Explore Minnesota Birding Report as of November 16
In general, the first few weeks of November are an excellent time to travel U.S. Highway 61 along the Mississippi River to see thousands of migrating Tundra Swans from Weaver Bottoms south to Houston County, along Minnesota State Highway 26, near the town of Brownsville. These birds stop to rest and feed here prior to their long voyage to wintering grounds in North Carolina and Virginia. And, Bald Eagles can be seen all along the Mississippi River from Hastings to the Iowa border.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
The potential first state record INCA DOVE is still being seen in Two Harbors, in Lake County, as it has been since it was first discovered on October 30th. The bird spends much of its time in the backyard of the house at the southeastern corner of 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue, but it has also been seen in most of the block's backyards west of here. From State Highway 61 in downtown Two Harbors, turn toward Lake Superior on 5th Street, drive to 2nd Avenue, and turn left. The house is at the corner of this avenue and 3rd Street.
On November 10th, Ben Yokel found a NORTHERN HAWK OWL in St. Louis County along Melrude Road, just east of U.S. Highway 53 and roughly six miles north of the town of Cotton. And, a SNOWY OWL was seen by Larry Wilebski on the 10th, one mile west and one mile north of Orleans in Kittson County.
Dean Riemer found a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE in the city of Moorhead, in Clay County, on November 13th. This location was roughly one block north of the intersection of South Elm and South River Road. Chuck Krulas found another on the 10th just north of Elysian, in Le Sueur County, in a small gravel pit on the east side of State Highway 13, about one-tenth of a mile south of Lake Francis Road.
Tom Bloom had a rather late SWAINSON'S THRUSH at his home in Apple Valley, in Dakota County, on November 12th.
And last, John Ellis reported a couple of SMITH'S LONGSPURS on November 10th along 200th Street between 280th and 300th avenues in the town of Rothsay, in Wilkin County.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
