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-RBA *Minnesota *Minnesota Statewide *January 18, 1996 *MNST9601.18 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota Statewide/Twin Cities
Date: January 18, 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 January 18th sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. At any time you can bypass this recording to leave a message by pressing 5 on your touch tone phone.
GREAT BLUE HERONS are overwintering at the St. Paul sewage treatment center in Ramsey County. Bill Litkey saw three birds there on January 18th.
Mark Johnson found two TUNDRA SWANS south of the town of Wabasha, and three TRUMPETER SWANS were reported just north of Reads Landing. Also at Reads Landing, upwards of 140 BALD EAGLES have been reported along the Mississippi Rive. GOLDEN EAGLES have been seen in southern Winona County at two locations. One caller did not leave directions, but the second bird was reportedly near the town of Stocton on January 13th.
Persons looking for PEREGRINE FALCONS can find them at the junction of Turners Crossroads and I-394. A pair has been overwintering atop the Colonade Building located at this intersection.
In addition to the GREAT GRAY OWL reported at Wild River State Park in Chisago County on last week's tape, a second GREAT GRAY has been discovered there. Though no specific directions were given, check near the guest house or along the main road into the park. It is also assumed that park personnel are able to give more specific directions. A SNOWY OWL was seen in NE Steele County. Another SNOWY was reported by Ronna Laager near Rosthay, Wilkin County on the 12th. She reports the owl was about two 1/2 miles south of county road 30 along county road 15. The last 1/2 mile or so of this road is unplowed, so birders should be prepared to walk the final few hundred yards.
Tom Bell reports that the WINTER WREN he first discovered in late December was seen again on Prairie Island on January 14th, and a HERMIT THRUSH was at Eloise Butler Sanctuary in Minneapolis on the 16th. The first VARIED THRUSH of the new year was reported on January 13th. According to Doug Johnson who lives in the area, the bird has been present since December 26th on the north side of Lake Bemidji.
I have a second had report of a GRAY CATBIRD near Swan Lake in Nicollet County on January 11th. A BROWN THRASHER is visiting a feeder in Silver Creek, Wright County.
Sparrows being reported include WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS from the Issac Walton League in Minneapolis, and from a feeder in Apple Valley. Barb Cole has a SONG SPARROW at her feeder Ramsey, Anoka County, and Oscar Johnson has a SAVANNAH SPARROW at his feeder in Golden Valley.
WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS are still being reported from the Carlos Avery refuge in Anoka County. Up to fifty were seen January 12th in the coniferous trees near the headquarters building. And large flocks of COMMON REDPOLLS and PINE SISKINS are still being reported from numerous locations around the state.
The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday January 25th. If you have birds to report, please leave your name, phone number and a brief but specific message.