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-RBA *Minnesota *Duluth/North Shore *February 19, 1997 *MNDU9702.19 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota Duluth/North Shore
Date: February 19, 1997
Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU)
Reports: (218) 525-5952
Compiler: Kim Eckert
Transcriber: Anthony Hertzel (tony@mill2.MillComm.COM)
Re-transcriber: David Cahlander (dac@skypoint.com)
This is the Duluth Birding Report for Wednesday February 19 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithological Union.
During the two weeks since the last update of this tape new reports have been received of 2 live Boreal Owls, Spruce Grouse at 3 locations, both Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers in Lake County, Bohemian Waxwinsg at three locations, and Common Redpoll at three locations. Plus reports of continued presence of Great Gray, Northern Hawk, and Snowy Owls at various locations, and Varied Thrush, Harris' Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, and American Tree Sparrow at feeders in Duluth.
For those people not yet able to have seen the amazingly cooperative Boreal Owl present for over a month at the Springbrook Nature Center in the Twin Cities suburb of Fridley, I have just received 2 reports of live Boreal Owls in Duluth which may still be present.
The owl most likely to be relocated would be in Tim Dawson's yard on Arnold Road, which is 5.5 miles north of Martin Road. This individual has been present for several consecutive days usually about 5pm. Birders can park on Arnold road and have permission ot walk up the driveway and look for the owl in the trees near the bird feeders.
Another Boreal Owl which might still be present was in Don Karow's yard on Sunday and Monday, but apparently not on Tuesday.
At least 5 other Boreal Owls have been reported in and around Duluth recently, but these are either no longer present or have died of apparent starvation. Birders should also be aware that a few Northern Saw-Whet Owls have been reported this winter including one seen along MN Highway 33, 2.0 miles north of US Highway 2. So any small owls seen should be identified carefully.
Spruce Grouse continue to be seen at the traditional location on Lake County Road 2, with recent sightings at 2.7 and 4.0 miles south of the MN Highway 1 intersection. This species was also seen in Lake County on Highway 1 near mile marker 305 northwest of County Road 2, and in Cook County coincidentally on County Road 2, 7.0 miles north of Tofte.
Both Black-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers were found along the Spruce Road in Lake County, which has been a fairly consistent location for these species in recent years. The Spruce Road turns north off MN Highway 1, 14 miles northwest of County Road 2. Look especially near the snowmobile trail which crosses the road 3.5 miles up from Highway 1.
Both Bohemian Waxwing and Common Redpoll have been scare to absent most of the winter, but Bohemian Waxwings have been recently reported in Isabella and Lake Counties, and in Little Fork in Koochiching County. But perhaps the best place to look for Bohemian Waxwings would be in Aurora and Hoyt Lakes in central St. Louis County where Nancy Jackson reports flocks have been present for several weeks.
The only Common Redpolls reported this month were at a feeder in Knife River in Lake County on 2/14, and at Dave Schlezine's on Rabine Road in Duluth for one day only on 2/11.
Great Gray and Northern Hawk Owls continue to be reported at several locations with the most recent Great Gray seen in Duluth at the intersection of Ryan and Lismore Roads. Some likely places to look for Northern Hawk Owls would probably be at the intersection of Berquist and Lismore Roads, and in the Sax-Zim bog area near the intersection of St. Louis County Roads 7 and 52.
However the best location for Great Gray, Northern Hawk and Snowy Owls would be in Aitkin County west of Duluth. For more information you can call Warren Nelson in Aitkin. Warren could also tell you if there have been any recent reports of Sharp-tailed Grouse or Snow Buntings in the area.
A Varied Thrush is still present at Pat Thomas' feeder behind the garage on Superior Street, as is the Harris' Sparrow at Vi Adams' feeder near her front door on Line Street. Look especially in the early morning or late afternoon. A Harris' Sparrow at Dave Krekorian's feeder on Scenic Highway 61 is now apparently gone, but a White-crowned Sparrow was still there recently. Barb Adams reports that the American Tree Sparrow which has been seen at her feeder on the 200 block of Garvin Street in Duluth since December is still present.
The next scheduled update of this tape will be Thursday, February 27.