as of November 2
In general, the first few weeks of November are an excellent time to travel U.S. Highway 61 along the Mississippi River to see thousands of migrating Tundra Swans from Weaver Bottoms south to Houston County, along Minnesota State Highway 26, near the town of Brownsville. These birds stop to rest and feed here prior to their long voyage to wintering grounds in North Carolina and Virginia. And, Bald Eagles can be seen all along the Mississippi River from Hastings to the Iowa border.
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
On the afternoon of October 30th, Jim Lind found a potential first state record INCA DOVE, and the bird was still present throughout the day on the 31st, and again on November 1st. The bird is being seen in Two Harbors, in Lake County, in the backyard of the house at the southeastern corner of 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue. To view this bird, begin at State Highway 61 in downtown Two Harbors, and turn toward Lake Superior on 5th Street. Drive to 2nd Avenue and turn left. The house is at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 3rd Street. The bird has also been seen in the backyard of the home at 322 -2nd Avenue.
A BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK has been in the city of Bloomington, in Hennepin County, since October 28th. It is roosting at a pond along Anderson Lakes Parkway, just west of U.S. Highway 169 and just south of Interstate 494. Birders should take Anderson Lakes Parkway west of U.S. 169 to the entrance of the park, follow the main paved trail up the hill, and then take the grassy path leading down to the pond. It is possible that this is not a wild bird due to unnatural tameness and continued occurrence in a suburban setting. A late BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was also seen here on the 29th.
In Maine Prairie Township, in Stearns County, a PACIFIC LOON was along the north shore of Pearl Lake on October 28th.
A PLEGADIS IBIS was just south of Wildcat Landing along State Highway 26 near the town of Brownsville, in Houston County, on October 26th.
On October 29th, six CATTLE EGRET were along the west side of State Highway 61 in Lake County. They were at Mile Marker 43 near Split Rock Lighthouse at Fire Call 3644.
Two MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS were at the Municipal Campground in Grand Marais, in Cook County, on October 30th.
And a female SUMMER TANAGER was at Stoney Point, in St. Louis County, on October 23rd.
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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."
