This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, September 2, 2010 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.

Tonight fall is making its first advance on us. Rain and wind and cool temperatures are with us in the northwest, and migration is definitely picking up.

From Roseau County, Beth Siverhus reported that the last COMMON NIGHTHAWKS came through last week. A juvenile BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was seen at the Warroad city park lagoons, and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER landed on a lily pad in the city of Warroad on August 31.

Several people reported a larger than normal number of COMMON NIGHTHAWKS in and around Thief River Falls, Pennington County, on the weekend, as they were moving through the area. Two AMERICAN REDSTARTS were spotted investigating the water feature in our yard on August 31.

In Red Lake County, Shelley Steva and I had a GREAT EGRET fly over our heads near Oklee on August 28. A SWAINSON’S HAWK was also seen in the general area. Near Huot, about 25 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were seen flycatching in the early evening that day.

Russ Wilber reported finding a COOPER’S HAWK and 3 RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS in the park at East Grand Forks, Polk County, on August 30. Bruce Flaig in the southern part of the county observed large numbers of BALTIMORE ORIOLES and RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS at his feeders on the weekend, and the first TENNESSEE WARBLERS were also seen there.

Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Bruce Flaig, Maggie Anderson, and Russ Wilber for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@q.com 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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, September 9, 2010.

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, August 26, 2010 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.

This has been a quiet week as far as sightings go, and the weather has been extremely variable like most transition seasons. We escaped frost once or twice this week, so perhaps we can hope for a couple more weeks frost free. Migration seems to be slowly gathering speed, but surely isn’t in full swing yet.

John Ellis reported seeing flocks of migrating COMMON NIGHTHAWKS in Douglas County last weekend. Among the warblers he spotted were a juvenile CERULEAN WARBLER, as well as TENNESSEE WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, WILSON’S WARBLER, and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. Among the flycatchers he saw was an OLIVESIDED FLYCATCHER. A few hundred FRANKLIN’S GULLS were also seen.

Sandy Aubol in Polk County reported RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, AMERICAN REDSTART, and WILSON’S WARBLER on August 23 at her home in East Grand Forks.

Here in Pennington County east of Thief River Falls, an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER stopped in our yard for a few minutes, the first I have noticed in the yard in 23 years.

Thanks to John Ellis and Sandy Aubol for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@q.com 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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, September 2, 2010.

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, August 19, 2010 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.

We have had a taste of fall this week and a taste also of the dog days of August with very hot temperatures and thunderstorms, followed by very cool temperatures. The transition has begun, and we see it also in the types of bird sightings that have occurred. Many species are starting to move, and young of many species are very obvious as they learn the skills needed to survive. Flowers are bright with the last blooms of their year.

Susan Olin reported 2 SANDHILL CRANES east of MN 172 just outside of Baudette in Lake of the Woods County on August 14.

Larry Wilebski in Kittson County reported some shorebirds at his Shorebird Park northwest of Lancaster – BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, and others have visited in recent days. He saw a BARRED OWL by his cabin at Evergreen Acres this week, and many SHORT-EARED OWLS, probably including several families with young owls have been seen in the area. In one mile he observed 12 owls.

Here in Pennington County, on August 15, I had a juvenile NORTHERN CARDINAL pay a visit to the yard. Shelley Steva saw a SHORT-EARED OWL near the intersection of CR 3 and CR 23 on the morning of August 17, and three hours later, a TURKEY VULTURE eating a dead skunk in the same location . Another TURKEY VULTURE was seen about two miles west on CR 3 also.

Sandy Aubol in Polk County reported warblers on August 12 at East Grand Forks. She identified TENNESSEE WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, and BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER among others, and also saw a PILEATED WOODPECKER, and a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Russ Wilbur found a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER at the East Grand Forks campground on August 8.

Bob Williams visited the Twin Valley WTP in Norman County on August 15 where he found a few shorebirds including SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and WILSON’S PHALAROPE. BLACK TERNS and PURPLE MARTINS were also seen there.

