Explore Minnesota Birding Report Update December 13, 2012
Birders can enjoy spectacular views of Bald Eagles at many sites along Highway U.S. 61 from Red Wing to Winona overlooking the Mississippi River. Check out some of the best sites to view these magnificent birds.
The following information has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and their affiliates. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
There is a report of a Clark's Nutcracker that was recently seen in Shoreview, Ramsey County. It was reported in the vicinity of 3900 Northwoods Drive.
Among the gulls still being reported at lakes Harriet, Calhoun and Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis are Great Black-Backed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Iceland Gull, Thayer's Gull, and Glaucous Gull. An adult Great Black-Backed Gull was also at Black Dog Lake in Dakota County on December 8th.
On the 8th, Russ Ergen photographed a late Western Grebe in Two Harbors, Lake County, off Lighthouse Point between Agate Bay and Burlington Bay.
Mike North had a Varied Thrush visit his yard on the 5th. His home is along Cass County Road 36, four miles east of Pillager.
A few Carolina Wrens continue to be seen around the state. Recent locations include: Locust Street and 4th Street East in Hastings, Dakota County; Tom and Elizabeth Bell's yard along Pioneer Road South in St. Paul Park's Grey Cloud Island, Washington County; Brian Plath's yard west of Austin, Mower County; Lance Vrieze's yard in Rochester, Olmsted County; along the Mississippi River at Pool 8 in Houston County.
A very late American Golden-Plover was reported December 8th at the west outflow to Black Dog Lake in Dakota County. Steve Bachman had a late Gray Catbird in his yard in Shoreview, Ramsey County. And Dan Versaw found a late Field Sparrow on the 11th at Riverwood Park in Hastings, Dakota County.
And last, Common Redpolls, Pine Grosbeaks and Evening Grosbeaks have been reported in various parts of southern and eastern Minnesota.
Information in this statewide birding report is provided by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU), Minnesota's oldest and largest bird club. To submit a bird sighting, email the MOU birding report compiler at rba@moumn.org.
