August 6, 2010 Expore 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 is a list of recent significant sightings:
A possible Sprague's Pipit was reported singing in Becker County on August 2. The exact location was along the north side of County Road 50, less than one-half mile west of the Hubbard County line. This is just east of Two Inlets Lake.
On July 31st, Denny Martin reported an American Avocet in Houston County from the overlook, about four miles south of Brownsville on State Highway 26. Another Avocet was found by Sue Morton on August 1 at Cory Lake in Lac qui Parle County.
There was an interesting sighting of a pair of Swainson's Hawks reported from Snail Lake in northern Ramsey County on the 2nd. The birds were calling from the northwestern side of the lake in the Snail Lake Regional Park.
An early Greater Scaup was found by Karl Bardon in Duluth on August 4 at Miller Creek near 21st Avenue West. Other reported fall migrants include Bufflehead, Bonaparte's Gull, Caspian Tern, Philadelphia Vireo, Bay-Breasted Warbler, 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."
