at Pelican Rapids, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, HERMIT THRUSH, and FOX SPARROW. Amy Drake on April 6 saw HOODED MERGANSER, COMMON MERGANSER, and RED-BREASTED MERGANSER at the Walker Lake public access. Dan and Sandy Thimgan had a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET on April 7, and on the 9th, they saw AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS and EASTERN PHOEBE. The first TURKEY VULTURE was seen on April 10th, and RED-NECKED GREBES on the 11th. BONAPARTE'S GULLS were seen at Silver Lake on April 12, RED-NECKED GREBES have returned to nest, and a BARRED OWL showed up in their yard also. Alma Ronningen reported COMMON LOONS, TREE SWALLOWS, and CHIPPING SPARROWS on the12th.
Becker County species reported by Shar Legenhausen on April 8 included AMERICAN WOODCOCK and EASTERN PHOEBE. Connie Norheim was at Hamden Slough on April 7 where she found 3 TRUMPETER SWANS, many species of ducks, and EASTERN BLUEBIRD. At Tamarac NWR, there were WOOD DUCKS, HOODED MERGANSER, NORTHERN FLICKER, and FOX SPARROW.
Ben Fritchman found 12,500 TUNDRA SWANS on April 12 between Kragnes and Halstad in the Red River valley in Clay and Norman Counties. In Mahnomen County he found three TRUMPETER SWANS, and 2 early MARBLED GODWITS were seen about 10 miles southeast of Mahnomen.
Bruce Flaig in Polk County reported a male NORTHERN CARDINAL in his yard on April 11. He also reported TRUMPETER SWANS, COMMON LOON, and AMERICAN WOODCOCK in the county. Donna and Leon Thoreson saw 250 SANDHILL CRANES near Chicog along MN 102 on April 6, and a TURKEY VULTURE at the intersection of MN 32 and CR 45.
Alice Sather saw the first of the season NORTHERN FLICKER in Marshall County on April 7.
>From Kittson County, Larry Wilebski reported that most of the species mentioned by others were also present in that county by April 10. On April 9, he saw 70 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, WILSON'S SNIPE, and SHORT-EARED OWL. He mentioned AMERICAN COOT, BELTED KINGFISHER, and SONG SPARROW on April 10. Russell Reisz reported a tremendous rise in numbers of all the early species during the week on April 6, including WILSON'S SNIPE, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, and EASTERN BLUEBIRD.
>From Roseau County, Randy Prachar at the Roseau River WMA reported some of the same species there and also a WINTER WREN on April 12.
Kelly Larson on a field trip to Clearwater County on April 12 reported that the rice paddies north of Gonvick held over 10000 TUNDRA SWANS, two GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, and seventeen species of ducks. Also seen in the county that day were 8 species of raptors including many NORTHERN HARRIERS, and a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.
On Lake Bemidji in Beltrami County on April 12 were COMMON LOONS, 7 GREATER SCAUP, 4 LESSER SCAUP, PIED-BILLED GREBE, HORNED GREBE, RED-NECKED GREBE, EARED GREBE and others. Pat Rice reported EASTERN PHOEBE, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and FOX SPARROW on April 9.
Cass County species at Mud Goose WMA reported by Pat on April 9 included AMERICAN WIGEON, REDHEAD, GREATER SCAUP, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, and RED-NECKED GREBE.
Patrick Beauzay in Hubbard County on April 10 reported OSPREY, SWAINSON'S HAWK, NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, HERMIT THRUSH, SONG SPARROW, and FOX SPARROW.
Thanks to all the folks who sent in reports this week. Due to the great numbers of species reported, not all have been mentioned, but please keep sending them in.
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 21, 2006.
