Bird Sightings and Photos

short-eared owl

2012-01-18T14:39:00.001-06:00

Both owls were in approximately the same location around noon today. Co 13 going north out of Audubon, between Co 12 and Co 14. First one just south of 106, next one in vacinity of 280th St.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

Short-eared owls

2012-01-17T18:51:00.000-06:00

Observed two short-eared owls along county 13 north of Audubon between county 12 and county 14. Both were sitting on fence posts, time was between 5 and 5:30 PM, Today, Jan 17. Also a GHO near the Hamden Visitor Center.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, MN

Fw: Sandhills Cranes at Sherburne NWR

2011-10-23T20:57:00.000-05:00

Subject: Sandhills Cranes at Sherburne NWR

Colleen Nelson, Margaret Kent, Nancy Henke & I were at Sherburne Sat, Oct 22nd. There were thousands of cranes in the area but they don't like to get too close to people so they don't show up real good.

Alma Ronningen

black-billed magpies

2011-09-25T21:31:00.001-05:00

Late this afternoon a watched a flock of 10 magpies land in the trees at the corner of CR 159 and 330th St. This is about 1 1/2 miles north of the magpie nest north of Hamden. I also saw a magpie at the feed lot pond along CR 11 north of Audubon.

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, MN

Eurasian-collared doves

2011-09-02T11:03:00.001-05:00

Not a native bird. Eurasian-collared doves came into the country from Eurasia through Florida a few years ago and have spread to much of the country. Picture was taken near Audubon elevator. Thanks to Denny Martin for informing me about them.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

GHO

2011-07-12T20:32:00.001-05:00

Two GHOs were spotted about 8:30 PM Sunday. Look at those claws!

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

Cardinal, Rose Breasted Grosbeak & Goldfinch

2011-06-17T15:03:00.000-05:00

This picture was taken through our living room window so it's a bit fuzzy but I couldn't pass up the great color combination.

Alma Ronningen, Rural Dent, MN

Oops

2011-06-04T20:51:00.001-05:00

Forgot to attach this picture to the previous posting.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

loon on nest

2011-06-04T20:45:00.001-05:00

This picture was taken on Co. 39 a few miles west of Wolf Lake last thursday.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

young magpies

2011-06-04T19:43:00.000-05:00

One more picture.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

young magpies

2011-06-04T19:40:00.001-05:00

I have been seeing magpies for some time at 24465 Co. Hwy 9 north of Lake Park but had not been able to locate the nest. Today when I went by there I spotted 4 young magpies in the evergreens. The parents flew out of the tree squaking noisely and flew toward my car when I stopped. While I sat there watching, both parents returned with food for the youngsters and quickly took off again.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

Indigo Bunting

2011-05-19T10:40:00.001-05:00

One of the many different birds in our yard. Alma

Red-Headed Woodpecker

2011-05-16T11:19:00.001-05:00

I was fortunate to see two red-headed woodpeckers on Sunday. This photo was taken east of Frazee on Hwy 39 about 1/2 mile south of the intersection of 39 and 87. Just south of the farmyard on the east side of the road. I saw another RHW near Long Prairie earlier in the day.

Colleen Nelson

Audubon, Mn

Wilson's Phalarope and goslings

2011-05-11T21:55:00.000-05:00

Spotted these phalarope along Becker County 13 at Hamden this evening. Also goslings on Bisson Lake.

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

Sightings

2011-05-09T13:42:00.001-05:00

Sunday, May 8^th brought our first Hummingbird and Rose-breasted Grosbeak! Happy Mother’s Day!

Shar

Baltimore Oriole

2011-05-07T20:12:00.001-05:00

Had a baltimore oriole at my feeder when I came home from the bird club field trip this afternoon.

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

Marbled Godwit

2011-05-01T20:12:00.001-05:00

Found a pair of marbled godwits today at Hamden. This bird was crossing the road by the prairie chicken viewing grounds. Mate was standing in the snow beside the road.

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

The Osprey is Back

2011-04-07T19:17:00.000-05:00

The osprey returned to our nest pole yesterday. Also had a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker on Sunday. Bluebirds are back - also Turkey Vulture and White Pelican. Every day brings something new! Isn't spring great?

