Explore Minnesota Birding Report , 10.17.07
In general, during the month of October, migrating birds of prey, including Golden Eagles, Red-Tailed Hawks, Peregrine Falcons and other raptors continue to be seen as they travel down the Lake Superior shoreline. And, late October is an excellent time to travel Highway 61 to see Tundra Swans and Bald Eagles at Weaver Bottoms, located within the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge. Also, October is the month when many of the very late migrants begin to show up, including Northern Shrikes, Bohemian Waxwings, Lapland Longspurs, and Pine Grosbeaks.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
A WHITE-WINGED DOVE has been present in Otter Tail County since October 15th. It has been visiting the feeders of Marilyn Sanchez at her home on Long Lake, located roughly ten miles north of Fergus Falls.
The BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen once again at the north end of Spirit Lake in Jackson County on October 12th.
LITTLE GULLS were seen in Cass County on October 16th, one each at the Walker and Cass Lake sewage ponds.
Two BOREAL CHICKADEES were seen on October 13th, roughly two miles north of the Mille Lacs County town of Onamia on the frontage road of U.S. Highway 169. The birds were seen across from the yellow billboard for "Unclaimed Freight."
An immature ROSS'S GOOSE was seen from Stanley Road, just west of Two Harbors in Lake County on October 13th. It was in a farm field on the south side of the road, 3.2 miles west of State Highway 61.
On October 13th, a LONG-TAILED DUCK was roughly three miles north of Pelican Island at Leech Lake in Cass County, along with a few unidentified scoters. Lake Osakis in Todd County had two BLACK SCOTERS, five SURF SCOTERS, and a LONG-TAILED DUCK on the 14th. All of the birds were seen from the road on the eastern shore of the lake. There have also been numerous recent reports of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, SNOW GOOSE, CACKLING GOOSE, BOHEMIAN WAXWING, COMMON REDPOLL, and PINE SISKIN.
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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."
