This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, April 5, 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.

It has been a delightful week here in the northwest, but there are suggestions that this may end this weekend as a cold snap is predicted. We are all hoping that snow will not be involved. Migration has picked up again as the days get longer these latest migrants may not want to be so cold.

Brad and Dee Ehlers reported that the GREAT EGRETS have returned to their rookery across from the Dairy Queen in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County.

 A HERMIT THRUSH was found by Ron Erpelding in Wadena County east of Menahga on April 4.

Hubbard County sightings by Marshall Howe included TURKEY VULTURE on March 31, EASTERN PHOEBE and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET on April 1, HERMIT THRUSH on April 2, and AMERICAN TREE SPARROW and FOX SPARROW on April 3. An adult GOLDEN EAGLE was seen about 2 miles southeast of Dorset on April 5, and COMMON GOLDENEYE are nesting in his nest box.

From Becker County, Steve Midthune reported on March 30 that a few shorebirds are appearing at Bisson Lake at Hamden Slough NWR - a dozen PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, and one SPOTTED SANDPIPER  were  seen there.

Brad and Dee Ehlers saw about 200 TUNDRA SWANS in a wetland in Clay County near the intersection of I-94 and CR 10 on March 29.

Ron Erpelding found a NORTHERN CARDINAL in Norman County near the town of Faith, and a HERMIT THRUSH was seen at Twin Valley City park.

In Norman County, Ron spotted a NORTHERN CARDINAL in the town of Mahnomen on his way to the wastewater treatment ponds. Kristy May reported  the first PURPLE MARTIN and some WILSON'S SNIPES in Mahnomen County on April 5.

Heidi Hughes saw a GOLDEN EAGLE in Polk County on April 1 at the corner of 190th St NW and CR 68. Other species seen included NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-TAILED HAWK, and  10 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS. Ron Erpelding found a HERMIT THRUSH in western Polk County along MN 220 near Climax on April 4.

Linda Johnson in Thief River Falls reported a FOX SPARROW on April 4.

In Marshall County, Heidi Hughes found more than two dozen  SHORT-EARED OWLS along 190th St NW by the impoundment and east of there on April 3. WILSON'S SNIPE and AMERICAN WOODCOCK are also back. At Agassiz NWR Linda Johnson found NORTHERN SHOVELER, RED-NECKED GREBE, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and COOPER'S HAWK among many other species on April 4.

From Roseau County on April 3, Beth Siverhus reported SONG SPARROW in Warroad, and she heard LONG-EARED OWL and NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL on an owl survey  that begins at the Hiwood Trail Forest Road.

Thanks to Beth Siverhus, Brad and Dee Ehlers, Heidi Hughes, Kristy May, Linda Johnson, Marshall Howe, Ron Erpelding, and Steve Midthune for their reports.

Please report bird sightings to Jeanie Joppru by email, no later than Thursday each week, at ajjoppru@mncable.net 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, April 12, 2012. 

This is the Northwest Minnesota Birding Report for Thursday, March 29, 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.

How different from last week the weather has been, but still above normal temperatures,  although very chilly. Migration seems to have stalled somewhat, but waterfowl continue to come north.

Beth Siverhus in Roseau County reported that the RING-BILLED GULLS returned this week , along with many ducks. MERLINS are being seen in both Warroad and Roseau.

 In Clearwater County, Connie Cox observed NORTHERN FLICKER on March 29.

Lynda Knutsen at Agassiz NWR in Marshall County reported that Jim Graham saw 75 CANVASBACKS on Headquarters Pool on March 28, and WOOD DUCKS are being seen in the interior of the refuge. Increasing numbers of  RED-TAILED HAWKS, AMERICAN KESTRELS, and some NORTHERN FLICKERS are being seen. Lisa Newton in Grygla reported WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, and HOUSE FINCH.

Here in Pennington County, several pairs of WOOD DUCKS and HOODED MERGANSERS are in the Red Lake River by our house daily. Lynda Knutsen saw a GREAT BLUE HERON south of Thief River Falls along US 59 on March 23.

Heidi Hughes reported hundreds of TUNDRA SWANS south of Warren, and 5 SHORT-EARED OWLS along 190th St NW and 300th Ave NW on March 23. EASTERN PHOEBE was observed by Bruce Flaig in southern Polk County on March 27. Sandy Aubol in East Grand Forks,  saw AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, FOX SPARROWS, and COOPER'S HAWK on March 26. The EASTERN TOWHEE that spent the winter in her neighborhood reappeared on March 24.

Dave and Betty Hochhalter in Becker County observed KILLDEER, MOURNING DOVE, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, PILEATED WOODPECKER, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, EASTERN BLUEBIRD, SONG SPARROW,  and PURPLE FINCH in and around Detroit Lakes this week. Beau Shroyer saw AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, and 50-100 LAPLAND LONGSPURS in the industrial park north on CR 21 in Detroit Lakes.

Hubbard County sightings by Marshall Howe included  COMMON LOON on March 25, BARRED OWL on March 28, and FOX SPARROWS and PINE SISKINS on March 29. Connie Cox at Itasca State Park reported that there are SANDHILL CRANES at the park. CEDAR WAXWINGS were observed in Park Rapids on March 26.

Thanks to all who sent in sightings this week.