March 19, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report
Increased daylight and warmer temperatures in March make it a great time to get out and look for the first signs of spring. Early returning migrants include Canada geese, bald eagles and American kestrels. The first eastern bluebirds and woods ducks return in March in search of nest boxes, and some of the best waterfowl migration occurs from mid-March through mid-April. Spring weather in southern Minnesota arrives roughly two to three weeks earlier than along the Canadian border, so anyone anxiously awaiting spring should head to Minnesota's southwest prairie wetlands, or to Minnesota's southeast hardwood forests and river valleys.
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.
Information has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.
While recent unusual sightings have been few, spring migrants continue to be reported daily.
Flocks of both Tundra Swan and Trumpeter Swan have been moving northward across the southern half of Minnesota.
Good numbers of both Canada Geese and Greater White-Fronted Geese have been reported as well, along with a few Snow Geese, Cackling Geese and Ross's Geese. Great Blue Herons are already on nests at a few southeastern rookeries.
A Loggerhead Shrike was reported on March 18 from Fillmore County, two days earlier than its median arrival date. There was a very early report of a Broad-Winged Hawk viewed at the Lowry Nature Center in Carver County on the 14th.
Other recent arrivals include Double-Crested Cormorant, Turkey Vulture, Killdeer, American Woodcock, Northern Harrier, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Bluebird, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Lapland Longspur, Rusty Blackbird, and Common Grackle.
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."
