Explore Minnesota Birding Update, Jan. 16, 2015
Pine grosbeak; photo by Sparky Stensaas
Hello fellow and future birders!
In an effort to connect with avid birders while attracting new enthusiasts, the Explore Minnesota Birding Update has taken on a new look and feel. In this “fledgling” edition, we offer some useful birding phenology (natural occurrences influenced by seasonal variations), interesting sightings, important observations, and fun birding activities and events.
We will send out future updates on a monthly basis.
Please share this update with anyone you know that may be open to discovering the wonders of birding and help us encourage a new “flock” of birders!
Happy birding!
Male cardinal basking in the sun; photo by Linda Mixon
Male cardinal basking in the sun; photo by Linda Mixon
January is an excellent time to view the more hardy bird species, such as northern cardinals, pine grosbeaks, and downy woodpeckers.
According to Jim Lind, this has been a good winter for viewing "winter finches" such as common and hoary redpolls, pine siskins, evening grosbeaks, pine grosbeaks and purple finches. Bird feeders are always good places to check, but large flocks of redpolls can be found almost anywhere there are stands of birch and/or alders.
A variety of waterfowl and birds of prey can still be seen congregating in open water areas, including geese, swans, ducks and eagles. Watch carefully for the more unusual birds such as common goldeneyes, American mergansers and American black ducks. And of course, eagles are always a thrill to see!
Great gray owl in Duluth; photo by Amanda Burcar-Annis
Great gray owl in Duluth; photo by Amanda Burcar-Annis
Owls offer a birding experience unique to winter, with a chance to see owls that are either normally camouflaged or not present during the rest of year. Snowy, great grey, boreal and northern hawk owls are some of the favorites. Since locations change from year to year, check with the Minnesota Ornithologists Union for the most recent sightings.
DNR Eagle Cam
Eagle courtesy MN DNR According to the Minnesota DNR, the pair of eagles visiting the DNR Eaglecam Nest this year appears to be the same set of birds that fledged two eaglets last year.
These eagles laid their eggs during the first week of January in 2013, and beginning on Valentine's Day last year.
Current activity, such as stick moving and nest sitting, indicate that this pair is setting up their roost once again. Egg laying may be delayed, however, by recent extreme cold temperatures, and the start of the egg laying process may not be until later in February.
Watch the progress here!
Eaglets courtesy MN DNR
Eagles; photos by the MN DNR
Fun Facts
According to Sparky Stensaas, this year's Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) demonstrated that there are record numbers of pine siskins and common redpolls, with very high numbers of purple finches this winter! Read up on the 2014 Sax Zim CBC Summary.
Fun Events for Birders of All Levels
See bald and golden eagles in the wild! The National Eagle Center in Wabasha will be the site of an Eagle Viewing Field Trip on Saturday, Jan. 24. The field trip begins with a brief classroom program, followed by a tour with an expert naturalist via coach bus. The day concludes with light refreshments and time to share pictures and stories. Field trips are also offered Feb. 7, Feb. 28, & Apr. 18.
Rochester's annual WinterFest celebration promotes wintertime activities for all ages, with a multitude of festivities including the Festival of Birds at the Quarry Hill Nature Center on Sunday, Feb. 8. Participants will help set traps to catch birds, and hold them for up-close observation and bird banding. Later, meet the center's very own resident birds, and make a bird feeder to provide bird watching opportunities throughout the winter at home! 507-328-3950
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