This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, August 13, 2009 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.
Finally, summer seems to have arrived in the northwest, and most folks are not acclimated to the heat, but all are glad to see more seasonable weather. Prairies are in full bloom, and birds are beginning to form flocks and family groups in preparation for migration. Few true migrants have been seen so far, but they cannot be far away. Katie Haws saw a PEREGRINE FALCON at Garden Island in Lake of the Woods on August 8. She reports that it has been a poor year for pelicans and cormorants as few were seen there. Maggie Anderson saw several GREAT EGRETS on South Pool at Agassiz NWR in Marshall County on August 8. A shorebird survey on August 8 found several hundred shorebirds at Agassiz, many of which were at Farmes Pool which is in drawdown. A quick trip there tonight revealed much reduced numbers and drier habitat. In Pennington County east of Thief River Falls on August 7 I saw several NORTHERN HARRIERS, RED-TAILED HAWKS, AMERICAN KESTRELS, and SHORT-EARED OWLS. A number of SANDHILL CRANES were also seen. >From Glacial Ridge NWR in Polk County, Nate Emery reported the sighting of a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in section 1 of Tilden Township which is north of US2 and east of MN 32. There are also SHORT-EARED OWLS along the west side of Glacial Ridge NWR. On August 9, I found several hundred shorebirds at the Melo impoundment. This is one mile east of Melo Church which sits along the north-south portion of CR 23. Thanks to Katie Haws, Maggie Anderson, and Nate Emery for their reports. Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at <blocked::mailto:[email protected]> [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. The next scheduled update of this report is Thursday, August 20, 2009. Jeanie Joppru Pennington County, MN ---- Join or Leave mou-net:http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives:http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
