February 22, 2014 Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter Southeastern Minnesota Birding Days February 20, 21, 2014 Field Trip Report Our group enjoyed some fun birding in Southern Minnesota, despite dire weather predictions. The area did get in on the storm on Thursday night, but it was clear and sunny by Friday morning. Most roads were passable by Friday morning. We birded in Fillmore county most of Thursday and Winona county and along the Mississippi River on Friday. Here are a few of the highlights from the trip. Wild Turkey - Fillmore and Houston counties Snowy Owl - Fillmore county - We relocated the Juvenile Female Snowy Owl along CR 12 at 9:45 am on the 20th. The bird was observed sitting in the field on the South side of the road, about 1/2 mile East of CR 23. Belted Kingfisher - Fillmore county - Several Belted Kingfishers were observed at the Lanesboro Fish Hatchery. Northern Flicker - Fillmore and Houston counties - We observed over a dozen Northern Flickers at various locations in the two counties, including 7 feeding in the grassy road side along CR 15 in Houston County. Northern Shrike - 5 Northern Shrikes were observed at various locations in Houston, Fillmore and Winona Counties. Horned Lark - Observed on numerous roads through out the area on Thursday. Tufted Titmouse - Several were observed along Cut Across road in Houston County. Eastern Bluebird - Several were observed along Fillmore County Road 13, just west of Houston county. Townsend Solitaire - We were able to relocate the Townsend Solitaire that has been reported from Whitewater WMA on Friday. The bird was observed on the West side of CR 74, 1.2 miles North of CR 26. American Robin - 100s of American Robins were observed through out the area. Snow Bunting - A small uncooperative flock was observed along Fillmore CR 12 just East of CR 23. Purple Finch - 50 to 100 were observed in Whitewater WMA Craig Mandel Minnetonka, Hennepin County [email protected] ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
