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:
This has been quite a year for SABINE'S GULLS. One was reported from the city park in downtown Bemidji as it flew over Lake Bemidji in Beltrami County on September 14th. On the 16th, another Sabine's Gull was at the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge in Lac Qui Parle County, and was seen by looking west from the U. S. Highway 75 Dam. What may have been the same individual was seen on the 17th at the southwestern corner of nearby Perry Wildlife Management Area, one mile east and two- and one-half miles south of Bellingham. There was a third sighting in the same county that may again have been this same bird at Lac Qui Parle Lake on the 18th. It was seen from the overlook along Lac Qui Parle County Road 33, just southeast of the junction with County Road 26.
A CALIFORNIA GULL was found on September 15th, and again on the 16th, on the stone jetty at Walker City Park in Cass County. The park is on the lake side of State Highway 200.
There was an unusual report of a WESTERN SANDPIPER on September 15th at the mudflats by the dam in Hutchinson, in McLeod County. No other information on this bird, and it has apparently left the area. Nevertheless, directions to view this bird are to begin at the intersection of State Highways 7 and 15, turn south on Highway 15, and make an immediate right. Follow the road until it ends at School Road. Turn left on School Road, then turn right onto Roberts Road. Park at Roberts Park and walk west along the shoreline. After rounding the bend, scan the mudflats for shorebirds.
A SAY'S PHOEBE was reported at the Lac Qui Parle Wildlife Management Area near Plover Prairie in Lac Qui Parle County on September 17th. From U.S. Highway 75, take Lac Qui Parle County Road 38 three miles east to County Road 59, then travel one-half mile north. The bird was on the brush pile on the east side of the road.
On September 16th, a PRAIRIE FALCON was reported from just north of the town of Greenwald, in Stearns County, along State Highway 4.
A late CATTLE EGRET was near Elk River, in Anoka County, on September 18th. It was in a farm yard at 7230 Hillendale Road Northwest.
On September 15th, a CAROLINA WREN was found in Lake Hanska County Park in Brown County. It was in the woods behind the restroom in the picnic parking lot.
Also on the 15th, a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was found at 349 Cook County Road 50, roughly one mile east of the Gunflint Trail on the south shore of Gunflint Lake.
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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."
