Minnesota Birding Report as of November 26
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:
The potential first state record INCA DOVE is still being seen in Two Harbors, in Lake County, as it has been since it was first discovered on October 30. The bird spends much of its time in the backyard of the house at the southeastern corner of 3rd Street and 2nd Avenue, but it has also been seen in most of the block's backyards west of here.
A WHITE-WINGED DOVE was photographed on November 20 at a feeder in Lake County about 16 miles east of Ely and south of County Road 18. No further information is available regarding the bird's exact location.
On November 18, Bob Williams found a MUTE SWAN at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge near the city of Jordan in Scott County. To view this bird, take the County Road 9 exit off of U.S. Highway 169, and drive to Valley View Road. Turn right and continue one-half mile to Mendoza Avenue, and turn left. Travel one-half mile to Duck Lane and turn right. This road leads to the refuge entrance and the bird was in the water to the right.
Several gull species are being seen at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis, in Hennepin County, including both GLAUCOUS GULL and LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL.
On November 20, a SNOWY OWL was at the Tamarack Nature Center in northern Ramsey County. Although it was not observed the following day it may still be in the area. Another SNOWY OWL was seen in Grand Marais, in Cook County, on November 17. Warren Nelson found a SHORT-EARED OWL in Aitkin County on Novmeber 22. From the junction of County Roads 1 and 22, take County Road 1 north for roughly one-half mile.
Nancy Jackson found a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD on November 17 in Hoyt Lakes, in St. Louis County. The bird was behind the pink house on Elmwood Street.
Nathan Schirmacher reported a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE on November 17 at Ann Lake in Sherburne County. It was seen on the trail to the right of the sign. Bob Ekblad found another Townsend's Solitaire in Olmsted County on the same day. To view this bird, exit from U.S. Highway 52 and drive to Oronoco. Travel east on County Road 118, and take the first right onto 2nd Street. Drive roughly two miles, following the river, to a stand of cedars. The solitaire was in the taller deciduous trees growing amongst the cedars. Two solitaires were were also seen here on November 19. And, a solitaire was observed in the city of Hibbing, in St. Louis County, on the 22nd near the Bennet Park playground on Greyhound Boulevard. A Townsend's Solitaire has also been seen for the past several days in downtown Two Harbors, in Lake County, at 204 -1st Avenue, as well as at the junction of South Avenue and 1st Street.
"The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism."
