This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Wednesday, January 24, 2018 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.
Now that the temperatures are warming up a bit, bird activity seems to be increasing. Feeders are busy with the usual crowd, and we are beginning to see more of the woodpeckers as they are starting to look for suitable nesting sites. Several species of owls have been reported this week in a variety of counties.
Kyle Peterson reported a WOOD DUCK at Goose Park in Alexandria, in Douglas County, among a bunch of mallards on January 22.
Wayne Perala found a BARROW’S GOLDENEYE near Orwell Dam in Otter Tail County. The bird was not in an easily viewable safe location, but perhaps could be found still in the area at a better spot. Various other waterfowl were reported in Fergus Falls where there is open water.
More SNOWY OWLS have been reported this week in Red Lake and in Polk Counties. Bruce Flaig observed three PILEATED WOODPECKERS in his yard in Polk County on January 18. Sandy Aubol continues to report a HARRIS’S SPARROW, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE visiting her yard in East Grand Forks.
Shelley Steva reported a SNOWY OWL in Red Lake County on January 22, and 6 GRAY PARTRIDGE near Oklee on January 23.
A BALD EAGLE and 2 COMMON RAVENS were observed by Cliff Steinhauer in Marshall County just west of Agassiz NWR on January 18.
In the Red Lake Indian Reservation, Mike North reported 2 GREAT GRAY OWLS near Lower Red Lake.
A PILEATED WOODPECKER was seen by Mike Thiele in Warroad, Roseau County, on January 15, and Sandy Aubol reported a MERLIN along US 310 on January 21.
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, January 31, 2018.
Jeanie Joppru
Pennington County, MN