Explore Minnesota Birding Update, April 24, 2014
In April, great horned owls are already raising their young, and Canada geese and bald eagles are incubating their eggs. By mid to late April, a strong shorebird migration is occurring, including yellowlegs, dunlins and other sandpipers. And by late April, watch for early returning songbirds such as yellow-rumped warblers, ruby-crowned kinglets and palm warblers.
Information in this report 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 22nd, a California Gull was reported by Bill Litkey at Hidden Springs Park in Centerville, Anoka County. The park is located on the southeastern side of Centerville Lake.
In Polk County, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow reported by Vanessa Lane on the University of Minnesota campus at Crookston was still present on the 19th. It is being seen at a campus feeding station. For details, please email Vanesa at vlane@crk.umn.edu
In Sherburne County, Andrew Nyhus found a White-Winged Scoter on Keller Lake on April 19th.
Craig Mandel found two Snowy Egrets in Lac qui Parle county on the 19th. One was at Sweetwater Wildlife Management Area along County Road 12, and the other was just south of County Road 12 along County Road 7. A third was reported by Matt Pierce on the same day at the Bass Ponds area of Bloomington, Hennepin County.
Josh Wallestad found an American Avocet at the Atwater sewage ponds in Kandiyohi County. On April 23rd, it was on the west shore of the southwestern-most pond.
Two Short-Eared Owls were seen by Bryan Newman at Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area in Anoka County on the 21st. The owls were found near Pools 2 and 4.
A Western Tanager was at Vicky Thomas's home in Goodhue County on the 20th. Another was photographed on the same day by David Carlson in Crow Wing County, but neither bird stayed around more than a couple of hours.
A sampling of recent migrants includesWester n Grebe, Virginia Rail, Sora, Dunlin, Least Sandpiper, Bonaparte's Gull, Common Tern, Barn Swallow, Marsh Wren, Black-and-White Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Great-Tailed Grackle, and Yellow-Headed Blackbird.
A number of birding events and weekend outings are right around the corner; birders are encouraged to plan ahead as many of these events fill quickly. Events include:
Spring Warbler Weekend, May 9-11, Frontenac/Red Wing
Festival of Birds, May 15-18, Detroit Lakes
Northwestern Minnesota I, May 24-26, Hallock
Birding Bonanza Weekend, June 6-8, Sandstone/Audubon Center of the north Woods
Information in this statewide birding report is provided by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU), Minnesota's oldest and largest bird club. View photographs of recent sightings at the MOU website. To submit a bird sighting, email the MOU birding report compiler at rba@moumn.org.
