Explore Minnesota Birding Report: April 15, 2009
This is the Explore Minnesota Birding Report Newsletter as of Wednesday, April 15, with information provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, and brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
In general, mid to late April is an excellent time to look for migrating waterfowl. Check for yellowlegs, willets, dunlins and other sandpipers in shallow wetlands and mudflats throughout the state.
And, the last week in April typically marks the arrival of the first wave of early migrant songbirds, particularly yellow-rumped warbler, ruby-crowned kinglet, and palm warbler.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
A Sage Thrasher is being seen near the Lake Harriet rose garden in Minneapolis. The bird was first reported on April 13, it has been seen repeatedly in the marshy area near the canoe racks.
The Barrow’s Goldeneye is assumed to still be at the Grand Rapids sewage ponds, which are located along Itasca County Road 3, roughly one mile southeast of Airport Road. Visitors must check in at the office located about one-half mile northwest of the ponds.
On April 10, an adult Lesser Black-Backed Gull was at the northwestern corner of Martin Lake in Martin County.
A Snowy Owl was near Loon Lake in Jackson County on April 12, but it has not been seen since.
New spring arrivals include Red-Necked Grebe, Marbled Godwit, Eastern Kingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Purple Martin, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Field Sparrow, and Swamp 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 membership@moumn.org
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
