Minnesota Birding Report Friday, April 18
In general, the month of April is an excellent time to view waterfowl migration, and to visit observation blinds to observe prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse at their booming grounds. Mid- to late-April is best for observing shorebird migration, with yellowlegs, willets, dunlins and other sandpipers visible at shallow wetlands and mudflats throughout the state. And, the last week of April is typically best for viewing the first wave of early returning songbirds, such as yellow-rumped warbler, ruby-crowned kinglet and palm warbler.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
A possible Mew Gull was reported on April 13 at the north end of Eagle Lake in Blue Earth County, although the observer was not absolutely certain of the identification. And, despite many searches over the last two days, no one has provided a subsequent confirmed sighting.
On April 14, a White-Winged Scoter was at the Leroy sewage ponds in Mower County.
A Pacific Loon was seen April 11 at the reservoir located east of the county landfill and just west of the city of Rochester, in Olmsted County.
On April 12, a Marbled Godwit was found at the 180th Street marsh in Dakota County.
A singing Carolina Wren was seen April 12 at the corner of 75th and Dupont Streets in the city of Richfield, in Hennepin County.
A Townsend’s Solitaire was in the northwestern corner of Chester Woods Park in the city of Rochester, in Olmsted County, on April 15. Another was seen in the city of Chanhassen, in Carver County, on April 11 and 12, at the intersection of Ridge Road and Pleasantview Road.
An extraordinarly early Nelson’s Sharp-Tailed Sparrow was reported on April 16 from the southeast side of the Purgatory Creek wetlands in the city of Eden Prairie, in Hennepin County. The typical arrival date for this species is May 13.
Other recent spring arrivals include Broad-Winged Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Sora, Dunlin, Forster’s Tern, Chimney Swift, House Wren, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Yellow-Headed Blackbird.
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.”
