Spent the last three days birding in northwestern Minnesota. Most interesting sightings follow.
Bohemian Waxwings-Gonvick (Clearwater Cty), Mahnomen (300-400, Mahnomen Cty), Twin Valley (Norman Cty), Greenbush (Roseau Cty), and Karlstad (Kittson Cty.) Horned Larks-pretty much everywhere as far north as Roseau Cty Redpolls-everywhere in large numbers, even a couple of hoary candidates in with large flocks at feeders Red-bellied Woodpecker-at a feeder just south of Ebro (Clearwater Cty), there are few records this far north Snow Buntings-as far north as northern Marshall Cty Owls-generally hard to find in the western areas. Very different from Aitkin, Pine, etc areas. Had most birds in Cass, Hubbard, Wadena and very eastern Polk. Disturbing was the fact that of the 8 Great Grays we found, 2 were dead. Both hung up in trees. Were they shot, hit by cars, or did they die from starvation? Being hung up in trees tends to make us suspect the first alternative. We will give these two locations in the hope that somebody will figure out a way to retrieve them to be added to the scientific analysis. Dead Great Gray Owl locations Roseau County-Cty Rd 6, 100 yards west of 120th Ave, just less that 2 miles east of the Kittson Cty line and Cty Rd 9 which goes into Karlstad, in tree right next to road hanging over county right of way but too high for us to reach without a ladder of pole Cass County-Cty Rd 19, 1.6 miles east of the Wadena Cty line in northwest corner of county, about 50 yards to the north of the road in a tree that is slightly taller than the brush around it, not that far up but on private property and we were not willing to cross the fence Overall a great trip with lots (by winter standards) of great birds. Dennis and Barbara Martin [email protected]
