September 22, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report
During the month of September, many species of migrating birds, including broad-winged hawks, peregrine falcons, turkey vultures and bald eagles, begin to travel south along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The largest concentrations of hawks typically occur September 10-25, when tens of thousands of broad-winged hawks can be seen flying overhead at Hawk Ridge in Duluth. Numerous programs will be offered at Hawk Ridge this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, September 25 & 26, including Eyes on the Skies- Hawkwatching for Beginners, the Fall & Rise of the Peregrine Falcon, Strangers in the Night - Our Northern Owls, and What's for Dinner - Raptor Diets.
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:
On September 16, a Swallow-Tailed Kite was seen briefly in Wabasha, in Wabasha County, but it flew to the north along the Mississippi River and has not been reported since.
In St. Louis County, an immature Sabine's Gull was seen on the 20th on the bay side of Park Point in Duluth. It was first seen in the vicinity of the Duluth Rowing Club out from 36th Street, and was seen again later in the day from the Park Point Recreation Area. On the same day, two juveniles and an adult Sabine's Gull were seen on the Minnesota side of the Superior Entry in Duluth. At least one Parasitic Jaeger has also been reported around Park Point since at least September 19.
Also on the 19th, an American Avocet was found at the Eden Valley Sewage Ponds in Stearns County. The ponds are on north side of town, east of State Highway 22.
A Little Gull was at the Ironton Sewer Treatment Ponds in Crow Wing County, about one mile north of Ironton on County Road 30 on the 19th.
Two Black-Throated Blue Warblers were at the Roberts Bird Sanctuary in Minneapolis on September 19. There have also been recent reports of Surf Scoter, Red-Throated Loon, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, American Pipit, Hermit Thrush, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Dark-Eyed Junco, White-Crowned Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, and Fox Sparrow.
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."
