Explore Minnesota Birding Report Update April 27, 2012
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, loons have returned to their Minnesota breeding lakes nearly three weeks earlier than usual. Over the last two years, 26 loons were fitted with satellite transmitters to learn more about their migratory movements and feeding habits. Before the use of this technology, scientists were unaware that most Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan loons travel to Lake Michigan, where they stay for a few weeks before heading on to the Gulf of Mexico. To watch the migratory patterns of loons from Minnesota and the other Great Lakes states, check out Common Loon Movements and Migrations 2011-2012.
The following information has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and their affiliates. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.
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The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On April 20th, Andrew Krenz found a Black-Necked Stilt at the southwest end of Lake Lilly in Blue Earth County, and it was still being seen on the 25th. An unidentified ibis was also here on the 23rd.
On April 22nd, Herb Dingmann found a Say's Phoebe near Preston in Fillmore County, and a White-Winged Dove in Lewiston, Winona County. The phoebe was at a pond two and a half miles south and one mile east of Preston, and the White-Winged Dove was north of the water tower at the community services center. The dove was relocated later in the evening by Chris Benson near the intersection of Williams and Rice streets.
In Duluth, Peder Svingen reported a Red-Throated Loon on the 26th near the Sky Harbor Airport of Park Point.
On April 23rd, Marshall Howe found a Whimbrel in southwestern Cass County, just south of where State Highway 64 runs east-to-west between Hubbard and Cass counties. The bird was about 100 feet south of the Hubbard County line.
On the 22nd, Phil Chu reported an amazing total of fifty ibis at Cory Lake in Lac qui Parle County. They were at the Hamlin Wildlife Management Area, and at least 30 were clearly identifiable as White-Faced Ibis. He also reported a single White-Faced Ibis in nearby Walter Township on the east side of County Road 7, roughly one-third of a mile south of County Road 38; two more were reported in Yellow Bank Township near the intersection of 366th Street and 141st Avenue.
Two Spotted Towhees were in Steve Millard's yard in Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County on April 22nd. Other spring migrants reported since last week include Broad-Winged Hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Willet, Blue-Headed Vireo, Barn Swallow, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Pine Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, and Indigo Bunting.
