This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, December 13, 2018 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also see this report on the Chamber of Commerce website:
We have had a very pleasant week here in the northwest, except for a few episodes of freezing mist and snowflakes. The paved roads are now bare again, but one needs to watch conditions in towns and on gravel roads for slippery spots. Feeders have been busy with the usual winter residents. A few snowy owls have been seen in Polk, Pennington, and Marshall Counties but no big numbers yet.
From Lake of the Woods County, Gretchen Mehmel reported a GREAT GRAY OWL a mile east of Faunce on the Santa Ana Forest Road on December 9th. She also reported a flock of RED CROSSBILLS a mile east of Norris Camp that day. At the Norris Camp feeders were PINE GROSBEAKS, and GRAY JAYS.
Nancy Wasik reported on December 7 that PINE SISKINS have moved into her yard in Beltrami County. A PILEATED WOODPECKER has also been coming to the feeder.
In Marshall County on December 9, I found a flock of 25 COMMON REDPOLLS, and three COMMON RAVENS.
A VARIED THRUSH is visiting the yard of Avis Frazer in Goodridge, Pennington County. Zeann Linder reported seeing 75 WILD TURKEYS and several flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS in Pennington County on December 8th. Two BALD EAGLES were feeding on a carcass near Thief River Falls.
Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks, Polk County, is still reporting a FOX SPARROW at her feeder this week.
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, December 20, 2018.
Jeanie Joppru
Pennington County, MN