Here is a summary of reports from the Minnesota Birding Facebook group for 3/23-3/28.
Day-by-day highlights: 3/28: Kristine Leuze photographed and reported a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK near Lake Maria State Park (Wright Co). Another individual was reported on 3/25 by Jan Chapman in St. Michael (Wright Co). At the Coon Rapids Dam (Hennepin Co.), Adam Roesch reported a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT and a MERLIN. Findally, Abbey Pulvermacher photographed and reported a possible HOARY REDPOLL at her feeders in Duluth. 3/27: Andrew Nyhus reported a MERLIN on the north side of Smith Lake (Carver Co). 3/26: Jeff Grotte photographed and reported a male PEREGRINE FALCON at Great River Energy in Elk River. At the Old Cedar Ave. Bridge in Bloomington (Hennepin Co.), Nicole Wallace reported GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Kyle Maust reported this species at the same location the next day. 3/25: Jesse Ellis reported and digiscoped a COMMON GOLDENEYE X HOODED MERGANSER hybrid from the boardwalk at the Old Cedar Ave. Bridge. He also reported three AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS, three GREATER SCAUP, and a number of other waterfowl species. 3/24: Julie Zempel reported a large flock of LAPLAND LONGSPURS in Carver Co. At the Old Cedar Ave. Bridge, David Adair reported 15 waterfowl species. 3/23: In Rice County, just west of Faribault, Dave Bartkey reported an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL in the evening. He returned the next day, but the bird was gone. General summary: We are receiving multiple reports of the following species at various locations: WOOD DUCK (with other waterfowl species continuing),GREAT BLUE HERON (including reports of birds on nests at rookeries), OSPREY, NORTHERN HARRIER, AMERICAN KESTREL, SANDHILL CRANE, KILLDEER, AMERICAN WOODCOCK, NORTHERN SHRIKE (especially in Wright County), FOX SPARROW (first reports on 3/23), and RUSTY BLACKBIRD. The Minnesota Birding Facebook group is not affiliated with any ornithological organizations. It is moderated by Bob Butson, Jesse Ellis, Anthony Manderfeld, and myself. Peter Nichols Cottage Grove Washington County ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
