This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, January 24, 2019 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also see this report on the Chamber of Commerce website:
It is very cold in the northwest this week with snow and stiff winds. We are learning not to listen to the wind chill temperatures as the actual temperatures are bad enough. Not too many people are venturing out lately, as we have had some high winds als, leading to very poor visibility in the open. Weather here in the living room has been cozy. Feeders are very busy, but the variety is not great.
Not surprisingly, most reports this week are from the more southerly parts of our area where there are still spots of open water, notably at the power plant in Fergus Falls. From that area we are getting reports of a BARROW’S GOLDENEYE seen by Jason Swelstad on January 22nd. An EASTERN BLUEBIRD was also seen. Thomas Ries reported a SONG SPARROW there on January 19. Species mentioned by Wayne Perala on January 21 included COMMON GOLDENEYE, NORTHERN CARDINAL, and PURPLE FINCH. The VARIED THRUSH reported earlier was seen again by Kevyn Heck north of Fergus Falls on January 21.
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was reported by Alex Burchard on January 22nd at Kabekona Lake in Hubbard County.
A SNOWY OWL is being seen in south Moorhead, Clay County, as reported by Matt Sorem on January 19. Kathy Bresee observed 12 AMERICAN ROBINS under the crabapple trees in Moorhead on January 18th, and also there were PINE SISKINS, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, and PURPLE FINCHES.
In Polk County, Sandy Aubol continues to host a CHIPPING SPARROW and a FOX SPARROW in East Grand Forks.
From Beltrami County, Alex Burchard observed the continuing presence of RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, and PIED-BILLED GREBE in Bemidji at Lake Irving. Liz H reported an AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKER in Beltrami County on January 19th.
Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@mncable.net OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber’s numbers 218-847-5743 or 218-847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, January 31, 2019.
Jeanie Joppru
Pennington County, MN