Minnesota Birding Report 2.8.08
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 2, an adult male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was at the far eastern end of Lake Pepin in Wabasha County, and on February 3, two birds were present.
A SNOWY OWL is still at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, and can best be seen from the southwest corner of the Glycol recycling building, which is the first building on the left when exiting the first tunnel on Cargo Road. Two Snowy Owls were in Aitkin County on February 7. One was near the junction of State Highway 210 and 370th Lane, and the other was on County Road 1 just east of County Road 22. And, a Snowy Owl has been seen in southeastern Kandiyohi County for roughly one week. It was originally seen at the intersection of State Highway 7 and Kandiyohi County Road 2, but has recently been reported one mile south and one-half mile east of here.
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. Since January 12, a Northern Hawk Owl has been along Cass County Road 73, one and one-half miles west of County Road 8. And on February 6, a Northern Hawk Owl was in Itasca County along U.S. Highway 2, roughly one-half mile north of the Aitkin County line.
The TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE that has been behind the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul was still present as of February 7.
Thanks to the many people who have called in to report their observations of TRUMPETER SWAN, BALD EAGLE, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, NORTHERN SHRIKE, AMERICAN ROBIN, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.
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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."
