Explore Minnesota Birding Report as of December 7
In general, the month of December is an excellent time to view Bald Eagles along the Mississippi River. These birds are abundant from Hastings all the way to the Iowa border. And, Trumpeter Swans can be seen at Mississippi Drive Park in Monticello. At the time of this report, there were over 200 birds, with numbers expected to increase to 1500 in the near future!
The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:
A LONG-TAILED DUCK was at Lock and Dam #2 on the Mississippi River in Hastings, in Dakota County, on December 3.
Harley Hanson found a GREAT GRAY OWL on December 2 at Milepost 183 of State Highway 200, between Hill City and Jacobson in Aitkin County.
A CAROLINA WREN is visiting the feeders at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, in Fillmore County. It was first reported on December 1.
A VARIED THRUSH was at the feeders of the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge headquarters near Detroit Lakes in Becker County, but it has not been seen since December 3.
There was an unusual sighting on an OVENBIRD at the Quarry Hill Nature Center feeders in Rochester, in Olmsted County. The bird has been visiting for roughly ten days.
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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."