Alma Ronningen, Otter Tail Co., Rural Dent, MN

Magpies and Sandhill cranes

2011-03-27T20:35:00.001-05:00

Tonight I saw 2 magpies 3.5 miles north of Lake Park on Co. 9. I couldn't have been more thrilled but then I came upon 3 sandhill cranes feeding along Co. 12 north of Audubon. Add to this several hawks, geese, prairie chickens and it makes for a very good night of birding.

Colleen Nelson
Audubon

Tree Sparrow & Robin

2011-03-17T20:26:00.001-05:00

I saw my first of the year American Tree Sparrow today. Also have had a Robin the last two days. We have 3-4 Wild Turkeys that come and clean up under the feeders just about every day. There were 3 Common Redpolls at the feeder today that haven't headed north yet. Otherwise, the usual winter birds for now.

Alma Ronningen, Otter Tail Co., Dent, MN

Prairie Chickens

2011-03-04T20:57:00.001-06:00

I saw 15 prairie chickens yesterday on the display grounds at Hamden.

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

Great Gray Owl

2011-02-26T21:32:00.001-06:00

I was fortunate to see this Great Gray Owl this afternoon along Co. 18 in Aitkin Co. My reward for driving 300 miles!

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

RE: CBC

2010-12-18T12:16:00.001-06:00

Colleen,
At 1200 today, 12-18-10, there were 400+ b. waxwings on Cheryl Ave (snappy park rd.) just south of willow st. I can't find your phone # sorry, I tried to call. They were in the trees on the east side of cheryl by the retention pond. They were alternating from eating berries, grit on the roadside and water from the little drainage right by the road. Great looks 10 feet or less. My whole family got to see and hear them. Some flew east before we left. On the way home we saw several hundred in the crab apple tree at 931 west willow st. It's across from Campbell Ave.
Beau

Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:49:37 -0800
From: collnelson43@yahoo.com
Subject: CBC
To: beaunshroyerduckbuster@hotmail.com

Hi Beau,

Thanks for posting the b. waxwings and also the GHOW. Hope we can get them on Saturday. If not, there is a place on the report where I can report birds seen 3 days before and 3 days after Saturday. If you see anything interesting during those days please report them. ie, we can report the waxwings and owl.

Colleen

Bohemian Wax Wings

2010-12-17T15:45:00.001-06:00

The b. waxwings were seen on Robert St in front of the high school and then at the corner of Pembina and Lori Ave. later this afternoon.

Colleen Nelson

GHOW, b. waxwings

2010-12-17T09:22:00.000-06:00

Last night 12-16-10, while outside playing with the kids, we heard a GHOW calling in downtown Detroit Lakes. It was pretty cool for the kids. They love owls and always want to go owling with dad. This morning, 12-17-10 at 0810 hours, a flock of approximately 50 b. waxwings flew over the High School and landed 100 feet west of where they were feeding yesterday. The address was 501 N. Shore Dr. There are three crab trees near that driveway. They were flying from the fruit trees to the tallest ash in the yard. I spoke to the homeowner about the CBC tomorrow. He said, "Tell them to come by tomorrow." Both days they were visible from the road.

b.waxwings detroit lakes

2010-12-16T12:35:00.001-06:00

A large flock of 100 + b. waxwings mixed with a few c. waxwings flew over the High School at 1220 hrs today 12-16-10. They split and half flew east of Madison Ave and the other half landed on N. Shore Dr. at Madison Ave. They landed in an Oak tree and alternated dropping down to a crab apple tree to feed and back up to the oak. I believe the address was 509 1/2 N. Shore Dr.

American robin

2010-12-13T14:53:00.001-06:00

Today, 12-13-10, I saw a single a. robin feeding on crabapples on 11th Ave. behind the townhomes just east of the ball field at the middle school. He appeared to have a damaged right wing. He could fly. He came out of the swamp just south of the townhomes and flew into the crab trees. Only 8 days until CBC. Haven't seen the m. dove on MN Ave. since the first.

Cardinals

2010-11-18T23:11:00.001-06:00

Today I saw the cardinal couple on the lakeside of my yard. They were very skittish but the male came back several times. I hope to see more of them now that the weather is getting colder.

It was fun to see all the new postings, although I was sad to read the spring and summer posts and realize what we are facing for the next few months. Thanks, Alma, for the picture of the goldfinch and pine siskin. They both come to the feeders and I get them mixed up.

