January 8, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report
Bald Eagles congregate at open-water areas on the Mississippi River during the winter months, including at the city park and Colvill Park in Red Wing, and at Reed's Landing south of Wabasha - to learn more, check out "Eagle Watching" on the Upper Mississippi River Refuge web site.
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/UpperMississippiRiver/?utm_source=contactology&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bird1-8-2010_1_8_2010 Birders will also want to consider a trip to Monticello to view the many Trumpeter Swans, with up to 1000 swans viewed most winter seasons on east the east side of town just off Mississippi Drive. More information can be found at the Monticello Chamber of Commerce web site.
http://www.monticellochamber.com/?utm_source=contactology&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bird1-8-2010_1_8_2010The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
A Black-Headed Grosbeak continues to visit a feeder in Duluth at the 6200 block of East Superior Street. To view this bird, take State Highway 61 through Duluth to 60th Avenue East, turn left and go two blocks to Superior Street, then turn right to the home. The homeowners request that visitations be limited to a maximum of five people at a time. Birders should park only on Superior Street, walk quietly up the driveway and before coming to the garage turn left to the back door and watch the feeders from the sidewalk between the driveway and the back door. Do not continue up the driveway or enter the backyard.
A Barrow's Goldeneye was still on Lake Superior in Duluth on January 4, most recently reported from Leif Erickson Park in a flock of roughly fifty Common Goldeneye. On the same day, another Barrow's Goldeneye was found in Dakota County on the Mississippi River across from Prescott, WI. Also present was a Long-Tailed Duck.
Great Gray Owls were reported from Lake County on January 3 along Stoney River Forest Road at three and one-half miles and six and one-half miles south of State Highway 1. Two more were seen on the 5th in the Sax-Zim Bog of St. Louis County, along McDavitt Road roughly three miles north of Sax Road.
A Snowy Owl was in Duluth on January 2 on the harbor ice between the Park Point Recreation Area and just north of Barker's Island.
A Townsend's Solitaire was still at the Ann Lake Campground in Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge on the 4th.
In Redwood County, a Varied Thrush was at the John Buckley feeding station in Redwood Falls. The bird first showed up on January 3.
And, a Pine Grosbeak was in Washington County on the 2nd, although no specific location was given. This is the farthest southern report of this species yet this winter.
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."
