Minnesota Birding Report as of August 30
In general, September is an excellent time to visit Hawk Ridge in Duluth to see an abundance of migrating birds of prey, including sharp-shinned and broad-winged hawks, peregrine falcons, and other raptors. These birds can be seen from early September through mid-November, with peak migration typically occurring in mid-September.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
Scott Swanson reported a LONG-TAILED JAEGER along the western boundary of Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge in Marshall County on August 21st, and the bird has been relocated in this same general area for the past several days. It is usually present at the intersection of 260th Street NE and 180th Avenue. To reach this site, take Marshall County Road 12 north out of Pennington County, and State Highway 1 to Farmes Pool Road. Turn right onto Farmes Pool Road, and at the sharp bend to the left, look to the right. Interestingly, Minnesota's first jaeger record was a Long-tailed seen very near to here in the summer of 1898.
On August 25th, six immature PLEGADIS IBIS were found a few miles west of Graceville in Big Stone County. These birds were in the wetland in the northwest corner of the intersection of State Highway 28 and Big Stone County Road 61.
A SNOWY EGRET was found by Herb Dingmann on August 27th on the rocks of the Mississippi River at the Stearns-Benton County line. The exact location is near the paper mill in Sartell.
Migration is well underway with many species being reported. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were first seen in substantial numbers when 126 were counted in Anoka County on the evening of August 14th. A juvenile RED KNOT was recently seen on both the north and south shores of Salt Lake in Lac Qui Parle County. Twenty-four species of warblers were seen on Park Point in Duluth just last weekend, with CAPE MAY WARBLER being particularly abundant. There were still several BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS on the nearby ball fields on August 28th.
===============================================
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@sihope.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 moumembers@yahoo.com.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