Nancy Moulden
Detroit Lakes, MN

Pine Siskin & Goldfinch

2010-11-16T15:50:00.001-06:00

This was taken from our living room window. We have had lots of siskins around lately.

Alma Ronningen, Rural Dent, MN

Great Horned Owl

2010-11-16T15:48:00.001-06:00

This Great Horned Owl picture was taken from the kitchen window today.

Alma Ronningen, Rural Dent, MN

Red Breasted Nuthatch

2010-09-24T15:22:00.000-05:00

This Red Breasted Nuthatch dazed itself on our patio door but soon flew away.

Alma Ronningen, Rural Dent, MN

Sandhill cranes

2010-09-14T18:22:00.001-05:00

Shar and I observed 30+ sandhill cranes this afternoon feeding along Hwy 210 between Staples and Hewitt.

Posted by
Colleen Nelson

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds

2010-09-13T22:10:00.000-05:00

This was taken last week - we were down to 2 hummingbirds this morning.

Alma Ronningen, Dent, MN

Bird sightings and photo blog.

2010-09-04T16:18:00.001-05:00

sightings and pictures.

2010-09-04T16:13:00.001-05:00

Young Cardinal

2010-06-14T16:10:00.001-05:00

This young cardinal was raised in the rafters of my pole shed. He
made a wrong turn as he left the nest and ended up in my shop. My
bird dog and I spotted him about the same time. I caught the bird
first, took a quick photo and the last I saw of him he was fluttering
away into the pines.

Art Bakker

Eastern Phoebe Nest with 5 young

2010-06-05T20:26:00.000-05:00

This nest is on a small shelf outside the kitchen window.

Alma Ronningen, Dent, MN

Elf Owl

2010-05-20T17:20:00.001-05:00

Elf Owl was photographed May 17th at Benson - Rio Grande Valley State Park in extreme southern Texas.

Posted by Denis Mudderman

Monday Field Trip

2010-05-17T21:38:00.000-05:00

Joan Burke, Kay Hartness, Bruce Besse, Nancy Henke and I went with Willma Hanson and Mike Murphy today on their count route through the Hamden area. Mike was filling in for Bob Scherzer who was out of town. We saw a total of 39 different species. Most notable birds were Red Necked Phalarope, Wilson's Phalarope, American Bittern and baby Great Horned Owls in the nest. It was a beautiful, fun day!

Alma Ronningen

Purple Gallinule

2010-05-13T15:48:00.000-05:00

Photographed today at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Texas. The Purple Gallinule doesn't travel too far north and I finally saw one last week.

Posted by Denis Mudderman

More new birds

2010-05-13T15:25:00.001-05:00

Birds this week are Sat, the 8th - House Wren and Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. Sunday, the 9th Baltimore Orioles

Weds, the 12th Yellow Warblers and Thurs, the 13th Ruby Throated Hummingbird and Chestnut Sided Warbler. Every day something else seems to show up.

I love Spring!! Alma Ronningen, Dent, MN

Bird Sightings

2010-05-11T11:17:00.002-05:00

Our first male Rose-breasted Grosbeak showed up yesterday, May 10th along with the White-throated Sparrow and Yellow Rumped Warblers. A co-worker had a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a Baltimore Oriole this morning, May 11th.

Shar

Rose Breasted Grosbeak & others

2010-05-04T14:36:00.001-05:00

We had our first Rose Breasted Grosbeak at the feeder today. Also have White Crowned Sparrows in the yard today; 3 Sandhill Cranes flew over when I was in the garden an hour ago. Alma Ronningen, Dent, MN

Brown Thrasher

2010-05-02T12:30:00.001-05:00

Had a Brown Thrasher in the yard yesterday and there were 15 Trumpeter Swans in the field south of our house.

Alma Ronningen, Dent, MN

White Throated Sparrows

2010-04-29T15:57:00.001-05:00

Suddenly today our yard is full of White Throated Sparrows. Also saw a Harris's Sparrow and a Lincoln's Sparrow. They must have blown in with the rain. I saw our first Yellow Rumped Warblers on Wednesday.

Alma Ronningen, Dent, MN

Bird Sightings

2010-04-13T17:28:00.001-05:00

I saw Tree Swallows and a Yellow-Rumped Warbler today on our property.
Shar L.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

2010-04-12T12:00:00.001-05:00

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker showed up yesterday - pounding on our T.V. antenna.

