July 2, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report
The month of July is a great time to see American white pelicans at the Minnesota River dam in Granite Falls, the dam near Watson or the spillway on March Lake near Appleton. These birds are very graceful in flight and put on an excellent show when they fish. And by July, many shorebirds are migrating through Minnesota en route to wintering grounds in Central and South America. Look for these birds on shallow wetlands and marshes. For information on wetlands in Minnesota, visit the Minnesota DNR Wetlands 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 June 28, Kim Eckert found a Great Gray Owl in Aitkin County. It was seen along the snowmobile trail, roughly three-quarters of a mile south of County Road 18, which is opposite 320th Place about two miles west of County Road 5. He also found several Yellow Rails at the McGregor Marsh along the east side of State Highway 65, three-quarters of a mile south of State Highway 210.
On the 26th, Bruce Baer reported a calling Least Bittern at Long Meadow Lake in Bloomington, in Hennepin County. This location was between the Hogback Pond overflow and the Bass Ponds.
There was an unusual sighting of a Spotted Towhee reported by Al Schirmacher on June 26 on the right side of the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge auto tour road in a grove of trees at the Little Bluestem Pool.
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@gmail.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."
