Explore Minnesota Birding Report Update September 20, 2012
Bird enthusiasts look forward to the month of September when bird migration intensifies. One place to view an amazing number of raptors is Hawk Ridge in Duluth. October is also great for viewing the migration, with large numbers of the "big" birds passing through, including Bald and Golden Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Goshawks. Naturalists are on site from September 1 through the end of October to assist visitors. And don't miss the free Fall Wildlife Festival offered at the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman on September 29 when the refuge is bursting will vibrant fall color! Just some of the highlights include numerous exhibit booths and speakers, a Meet & Greet with live Minnesota raptors, Wildlife Discoveries, a scavenger hunt, reptiles, Red-headed Woodpecker Recovery program, nature crafts, Prairie Seeds & Tea program, Bluebird Recovery program, Minnesota Master Naturalist program, geocaching, beekeepers, a nature store, silent auction, and Butterflies and Butterfly Gardening program!
The following information has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and their affiliates. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.
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The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On September 16th, another Mississippi Kite flew over Hawk Ridge in Duluth - this is the 5th record of Mississippi Kite this fall and the third at the ridge. A total of 27,628 Broad-Winged Hawks have passed over the ridge this fall.
The immature Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron first found on the 8th is still being seen near the shore of Long Meadow Lake at the Bass Ponds area in Bloomington, Hennepin County. To view this bird, check the overlook near the southwest end of the Hogback Ridge pond.
On the 18th, Bob Dunlap found the fall's first Lapland Longspur on the northwest side of White Bear Lake in Ramsey County. Other migrants reported since last week include Warbling Vireo, Black-Throated Blue Warbler, Harris's Sparrow, and Dark-Eyed Junco.
Information in this statewide birding report is provided by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU), Minnesota's oldest and largest bird club. To submit a bird sighting, email the MOU birding report compiler at rba@moumn.org.
