December 30, 2010 Explore Minnesota Birding Report
During the month of December, keep an eye out for Great Gray, Boreal and Northern Hawk owls which often invade the state at this time of year.
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.
Few reports are available due to holiday travels - reports that are currently available include:
Jim Mattsson found a Barrow's Goldeneye at Point Douglas Park in Washington County on December 27.
Craig Mandel found a Harlequin Duck at Blue Lake in Scott County on the 25th. Please note that access to the lake is at least a 20 minute walk from the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Wilkie Unit parking lot.
A Northern Hawk Owl is still being seen in the Sax-Zim Bog along McDavitt Road, two miles north of Sax Road. Another was found by Sarah Glesner in Lake County on the 25th along Stony River Forest Road, 8.3 miles south of State Highway 1.
In Washington County, a Townsend's Solitaire was at the junction of State Highway 5 and Jamaca Avenue on the 20th. Another Townsend's Solitaire continues to be seen at the north end of Vadnais Lake in Ramsey County, feeding in the cedars on the west side of County Road F. And yet another was in Lake County, along the 300 Block of 2nd Avenue in Two Harbors on the 24th.
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."
