Minnesota Birding Report as of Friday, April 25
In general, the month of April is an excellent time to view waterfowl migration, and to visit observation blinds to observe prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse at their booming grounds. Mid- to late-April is best for observing shorebird migration, with yellowlegs, willets, dunlins and other sandpipers visible at shallow wetlands and mudflats throughout the state. And, the last week of April is typically best for viewing the first wave of early returning songbirds, such as yellow-rumped warbler, ruby-crowned kinglet and palm warbler.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
A pair of Harlequin Ducks was reported on April 19 at the Vermillion River Bottoms along 10th Street in Hastings, in Dakota County.
In Big Stone County, a Snowy Egret was seen on April 23 at Peterson Lake on the south side of County Road 64, roughly one-quarter of a mile west of Highway 21.
Three American Avocets were at the Willow Creek Reservoir in Olmsted County on April 19. And, as many as seven were at the eastern end of Long Meadow Lake in Hennepin County on the same day.
On April 18, there was a Snowy Owl at the middle pond of the Osakis sewage treatment plant in Douglas County, but it was gone the following day. A Red-Throated Loon was reported from Lake Osakis on April 20.
A Northern Mockingbird was reported on the 20th along Mower County Road 16, roughly one-quarter of a mile east of County Road 61. By April 22, it had moved to the corner of County Roads 29 and 28.
On April 20, there was a female Hooded Warbler in the Brooklyn Park Environmental Area in Hennepin County. The exact location is just south of the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, and the bird was in the trees between the gravel road and the paved path that runs along West River Road.
Additional new spring arrival reports include Western Grebe, Clark’s Grebe, American Bittern, Green Heron, American Golden-Plover, Purple Martin, Sedge Wren, Brown Thrasher, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Pine Warbler, Eastern Towhee, White-Crowned Sparrow, and Field Sparrow.
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."
