November 23, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report
The first few weeks of November offer a rare chance to view thousands of migrating tundra swans at the Brownsville Overlook, located three miles south of Brownsville on Hwy. 26. Volunteer interpreters are at this site on weekend days in November. There are additional overlooks off Hwy. 26 that also offer great vantage points. As of late last week, thousands of tundra swans were being seen, and they were expected to linger until ice up.
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.
In Kandiyohi County, a Eurasian Tree Sparrow was reported on November 22, although it first appeared on the 20th. It is visiting the home of Richard Philips on the south-southwest shore of Diamond Lake in the town of Atwater. This location is along the 5200 block of County Road 4.
Both a Black-Legged Kittiwake and a White-Eyed Vireo were seen in Lac qui Parle County in the past three days. The vireo was just across the Chippewa County line, west of the town of Milan. To view this bird, begin at Lac qui Parle County Road 66 immediately west of its junction with State Highway 40, and look for the home on the north side of the road surrounded by cedars and other evergreens. The bird has been found foraging in these trees. The kittiwake has been at the reservoir of the U.S. Highway 75 Dam at Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.
A male Harlequin Duck was on the southwestern side of Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis on the 22nd.
Unprecedented in the state thus far was the count of 31 Eurasian Collared-Doves in Mapleton in Blue Earth County on November 22. They were all seen in a backyard at the corner of Lincoln and 1st Streets.
Dave Hanson has had a Varied Thrush visiting his home in Little Falls in Morrison County since the 20th.
And a Summer Tanager has been in Redwood County for at least one week. Directions to view this bird are to travel south of Lamberton on County Road 6, roughly two miles to the Redwood/Cottonwood County Line, and then continue east about one mile to the first farm on the left.
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."
