North Dakota Birding Hotline Reports

North Dakota Birding Hotline Reports

May 2007

Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North Dakota Birding Society and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This report was prepared on Tuesday, May 29. Next update will be on June 11.

A rare warbler tops our report this week, and there are plenty of other sightings.

Riverside Park in Grand Forks hosted 18 species of warblers on May 23, including a WORM-EATING WARBLER. The species is considered an “accidental,” but it was seen by Peder Svingen, Dave Lambeth, Tim Lenz, and Christopher Wood. Other species in the Park that day included GREEN HERON, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, COMMON NIGHTHAWK, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, ALDER FLYCATCHER, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, VEERY, TENNESSEE WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, CONNECTICUT WARBLER, CANADA WARBLER, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, SAVANNAH SPARROW, and HOUSE FINCH. Peder, Tim, and Christopher found lots of passerines in Kidder County on May 26. At Steele, they counted 14 warbler species including a singing male GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, 55 TENNESSEE WARBLERS, a late and singing ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, 28 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, four CONNECTICUT WARBLERS, and four MOURNING WARBLERS. At Dawson, they observed 13 warbler species including one NASHVILLE WARBLER, two CAPE MAY WARBLERS, 19 BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, three CONNECTICUT WARBLERS, three MOURNING WARBLERS, and one CANADA WARBLER. At Tappen, they counted 17 warbler species including 49 TENNESSEE WARBLERS, two CAPE MAY WARBLERS, a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, and four CANADA WARBLERS. For more information on those sightings, contact Peder at psvingen@d.umn.edu.

Corey Ellingson reports good birding at and on the way to the North Dakota Birding Society weekend at Williston. On May 25, Corey, Clark Talkington, and Betty Morgan stopped at the Dickinson Experiment Station. They discovered eight species of warblers including several BLACKPOLL WARBLERS and a late YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, plus OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. At Talkington Dam in Billings County, they found two SANDERLINGS and a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Several stock dams in the area held BLACK TERNS, and the trio saw EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES in both Watford City and Dickinson. At Lunds Landing Resort, they saw both MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS plus SAY’S PHOEBE, LAZULI BUNTING, a LONG-BILLED CURLEW pair, a flyover COMMON LOON, and several SPRAGUE’S PIPITS. Moving on to Strawberry Butte, the birders found ROCK WREN, FIELD SPARROW, and GOLDEN EAGLE. At Alkali Lake near Appam, they counted almost 20 shorebird species including PIPING PLOVER on a nest, a BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and three DUNLIN, as well as two PEREGRINE FALCONS. On the way back to Williston, some group members saw a FERRUGINOUS HAWK and a BLACK DUCK. The Williston marsh offered many COMMON TERNS, a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, and AMERICAN BITTERN. On May 27, a field trip to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park yielded 35 species including BULLOCK’S ORIOLE, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, ORCHARD ORIOLE, LARK SPARROW, and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS. On May 22, Corey spent five hours at the Dawson Wildlife Management Area south of Dawson in Kidder County. He saw 10 warbler species including CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, as well as VEERY, ALDER FLYCATCHER, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, LONG-EARED OWL, SNOWY EGRET, and GREAT EGRET. For details on any of those sightings, contact Corey at tcelllingson@juno.com.

Clark Talkington and Dan Rogers birded Mandan, Fort Lincoln State Park, Huff Hills, and southern Morton County on May 22. Their highlights included 12 TURKEY VULTURES, three BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, four SAY’S PHOEBES, six RED-EYED VIREOS, 12 AMERICAN REDSTARTS, five OVENBIRDS, four YELLOW-BREASTED CHATS, 16 SPOTTED TOWHEES, eight LAZULI BUNTINGS, eight ORCHARD ORIOLES, nine BALTIMORE ORIOLES, and 100 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES. Contact Clark at ctalkington@bis.midco.net.

Dave Lambeth found a singing ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER that seemed to be on territory at the Denbigh Experimental Forest on May 27. At Davis Flats near Devils Lake, he added two ROSS’ GEESE. Moving on, he saw a flock of 250 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS circle and land in a field west of Lakota. For more information, contact Dave at davidlambeth58201@yahoo.com.

Betsy Batstone-Cunningham saw three or four TURKEY VULTURES going north along the Red River at Grand Forks on May 22. She’s at batsham@gra.midco.net.

Todd Larson says the warblers are still hanging around Larimore. He counted 14 warbler species on May 16, but only two on May 17 and four species on May 18. At the county line west of Larimore, Todd recorded RED-NECKED GREBE, AMERICAN AVOCET, MARBLED GODWIT, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, and about 75 BLACK TERNS. On May 19, he saw nine warbler species including a lifer– CONNECTICUT WARBLER. At the Larimore Golf Course, Todd saw two TURKEY VULTURES, and a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO stopped in his yard. At the golf course on May 21, he heard a GREAT HORNED OWL, and May 22 brought seven warbler species to his yard including a BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. You can reach Todd at 701-343-6483.

