This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, January 19, 2012  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 cold has surely found us now, but we are still short of snow in the northwest. The last few days have brought the birds to the feeders again looking for additional food. Also , reports of SNOWY OWLS are increasing again , perhaps indicating that they are starting to return north.

On January 13, Beth Siverhus saw a NORTHERN SHRIKE and two ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS along MN 11 between Salol and CR 9 in Roseau County. Two BALD EAGLES were hanging around their nest a mile east of Warroad near a gravel road. On the 14th, a PILEATED WOODPECKER came to her feeder in Warroad.

Katie Haws reported some COMMON REDPOLLS, and three PINE GROSBEAKS at her feeder near Blackduck in Beltrami County on January 15.

Shelley Steva and I found a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in western Clearwater County on January 15.

In Polk County  Heidi Hughes saw a SNOWY OWL on 190th ST NW near 230th Ave NW not far from the Audubon Center on January 15. Other species in the general area included BALD EAGLE, NORTHERN HARRIER, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. Sandy Aubol reports that the cold weather has brought many more birds in to her feeders in East Grand Forks including a NORTHERN CARDINAL, the EASTERN TOWHEE, two HARRIS'S SPARROWS, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and about 45 HOUSE FINCHES.

Kelly Larson found a BELTED KINGFISHER along Becker CR 158 fishing over an open creek. A RED-BELLED WOODPECKER was seen at White Earth, and 83 WILD TURKEYS crossed the road just east of Ponsford on MN 225.

From Hubbard County on January 19, Marshall Howe reported seeing a RUFFED GROUSE, NORTHERN HARRIER, and ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. At the feeder near Dorset,  were DARK-EYED JUNCOS, COMMON REDPOLLS, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES.

Eric Doll reported a SNOWY OWL in Otter Tail County last week a mile north of Otter Tail on CR 78. Alma Ronningen in Dent on January 19 reported HARRIS'S SPARROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO, COMMON REDPOLLS, and HOUSE FINCHES at her feeder.

Thanks to Alma Ronningen, Beth Siverhus, Eric Doll,  Heidi Hughes, Katie Haws, Kelly Larson, Marshall Howe, and Sandy Aubol for their reports.