Explore Minnesota Birding Report as of November 30
In general, the month of December is an excellent time to view Bald Eagles along the Mississippi River. These birds are abundant from Hastings all the way to the Iowa border. And, Trumpeter Swans can be seen at Mississippi Drive Park in Monticello. At the time of this report, there were over 200 birds, with numbers expected to increase to 1500 in the near future!
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
The potential first state record INCA DOVE is still being seen in Two Harbors, in Lake County, as it has been since it was first discovered on October 30. The bird spends much of its time in the backyard of the house at the southeastern corner of 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue, but it has also been seen in most of the block's backyards west of here.
Ben Wieland and Dale Yerger found a female-plumaged EIDER on November 28 on Shingobee Bay at Leech Lake in Cass County, but the particular species could not be determined. The exact location was along State Highway 200, a few miles south of Walker, or 1.3 miles northwest of the junction of Highways 200 and 371.
There is a secondhand report of a LONG-TAILED DUCK seen on November 27 along Wabasha County Road 24 where the Pioneer Club overlooks the Mississippi River.
A SNOWY OWL was in Lake City, in Wabasha County, on November 28. Walt Popp found it in the morning on the rocks at the marina, and the bird was still there in the afternoon.
Cole Foster found a pair of TUFTED TITMICE on November 25 along Rice Creek in Fridley, in Anoka County. The birds were seen from the paved trail that runs north from the creek roughly 200 feet west of the Anoka/Ramsey county line, which is marked by a large fenced-in yard.
Allison Clarke reported a VARIED THRUSH in her east Duluth yard, in St. Louis County, on November 28. Birders are welcome to visit at 226 Ridgewood Road.
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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 moumembers@yahoo.com.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