From Fargo, Leo Lantz got a good view of a PHILADELPHIA VIREO at Trefoil Park on May 24. He watched many BANK SWALLOWS, TREE SWALLOWS, and BARN SWALLOWS over the Red River, plus CHIMNEY SWIFTS, CEDAR WAXWINGS, and YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKERS, as well as EASTERN KINGBIRD and several phoebes. Leo also saw the female COOPER’S HAWK on the nest. Contact him at lanl1965@msn.com.

Gary Nielsen recorded his first-of-the-year COMMON NIGHTHAWK over the NDSU campus in Fargo on May 22. He’s at larrybearnielsen@yahoo.com.

Mark Otnes saw a summer-plumaged COMMON LOON on the north end of Hobart Lake near Valley City on May 28. He also saw a probable female COMMON MERGANSER in the lake. Call Mark at 701-241-4194.

Jean Legge reports lots of shorebird activity near Valley City on May 24. Flooded fields held MARBLED GODWITS, nesting AMERICAN AVOCETS, SEMIPLAMATED PLOVERS, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS, DUNLINS, SANDERLINGS, and CLIFF SWALLOWS. One day earlier, Jean saw a juvenile Harlan’s RED-TAILED HAWK in Barnes County and a GREAT EGRET in a tree over the Sheyenne River. She reports there are two large fuzzy chicks in a GREAT HORNED OWL nest nearby. Jean also got pictures of four STILT SANDPIPERS north of Valley City. Call her at 701-845-4762.

Ron Martin discovered a late dark-phase immature RED-TAILED HAWK at J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge near Upham on May 26. He also heard a NORTHERN PARULA on that date in Velva. On May 28, Ron saw a male BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER at Oak Park in Minot, and a ROCK WREN near Sawyer. A GREEN HERON stopped at Oak Park on May 23. Ron says that was only his second sighting in 25 years for Ward County. Other sightings that day included a CONNECTICUT WARBLER in Oak Park and another at Velva. On May 24, Ron and Corey Ellingson recorded a LAZULI BUNTING and a late ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK in Burke County. Ron counted 38 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS at the Minot lagoons on May 22. That was the third straight year that Ron saw the species in the same field on the same date. Other birds in the field included BAIRD’S SANDPIPERS, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS and STILT SANDPIPERS plus two GRAY PARTRIDGE. At Velva, Ron saw EASTERN WOOD-PEWEE, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, CANADA WARBLER, and INDIGO BUNTING. He’s at jrmartin@srt.com.

While fishing at the Dickinson dike on May 24, Jesse Kolar saw LEAST TERNS, BLACK TERN, OSPREY, and two CASPIAN TERNS. Songbirds included BALTIMORE ORIOLE, TENNESSEE WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, BROWN THRASHER, GRAY CATBIRD, SONG SPARROW, EASTERN KINGBIRD, and likely LEAST FLYCATCHER. Jesse also reports the first ORCHARD ORIOLES in his yard on May 26. Contact him at jekolar@hotmail.com.

Bob Anderson saw a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER at the Patterson Lake day-use area near Dickinson on May 17. On May 18, he saw 34 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS in Stutsman County, and added his first NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD of spring on May 20 in LaMoure County. On May 22, Bob saw LECONTE’S SPARROW, Nelson’s SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS, and SWAMP SPARROWS at Juanita Lake in Foster County. He also found a SPRAGUE’S PIPIT near Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge on May 23. For more information, it’s bob.anderson@vcsu.edu.

A RED-BREASTED GROSBEAK has been visiting Marcia Kuma’s feeders in north Dickinson. Contact her at lirien9@yahoo.com.

Diane Bingeman says a male and a female BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK have been spending time at her feeders near Beach in Golden Valley County. She’s at bingeman@midstate.net.

And, if a road trip to Rapid City, South Dakota, fits your schedule for June 8 and 9, the South Dakota Grasslands Coalition is sponsoring a birding tour of two privately-owner ranches. For details, go to sdgrass.org.

That concludes this report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Dakota Birding Society. This report is normally updated each Tuesday. The Fish and Wildlife Service operates 62 National Wildlife Refuges and more than 1,100 Waterfowl Production Areas in North Dakota...offering some of the best birding opportunities in the state. Contact Refuge offices for more information about visiting. For phone numbers of individual Refuges, as well as additional information, go to the Fish and Wildlife Service web site at www.fws.gov. Click on Offices, and click on North Dakota on the map.

Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North Dakota Birding Society and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This report was prepared on Tuesday, May 22.

The “mystery” vireo might have been a good one, but there are lots of other sightings this week.