Shar

Osprey

2010-04-02T19:01:00.000-05:00

The Osprey returned to the nest pole in our yard today. That's a week earlier than last year when they came back on April 10th.

Alma Ronningen, Dent, MN

great blue heron

2010-03-31T22:06:00.001-05:00

Saw two great blue herons at the rookery at the corner of becker co 21 and co rd 149 this evening.
Colleen Nelson, Audubon

Bluebird & Sandhills

2010-03-28T19:06:00.000-05:00

I saw a Killdeer and Sandhill Cranes on Saturday. Today there was a Bluebird checking out a birdhouse in the yard. I went for a walk in the woods today and found a tiny Woodtick when I got home. March is kinda early for woodticks in Minnesota. Alma Ronningen, Dent, MN

great horned owl nests

2010-03-24T13:49:00.000-05:00

Found two great horned owls sitting on nests in the last few days - one north of Audubon and one north of Lake Park. If you want directions please contact me by email collnelson43@yahoo.com.
Colleen Nelson, Audubon

Spring Bird

2010-03-24T11:28:00.001-05:00

We had our first Junco on Monday and first Red-Winged Blackbird at the feeder yesterday, Tuesday the 23^rd. Chipmunks showed up this week. Hooded Merganser was on Momb Lake. The White-throated Sparrow that we had part of the winter didn’t make it – didn’t see after the end of February L

Shar L.

Gull on Lake Detroit

2010-03-23T08:37:00.002-05:00

This morning, 3-23-10, there is a large gull on Lake Detroit south of Lake Avenue. It was standing near some American Crow and was larger than the crow. It has a white head, gray mantle and black primaries. Judging by the size and overall appearance I'm guessing it is a Herring Gull, but can not say for sure. Anybody else care to comment?

Spring Birds

2010-03-22T15:23:00.001-05:00

The Tree Sparrows showed up at our house this weekend along with a few Dark Eyed Juncos. There are lots of Red Winged Blackbirds and Robins. Also saw a Kestrel and Red Tailed Hawk. The 2 Common Grackles that we have been feeding all winter are still here and the Goldfinches are beginning to get their yellow feathers so spring must really be here. Alma Ronningen, Dent, MN

Black-Billed Magpie

2010-03-16T21:57:00.001-05:00

Observed a black-billed magpie north of Lake Park this evening. It flew in front of my car and into a farmyard near the corner of CR 12 and CR 9. This is in the general area of where I have seen the magpies the last two summers.

Colleen Nelson

G.H. Owl

2010-02-19T15:10:00.002-06:00

A great horned owl is perched in a willow tree on Randolph Rd. in the Auto Value Parking lot near Lake Shirts and the Pelican River. He was there from 1445 hours until 1503 hours when I left. 2-19-10.
posted by Beau Shroyer.

WW crossbills in Detroit Lakes

2010-02-08T10:29:00.002-06:00

At approximately 0900 this morning, 2-8-10, I saw a flock of about 15 ww crossbills on the 1200 block of Lake Ave. In Detroit Lakes. They were flying southbound and stopping and feeding in every spruce tree that they encountered. They'd stop for 1-2 minutes, then move on. Also saw the first P. siskins of the winter in D.L
posted by Beau Shroyer, Detroit Lake

Rosate Spoonbill

2010-02-05T15:32:00.000-06:00

Two of a flock of Rosate Spoonbills out on Big Slough this afternoon at Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. They get their pink from eating shrimp.

Posted by Denis Mudderman

W.W. crossbills

2010-01-25T13:19:00.002-06:00

1317 hours on 1-25-10 on Granger Rd. in Detroit Lakes, MN. Yellow house across from 707 Granger Rd. No numbers on yellow house. Flock of 10 W.W. crossbills in the spruce tree.
Beau D. Shroyer

Brown creeper

2010-01-24T00:23:00.002-06:00

I was so starstruck by my cardinal I forgot to mention my little brown creeper in my yard. I see him every morning between 8:30 and 9:30 eating on the suet cake. He comes at other times, too. I started noticing him right before the Christmas bird count so no telling how long he has been around. Such a cute little guy, he always makes me smile.

