February 12, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report Late in the winter, owl sightings can become more prevalent, with a chance to see snowy, boreal, great gray and northern hawk owls. Bald Eagles congregate at open-water areas on the Mississippi River during winter months, including at Colvill Park and the city 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. 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 the east side of town just off Mississippi Drive. More information can be found at the Monticello Chamber of Commerce web site.
Birders have a special opportunity to contribute to the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA). BBAs are used throughout the world to document and map the distribution of breeding birds. Surveyors record evidence of breeding status for each species observed, and volunteers are needed to help gather data. Everyone is eligible to participate. Detailed information about the atlas and becoming a surveyor is available at the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas web site at
www.mnbba.orgInformation has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
At least one male Barrow's Goldeneye was still on the Mississippi River at the far eastern end of Lake Pepin in Wabasha County, near Read's Landing.
In Lake County, six Long-Tailed Ducks were seen on February 11 at Burlington Bay in Two Harbors.
Also in Lake County, a Northern Hawk Owl was still along State Highway 61 at Flood Bay on the 11th, and another hawk owl was seen on February 7 along Whyte Road, two miles east of Stony River Forest Road. In Cook County, one was seen on the 9th at the Fall River west of Grand Marais.
A Short-Eared Owl was reported on February 4 along Aitkin County Road 1, roughly one-half mile north of County Road 21.
In South Minneapolis, a Snowy Owl was on the roof of a garage along the 4100 block of 21st Avenue on February 9. Some reports put this bird along 22nd Avenue.
Black-Backed Woodpeckers were in the Sax Zim Bog on February 7, and specifically along McDavitt Road at three and three-quarter miles north and at four miles north of Sax Road.
There have been scattered reports, mostly southerly, of over-wintering Northern Flicker, White-Throated Sparrow, and Fox Sparrow.
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."