It might have been a PLUMBEUS VIREO that Patrick Beauzay reported on May 15 in Trefoil Park in Fargo. Bob O’Connor saw and heard the bird the following morning, but it was nowhere to be found by noon. Patrick birded the park again on May 16; he and Connie Norheim recorded 17 warbler species. Highlights included a singing CONNECTICUT WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, female CANADA WARBLER, female MAGNOLIA WARBLER, first-of-spring CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, and a park-first WESTERN KINGBIRD. Pat was joined by Jerry Fauske and Jan Knodel for some Cass County birding on May 19. At Lake Bertha and the western Cass County wetlands, they found four HUDSONIAN GODWITS, two AMERICAN AVOCETS, six WILLETS, nine WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, eight LEAST SANDPIPERS, 10 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 20 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS, five BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, three WILSON’S PHALAROPES, and single SWAINSON’S HAWK, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON, and a singing GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. For more information, call Pat at 701-231-9491.

Connie Norheim got a great look at a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO on May 22 at Trefoil Park in Fargo. She says the bird was on a branch just above eye level and about six feet away. She and Dennis Wiesenborn also saw a CONNECTICUT WARBLER in the Park. Later, Debbie Compton and Connie drove to Clay County, Minnesota, to see the nesting RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS, where they heard a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. For details, call Connie at 701-232-4386.

Mark Otnes recorded a single PIPING PLOVER near Geneseo in Sargent County on May 17. Other sightings in that area included five BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, 20 DUNLINS, eight WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 13 LEAST SANDPIPERS, six SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, and three AMERICAN AVOCETS. Call Mark at 701-241-4194.

Linda and Joe Gregg observed their first ORCHARD ORIOLE of the season at Orchard Park in Horace on May 19. Contact them at lgregg@wah.midco.net.

From Stutsman County and the surrounding area, an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER below the Jamestown Dam on May 16; RUDDY TURNSTONES at the Cottonwood Lake Study Area in northwestern Stutsman County on May 15; EASTERN WOOD PEWEE southeast of Jamestown on May 11; BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER below the Jamestown Dam on May 15; SPRAGUE’S PIPIT near Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge on May 16; 11 SANDERLINGS at North Barnes Lake on May 12; four SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS and a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in Bloom Township on May 14; ALDER FLYCATCHER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, WILSON’S WARBLER, and MAGNOLIA WARBLER on May 15 and a YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER on May 12 below the Jamestown Dam; SPOTTED TOWHEE and SMITH’S LONGSPUR at the Chase Lake Waterfowl Production Area on May 12; and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and ORCHARD ORIOLE on May 14 at Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center on May 14. For details on those sightings, contact Larry Igl at 701-253-5511.

Jean Legge’s yard near Valley City attracted a BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO on May 16 and she saw two more on May 19. She’s at 701-845-4762.

The SAY’S PHOEBE Ann Hoffert saw at her farm south of Carrington on May 15 was a yard-first. Call her at 701-652-2623.

Ron Martin, Jack Lefor, and Corey Ellingson scored 159 species plus a CINNAMON TEAL X BLUE-WINGED TEAL hybrid at Lake Lemer in a McHenry County “big day” on May 20. Highlights included three PEREGRINE FALCONS, three YELLOW RAILS, a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL at the Denbigh Experimental Forest, and two first-of-spring NORTHERN SHARP-TAILED SPARROWS. They recorded 23 shorebird species, but noted a shortage of migrant passerines. Some earlier sightings by Ron included a red-morph EASTERN SCREECH-OWL in Velva and a LONG-EARED OWL calling in his yard at Sawyer on May 9, a LAZULI BUNTING in Minot’s Oak Park on May 11, 145 species including three BAIRD’S SPARROWS in McHenry County on May 12, an early RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD near Sawyer on May 13, and 16 RUDDY TURNSTONES and about 1,400 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES at the Minot lagoons, plus CAPE MAY WARBLER in Oak Park and first-of-spring ORCHARD ORIOLE on May 18. For more information, contact Ron at jrmartin@srt.com.

A couple firsts for Sherry Leslie at Burlington. Her new yardbird was a male LAZULI BUNTING on May 21, and seasonal firsts on May 20 were BALTIMORE ORIOLES and BOBOLINKS. You can reach Sherry at 701-725-4389.

