Minnesota Birding Report as of February 1
In general, the month of February is an excellent time to see a variety of owls throughout the state, such as snowy, boreal, great gray and northern hawk owls. Open water sites along rivers and near power plants offer a chance to view an abundance of Canada geese, trumpeter swans and mallards--look closely amongst these birds for common goldeneyes, American mergansers and American black ducks. And, bald eagles are a common sight along the Mississippi River south of Hastings.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On January 31, a pair of Mute Swans was in Winona County along U.S. Highway 61, roughly two miles south of Winona.
A Snowy Owl can still be seen at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. The best location to view this bird is from the southwest corner of the Glycol recycling building, which is the first building on the left when exiting the first tunnel on Cargo Road. Another Snowy Owl was still in Dakota County on January 31, roughly one-quarter of a mile east of Emery Avenue and one-half mile south of 170th Street.
On January 27, a Northern Hawk Owl was reported along Aitkin County Road 8, just west of State Highway 65.
A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE continues to be seen at the Ann Lake campground at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Sherburne County.
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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 moumembers@yahoo.com .
"The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
