Minnesota Birding Report as of February 22
In general, the month of February is an excellent time to see a variety of owls throughout the state, such as snowy, boreal, great gray and northern hawk owls. Open water sites along rivers and near power plants offer a chance to view an abundance of Canada geese, trumpeter swans and mallards--look closely amongst these birds for common goldeneyes, American mergansers and American black ducks. And, bald eagles are a common sight along the Mississippi River south of Hastings.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
An adult male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE was on the Mississippi River on February 16, one-half mile east of the far eastern end of Lake Pepin in Wabasha County.
A HARLEQUIN DUCK is still being seen on the Mississippi River near Point Douglas in Washington County, and it was most recently reported on February 14. The SHORT-EARED OWL was still along U.S. Highway 212 in Eden Prairie in Hennepin County on February 16. It was seen roughly one-eighth of a mile west of Richard Anderson Park. On the 15th, a NORTHERN HAWK OWL was at the intersection of U.S. Highway 53 and Stebner Road near the Duluth airport. A SNOWY OWL was still present on the 16th in Aitkin County, along 370th Street, just east of U. S. Highway 169. Another SNOWY OWL is being seen in Dakota County, just to the east of Emery Avenue, roughly one-half mile south of 170th Street. And a SNOWY OWL was seen on February 15 in the town of Ramsey in Anoka County on the south side of the intersection of U.S. Highway 10 and Ramsey Boulevard.
A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was still in Blue Earth County at Minneopa State Park on February 17. It was seen on the south side of the road on the prairie side of the park. And the TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE that has been behind the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul in Ramsey County was still present on the 17th.
The VARIED THRUSH that has been present in Princeton in Sherburne County since January continues to be seen. The exact location is at the junction of County Road 1 and 75th Street at Fire Call 2465.
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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."
