Explore Minnesota Birding Report Update April 19, 2012
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, loons have returned to their Minnesota breeding lakes nearly three weeks earlier than usual. Over the last two years, 26 loons were fitted with satellite transmitters to learn more about their migratory movements and feeding habits. Before the use of this technology, scientists were unaware that most Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan loons travel to Lake Michigan, where they stay for a few weeks before heading on to the Gulf of Mexico. To watch the migratory patterns of loons from Minnesota and the other Great Lakes states, check out Common Loon Movements and Migrations 2011-2012.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On the morning April 18th, Jeff Stephenson reported a Ruff at the north end of Silver Creek Reservoir just east of Rochester in Olmsted County, and it was still there in the late afternoon.
A Black-Necked Stilt has been at the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge area of Bloomington since the 15th. It is being seen from the fishing pier on Long Meadow Lake. Also present in the area was a White-Faced Ibis. As many as seven White-Faced Ibis were on the mudflats at the far western end of Lake Byllesby in Dakota County on the 15th, along with a few Hudsonian Godwits and numerous other shorebirds.
On the 17th, Chad Heins reported four American Avocets at Perch Lake, located northeast of Mapleton in Blue Earth County. Another Avocet was at Circle Lake in Rice County on the 16th.
A photograph was sent of a Northern Mockingbird seen April 16th in Marshall County, but the report included no details.
Spring migrants arriving this week include Swainson's Hawk, Eared Grebe, American Golden-Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Long-Billed Dowitcher, Least Sandpiper, Forster's Tern, Cattle Egret, Barn Swallow, Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Pine Warbler, Henslow's Sparrow, Le Conte's Sparrow, and Yellow-Headed Blackbird.