Dave Lambeth reports from the Turtle Mountain Birding Festival centered at Bottineau, but included field trips to J. Clark Salyer and Lostwood National Wildlife Refuges and the Turtle Mountains. His list of 138 species included RED-NECKED GREBES in the Turtle Mountains; a late ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK at J. Clark Salyer Refuge; PIPING PLOVER, SPRAGUE’S PIPIT, BAIRD’S SPARROW, and SHARP-TAILED GROUSE at Lostwood refuge; YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER on May 19; plus several SWAINSON’S THRUSHES and BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, and WILSON’S WARBLER in Bottineau on May 19; numerous NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES on territory in the Turtle Mountains, along with an AMERICAN REDSTART and a MOURNING WARBLER. Dave says several participants heard drumming RUFFED GROUSE. On his way to the festival, Dave saw many FORSTER’S TERNS at Davis Flats on the west side of the city of Devils Lake on May 16; at least 50 RUDDY TURNSTONES north of Minnewaukan, seven WHITE-FACED IBIS at the north end of Lake Alice, and a ROSS’ GOOSE at Lord’s Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Back in Grand Forks, Dave saw an EASTERN TOWHEE and three BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS plus a PILEATED WOODPECKER on May 15. The woodpecker was only about the third or fourth in 12 years in his yard. Updated records show that birders found 20 warbler species in Grand Forks and a total of 21 in Grand Forks County on May 14. For details, contact Dave at davidlambeth58201@yahoo.com.

cinnamon t4eal Eve Freeberg discovered a CINNAMON TEAL in Grand Forks County on May 17 and a NORTHERN PARULA on May 18. A drive through Pierce County on May 19 turned up 300 DUNLINS, 300 STILT SANDPIPERS, and 125 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS at Buffalo Lake. For details, call Eve at 701-741-8105.

May 15 wasn’t as good as the previous day for warblers at Larimore, but Todd Larson says it was still good. He recorded many more LEAST FLYCATCHERS and SWAINSON’S THRUSHES, plus a few GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES, several LINCOLN’S SPARROWS and LARK SPARROWS and GRAY CATBIRDS. The list of 14 warbler species included single CANADA WARBLER and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, three each of CAPE MAY WARBLER and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, four COMMON YELLOWTHROATS and eight each of NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, WILSON’S WARBLER and PALM WARBLER. Todd says he has BLACK-BILLED MAGPIES nesting and possibly YELLOW-BELIED SAPSUCKERS, LARK SPARROWS, and PILEATED WOODPECKERS. For more information, contact Todd at i81.ou812@yahoo.com.

Clark Talkington, Betty Morgan, and Eric Thompson spent May 19 at the Bryan/Mohler Waterfowl Production Area, McKenzie Slough, Rice Lake, and Salt Lake in Burleigh County, some Highway 14 ponds in Sheridan County, the Brekken-Holmes Recreation Area and Lake Williams in McLean County, and the Tesoro Refinery in Morton County. Among their highlights were two RED-NECKED GREBES, five pairs of GREATER SCAUP, two VIRGINIA RAILS, five SORA; spring-first CASPIAN TERN, COMMON TERN, and LEAST TERN; plus two RED-EYED VIREOS, BROWN CREEPER, ROCK WREN, YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT, EASTERN TOWHEE, LARK BUNTING, LECONTE’S SPARROW, and ORCHARD ORIOLE. On May 20, a PHILADELPHIA VIREO was seen in northwest Mandan. For details on those sightings, contact Clark at ctalkington@bis.midco.net.

Dan Svingen heard a distant NORTHERN CARDINAL calling from near the Highland Acres School in Bismarck. He says the species has been reported a few times in recent years in that neighborhood. Call him at 701-250-4443, extension 107.

Ellin and David Lindee had spring-first ORCHARD ORIOLE and AMERICAN REDSTART at the Van Hook Arm of Lake Sakakawea on May 20. They’re at lindeeandme@srt.com.

From New Town, the first SWAINSON’S THRUSHES of the season arrived on May 16. Bernice Houser also entertained three ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS, many CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS, plus single GRAY CATBIRD, HOUSE WREN, and LINCOLN’S SPARROW; as well as a few WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, and PINE SISKINS. Contact Bernice at sanishnd@hotmail.com.

Jan Sailer passes along a report of a female NORTHERN CARDINAL on the south side of Mirror Lake at Hettinger. For details, contact Jan at jngsailer@yahoo.com.

Finally, Ron Martin says there are a number of Breeding Bird Survey routes available in the northeastern part of the state. If you’re interested, contact him at jrmartin@srt.com.

Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North Dakota Birding Society and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This report was prepared on Tuesday, May 15.

More new birds to report again this week, and some of them aren’t seen here very often.

northern mockingbird by Ryan Hagerty Mark Otnes discovered a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD at Orchard Glen in south Fargo on May 14. He first saw the bird at mid-afternoon and says it was relocated just before 9 pm. For more information, call Mark at 701-241-4194.

