Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, June 29, 2017

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, June 29, 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.

The whole area seems to have received rain this week, and crops look good. As the temperatures rise, insects are sure to increase. That is good for the birds, but not so much for the rest of us. So far it has been relatively insect–free or nearly so with all the cold weather. Young of every species are appearing, and the young voices are making birding by ear difficult.

Grant County continues to be the hot spot for unusual species. Two KING RAILS were seen as recently as a couple of days ago, this time on the west end of 250th St. For nearest viewing you will need to approach from the west off 340 Ave as the eastern approach is still flooded. More rain went through yesterday, so a careful approach is recommended. Watch the conditions as you go. Other species seen at the impoundment recently include two BLACK-NECKED STILTS, GREAT EGRETS, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, SNOWY EGRET, CATTLE EGRET, SNOWY PLOVER, and others. I have no knowledge of how many of these species are still to be found there or of their exact locations.

Wayne Perala found a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER at Glendalough SP in Otter Tail County on June 27.

An OSPREY pair is nesting again in Hubbard County along US 2.

At Tamarac NWR in Becker County, Wayne Perala found GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, and VEERY on June 25. Three pairs of TRUMPETER SWANS , all with cygnets were also seen there.

In Clay County, at Felton Prairie, a SAY’S PHOEBE is being seen near the longspur spot. Also seen there are LARK SPARROW, LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE, BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, and a reported KRIDER’S RED-TAILED HAWK. Also in Clay County, the WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE was seen as recently as June 27. SPOTTED TOWHEE was also reported there.

In Norman County , a MUTE SWAN was seen by Doug Kieser at the Twin Valley WMA on June 25.

An UPLAND SANDPIPER was reported by Shelley Steva in Polk County on June 28.

Here in Pennington County, both the RED-HEADED WOODPECKER and the RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER have visited our feeders within the last week.

On my Breeding Bird Survey this morning I found three DICKCISSELS two in the very western edge of Beltrami County on Dylan Road, and one further northwest in Marshall County.

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, July 6, 2017.