January 22, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report
Bald Eagles congregate at open-water areas on the Mississippi River during the winter months, including at the city park and Colvill Park in Red Wing, and at Reed's Landing south of Wabasha - to learn more, check out "Eagle Watching" on the Upper Mississippi River Refuge web site. Birders will also want to consider a trip to Monticello to view the many Trumpeter Swans, with up to 1000 swans viewed most winter seasons on the east side of town just off Mississippi Drive. More information can be found at the Monticello Chamber of Commerce web site.
Information has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On January 16, two male Barrow's Goldeneyes were on the Mississippi River at the far eastern end of Lake Pepin in Goodhue County. These birds were roughly one-half mile apart, and viewed from the first and second pull-offs east of Camp Lacupolis. A Barrow's Goldeneye was still on Lake Superior across from Leif Erickson Park in Duluth on the 15th. Seven Great Black-Backed Gulls, five Iceland Gulls, two Thayer's Gulls, and at least 12 Glaucous Gulls were at nearby Canal Park on January 16.
On January 17, there was a female Long-Tailed Duck along the Mississippi River just north of St. Cloud in Stearns County.
There was an unusual sighting of an adult Franklin's Gull at Lock and Dam #2 in Hastings, in Dakota County, on January 16.
In Kittson County, a Snowy Owl was two miles east of Humboldt on the 18th. Another is being seen in Silver Bay, in Cook County, between the entrance to the North Shore Mining Company and the traffic light on State Highway 61.
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."