Thanks to Bob Williams, Larry Wilebski, Russ Wilbur, Sandy Aubol, Shelley Steva, and Susan Olin for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@q.com 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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, August 26, 2010.

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, August 12, 2010 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.

This has been a sizzling hot period so few reports have come in as everyone is sticking close to the air conditioners. The fields and roadsides are bright with colored flowers as the plants like this weather much better than we do.

Dan and Sandy Thimgan in Otter Tail County reported sightings from the Battle Lake WTP on August 4. The sightings included SPOTTED SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, BONAPARTE’S GULL, FRANKLIN’S GULL, RING-BILLED GULL, and FORSTER’S TERN. Brad and Dee Ehlers saw a pair of SANDHILL CRANES with two colts about 4 miles north of Battle Lake on August 1.

Connie Cox reported two young BROAD-WINGED HAWKS flexing their wings at their nest in Itasca State Park on July 30.

In Becker County, Connie Cox saw 7 SANDHILL CRANES on August 1.

Brandon Bowey reporting from Rydell NWR in Polk County mentioned sightings of AMERICAN BITTERN, OSPREY, CEDAR WAXWING, and YELLOW WARBLER on August 4.

Perhaps the most interesting sighting were the two fledgling TURKEY VULTURES that apparently came from a nest in an old building south of Holt in Marshall County. Cliff Steinhauer reported those, and also a family of SHORT-EARED OWLS with two fledglings, and two young AMERICAN BITTERN babies that were seen in a CRP field near Holt.

Thanks to Brad and Dee Ehlers, Brandon Bowey, Connie Cox, Cliff Steinhauer, and Dan and Sandy Thimgan for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@q.com 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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, August 19, 2010.

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, July 29, 2010 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.

This has been a typical summer week in the northwest , with hot temperatures punctuated by showers and thunderstorms. Flowers are everywhere, and baby birds are noisy like all youngsters finding their voices. A few migrants are already starting to show up also.

Beth Siverhus reported a NORTHERN HAWK OWL along MN 72 in Lake of the Woods County near Baudette on July 15.

Doug Johnson, reporting from Bemidji, Beltrami County mentioned that BONAPARTE’S GULLS have returned to Lake Bemidji near the country club dock. Several pairs of MERLINS are nesting along the north shore of Lake Bemidji, and a family of BARRED OWLS are being seen in the campground and along the Bass Creek Trail.

In Polk County, Bruce Flaig saw more than 20 BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES along CR 41 between CR 12 and MN 32 on July 24. Sandy Aubol reported that a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH has returned to her yard in East Grand Forks.

In Mahnomen County on the weekend, Ron Erpelding and Herb Dingmann found one GREATER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN, a pair of GRAY PARTRIDGE on 250 St, and some shorebirds at a flooded cornfield. Other species seen there included OSPREY, MERLIN, ALDER FLYCATCHER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.

In Norman County, Ron and Herb found SCARLET TANAGER, BREWER’S BLACKBIRD, and ORCHARD ORIOLE.

Clay County sightings by Ron and Herb included SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER, STILT SANDPIPER, and BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS at the Moorhead WTP, and an immature FRANKLIN’S GULL at the Ulen wastewater treatment ponds.

Nancy Jackson reported 9 BLACK TERNS along CR 13 in Hubbard County near the town of Hubbard, one of which was carrying food.

In Otter Tail County, Nancy Jackson observed 9 SANDHILL CRANES, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, and WILSON’S SNIPE near Deer Creek this week. James and Rita Loftness observed that a pair of OSPREY are building a nest on a pole about a mile south of Battle Lake.

Nancy Jackson saw 2 juvenile BROAD-WINGED HAWKS and about 20 PURPLE MARTINS near Betsy Ross Resort on Lake Ida in Douglas County this week.

Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Bruce Flaig, Doug Johnson, James and Rita Loftness, Nancy Jackson, Ron Erpelding, Herb Dingmann, and Sandy Aubol for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@q.com 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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, August 5, 2010.

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, July 22, 2010 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.

