Minnesota Birding Report as of November 9
In general, the first few weeks of November are an excellent time to travel U.S. Highway 61 along the Mississippi River to see thousands of migrating Tundra Swans from Weaver Bottoms south to Houston County, along Minnesota State Highway 26, near the town of Brownsville. These birds stop to rest and feed here prior to their long voyage to wintering grounds in North Carolina and Virginia. And, Bald Eagles can be seen all along the Mississippi River from Hastings to the Iowa border.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
The potential first state record INCA DOVE is still being seen in Two Harbors, in Lake County, as it has been every day since it was first discovered on October 30th. The bird spends much of its time in the backyard of the house at the southeastern corner of 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue, but it has also been seen in most of the block's backyards west of here. To view this bird, begin at State Highway 61 in downtown Two Harbors, and turn toward Lake Superior on 5th Street. Drive to 2nd Avenue, and turn left. The house is at the corner of this avenue and 3rd Street.
Brian Smith found a PLEGADIS IBIS in a small pond roughly five miles south of Sleepy Eye on November 1st. The pond is on the east side of Highway 4, one-fifth of a mile south of Brown County Road 22.
Al Schirmacher reported a RED-THROATED LOON at Garrison Bay on Lake Mille Lacs in Crow Wing County on November 2nd.
Chet Meyers reported that he found a first-year GLAUCOUS GULL on the dock at the northwestern corner of Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis, in Hennepin County, on November 6th.
A female MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD was at the Recreation Area of Park Point in Duluth on November 2nd. And, two were still present around the main parking lot on the east side of the Grand Marais harbor in Cook County on the 3rd.
Nancy Jackson reported a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE on October 31st in Hoyt Lakes, in St. Louis County, at the intersection of Kennedy and Dorchester streets. Ben Yokel found another on November 3rd at Hawk Ridge in Duluth along the road located roughly one-quarter of a mile west of the main overlook. And, Craig Mandel found one on the 6th just a few miles north of Grand Marais at 1427 Croftville Road.
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Information in this statewide birding report is provided by and financially supported by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU), Minnesota's oldest and largest bird club. The report is composed from reports submitted by MOU members and other birders throughout the state. You can support this weekly birding update by submitting your bird reports to Anthony Hertzel at axhertzel@sihope.com or by calling the hotline directly at 763-780-8890 and leaving a detailed message. MOU members receive the organization's quarterly journal "The Loon," and the bi-monthly magazine, "Minnesota Birding." For membership information, send an e-mail message to our membership secretary at moumembers@yahoo.com .
"The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
