Explore Minnesota Birding Update. Happy birding!
April Nature Notes
The spring migration is well underway with a wide variety of birds returning to Minnesota. The first waves of early migrant songbirds include yellow-rumped warbler, ruby-crowned kinglet, golden-crowned kinglet, and palm warbler. Some areas are already bursting with the songs of eastern phoebe and hermit thrush. The shallow wetlands and mudflats are teeming with shorebirds, and great horned owl, bald eagle and Canada goose are currently raising their young.
In fact, the International Owl Center's resident great horned owls, Iris and Rusty, are now the proud parents of two baby owlets -- view these little balls of fluff on the International Owl Center web cam.
Did You Know?
The spring migration started off earlier than normal for some bird species due to this winter's unseasonably warm temperatures. But why weren't all species impacted by the warm conditions? It turns out there are two types of migrants, each responding to different environmental cues and innate factors. Learn more at the Audubon's How Different Spring Migrants Decide When to Head North.
Springtime is ideal for establishing a bird-friendly yard. Audubon has gathered a number of resources that will help draw birds to your backyard. Learn about native plant selection, yard and garden planning, and much more at How to Make Your Yard Bird-Friendly. Audubon also offers information on how to make your own birdbath!
Upcoming Birding Events
April 15, Houston
Owl Prowl to Call In Wild Owls
Experience wild owls on their terms: outdoors after dark! Let the experts teach you how to call them in, and why calling shouldn't be done regularly in the same area. International Owl Center. 507-896-6957
April 16, Victoria
Raptors in the Yard
See Minnesota raptors up close and learn about their habits and habitat. Lowry Nature Center. 763-694-7650
April 22, Hastings
Hastings Area Earth Day Birding Festival
Celebrate the many birds of Minnesota with an “Introduction to Birding” class, a “Raptors 101” class, bird banding demonstrations, and guided bird trips in the Hastings area. Carpenter Nature Center. 651-437-4359
April 22, Two Harbors
Peregrine Falcons on the North Shore
Meet two live falcons and learn more about these amazing birds and how we can help protect them. Split Rock Lighthouse. 218-226-6372
April 22, Wabasha
Earth Day with the Eagles
Celebrate Earth Day by learning how you can help protect the environment and promote healthy bald eagle habitat by planting a complimentary white pine sapling. Plus, help the eagle ambassadors celebrate their “hatch day” with special eagle enrichment activities. National Eagle Center. 651-565-4989
April 28, Hastings
Bird Banding
Bird banders welcome you to see songbirds up close and learn about the birds who share our ecosystem. Banding runs continuously for the full 3 ½ hours but visitors may come and go at any time. Please call ahead. Donations of bird seed or suet are greatly appreciated. Carpenter Nature Center. 651-437-4359
May 6, Two Harbors
Birds of Spring & Birding for You and Me
Learn birding tips, hone your birding skills, and take an easy walk through the park to discover which birds have already returned. Later that day, head to the visitor center and take the birding challenge, test your knowledge of bird songs, play Beakology, and more! Gooseberry Falls State Park. 218-595-7108
Rare Bird Alerts and Recent Sightings
A northern hawk owl was observed by Cory Bartels on April 5 near the Snake River in downtown Warren. There are five or fewer records of northern hawk owl in Marshall County in the spring season.
Check the Duluth/North Shore Rare Bird Alert and the Northwest Minnesota/Detroit Lakes Rare Bird Alert for other recent bird sightings.
