Explore Minnesota Birding Report May 30
In general, the end of May is an excellent time to check out Minnesota’s prairies for a chance to view upland sandpiper, marbled godwit, bobolink and dickcissel.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On May 25, a Yellow-Throated Warbler was at the Rachel Lilly Nature Preserve in Mendota Heights in Dakota County. To view this bird, begin at State Highway 110, and travel south on Delaware Street. Take the first right heading west onto Dodge Lane. This will dead-end at a turn-around with a sign labeled "Rachel Lilly Nature Preserve, Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center." Follow the grassy trail parallel to State Highway 110, as it curves along the tree line. At the bottom of the hill, the trail will cross a wooden bridge over a stream. The bird was feeding in the large oaks to the left of the trail after it crosses the stream.
A Burrowing Owl was still in Clay County on May 25, and could be seen in a development area near Village Green Drive in eastern Moorhead.
An adult Pacific Loon was reported on May 27 on Lake Superior, just out from the bath house at the Park Point recreational area. At least eight Red-Throated Loons were also on the lake on the 27th, between the Lafayette Square access and the recreational area. And two unidentified Jaegers were seen on May 24 over Lake Superior at the Sky Harbor Airport.
Two American Avocets were seen at the easternmost cell of the Albany sewage ponds in Stearns County on May 27.
A Great Gray Owl was in the Sax Zim Bog on May 27 along St. Louis County Road 52, one-half mile east of Owl Avenue. On May 23, two Great Gray Owls were along Stickney Road; one bird was one and one-quarter miles north of County Road 52, and the other was one and one-third miles north of County Road 52.
A Northern Mockingbird was in Cass County on May 25, near intersection of County Road 41 and State Highway 87 near the Hubbard County line.
On May 27, a Kentucky Warbler was in Roberts Sanctuary at Lake Harriet, in Hennepin County. It was seen in a row of brush close to the main east entrance.
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.”
