Explore Minnesota Birding Report February 20,09
In general, a drive along Highway 61, from Hastings to La Crescent, offers birders a chance to see numerous bald eagles, especially at Read’s Landing. This is also a great time of year to check out the open water sites along rivers and near power plants for Canada geese, trumpeter swans and mallards. If you look closely, you may also find American black ducks, American mergansers and common goldeneyes.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
In Duluth, the previously seen male Barrow’s Goldeneye was seen once again at Canal Park on February 17.
In Two Harbors, in Lake County, a Mute Swan was at Burlington Bay on Lake Superior along 1st Street on February 16.
A very early American Woodcock was photographed on February 16 in downtown Minneapolis, and a Wilson’s Snipe was on the shore of Snelling Lake in the city of Eagan, in Dakota County, on the 19th.
A Varied Thrush has been in St. Paul since February 6 at the northwest corner of the intersection of Merrill Street and Ramsey County Road C2. It is most often seen during mid-morning hours. Another Varied Thrush was reported on the 15th from Cass County at a feeder on Pleasant Lake, near the city of Hackensack, but no further details are available.
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 membership@moumn.org
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
