Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, April 27, 2017

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, April 27, 2017 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218)847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888.

We , in common with the rest of the state, have had a setback for spring migration. The cold and snow of the past two days has grounded many migrants, and we are hoping that the mortality has not been too great. The forecast holds a promise of warmer weather by the weekend.

A PEREGRINE FALCON was seen by Beth Siverhus in Lake of the Woods County between Norris Camp and the campground in the Beltrami Island State Forest this week. Other species seen there included BROAD-WINGED HAWK, TURKEY VULTURE, and RED-TAILED HAWK.

In Roseau County, Beth Siverhus reported a GREAT GRAY OWL along the Roosevelt-Norris Road south of MN 11 . Also in Roseau County, she reported DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, BELTED KINGFISHER, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, EASTERN PHOEBE, both RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, BROWN CREEPER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, and PINE SISKIN this week.

Brian Hiller in Beltrami County observed three AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER on April 24.

In Clearwater County, Joe Lindell saw BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE and AMERICAN WOODCOCK on April 21.

Here in Thief River Falls, I had a flock of DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS along the Red Lake River this week, and today a large flock of FRANKLIN’S GULLS with a few RING-BILLED GULLS could be seen at the intersection of the Thief and Red Lake Rivers. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS have arrived and are increasing in the area.

In Red Lake County, Anita Vettleson reported a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER in her yard near Oklee on April 25.

In Polk County, Matthew Spoor reported SHORT-EARED OWL, MARSH WRENS, PALM WARBLER, and LE CONTE’S SPARROW among others at Pankratz Prairie on April 22. A EURASIAN WIGEON was reported by the DNR at Burnham Creek reservoir on April 21. I have not heard if the bird has been seen again. Sandy Aubol reported YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER , and a variety of sparrows in Polk County on April 24. They included WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, LINCOLN’S SPARROW, SWAMP SPARROW, SONG SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, VESPER SPARROW, and SAVANNAH SPARROW.

Becker County sightings by Wayne Perala at Tamarac NWR included COMMON LOON, WOOD DUCK, and BUFFLEHEAD on April 23.

A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was reported in Hubbard County by Becca Engdahl on April 25.

A WESTERN TANAGER was found at Battle Lake in Otter Tail County by Matthew Brusch on April 24. Jennifer Ditterich saw a pair of BELTED KINGFISHERS in Otter Tail County on April 24. Wayne Perala found a RUDDY DUCK at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center on April 21, and at the Orwell Dam he saw both GREATER YELLOWLEGS and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, KILLDEER, RING-NECKED PHEASANT, and WESTERN MEADOWLARK. On April 23, he reported YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and PALM WARBLER.

John Jonas observed HORNED GREBE, WESTERN GREBE, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and BELTED KINGFISHER in Douglas County on April 21.

A SANDERLING was reported by Craig Mandel at the North Ottawa Impoundment in Grant County on April 23.

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 toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, May 4, 2017