In general, a drive along Highway 61, from Hastings to La Crescent, offers birders a chance to see numerous bald eagles, especially at Read’s Landing. This is also a great time of year to check out the open water sites along rivers and near power plants for Canada geese, trumpeter swans and mallards. If you look closely, you may also find American black ducks, American mergansers and common goldeneyes.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
A Gray-Crowned Rosy-Finch was reported on March 17 at a home two miles north of Twig in St. Louis County, but it has not been reported since.
A Barrow’s Goldeneye was on the Hennepin County side of the Coon Rapids Dam on March 14, but there have been no other reports of this bird.
A Mute Swan was at Wells Lake in Rice County on March 15.
A Snowy Owl was reported on March 13 on the ice of Lake Superior in Duluth, just out from the Sky Harbor Airport.
And, recent migrant reports include Cackling Goose, Ross’s Goose, Green Winged Teal, Tree Swallow, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, Eastern Bluebird, Song Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, Brewer’s Blackbird, and Rusty Blackbird.
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 membership@moumn.org.
