This is the Explore Minnesota Birding Report as of Friday, September 25, with information provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, and brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

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During the month of September, not only are there fewer mosquitoes and beautiful fall color, there is a special opportunity to view large numbers of raptors at Hawk Ridge in Duluth. Just some of the birds passing through include sharp-shinned and broad-winged hawks, and peregrine falcons. This migration continues into November. And the forests become alive in September with the sounds and colors of the many migrating songbirds.

The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:

On September 19, a Sabine’s Gull was at the Ironton wastewater treatment ponds along Crow Wing County Road 30, roughly two miles north of town.

Also on the 19th, a Prairie Falcon was reported in northeastern Pipestone County at the Woodstock Wildlife Management Area.

Over the weekend, several Parasitic Jaegers were seen in Minnesota waters from Wisconsin Point at the end of Park Point in Duluth. A possible Long-Tailed Jaeger was also reported here on the 18th, and two unidentified Jaegers were seen on September 18 at Park Point’s Recreational Area.

Common Moorhens are still being reported along the Auto Tour Road at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Sherburne County.

And first arrivals of southbound migrants include Ross’s Goose, Cackling Goose, Gray-Cheeked Thrush, Hermit Thrush, Orange-Crowned Warbler, White-Crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Harris’s Sparrow, and Rusty Blackbird.

Please Note: Explore Minnesota Tourism grants you permission to distribute this information freely to friends, family and others for personal use. However, any republication of the materials, full or partial, in electronic, print or other format, must prominently include the following statement: “The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”

This is the Explore Minnesota Birding Report as of Friday, October 2, with information provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, and brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Subscribe here to receive any or all of our reports by email or RSS/news feed.

During the month of October, there is a special opportunity to view large numbers of raptors at Hawk Ridge in Duluth, along with lots of beautiful fall color. Just some of the birds passing through include sharp-shinned and broad-winged hawks, and peregrine falcons. This migration continues into November. Towards the end of October, a drive along Highway 61, southeast of the Twin Cities, offers views of an abundance of waterfowl in the Weaver Bottoms in the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge.

The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:

On September 27, a Sabine’s Gull was at the southeastern corner of Cannon Lake in Rice County, just off of County Road 95, west of Faribault. On the 29th, a Black-Headed Gull was back at the grade along Jackson County Road 2 on the north end of Big Spirit Lake.

On September 28, a Red-Throated Loon was reported on Lake Mille Lacs in the Garrison harbor in Crow Wing County. A Pacific Loon was on Lake
Superior in Duluth on the 26th.

Also in Duluth, a Northern Mockingbird was at Bayfront Park on the 27th. Up the shore and on the same day, a Townsend’s Solitaire was discovered at Tofte Peak in Cook County. Another Northern Mockingbird was in Rochester, in Olmsted County, on the 30th, at 1400 block of Sunset Avenue SE.

And a few Snow Buntings were in Lake of the Woods County on September 28, along State Highway 72, just north of the Beltrami County line.

Please Note: Explore Minnesota Tourism grants you permission to distribute this information freely to friends, family and others for personal use. However, any republication of the materials, full or partial, in electronic, print or other format, must prominently include the following statement: “The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”

Contact a travel counselor:

1-888-TOURISM (868-7476)
On the Web: www.exploreminnesota.com/counselor
By mobile device: m.exploreminnesota.com

By postal mail:
Minnesota Travel Information Center
121 7th Place East, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55101-2112

This is the Explore Minnesota Birding Report as of Friday, October 9, with information provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, and brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Subscribe here to receive any or all of our reports by email or RSS/news feed.

During the month of October, there is a special opportunity to view large numbers of raptors at Hawk Ridge in Duluth, along with lots of beautiful fall color. Just some of the birds passing through include sharp-shinned and broad-winged hawks, and peregrine falcons. This migration continues into November. Towards the end of October, a drive along Highway 61, southeast of the Twin Cities, offers views of an abundance of waterfowl in the Weaver Bottoms in the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge.

The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:

A White-Winged Dove has been in Duluth since at least October 4, and was still present on the 7th. The bird is being seen in the far southwestern corner of the 40th Avenue West-Erie Pier impoundment where the large sand piles are located.

In Grant County, two immature Ibis were discovered on October 7 at the Spink Wildlife Protection Area in a marsh on the north side of County Road 34.

