Explore Minnesota Birding Report Friday, February 13
In general, a drive along Highway 61, from Hastings to La Crescent, offers birders a chance to see numerous bald eagles, especially at Read’s Landing. This is also a great time of year to check out the open water sites along rivers and near power plants for Canada geese, trumpeter swans and mallards. If you look closely, you may also find American black ducks, American mergansers and common goldeneyes.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
In Pine County, a male Varied Thrush has been at Ron and Cheryl Lachelt feeders since February 1. Their cabin is located between Sturgeon Lake and Willow River, along Minimum Maintenance Forest Service Road 340-E, seven-tenths of a mile south of Dago Lake Road. Another Varied Thrush has been in St. Paul since the 6th at the northwest corner of the intersection of Merrill and Ramsey County Road C2.
On February 8, a Townsend’s Solitaire was found in Brown County in a stand of junipers at the Bashaw Wildlife Management Area, which is a few miles northwest of the town of Comfrey.
On February 7, several Spruce Grouse were along Lake County Road 2 at various spots between the School of Log Building and State Highway 1.
Finally, it has been a good year for winter finches throughout the state with many reports of an abundance of White-Winged Crossbills, American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, Common Redpolls, and a few Hoary Redpolls.
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 membership@moumn.org
“The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”
