February 19, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report Late in the winter, owl sightings can become more prevalent, with a chance to see Snowy, Boreal, Great Gray and Northern Hawk owls. Bald Eagles congregate at open-water areas on the Mississippi River during winter months, including at Colvill Park and the city park in Red Wing, and at Reed's Landing south of Wabasha - to learn more, check out "Eagle Watching" on the Upper Mississippi River Refuge web site. Birders will also want to consider a trip to Monticello to view the many Trumpeter Swans, with up to 1000 swans viewed most winter seasons on the east side of town just off Mississippi Drive. More information can be found at the Monticello Chamber of Commerce web site.
Birders have a special opportunity to contribute to the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas (BBA). BBAs are used throughout the world to document and map the distribution of breeding birds. Surveyors record evidence of breeding status for each species observed, and volunteers are needed to help gather data. Everyone is eligible to participate. Detailed information about the atlas and becoming a surveyor is available at the Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas web site at
www.mnbba.orgInformation has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
A Barrow's Goldeneye was still in Duluth across from Leif Erickson Park on February 18. On the 13th, two were still on the Mississippi River at the far eastern end of Lake Pepin in Wabasha County near Read's Landing.
On February 14th, a first-cycle Great Black-Backed Gull was at Canal Park in Duluth, and four first-cycle Glaucous Gulls, along with a Long-Tailed Duck were seen on the 17th at Agate Bay in Two Harbors in Lake County. On February 18, a Long-Tailed Duck was near Point Douglas in Washington County on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi River across from Prescott, Wisconsin. To view this bird, check near the railroad bridge.
An American Three-Toed Woodpecker was found on the 16th in Lake of the Woods County on the west side of Faunce Road, eight-tenths of a mile south of the Bankton Trail. Another was along Koochiching County Road 1, 1.9 miles south of County Road 13. And in Lake County, one was seen on February 17 along Spruce Road at its junction with the snowmobile trail, roughly 3.5 miles east of State Highway 1.
And last, reports of Northern Flickers and Horned Larks seem to be increasing in the southern half of the state.
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."