Other species reported in the past week include a Harlequin Duck in the harbor at 37th Street at Park Point in Duluth, a late Hudsonian Godwit at Lake Shetek State Park in Murray County, and at least one Parasitic Jaeger over Lake Superior at the far end of Park Point. Golden Eagle, Lapland Longspur, and a few Smith’s Longspur have also been reported.

Please Note: Explore Minnesota Tourism grants you permission to distribute this information freely to friends, family and others for personal use. However, any republication of the materials, full or partial, in electronic, print or other format, must prominently include the following statement: “The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”  

Contact a travel counselor

1-888-TOURISM (868-7476)
On the Web: http://www.exploreminnesota.com/counselor
By mobile device: m.exploreminnesota.com

By postal mail:
Minnesota Travel Information Center
121 7th Place East, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55101-2112

This is the Explore Minnesota Birding Report as of Friday, October 23, with information provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union, and brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Subscribe here to receive any or all of our reports by email or RSS/news feed.

During the month of October, there is a special opportunity to view large numbers of raptors at Hawk Ridge in Duluth, along with lots of fall color. Just some of the birds passing through include sharp-shinned and broad-winged hawks, and peregrine falcons. This migration continues into November. Towards the end of October, a drive along Highway 61, southeast of the Twin Cities, offers views of an abundance of waterfowl in the Weaver Bottoms in the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge.

The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:

A female Surf Scoter was seen on October 20 at Peltier Lake near the city of Centerville in Anoka County. It is most easily observed from Peltier Lake Drive on the east side of the lake. Both Surf Scoter and Long-Tailed Duck were in the harbor at Duluth in St. Louis County on the 20th.

A Pacific Loon and two Red-Throated Loons were on Lake Mille Lacs on October 17, although no specific location was given.

In the city of Cloquet, in Carlton County, a female Black-Backed Woodpecker was found on the 17th. It was on the west side of State Highway 33 and just south of the Cloquet hockey arena.

Northern Shrikes have been reported from several northern locations, as have migrant Golden Eagles and Tundra Swans. Lingering birds that have been reported since last weekend include Chimney Swifts in Ramsey County on October 19, a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird in Dakota County on the 22nd, a Black-Throated Blue Warbler in Rice County on the 20th, a Black-Throated Green Warbler in Hennepin County on the 19th, a few Savannah Sparrows in Cook County on the 20th, and several additional reports of Eastern Phoebe, Barn Swallow, and House Wren.

Please Note: Explore Minnesota Tourism grants you permission to distribute this information freely to friends, family and others for personal use. However, any republication of the materials, full or partial, in electronic, print or other format, must prominently include the following statement: “The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism.” 

Contact a travel counselor

1-888-TOURISM (868-7476)
On the Web: http://www.exploreminnesota.com/counselor
By mobile device: m.exploreminnesota.com

By postal mail:
Minnesota Travel Information Center
121 7th Place East, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55101-2112

November 6, 2009 Explore Minnesota Birding Report

Tundra Swans gather in large numbers on the Mississippi River near Winona during the fall season, reaching peak numbers during the month of November. Visitors should expect to see lots of bald eagles as well.

Information has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.

Subscribe here to receive any or all of our reports by email or RSS/news feed.

The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:

An immature Black-Legged Kittiwake was seen on October 31 on the Minnesota side of the Superior Entry at the end of Park Point in Duluth. Also seen here have been Great Black-Backed Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, and Thayer's Gull. Also in Duluth, White-Winged Scoter, Surf Scoter, and Black Scoter were in the Duluth Harbor near the rowing club on November 4 and at 21st Avenue East on November 3. Six White-Winged Scoters were at the headquarters pool at the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge in Marshall County on November 5.

A Pacific Loon and five White-Winged Scoters were seen on October 31 at Chicago Bay in Hovland, in Cook County, and both Black Scoter and White-Winged Scoter, as well as a few Long-Tailed Ducks were at Paradise Beach on the same day. A Surf Scoter was in Grand Marais on the 31st along with a Glaucous Gull. Also on the 31st, two Surf Scoters were at State Line Lake at Emmons in Freeborn County, and the next day a Black Scoter was on the west side of Lake Mille Lacs along Twilight Road just north of County Road 26.