This has been a quiet week in the northwest. All have been busy raising families, including humankind. A few sightings were noted, however, and as we move ever closer to August, there will be more reports.

In Polk County at East Grand Forks on July 20, Ron Fischer observed that the BALD EAGLE pair nesting on River Road have produced an eaglet which is very near to flying. At the home of Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks, Sandy observed a COOPER’S HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK, and BROWN THRASHER on July 14.

On July 17, Shelley Steva and I saw SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, KILLDEER, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, MARBLED GODWIT, LEAST SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, WISON’S SNIPE, and WILSON’S PHALAROPE – all at Joe River WMA. This WMA is at the end of a road, about which we were warned, that if it rained, we had exactly 2 minutes to get out or face the possibility of a prolonged stay. The WMA is almost on the Canadian border, and if you should go, be sure to check the clouds while you are still on the county road. One dowitcher species and some SANDHILL CRANES were also seen in the county.

In Roseau County at the Roseau River WMA we saw HOODED MERGANSERS, two pairs of COMMON LOONS with chicks, and a BARN SWALLOW on the nest.

Thanks to Ron Fischer, and Sandy Aubol for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@q.com 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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, July 29, 2010

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, July 8, 2010 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 holiday weekend and the hot weather have combined to reduce the sightings this week, as many people were spending quality time with non-birding family members, and on at least two days, it was too hot and sticky to be good birding. Weather has cooled now that we are all back to work, and conditions for birding are quite wonderful.

Beth Siverhus reported that a NORTHERN HAWK OWL and two fledglings were seen on the Young’s Bay Road in Lake of the Woods County on June 29.

In Roseau County on June 27, Beth found a SCARLET TANAGER and a VESPER SPARROW along the Wobble Grade Road on June 27.

At Agassiz NWR in Marshall County on July 5, Beth Siverhus observed a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO on the east boundary road south of CR 7. Other species seen included BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO and BROWN THRASHER. Maggie Anderson reported that a pair of TRUMPETER SWANS with 5 cygnets are being seen on Tamarac Pool in the interior of the refuge.

Here in Pennington County, I found a family group of SHORT-EARED OWLS on July 5, including 5 fledglings still being fed by two adults. They were located about 7 miles east of Thief River Falls, and two miles south of MN 1. Both VIRGINIA RAILS and SORAS were heard nearby.

Shelley Steva saw WESTERN KINGBIRDS in Polk County near Angus on June 28. Brandon Bowey reported that a pair of TRUMPETER SWANS with two cygnets were seen at Rydell NWR. throughout June. On June 27, EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, and CEDAR WAXWINGS were also seen.

Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Brandon Bowey, Maggie Anderson, and Shelley Steva for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@q.com 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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, July 15, 2010.

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, July 1, 2010 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.

This week’s weather has been more like summer than last week, but still we have not had the really hot temperatures and it still rains or sprinkles almost every day. Birds are very busy now with nestlings everywhere.

John Ellis reported a WILSON’S WARBLER at his cabin near Miltona in Douglas County on June 25.

Bob Dunlap observed a singing HENSLOW’S SPARROW at the northwest corner of the intersection of CR 44 and 350th St southeast if Crookston in Polk County on June 25.

In Red Lake County on June 26, Shelley Steva spotted two territorial MERLINS at St. Joseph’s Catholic cemetery east of Red Lake Falls while on a BBS. Later in the day we went back and discovered the nest with at least two half grown sleepy nestlings .

Beth Siverhus, while doing point counts in Agassiz NWR wilderness area in Marshall County found a RUFFED GROUSE, WILSON’S WARBLERS, and a LINCOLN’S SPARROW on June 24. On the 29th, she got BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, TENNESSEE WARBLER, and a singing CONNECTICUT WARBLER. Please note that this is in an area not accessible to the public.

In Roseau County, Beth saw a SHORT-EARED OWL along CR 9 9.5 miles south of Roseau on June 25, and a BROWN THRASHER at their yard in Warroad.

Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Bob Dunlap, John Ellis, and Shelley Steva for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@q.com 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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, July 8, 2010.

