Minnesota Birding Report for 2.15.08
In general, the month of February is an excellent time to see a variety of owls throughout the state, such as snowy, boreal, great gray and northern hawk owls. Open water sites along rivers and near power plants offer a chance to view an abundance of Canada geese, trumpeter swans and mallards--look closely amongst these birds for common goldeneyes, American mergansers and American black ducks. And, bald eagles are a common sight along the Mississippi River south of Hastings.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On February 11, a SNOWY OWL was just south of McGregor on Aitkin County Road 8. On February 13, a SHORT-EARED OWL was along U.S. Highway 212 in Eden Prairie, in Hennepin County, just south of the highway between "The Lions Tap" and Richard Anderson Park. A NORTHERN HAWK OWL is still in the Sax Zim Bog, on the west side of St. Louis County Road 7, one-half mile south of Stone Lake Road.
A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE can still be seen near Stillwater in Washington County, in the same location where it has been reported since mid-January. To view this bird, begin at State Highway 96 and travel north on State Highway 55 to the driveway that is just north of the Stillwater Township Hall parking lot. Check the trees across the street from here. Another Solitaire was still in Blue Earth County at Minneopa State Park on February 14. It was seen foraging on the south side of the road on the prairie side of the park.
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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."