Dennis Wiesenborn recorded his earliest-ever CONNECTICUT WARBLER on May 15 at Trefoil Park in Fargo. Other species included CAPE MAY WARBLER and MOURNING WARBLER. In his yard that morning, Dennis recorded CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER and PALM WARBLER, while the Oak Grove neighborhood produced singing BAY-BREASTED WARBLER and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER in addition to a SCARLET TANAGER. He found a NORTHERN PARULA at Mickelson field in north Fargo on May 12. Other finds that day included a male SCARLET TANAGER, three singing CAPE MAY WARBLERS, a singing LARK SPARROW, WILSON’S WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, VEERY, a singing EASTERN TOWHEE, and multiple PALM WARBLERS, NASHVILLE WARBLERS, BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, and AMERICAN REDSTARTS. On May 14, Dennis recorded 16 warbler species in three hours, mostly at Trefoil Park in north Fargo. Highlights included a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, MOURNING WARBLER, CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, and SCARLET TANAGER. Dennis heard a singing LECONTE’S SPARROW on the Minnesota side of the Red River. Contact him at d.wiesenborn@ndsu.edu.

Dean Riemer had several good discoveries. Among the best were the male GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER he and Keith Corliss saw in south Fargo on May 13. He also found his first BLACKPOLL WARBLER of the season and TURKEY VULTURE. On May 7, Dean recorded more spring firsts including NASHVILLE WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, and EASTERN BLUEBIRD...all in Trefoil Park. For details, try driemer@kwh.com.

Connie Norheim had her first double-digit warbler day on May 15 and had three seasonal firsts: EASTERN KINGBIRD, RED-EYED VIREO, and BLUE-HEADED VIREO at Trefoil Park in Fargo. She birded Trefoil Park and Mickelson field on May 13. Seasonal firsts included WARBLING VIREO and BOBOLINK at Trefoil, while Mickelson field offered INDIGO BUNTING and TENNESSEE WARBLER, among others. Connie birded Oak Grove Park with Becky Oberlander on May 11 and heard two of three GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS, and spring-firsts GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, male AMERICAN REDSTART, and NASHVILLE WARBLER, and saw a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. Later, she added YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. Connie tried the dike behind Mickelson field on May 9 and was rewarded with a singing INDIGO BUNTING. At Oak Grove Park, she added a CHIMNEY SWIFT and PURPLE MARTINS near the Mormon Church in south Fargo. On May 8, Connie joined Becky and Carol Spurbeck at Trefoil Park where they heard a BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER and a season-first HOUSE WREN. At Lindenwood Park, Connie heard singing SWAINSON’S THRUSHES, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES, and a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, and saw a PALM WARBLER. For more information, call Connie at 701-232-4386.

In one hour at Trollwood Park in Fargo on May 12, Gary Nielsen recorded about 10 species of warblers, including WILSON’S WARBLER and CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, as well as WARBLING VIREOS and BLUE-HEADED VIREOS. Gary is at 701-232-3855.

Mel Stone found a male RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in Lindenwood Park in Fargo on May 10. He’s at mleroystone@hotmail.com.

From Horace, Linda Gregg recorded her first GRAY CATBIRD of the season on May 10. She’s at lgregg@wah.midco.net.

Nancy Drew saw her first GRAY CATBIRD and first male YELLOW WARBLER of the season near Clifford on May 13. She had seen six CHIMNEY SWIFTS in Mayville on May 8. Contact Nancy at ncdrew@polarcomm.com.

Dave Lambeth recorded several seasonal firsts and many other warblers, vireos, and sparrows in and near Grand Forks on May 14. He saw spring-first CAPE MAY WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, WILSON’S WARBLER, CANADA WARBLER, YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, and RED-EYED VIREO, in addition to a WHIP-POOR-WILL near Seratoma Park. Dave added other birders’ totals to his and came up with 20 warbler species for the day in Grand Forks County, something he considered a surprising total for such an early date. Dave had a productive three days of birding in Grand Forks and elsewhere in northeastern North Dakota between May 10 and 12. He found a VEERY on May 10; calling EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES in Drayton; many apparent pairs of EARED GREBES, three AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, a GREAT BLUE HERON, 15 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 10 AMERICAN AVOCETS, a WILLET, 30 DUNLINS, two STILT SANDPIPERS, at least 100 WILSON’S PHALAROPES, a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, a BLACK TERN, and two WESTERN KINGBIRDS on the Drayton sugar beet lagoons on May 11. At North Salt Lake in Walsh County, he found 20 late SNOW GEESE, 10 HORNED GREBES, two RED-NECKED GREBES, and a COMMON RAVEN. Moving on to South Salt Lake, he discovered an active BALD EAGLE nest. At the Forest River impoundment east of Lake Ardoch, Dave heard at least six SWAMP SPARROWS, two VIRGINIA RAILS, and six SORA. At Lake Ardoch, he found another active BALD EAGLE nest and saw a probable immature FERRUGINOUS HAWK. His May 11 list also included MARSH WRENS and SEDGE WRENS at numerous places and AMERICAN PIPITS in several freshly-worked fields. Dave birded the Grand Forks Greenway on May 12, observing SOLITARY SANDPIPER, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, CHIMNEY SWIFT, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, LEAST FLYCATCHER, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, WARBLING VIREO, SWAINSON’S THRUSHES, and 14 species of warblers including CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. In addition, Dave’s feeders attracted at least 30 PINE SISKINS and the first BALTIMORE ORIOLE of the season on May 11 and 12. He notes that only the male PEREGRINE FALCON of a likely nesting pair at the “smiley face” water tower in Grand Forks was seen during those three days. Some sad news from that area: Dave says the new BALD EAGLE nest at Kellys Slough National Wildlife Refuge has failed due to heavy rain and strong winds. Contact him at davidlambeth58201@yahoo.com.

