Explore Minnesota Birding Update - December 2015
This is your monthly Explore Minnesota Birding Update. Happy birding and happy holidays!
December nature notes
December offers us a chance to view vast numbers of North America's largest waterfowl, the trumpeter swan. These birds gather in abundance where water continues to flow in the winter. One popular site to view these birds is in Monticello where the Mississippi River flows year round due to a power plant located up river. For directions, and to learn more about these huge, graceful birds, visit the Swan Park-Mississippi Drive web page.
This is also a great time of year to view hundreds of bald eagles that spend the winter in Minnesota. Various sites along the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota remain open all winter, attracting eagles to easily accessible fishing spots. Some of the best locations include the city park at Red Wing, Read's Landing south of Lake City, and areas near Wabasha. Learn more.
Did you know?
This year marks the Audubon Society's 116th Christmas Bird Count. Counts are held throughout America with dozens in Minnesota alone. Many Christmas bird counts begin this week, and volunteers of all skill levels are needed. Add to a century of citizen science data by signing up for a bird count near you!
You may also want to participate in Project Feeder Watch. Count the birds at your feeder and submit this information to Feeder Watch scientists to help them track bird populations.
Upcoming birding events
Wild River State Park in Almelund will host Feathered Feeder Favorites on Saturday, Dec. 19. Learn how to attract birds and enjoy bird watching from the comfort of your home.
Winter Birds at Afton will be offered Sunday, Dec. 20 at Afton State Park, north of Hastings. Fewer birds are around so this is a great time to begin learning how to identify birds.
Whitewater State Park in Altura will host a Moonlit Owl Prowl on Saturday, Dec. 26. Learn about owls then go "prowling" under the full moon for owls.
On Sunday, Dec. 27, head to Tettegouche State Park in Silver Bay for Meet the Falcons where you will learn about peregrine falcons and have a chance to meet peregrines and other raptors.
Rare bird alerts & sightings
Some birds are migrating late because of the extremely mild temperatures so far this season. In fact, as recently as Dec. 15, a pair of common loons were seen on Lakes Harriet and Calhoun.
Check the Duluth/North Shore Rare Bird Alert (RBA) by Jim Lind, and the Northwest Minnesota/Detroit Lakes RBA by Jeanie Joppru for the most recent list of bird sightings.