Northern Hawk Owls seem to be invading this fall. The first one was seen on October 17 along Whyte Road in northern Lake County, and on the 22nd one was near Finland in Lake County. In St. Louis County, they've been seen at Hawk Ridge in Duluth, in east Duluth Township, and along U.S. Highway 53 in Melrude. One was in Aitkin County on November 5 along Hedbom Forest Road, two and one-quarter miles west of the eastern end of the road. And a Great Gray Owl was seen on October 30 along Lake County Road 2, two miles north of County Road 14.

Two Townsend's Solitaires were at the Ann Lake campground within Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge on November 1. Other winter visitors include Northern Goshawk, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, White-Winged Crossbill, and Evening Grosbeak.

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 membership@moumn.org

Please Note: Explore Minnesota Tourism grants you permission to distribute this information freely to friends, family and others for personal use. However, any republication of the materials, full or partial, in electronic, print or other format, must prominently include the following statement: "The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism."

Contact a travel counselor:

1-888-TOURISM (868-7476)
On the Web: http://www.exploreminnesota.com/counselor
By mobile device: m.exploreminnesota.com

By postal mail:
Minnesota Travel Information Center
121 7th Place East, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55101-2112 

Birders are offered a special opportunity during the month of November when Tundra Swans gather in large numbers on the Mississippi River near Winona, with birds often numbering in the thousands. Birders will likely see lots of bald eagles along Highway 61 in this vicinity as well.

Information has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.

Subscribe here to receive any or all of our reports by email or RSS/news feed.

The following is a recent, significant sighting:

There was a secondhand report of an Acorn Woodpecker reported Monday afternoon, November 9, at Crow Wing State Park in western Crow Wing County, just south of the city of Brainerd. The bird was seen working the trees at Campsite #6 in the park’s primary campground.

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 membership@moumn.org

Please Note: Explore Minnesota Tourism grants you permission to distribute this information freely to friends, family and others for personal use. However, any republication of the materials, full or partial, in electronic, print or other format, must prominently include the following statement: “The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism.”

Contact a travel counselor:

1-888-TOURISM (868-7476)
On the Web: http://www.exploreminnesota.com/counselor
By mobile device: m.exploreminnesota.com

By postal mail:
Minnesota Travel Information Center
121 7th Place East, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55101-2112

Tundra Swans gather in large numbers on the Mississippi River near Winona during the fall season, reaching peak numbers during the month of November. Visitors will likely see lots of bald eagles as well.

Information has been provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union. This report is brought to you by ExploreMinnesota.com.

Subscribe here to receive any or all of our reports by email or RSS/news feed.

The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:

An Acorn Woodpecker was discovered on November 9 at Crow Wing State Park in western Crow Wing County, just south of the city of Brainerd. The bird was photographed as it worked the trees at campsite #6 in the park's primary campground, but it has not been seen since.

On November 13, an adult Slaty-Backed Gull was found at the far end of Park Point in Duluth. It was on the Minnesota side of the Superior, Wisconsin entry.

On the 10th, three Black Scoters were at the Rice sewage ponds in Benton County.

Six Northern Hawk Owls were reported on November 8 in northeastern Minnesota. In Lake County, two were along Forest Highway 11, six miles east of Stoney River Forest Road and one was eleven miles west of Stoney River Forest Road. In St. Louis County, one was at the junction of St. Louis County Roads 16 and 110, and two were along U.S. Highway 53, one mile north of Cotton.

On the 6th, a Northern Hawk Owl was along Lake County Road 266 north of Two Harbors Road. In Cook County, one was north of Hovland off the Arrowhead Trail just past Jackson Lake Road, and another was at the Iron Lake Campground along the Gunflint Trail north of Grand Marais.

A Snowy Owl was on the break wall at Stocky's Harbor Estates on the southwest side of Lake Mille Lacs on November 12. The exact location was at Fire Call #13045 of Mille Lacs County Road 35. And two Pacific Loons were in the Garrison Harbor in Crow Wing County on the 12th.

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 membership@moumn.org

Please Note: Explore Minnesota Tourism grants you permission to distribute this information freely to friends, family and others for personal use. However, any republication of the materials, full or partial, in electronic, print or other format, must prominently include the following statement: "The information in this report is provided courtesy of the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union and Explore Minnesota Tourism."

Contact a travel counselor

1-888-TOURISM (868-7476)
On the Web: exploreminnesota.com
By mobile device: m.exploreminnesota.com

By postal mail:
Minnesota Travel Information Center
121 7th Place East, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55101-2112