June 4, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report
The month of June is a great time to canoe shallow prairie marshes to see abundant waterfowl and waterbirds. Just some of the birds you are apt to see include grebes, coots, ducks, geese, swans, wrens and rails. While many of these sites can be seen from roads, a canoe offers a much more personal, up-close and memorable birding experience. One site to consider is the Hamden Slough in Becker County. For information on this, and other Important Birding Areas, visit the Audubon's Minnesota IBA web page.
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.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On May 28, Herb Dingman reported a White-Winged Dove from the wildlife drive of Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge in Lac qui Parle County. The bird was seen just before the stop signs by the restrooms.
On May 30, Brad Bouldan found a Lark Bunting at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge in Marshall County, roughly one mile east of the refuge headquarters building.
Karl Bardon found a Pacific Loon along the north shore of Lake Superior at Stony Point, in St. Louis County, on May 28.
Yellow Rails have returned to McGregor Marsh in Aitkin County. Kim Risen reported as many as 22 along State Highway 65 over the weekend. And Bell's Vireos are back at their traditional location on the west side of Lake Nokomis, in Minneapolis.
On May 30, a Carolina Wren was reported by Bob Bystrom at Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington, in Hennepin County. The bird was in trees on the west side of the Visitor Center parking lot. Another was seen the same day by Dan Tallman at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Carver County. This bird was heard near the southeast corner of the Green Heron Trail.
And on June 1, Molly Thompson heard a Kentucky Warbler singing in her yard in Normanna Township near Duluth, in St. Louis County.
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."
