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In general, June is a great time for birders to plan an outing by canoe to view a variety of species of waterfowl and waterbirds in shallow prairie marshes throughout the state. Sightings may include grebes, coots, ducks, geese and swans, as well as other wildlife such as wrens, rails, minks, raccoons and otters.

The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:

There was a recent but undated report of a Brown Pelican from Lake Carlos State Park in Douglas County, which is not far from where this species was reported on May 30. The park entrance is ten miles north of Alexandria on State Highway 29, and two miles west on County Road 38.

In Richfield, in Hennepin County, the Worm-Eating Warbler was last reported at Veteran’s Park on June 6. To view this bird, check the woods to the left of the entrance path at 11th Avenue South.

In Duluth, in St. Louis County, at least five Red-Throated Loons were found on June 9 between 12th Street and the Park Point Recreational Area, and a Northern Mockingbird was at the Recreational Area on the 11th. Another mockingbird is in Washington County near the Goodwill Industries building south of State Highway 36, roughly one-half mile east of Stillwater Boulevard.

On the 11th, a Snowy Egret was on the island at the Purgatory Creek wetlands in Eden Prairie, in Hennepin County.

In Sherburne County, at least two Common Moorhens were seen on May 8 at the Big Bluestem Pool along the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge Prairie Wildlife Auto Tour Road.

A Yellow-Breasted Chat was heard briefly at Frontenac State Park in Goodhue County on June 5. It was singing near the restrooms at the end of the park’s main drive.

A Summer Tanager is being seen at the home of Butch Ukura along Agate Lake Road in Deerwood Township, in Crow Wing County. Another is in Aitkin County northeast of Aitkin. From the junction of Highways 169 and 210, travel east on State Highway 210 for just over three miles to Gun Lake Road. Follow Gun Lake Road for roughly 2.2 miles to the home of Dave and Marilyn Ruud. Their feeders are along the south side of their house and can be viewed easily from the road.

On June 9, there was an unusual observation of a Spotted Towhee on the south side of Lake Bronson State Park in Kittson County. It was found just beyond the locked gate leading to the group campsite on the north side of County Road 10.

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