Explore Minnesota Birding Report: March 14
This is the Explore Minnesota Birding Report Newsletter as of Friday, March 14, with information provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, and brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
In general, the month of March is an excellent time to view early returning migrants, including Canada geese, bald eagles and American kestrels. Other possible sightings include the first eastern bluebirds and wood ducks that return in search of nest boxes.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
A male Harlequin Duck is still on the Mississippi River near the railroad bridge at U.S. Highway 10 in Washington County.
A Snowy Owl is still being seen in Dakota County, just to the east of Emery Avenue and roughly one-half mile south of 170th Street.
The Townsend’s Solitaire that has been behind the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul was still present on March 12.
There are a few new reports of returning migrants, including Greater White-Fronted Goose, Ross’s Goose, Sandhill Crane, Killdeer, and Red-Winged Blackbird. And Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and Great Horned Owls have all been reported on nests.
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.”