From Grand Forks County, Eve Freeberg saw two BLACK-NECKED STILTS, SANDERLING, MARSH WREN, and AMERICAN BITTERN on May 8; SNOWY EGRET, BLACK TERN, BLACK-HEADED VIREO, PIPING PLOVER, and LEAST FLYCATCHER on May 9; SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, and 424 SAVANNAH SPARROWS on May 10; a WINTER WREN on her deck on May 12; and COMMON NIGHTHAWK and INDIGO BUNTING on May 14. For details, call Eve at 701-741-8105.

Todd Larson had a great day for warblers in Larimore on May 14. In only two hours and birding only in his yard, he counted 14 species including a BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, which was a “lifer” for him. Other highlights included eight CAPE MAY WARBLERS and a MOURNING WARBLER. For more information, contact Todd at 81.ou812@yahoo.com.

Many more new arrivals in the Jamestown area. They include GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER below the Jamestown Dam on May 12; SPOTTED TOWHEE in northeast Jamestown and GRAY CATBIRD at the Northern Prairie Center on May 11; CHIMNEY SWIFT and LEAST FLYCATCHER below Jamestown Dam on May 10; EASTERN KINGBIRD at Jamestown Reservoir and Cottonwood Lake, BLACK TERN at Cottonwood Lake and MARSH WREN in southwest Barnes County on May 9; VEERY, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, TENNESSEE WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, AMERICAN REDSTART, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH below Jamestown Dam on May 11; SWAINSON’S THRUSH near Wimbledon on May 9; WARBLING VIREO below Jamestown Dam and LARK SPARROW at the Stutsman County Fairgrounds on May 10; ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK on May 8 and a BALTIMORE ORIOLE in Jamestown on May 9. On May 5, Bloom Township hosted AMERICAN BLACK DUCK, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, while Pipestem Reservoir held ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER and Northern Prairie had a SWAMP SPARROW. On May 6, the area below Jamestown Dam had a BLUE-HEADED VIREO, PALM WARBLER, OVENBIRD, FIELD SPARROW, and BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER. On May 7, BOBOLINK and SEDGE WREN were seen at the Cottonwood Lake Study Area. Also, a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE at the Jamestown sewage lagoon on May 7 and a HOUSE WREN southeast of Jamestown on May 4. For details, call Larry Igl at 701-253-5511.

Carl Stangeland saw an AMERICAN BITTERN and a pair of BOBOLINKS at Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge and about 30 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS in Foster County on May 9. Two days earlier, Carl walked the White Cloud nature trails in Jamestown, finding SWAINSON’S THRUSH, BANK SWALLOW, BELTED KINGFISHER, HOUSE WREN, LEAST FLYCATCHER, GREEN HERON, BROAD-WINGED HAWK, COOPER’S HAWK, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. Contact him at carlcs@daktel.com.

From Crystal Springs in Kidder County, Jean Legge watched a CASPIAN TERN doing his courtship display, and also saw TENNESSEE WARBLER and BLACKPOLL WARBLER on May 12. Near Valley City on May 7, she saw an EASTERN KINGBIRD and LECONTE’S SPARROW. You can reach Jean at jlegge@daktel.com.

Mark Otnes birded Barnes County on May 12, finding eight warbler species including a very tame CAPE MAY WARBLER at Faust Park. His total was 86 species in about four hours. Call Mark at 701-241-4194.

From Fessenden, Misty Thorenson saw both male and female RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERS on May 7. She has second-hand reports of a male RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER and a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER in Harvey. Contact Misty at babybirds@gondtc.com.

From Pekin, Stan Eliason saw his first male BOBOLINK on May 9. He’s at staneliason_2000@yahoo.com.

Corey Ellingson and Ron Martin birded Sleepy Hollow Park in Bismarck, Sweetbriar Lake, Center and Nelson Lake on May 11. They recorded some spring firsts including WARBLING VIREO, MOURNING WARBLER, GRAY CATBIRD, and LAZULI BUNTING plus Corey’s second CAPE MAY WARBLER in 12 years in Morton County. On May 12, Corey added BLACK-BELLLIED PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, SANDERLING, GREAT EGRET, CATTLE EGRET, WHITE-FACED IBIS, and BURROWING OWL at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, DUNLIN, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER, and BLUE-HEADED VIREO. Corey only found three warblers in Sleepy Hollow Park on May 13 – ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, and TENNESSEE WARBLER. On May 7, the park held a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW and an OVENBIRD, while Corey’s feeders attracted a HARRIS’ SPARROW. Contact him at tcellingson@juno.com.

