Explore Minnesota Birding Report Friday, July 11
In general, July is an excellent time to see American white pelicans. Good locations to view these birds include the Minnesota River dam in Granite Falls, the dam near Watson, and the spillway on Marsh Lake near Appleton.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings, however few reports are available this week:
On July 3, Pam Perry found a Northern Mockingbird in southwestern Aitkin County. The exact location was two miles north of the Aitkin County line on U.S. Highway 169, north of Garrison. The bird was seen on Conifer Street, just south of its junction with 442nd Place.
On July 4, two Henslow’s Sparrows were at the Carpenter Nature Center in Washington County. The birds were on the north side of the East-West trail that leads into the prairie area. This trail’s entrance is just south of the entrance road into park. Another Henslow’s Sparrow was in Hennepin County at Carver Park on July 9. To view this bird, follow the main trail west of the Lowry Nature Center to just past Crosby Lake and into a prairie area. The bird was calling from the right side of the trail.
A few shorebirds have begun to show up. Species already reported include Lesser Yellowlegs, Greater Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and Least Sandpiper.
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.”