Northwest Birding Report – Thursday, July 19, 2018

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, July 19, 2018 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also see this report on the Chamber of Commerce website: https://www.visitdetroitlakes.com/birding-report

The heat has moderated this week finally, but it is still humid in the northwest, and some parts of the area are having substantial rain. Here in Pennington County, we have not had recent rain and could use a little. Today has been cloudy all day, and it is humid so maybe some is on the way. The humid weather is just what the birds want to promote the insects that feed their young families. Feeders are busy and almost all birds flying around seem to have a mouthful of “baby” food. Flowers in the northwest are in gorgeous bloom right now.

A RED-HEADED WOODPECKER visited the feeder of Kris Googisberg in Roseau, Roseau County, on July 16th. Beth Siverhus reported FRANKLIN’S GULLS, INDIGO BUNTING and VESPER SPARROWS northeast of Hayes Lake SP.

A COOPER’S HAWK was seen carrying food, by Shelley Steva in Thief River Falls, Pennington County on July 18th. Allyson Engelstad saw a GRAY CATBIRD on July 18.

In Red Lake County, Shelley Steva saw two MARBLED GODWITS and a COOPER’S HAWK south of Red Lake Falls.

Two SNOWY EGRETS were seen by Nick Brown at the outlet of Pelican Lake near Ashby in Grant County on July 16. Four WESTERN KINGBIRDS were found by Charlene Nelson in Delaware Township this week. Other species reported by Charlene included a WILD TURKEY hen with 8 chicks, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, ORCHARD ORIOLE, BROWN THRASHER and GRAY CATBIRD. At the North Ottawa Impoundment she reported small numbers of a variety of shorebirds including a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. Four BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, GREAT EGRETS, EARED GREBES and WESTERN GREBES were also seen. DICKCISSELS and SEDGE WRENS were plentiful. The northwest cell is being drawn down so some conditions will be changing depending on the weather.

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, July 26, 2018.

Jeanie Joppru
Pennington County, MN