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, June 24, 2010 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.

Wet weather still prevails in the northwest, and since one can’t do yard work, we might as well be birding! Now is the time to observe nesting behavior and to find nests. Baby birds seem to be everywhere making birding by ear a challenge with their bird baby talk and all the meadows are bright with summer wildflowers this week.

Craig Mandel reported on the MBW trip to the northwest on June 18 to June 21. In Lake of the Woods County, the group observed LEAST BITTERN along the Roosevelt Road at the Roseau County line, WHIP-POOR-WILLS were heard along the Pitt Grade and the Roosevelt Road. Other species seen included 17 species of warblers including 3 CONNECTICUT WARBLERS along the Pitt Grade, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, WESTERN KINGBIRD at Morris Point, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, and BOREAL CHICKADEE along the Faunce Road two miles north of Faunce.

In Roseau County, Craig’s group heard WHIP-POOR-WILLS along the Roosevelt Road, and also saw MAGNOLIA WARBLER and LINCOLN’S SPARROW. Sandy Aubol reported 2 BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES about 3 miles south of Roseau along MN 89 on June 22.

Beltrami County sightings by the group, most seen at Big Bog SNA, included OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, BOREAL CHICKADEE, NORTHERN PARULA, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, CONNECTICUT WARBLER, and LINCOLN’S SPARROW.

Sandy Aubol saw a TURKEY VULTURE along MN 32 in Marshall County near the border with Pennington County on June 22. At Agassiz NWR, Maggie Anderson reported that 5 TRUMPETER SWAN cygnets were seen at the Tamarack Pool banding site on June 17. On June 24 a COMMON LOON was seen from the auto tour route at Headquarters Pool . A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was seen along Westgate Road today.

In Red Lake County on a BBS, Shelley Steva found COMMON RAVENS, 3 BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS, and an INDIGO BUNTING. Steve Dahl saw a TURKEY VULTURE along US 59 on June 21.

Sandy Aubol found two GREAT EGRETS along CR 19 in Polk County about 2.5 miles east of East Grand Forks on June 18.

Scott Kahan in Becker County reported a pair of RED-NECKED GREBES on both Homstad and Hesby Lakes at Hamden NWR this week. Other species seen included REDHEAD, RUDDY DUCK, GADWALL, and AMERICAN WIDGEON. He reported a nesting pair of TRUMPETER SWANS on Lethenstrum WPA near Hamden Slough NWR.

Marshall Howe reported a female COMMON MERGANSER on Little Sand Lake in Hubbard County near Park Rapids on June 16.

Thanks to Craig Mandel, Maggie Anderson, Marshall Howe, Sandy Aubol, Scott Kahan, Shelley Steva, and Steve Dahl for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@q.com 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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, July 1, 2010.

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, June 17, 2010 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.

We have had about two days with sunshine in the past week in the northwest, and today, it rained again. Everyone will feel more cheerful when this batch of rainy weather passes. Birds are going about their business as usual and some will be happy at the increase of mosquitoes in the area. Birders , come prepared if you plan to be outdoors. Sighting have been few this week, due partly to the weather, and partly due to the nesting season that keeps some species quiet and always on the move feeding young.

Beau Shroyer spent the last weekend in Hubbard County where he reported BARRED OWL, RED-EYED VIREO, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, VEERY, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, OVENBIRD, and SCARLET TANAGER among others.

In Polk County on June 11, Shelley Steva saw several WESTERN KINGBIRDS along CR 252 north of Crookston.

Here in Pennington County on June 16, I saw a SHORT-EARED OWL hunting over a hayfield a few miles east of Thief River Falls along 210th Ave south of 160th St NE.

Pat DeWenter visited the Big Bog SNA in northern Beltrami County on June 16 where she saw OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, GRAY JAY, WINTER WREN, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, NASHVILLE WARBLER, NORTHERN PARULA, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, and CONNECTICUT WARBLER.

Thanks to Beau Shroyer, Pat DeWenter, and Shelley Steva for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@q.com 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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, June 24, 2010