Minnesota Birding Report Newsletter Friday, March 27
In general, March is an excellent time to watch for early returning migrants, such as Canada geese, bald eagles, and American kestrels. This is also a great time to see the first eastern bluebirds and wood ducks returning to search of nesting boxes.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On March 25, Jim Mattsson reported three brief appearances of a Golden-Crowned Sparrow in his backyard in Eagan, in Dakota County. Because there is no place to view the bird from outside the house, Jim will make visiting arrangements if this bird stays around. Updates will be provided with this information.
On March 24, there was a report of a Whooping Crane flying east over the McGregor Marsh Scientific & Natural Area in Aitkin County. The McGregor Marsh Scientific & Natural Area is located roughly three miles south of McGregor.
Shorebirds are beginning to arrive in the southern parts of the state. Recent arrivals include American Golden-Plover, Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, and Wilson’s Snipe. There have also been reports of Eastern Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, American Pipit, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, and Clay-Colored Sparrow.
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 membership@moumn.org
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
