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-RBA *Minnesota *Minnesota Statewide *March 27, 1997 *MNST9703.27 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota Statewide
Date: March 27, 1997
Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU)
Reports: (612) 780-8890
Compiler: Anthony Hertzel
Transcriber: Anthony Hertzel (tony@mill2.MillComm.COM)
Re-transcriber: David Cahlander (dac@skypoint.com)
This is the Minnesota birding report for Thursday March 27th sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. As always, to skip this recording and leave a message you can press 5 on your touch tone phone.
Since last week's update of this tape there has been a large push of migrants into the state. Especially apparent are all the typical species of waterfowl, several raptors as well as some unexpected species.
A rather early COMMON LOON was at Colville Park in Goodhue County. Carol Schumacher found it there on March 22nd.
All the typical waterfowl have now been reported, and there is not enough time here to detail every report. I can mention a few sightings here, however, including three ROSS' GEESE that have been reported in the past week. Ray Glassel found the first bird on March 22nd at Wells Lake near Faribault in Rice County. The bird was in with numerous CANADA, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED and SNOW GEESE. On the 25th Jay Hamernick found a second ROSS' GOOSE on Peltier and George Watch Lakes in Centerville in Anoka County. This bird tends to roost here at night but feeds in nearby cornfields during the day. Check especially west of I-35E and north of Anoka County road 14. The third ROSS' GOOSE was found March 26th by Lane Elwanger on the northwestern side of Lake Byllesby in Dakota County.
Ron Selbitschka reported the first TURKEY VULTURES of the year on March 26th along U.S. highway 61 in St. Paul, Ramsey County. Steve Westen found a NORTHERN HARRIER on March 22nd south of Gray Cloud Island in Dakota County. On the 27th there was a strong push of migrant RED- TAILED HAWKS and kettles of up to 15 birds were seen in Dakota County near Spring Lake. Since the 10th of March Frank Nicoletti has counted 420 BALD EAGLES and 8 GOLDEN EAGLES migrating through Duluth. For additional information on reports from the Duluth area, you can call the Duluth birding report at 218-525-5952.
On March 22nd Bill Litkey found a first winter GLAUCOUS GULL at Frontenac in Goodhue County. On the 25th Karl Bardon found an adult GLAUCOUS GULL plus an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and an adult THAYER'S GULL at Spring Lake in Dakota County.
SANDHILL CRANES were in Freeborn County on the 23rd and at Carlos Avery Refuge in Anoka County on the 26th. An AMERICAN WOODCOCK was reported by Bridget Collins on March 24th from Hennepin County.
A GREAT GRAY OWL was still in Washington County on March 22nd. It was seen in the yard of Leeann Overman in May Township throughout the afternoon. Drew Smith reports that a GREAT GRAY OWL was found in Inver Grove Heights along Rich Valley Road near 97th street. A GREAT GRAY OWL has been seen infrequently since march 13th in Wabasha County. The bird was seen on highway 4 near the town of Theilman toward Lake City.
The first SHORT-EARED OWL of the year was reported on March 21st by Lane Elwanger from Highland Park in Bloomington, Hennepin County.
An EASTERN PHOEBE was at the Bass Ponds area in south Minneapolis. This early migrant was found by Jesse Ellis on March 27th.
Surprising is the report of MARSH WRENS on March 27th from a wetland west of the town of Excelsior, but I have no further details.
Dave Thurston found both GOLDEN-CROWNED and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS at the Old Cedar Ave Bridge in Bloomington on the 27th.
A MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD was found March 23rd at Myre Big Island State Park in Freeborn County. Persons wishing to see this bird can ask personnel at the park headquarters for the most recent information.
Bill Litkey found a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER in the town of Afton in Washington County on March 26th.
Lou Dinzl found the first CHIPPING SPARROW of the season on March 21st along 85th Ave north in Brooklyn Park; a HARRIS' SPARROW was in Jim Eikenberry's yard in Golden Valley on the 26th; and a FOX SPARROW was at the Old Cedar Ave Bridge in Bloomington on the 27th.
Due to time limitations, numerous migrants which are now being reported in large numbers will be mentioned here without comment. PIED-BILLED GREBE, GREAT BLUE HERON, all species of waterfowl, BALD EAGLE, RED-SHOULDERED and RED-TAILED HAWK, AMERICAN COOT, RING-BILLED and HERRING GULL, KILLDEER, BELTED KINGFISHER, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, AMERICAN ROBIN, SONG SPARROW, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, COMMON GRACKLE, and both MEADOWLARKS. Most of these birds have been reported from the Iowa border north to at least Becker County.
Thanks to Betsy Beneke, Oscar Johnson, Sarah Henderson, Al Batt, Tom Mahan, and Craig Mandel.
The next scheduled update of this tape is Thursday April 3rd.