Explore Minnesota Birding Report Update September 28, 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 21st, Tom Will documented a Red Phalarope from a boat in the approximate center of Lake Mille Lacs in Mille Lacs County.
Conny Brunell reported an immature Sabine's Gull on the 21st from the west end of Purgatory Creek Conservation Area in Eden Prairie, Hennepin County. To view this bird, start at State Highway 5, drive south on Prairie Center Drive for roughly one-quarter of a mile and look for the wetlands the south side of the road.
A Harlequin Duck was found by Paul Johnson on the 25th in the Grand Marais harbor of Cook County.
In Duluth, Peder Svingen reported the fall's first Pacific Loon on the 23rd from the Recreation Area of Park Point.
In Eagan, Dakota County, Steve Weston found a Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron on Gun Club Lake at I-494 on September 24th.
On the 21st, an American Avocet was reported by Herb Dingmann at Willow Lake near Wanda in Redwood County. And a Hudsonian Godwit was found by Connie Brunell on the 25th at the Bass Ponds area of Bloomington in Hennepin County. Other migrants reported since last week include Ross's Goose, Surf Scoter, Rough-Legged Hawk, Gray-Cheeked Thrush, American Tree Sparrow, Le Conte's Sparrow, and Purple Finch.
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.
