Birding reports statewide

[Steve Foss]

Hotline: Minnesota, Duluth/North Shore

Date: December 7, 2006

Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU)

Reports: (218) 834-2858

Compiler: Jim Lind ([email protected])

This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, December 7, 2006 sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.

A CURVE-BILLED THRASHER was seen and photographed at a feeder in Nashwauk, Itasca County on the 3rd. Although it has not been seen since the 3rd, it has apparently been present for several months. The homeowners Roger and Laurie Larson welcome visitors who want to look for the bird. The Larsons live off MN Highway 65 about 5 miles north of Nashwauk, at fire # 39423. They also have a late-lingering BROWN THRASHER at their feeders.

The three GRAY-CROWNED ROSY-FINCHES at the Fond du Lac Resource Management Division office just west of Cloquet are still being seen on a daily basis, at least as recently as yesterday. To reach the office, go north on MN Highway 33 from I-35 until you reach Big Lake Road (CR 7). Turn west and go three miles to University Road (CR 5). Go south for one block and the single story blue office building is on the left. The birds have been feeding on old sunflower plants in front of the office. They have also been seen across the road near the school playground.

The male VARIED THRUSH at 1807 McFarlane Road in the Kenwood neighborhood of Duluth was relocated on the 2nd. There have also been sightings in Silver Bay and Grand Rapids, but I do not have specific locations.

Bob Ekblad found a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE on the 4th at 36th Street on Park Point. The two female HARLEQUIN DUCKS at Canal Park were relocated by Jan Green on the 3rd on the north side of the breakwall. Nathan and Al Shirmacher reported an ICELAND GULL and a probable GLAUCOUS GULL at Canal Park on the 6th.

Warren Nelson found two AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKERS in Aitkin County on the 2nd along CR 1, 11.6 miles north of the Mississippi River. Warren also found two BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS along CR 3, five miles west of CR 1.

A late RUSTY BLACKBIRD was seen at Agate Bay in Two Harbors on the 6th. Carol Tveekrum saw a very late GRAY CATBIRD on the 1st along MN Highway 61 east of Lutsen in Cook County. She also has a NORTHERN CARDINAL and a late WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at her feeders in Schroeder. Nancy Jackson has a late-lingering FOX SPARROW and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at her feeders on Andover Road in Hoyt Lakes. Dee Kuder had a late YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER in Crane Lake in northern St. Louis County on the 1st. Anyone in the area who has late-lingering or other interesting species at their feeders and lives within a Christmas Bird Count circle is encouraged to contact their local CBC compilers.

The Duluth Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2006. Anyone interested in participating should contact compiler Jim Lind at (218) 834-3199 or by e-mail at [email protected]

The Two Harbors Christmas Bird Count will be held the following day on Sunday, December 17, 2006. Please contact compiler Frank Nicoletti ([email protected]) if interested in participating.

The first official Fredenberg Township Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2006. Anyone interested should contact compiler Celeste Kawulok at (218) 591-6076 or by e-mail at [email protected].

The next scheduled update of this report will be on Thursday, December 14th.

The telephone number of the Duluth Rare Bird Alert is 218-834-2858. Information about bird sightings may be left following the recorded message.

The Duluth Birding Report is sponsored and funded by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU) as a service to its members. For more information on the MOU, either write us c/o the Bell Museum, e-mail us at [email protected], or visit the MOU web site at moumn.org.

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Hotline: Minnesota, Detroit Lakes

Date: December 7, 2006

Sponsor: Lakes Area Birding Club, Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce

Reports: 1-800-542-3992 (weekdays during business hours)

Compiler: Jeanie Joppru ([email protected])

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Friday, December 8, 2006 sponsored by the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may also hear this report by calling (218) 847-5743 or 1-800-433-1888.

The winter's first cold spell has come, and by the time you get this, is forecast to have passed. Snow covers the area to a depth of up to 6 inches, so we are truly in winter mode. Roads are in good shape for early winter, but caution is advised due to icy patches.

From Roseau County, Beth Siverhus reported RUFFED GROUSE, several BALD EAGLES, a NORTHERN SHRIKE four miles west of Roseau near MN 11, and BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS in the town of Roseau on December 6. There have been several ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS injured along the highway.

Larry Wilebski found four GRAY JAYS , BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE, 13 WILD TURKEYS, and 25 COMMON REDPOLLS on his property northwest of Lancaster in Kittson County on December 3.

Among the species reported by Mary Lou Marchand in Beltrami County on December 6 were RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, HARRIS'S SPARROW, PURPLE FINCH, COMMON REDPOLL, and PINE SISKIN.

Steve Broten saw a SNOWY OWL about 5 miles south of Old Mill State Park in Marshall County on December 3. Other species seen that weekend in or near the state park included BALD EAGLE, 15 GRAY PARTRIDGE, and 12 SHARP-TAILED GROUSE in Foldahl Township; in New Solum Township he and Mary saw COMMON RAVENS, PILEATED WOODPECKER, two GRAY JAYS and several ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS at their place a few miles south of Newfolden. Also in Marshall County, Alice Sather reported on December 4 that she has been seeing a GRAY JAY for three weeks , and also some PINE GROSBEAKS at her place 24 miles northeast of Warren. A male VARIED THRUSH appeared at Agassiz NWR headquarte rs on December 5th and 6th. Scot Wockenfuss found four PINE GROSBEAKS at the maintenance center on December 4; on December 5 three ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS and three GREAT HORNED OWLS were seen along CR 7.Gary Tischer reported that 6 inches of snow cover the ground at the refuge.

On December 7, a NORTHERN FLICKER came to our feeder near Thief River Falls in Pennington County for a breakfast of suet. A RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER also comes regularly, and on December 5 a GRAY JAY was also here for suet.

From Red Lake County, Jesse Audette reported a PILEATED WOODPECKER on November 30, and on December 5th and 6th, a male NORTHERN CARDINAL was seen at the home of Phyllis Audette, both sightings a few miles east of Red Lake Falls.

Dave Lambeth reported PINE GROSBEAKS along the Red River in Polk County on December 5.

Amy Drake in Otter Tail County, saw 8 CEDAR WAXWINGS, COMMON REDPOLLS, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH in Richville on December 5. On December 3, she saw 4 WILD TURKEYS, and on the 2nd GREAT HORNED OWL, PILEATED WOODPECKER, and a NORTHERN CARDINAL.

Thanks to Alice Sather, Amy Drake, Beth Siverhus, Dave Lambeth, Gary Tischer, Jesse Audette, Larry Wilebski, Steve and Mary Broten, and Mary Lou Marchand for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at [email protected] OR call the Detroit Lakes Chamber's toll free number: 1-800-542-3992. Detroit Lakes area birders please call 847-9202. Please include the county where the sighting took place. When reporting by email please put "NW Bird Report" in the subject line of your message. The next scheduled update of this report is Friday, December 15, 2006.

Jeanie Joppru Pennington County