Minnesota Birding Report: March 20
This is the Explore Minnesota Birding Report Newsletter as of Thursday, March 20, with information provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, and brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.
In general, the month of March is an excellent time to view early returning migrants, including Canada geese, bald eagles and American kestrels. Other possible sightings include the first eastern bluebirds and wood ducks that return in search of nest boxes.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On March 15, an adult Slaty-Backed Gull was found on the ice on the Minnesota side of Interstate Island in the Duluth harbor. This location is visible from a pullout off Terminal Road. Take the Port Terminal exit off Interstate 535, and turn right onto the gravel road located just past the cement plant. As the road curves along the shoreline, look for the pullout on the left.
A male Harlequin Duck is still on the Mississippi River near the railroad bridge at U.S. Highway 10 in Washington County.
A Snowy Owl continues to be seen in Dakota County, just to the east of Emery Avenue and roughly one-half mile south of 170th Street. Another Snowy Owl is still along 370th Lane about three miles northeast of Aitkin, just off State Highway 210. A Northern Hawk Owl was seen along on St. Louis County Road 7, just north of County Road 28 on March 16.
A Carolina Wren was heard singing near the junction of Amherst and Princeton streets in St. Paul on March 13.
The Townsend’s Solitaire that has been behind the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul was still present on March 12.
Recent new arrivals include Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Ring-Billed Gull, Winter Wren, and Common Grackle.
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.”