Clark Talkington birded Burleigh, Morton, and Kidder counties May 10-12. McKenzie Slough offered AMERICAN BITTERN, UPLAND SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, SAY’S PHOEBE, MARSH WREN, SWAINSON’S THRUSH, HARRIS’ SPARROW, and SORA. At Horsehead Lake, he found DUNLIN, BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO, LEAST FLYCATCHER, PALM WARBLER, OVENBIRD, and CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR. At the Tesoro Refinery, he added SPOTTED SANDPIPER, WILSON’S PHALAROPE, SORA, EASTERN KINGBIRD, BOBOLINK, and BROWN THRASHER. At Rice Lake, Clark observed SPRAGUE’S PIPIT, BAIRD’S SPARROW, and GRASSHOPPER SPARROW. In the Wing and Regan area, he saw GRAY CATBIRD, SHARP-SHINNED HAWK, GRAY PARTRIDGE, SAY’S PHOEBE, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, BROWN THRASHER, HARRIS’ SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, PINE SISKIN, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. In Burleigh County, Clark added SPOTTED TOWHEE and LARK SPARROW. For more information, it’s ctalkington@bis.midco.net.

Dan Rogers racked up 107 species in Burleigh County and 90 more in Morton County on May 12 and 13. His highlights included CATTLE EGRET near Driscoll, PIPING PLOVER at Kimball Bottoms, LECONTE’S SPARROW at Long Lake Refuge, and ROCK WREN, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, and ORCHARD ORIOLE in Morton County, plus a LARK BUNTING north of Solen. For details, contact Dan at daniel.rogers@bsc.nodak.edu.

Jan Sailer reported two CASPIAN TERNS on Mirror Lake at Hettinger on May 10. Just across the South Dakota line, Jan saw a female SCARLET TANAGER and a mature BALD EAGLE at Shadehill Reservoir on May 10. Contact her at jngsailer@yahoo.com.

From Fort Yates, Shane Popelka saw BALTIMORE ORIOLES, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, BROWN THRASHER, AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD on May 14. He’s at lightningfog@yahoo.com.

Sherry Leslie reports some spring firsts near Burlington on May 13: RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. Other recent sightings included ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS and EASTERN BLUEBIRDS. Contact Sherry at 701-725-4389.

Charles and Sue Taft found at least five pairs of UPLAND SANDPIPERS at Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge on May 13. Contact the Tafts at cjtaft@mac.com.

Jim and Analene Torgerson say a pair of LONG-BILLED CURLEWS is nesting for the fourth straight year in a pasture west of Williston. They add that two pairs of SAY’S PHOEBES are nesting for the fifth year in a row at Lund’s Landing Lodge. Contact the Torgersons at lundslanding@nccray.com.

At Beach, Diane Bingeman reports her yard was full of birds on the morning of May 15. Visitors included AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, SPOTTED TOWHEES, SWAINSON’S THRUSH and a male BALTIMORE ORIOLE. Contact Diane at bingeman@midstate.net.

From rural New Town, Bernice Houser says two male and one male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS arrived on May 14, along with a probable BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, plus the first HOUSE WREN, YELLOW WARBLER, and SPOTTED TOWHEE. Other sightings include CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, and CHIPPING SPARROW. Driving southeast of New Town on May 12, Bernice saw CEDAR WAXWINGS, SAVANNAH SPARROW, HARRIS’ SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, WESTERN KINGBIRDS, and the first UPLAND SANDPIPER of the season. On May 8, a drive northeast of New Town produced VESPER SPARROW, HARRIS’ SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, and SWAINSON’S HAWK. One day earlier, Bernice say two pairs of MARBLED GODWITS north of New Town. Contact her at sanishnd@hotmail.com.

And, mark your calendar for a June 2 birding hike and workshop at Lonetree Wildlife Management Area near Harvey. For details, call 701-388-1883.

Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North Dakota Birding Society and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This report was prepared on Tuesday, May 8.

A bunch of very rare birds have been showing up in North Dakota in recent days, along with some slightly-rare birds.

Jack Lefor, Corey Elllingson, and Ron Martin were among the birders who drove to the Dickinson area last week to see the male PAINTED BUNTING reported by Luann Letang on May 1. There have been no updates since May 2, but it looks like the bird will be a first state record. You can reach Luann at 701-225-9453.

scissor tailed flycatcher Dr. Alan Van Norman discovered a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER at McKenzie Slough, east and south of Bismarck, on May 4. The bird, which is listed as an accidental, was initially seen on a fenceline at the south end of the slough. Corey and Linda Ellingson searched unsuccessfully for the flycatcher on May 5, but did see a PEREGRINE FALCON, a flock of four CHUKARS, another single CHUKAR, and a WESTERN KINGBIRD. Corey also notes that a PEREGRINE FALCON has returned to the State Capitol Building for the third straight year. He has more information at tcellingson@juno.com.

