July 30, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report
During the month of August, many shorebirds continue their migration through Minnesota en route to wintering grounds in Central and South America. Look for these birds on shallow wetlands and marshes. For information on wetlands in Minnesota, visit the Minnesota DNR Wetlands page. And, sandhill crane families begin to emerge from their nesting sites in marshes, and can be seen in adjacent hayfields and grasslands.
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.
The following information has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.
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The following is a list of recent significant sightings:
There was a belated report of a Least Tern that was seen on July 18 at the Kandiyohi County Park at Diamond Lake about four miles north of U.S. Highway 12 and northwest of the town of Atwater.
Karl Roe found a Whimbrel on the 28th near a sod farm just east of Farmington in Dakota County. The exact location was the east side of Blaine Avenue along 200th Street.
On July 19, a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron was photographed by Aron Wilterding in Plymouth, Hennepin County, at a pond near the 2800 block of Alvarado Lane North.
In Lake of the Woods County, Beth Siverhus reported a Northern Hawk Owl on July 15 along State Highway 72 near Baudette. And in Lake County, Norma Malinowski saw a Great Gray Owl on the 22nd along a trail just east of Spruce Road and north of State Highway 1.
An immature Northern Mockingbird was reported on the 26th by Nick Rowse at the Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge headquarters office in Bloomington, Hennepin County.
Recent fall migrants include Buff-Breasted Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, Golden-Winged Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Purple Finch, and Evening Grosbeak.
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@gmail.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."
