April 16, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report
The month of April is the best time to view greater prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse displaying on their breeding grounds. Lake Bronson State Park, located two miles east of the town of Lake Bronson, offers reservations at their Sharp Tailed Grouse Viewing Blind through May 15, with a chance to witness the comical and entertaining display of the male Sharp Tailed Grouse as they attempt to attract a mate. This is truly one of nature's most spectacular events. Viewing is best at dawn. Reservations are required and are limited to one per day. To learn more, dial 218/754-2200, or visit Lake Bronson State Park's 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.
Information has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.
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Few recent sightings have been reported, aside from the following few new spring arrivals:
On April 15, there was a report of a possible Bean Goose at a wetland near the Madrena Wildlife Management Area of Lac qui Parle County. This is on the west side of 211th Avenue, roughly one quarter of a mile south of U.S. Highway 75. The bird, which was associating with about a dozen Greater White-Fronted Geese, has not been seen since.
There was a report of a White-Winged Dove from residents of Waconia, in Carver County. More information will be made available once approval is given by the home owner regarding visitors.
On April 10, Bob Ekblad reported a Northern Mockingbird in Olmsted County, just southeast of Rochester. To view this bird, take U.S. Highway 52 south of I-90 to County Road 7. Continue south on County Road 7 for a couple of miles and turn left on Mill Creek Road. The bird was in the trees lining the driveway of the first house past the cemetery.
In Nicollet County, Bob Dunlap found four Smith's Longspurs at a Wildlife Management Area one mile north of the town of Nicollet on the east side of Highway 111 on April 9. The birds were in the grassy area between the first wetland and the farm fields east of the parking lot.
Three Long-Tailed Ducks were found by Ron Erpelding at Taconite Harbor, in Cook County, on the 14th. A few Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers have been reported in the last few days in the Twin Cities area, as have Franklin's Gull, Field Sparrow, Le Conte's Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, and Brown-Headed Cowbird.
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."