Nancy Moulden
Detroit Lakes, MN
http://www.blissfulstamper.stampinup.net/

Finally--a cardinal

2010-01-24T00:07:00.002-06:00

This morning (Saturday) about 9:30 I saw a beautiful male cardinal at my big sunflower feeder. He sat there a long time leisurely eating then he was gone. I hope he'll come back often and bring his wife if he has one. It was incredible how striking he looked surrounded by the white snow. I called Shar and left a message but was so speechless I have no idea what I babbled. This has been a dream of mine for a loooooooooong time!

Nancy Moulden
Detroit Lakes, MN
http://www.blissfulstamper.stampinup.net/

Great horned owl

2010-01-15T09:07:00.004-06:00

A great horned owl was on top of the western goal post at the DL middle school this morning at approximately 7:45. In the 10 seconds it took me to turn my vehicle around for a better look it was gone.
Beau Shroyer, Detroit Lakes

January Robin

2010-01-08T10:08:00.002-06:00

Spring must be getting closer. I saw a robin in a crab
apple tree in my yard yesterday morning (Jan 7). Temp was
about 8 degrees below zero and a wind. I know they all
don't go south but I haven't seen one in Jan before.
Posted by Art Bakker.

Owls in Aitkin Co.

2010-01-03T23:51:00.005-06:00

Took a short trip to Aitkin Co today to look for owls. I had just about given up on seeing an owl when this Northern Hawk Owl landed on the power pole right beside my car. About 15 minutes later we came upon a Great Gray Owl perched in a tree right along the road. We observed it catch and eat something and fly back to perch in a nearby tree. We then saw a second Northern Hawk Owl. Good Day of Birding!

Posted by Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

Merlin

2009-12-29T15:38:00.001-06:00

A very well fed Merlin was perched on a sunny branch for about an hour this morning just to the east of our house. It was preening it feathers and dozing part of the time and ignoring all the bird activity around it - thus the assumption that it was well fed. Alma Ronningen rural Dent, MN

Brown Pelican posing for the camera

2009-12-22T14:01:00.000-06:00

I photographed this brown pelican yesterday on the jetty at Surfside, Texas. The pelican was hanging around a fisherman who was occasionally feeding it some of his bait.

Great horned owl

2009-12-21T09:48:00.002-06:00

On Saturday December 19, 2009 a great horned owl was heard by the youth birding club at city park in DL during the CBC.

Pileated Woodpecker

2009-12-19T12:56:00.002-06:00

A pileated woodpecker made a noisy appearance at my house this morning. Guess he wanted to be sure he got included in the Christmas Bird Count.

Colleen Nelson
Audubon, Mn

Black-necked Stilt

2009-12-19T11:59:00.000-06:00

Other than the Rosate Spoonbill, the Black-necked Stilt is one of the more interesting birds to watch. Photo taken at San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge on the Texas gulf coast on Dec. 18. Posted by Denis Mudderman

Riverview Waterfowl Sanctuary, Fergus Falls

2009-12-12T17:54:00.002-06:00

Thousands of geese, many ducks - mostly mallards, and about 3 dozen trumpeter swans were enjoying the Sanctuary today.
Posted by Colleen Nelson.

Common Redpoll

2009-12-06T13:17:00.000-06:00

There was one male Common Redpoll on the sunflower feeder today mixed in with all the Goldfinches. I wonder if more will follow. Alma Ronningen, Rural Dent

Yard Bird

2009-12-05T14:43:00.000-06:00

We have had a very large Raven visit our yard the past two days. It just stays for a very short time - looks things over and leaves again. Alma Ronningen

Brown Creeper

2009-12-04T21:46:00.001-06:00

I've seen a brown creeper for several days going up and down checking out a couple of trees. Maybe there are more around than other years.

Nancy Moulden
Detroit Lakes, MN
http://www.blissfulstamper.stampinup.net/

White-throated Sparrow on 12/03/09

2009-12-04T16:13:00.001-06:00

Shar reports seeing a White-throated Sparrow on 12/03/09.

Also, at the suet feeder were two Brown Creepers and a pair of Red-breasted Nuthatches.

hairy woodpecker

2009-11-29T06:50:00.003-06:00

A hairy woodpecker was at my feeder this morning.

Posted by Colleen Nelson