The May 23-24-25-26 MBW in NW Minnesota (mostly in Kittson, western Roseau, and
western Polk Co's) turned up a surprisingly good number of species (186 in
all), highlighted especially by:
Snowy Egret - May 26 at the Agassiz impoundment (along 280th Ave on the
Marshall-Polk Co line); small unidentified white egret near several distant
Great Egrets first spotted by Denny Martin and eventually identified as it flew
closer.
Red Knot (still in basic plumage) - May 25 along Roseau CR 3 in flooded field
near 340th St (7.5 mi N of Badger); also distant, initially unidentified, and
first spotted by Denny; positive ID then made after careful study despite poor
light conditions.
Great Gray Owl adult on nest - May 24 in NE Kittson Co aspen grove; unknown
raptor nest spotted by Herb Dingmann which was then scoped and proved to be a
Great Gray's, with a presumed adult female apparently incubating eggs or
possibly attending to unseen hatchlings; this may represent a first county
nesting record.
Other birds of note included:
Snow Goose - blue-morph adult May 26 at Hallock sewage ponds, Kittson Co.
Tundra Swan - late-lingering pair May 25 at Red Knot site.
Gray Partridge - May 26 in Warren, Marshall Co and Crookston sewage ponds, Polk
Co.
Greater Prairie-Chicken - 2 probable sightings N of their normal range on May
25: along Kittson CR 8 and Roseau CR 4.
Wild(?) Turkey - male displaying to 2 females May 25 at western end of Roseau
River WMA.
Least Bittern - 2 or 3 on May 25 at Twin Lakes WMA, Kittson Co.
total of 25 shorebird species - besides the Red Knot, highlights included
Hudsonian Godwits (several at multiple locations), Ruddy Turnstones,
Sanderlings (~20 at Red Knot site), hundreds of White-rumped Sandpipers,
Red-necked Phalaropes (several at multiple locations); best locations were the
numerous flooded fields May 25 near the Roseau River between CR 3 and CR 28,
and the Crookston sewage ponds May 23 and 26 (entry with advance permission
only).
Yellow-bellied, Alder, Willow & Least flycatchers - all together and vocalizing
May 26 in a single thicket at the Agassiz impoundment, Polk Co.
total of 22 warbler species - including Golden-winged, Mourning, Cape May,
Bay-breasted, and Canada; best locations were Lake Bronson State Park May 24
and Roseau City Park/Campground May 25.
Kim R Eckert, Duluth
http://www.mbwbirds.com
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