In general, mid- to late April is an excellent time to view the migration of shorebirds. Look for yellowlegs, willets, dunlins and other sandpipers on the shallow wetlands and mudflats throughout the state. And, early songbird migration typically begins the last week of April. Possible sightings include yellow-rumped warbler, ruby-crowned kinglet, and palm warbler.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was reported on April 23rd along Olmsted County Road 31, between U.S. Highway 52 and County Road 3. To view this bird, check the fields on the east side of the road near the gray house at Fire Call 126-31, and also along nearby Riverheights Court.
On April 23rd, Ron Erpelding found a WORM-EATING WARBLER in Camden State Park, in Lyon County, southwest of the city of Marshall. The bird was on the east side of the park's main road and was first seen in the wooded area about 85 feet before the intersection of the road and the railroad tracks.
On April 22nd, Bruce Baer reported a PIPING PLOVER at the west end of Lake Byllesby in Dakota County.
There was a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD at the south end of Murphy-Hanrehan Park, on the Scott-Dakota County line, on April 23rd. The bird was found by Jim Egge about 50 yards north of the southern gate across from the parking lot for Brackett's Crossing Golf Course. Another NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was just east of Boone Avenue in New Hope, in Hennepin County, on the 22nd. The exact location was 55th and Zealand Avenues, near the Northridge Care Center.
On April 22nd, Wayne Feder found a pair of LONG-TAILED DUCKS on Pilot Grove Lake in Faribault County. This is on the west side of County Road 9 at 60th Street.
Craig Mandel found a pair of GREAT-TAILED GRACKLES on April 20th in Watonwan County. The birds were at the Rosendale Wildlife Management Area, about two miles southeast of the town of St. James.
A few representative and notable migrant species recently reported include BROAD-WINGED HAWK, DUNLIN, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, FORSTER'S TERNS, SORA, CHIMNEY SWIFT, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, BANK SWALLOW, MARSH WREN, SWAINSON’S THRUSH, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, HOODED WARBLER, EASTERN TOWHEE, and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
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"The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/birds.htm
