June 11, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report The month of June is a great time to canoe shallow prairie marshes to see abundant waterfowl and waterbirds. Just some of the birds you are apt to see include grebes, coots, ducks, geese, swans, wrens and rails. While many of these sites can be seen from roads, a canoe offers a much more personal, up-close and memorable birding experience. One site to consider is the Hamden Slough in Becker County. For information on this, and other Important Birding Areas, visit the Audubon's Minnesota IBA web page.
Birders have a special opportunity to contribute to the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA). BBAs are used throughout the world to document and map the distribution of breeding birds. Surveyors record evidence of breeding status for each species observed, and volunteers are needed to help gather data. Everyone is eligible to participate. Detailed information about the atlas and becoming a surveyor is available at the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas web site.
Novice and seasoned birders are invited to attend a Bird Bonanza Weekend at St. Croix State Park, Friday through Sunday, June 18-20. Some of the avian activities and programs include Attack-tics Bird Beak Games, An Intro to Birding, an 8:00 a.m. Saturday Bird Count, Fishy Flyers, a Beautiful Bird Art Contest, and Build a Bluebird House. Birding kits and binoculars are available to borrow at the park. St. Croix State Park is located 15 miles east of Hinckley on State Highway 48, then 5 miles south on County Road 22. To learn more, dial 320/384-6591. For a complete schedule of events, visit
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/st_croix/Few reports have been submitted this week - recent, significant sightings include:
In Lake County, a Great Gray Owl was seen by Steve Schon on June 9. It was found along Stoney River Forest Road, one mile north of Whyte Road. Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann saw a Great Gray Owl on the 5th along Koochiching County Road 13, one mile north of County Road 77. Denny and Barb Martin relocated a Great Gray Owl on the 5th along Aitkin County Road 18, just east of the Hebron Cemetery. They also heard several Yellow Rails at the McGregor Marsh, and a Whip-Poor-Will one mile east of Palisade on County Road 10. Whip-Poor-Wills are being heard regularly on the edge of Silver Bay in Lake County.
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."