The WORM-EATING WARBLER seen by Dean Riemer on May 6 is technically a Minnesota sighting because it took place on the Moorhead side of the Red River, just south of the 12th Avenue toll bridge. Contact Dean at 701-361-9478.

Dennis Wiesenborn teamed up with Dean Riemer to track down a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER at Trefoil Park in Fargo on May 5. They also saw a male CAPE MAY WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, and several SWAINSON’S THRUSHES. Earlier in the day, Dennis saw a BLUE-HEADED VIREO and heard a BALTIMORE ORIOLE and a probable LEAST FLYCATCHER. On May 7, he heard a male GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER in north Fargo and saw his first BLACKPOLL WARBLER of the season near El Zagal Golf Course. On May 4, Dennis heard and then saw a TENNESSEE WARBLER in north Fargo. On May 2, he found dozens of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS in Trefoil Park, along with several ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, a PALM WARBLER, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, plus a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER near the NDSU campus. On the Minnesota side, Dennis saw two LARK SPARROWS, a VESPER SPARROW, and a number of SAVANNAH SPARROWS. Just north of Oak Grove, he added a LARK SPARROW. Dennis is at d.wiesenborn@ndsu.edu.

Trollwood Park in Fargo hosted dozens of SWAINSON’S THRUSHES, two GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES, five or six NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES, and an OVENBIRD on May 6. They were seen by Gary Nielsen at 701-232-3855.

Some May 6 season and yard firsts for John and Wanda Peterson of north Fargo: BALTIMORE ORIOLE and HARRIS’ SPARROWS. They also report regular visits by a male PILEATED WOODPECKER. Contact them at Wandaandjohnp83@aol.com.

Lots of warblers and sparrows at Trefoil Park on the morning of May 7. Connie Norheim saw two or three BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS, two ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS, several BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS, and single BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and OVENBIRD. The ground-feeding sparrows included WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, LINCOLN SPARROWS, HARRIS’ SPARROWS, and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. She also recorded lots of SWAINSON’S THRUSHES and a lone GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. Two days earlier, Connie saw her first SPOTTED SANDPIPER of the season, heard a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, and saw a couple YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and a flock of about 15 CEDAR cedar waxwing WAXWINGS at Trefoil Park. Connie partnered with Becky Oberlander for some Cass County birding on May 2. At Brewer Lake, they observed a first-summer COMMON LOON, a BELTED KINGFISHER, BROWN THRASHER, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, and assorted ducks. At Little Yellowstone, they added a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH and EASTERN WOOD PEWEE, and heard FIELD SPARROWS singing, and saw an EASTERN BLUEBIRD along the Scenic Byway to Lisbon. At Lake Bertha, they saw four GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, four possible TRUMPETER SWANS, BLACK TERN, about 100 BONAPARTE’S GULLS, two RED-NECKED GREBES, and several EARED GREBES. For details on those sightings, call Connie at 701-232-4386.

From Horace, Linda Gregg reports her first RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD of the season on May 6. The male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK also arrived that day, one day later than the female. Linda reports seeing large numbers of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, HARRIS’ SPARROWS, and CHIPPING SPARROWS. Contact her at lgregg@wah.midco.net.

Jon Swanson discovered a little hotspot between Leonard and Kindred in southern Cass County on May 4. He recorded WILSON’S PHALAROPE, BONAPARTE’S GULL, AMERICAN GOLDEN- PLOVER, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, HARRIS’ SPARROW, LINCOLN’S SPARROW, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, LESSER SCAUP, and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS. Contact Jon at swanny66@charter.net.

From Valley City, Jean Legge heard a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW and a SORA on May 7; recorded WILSON’S SNIPE and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER south of the Eckelson exit on I-94, while her husband saw an AMERICAN BITTERN near Hobart Lake on May 5; had second-hand reports of RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS and TURKEY VULTURES at Oakes on May 3; visited the Rogers area on May 2 to see three LESSER GOLDEN-PLOVERS, two DUNLIN, eight PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, eight WILSON’S PHALAROPES, two MARBLED GODWITS, two SWAINSON’S HAWKS, and two flocks of CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS; and saw several CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS near Valley City on May 1. Her husband found a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD northwest of Hankinson that same day. You can reach Jean at 701-845-4762.

Many new arrivals in Stutsman County and at Ellendale in Dickey County. The list includes UPLAND SANDPIPER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, FORSTER’S TERN, SAY’S PHOEBES, and CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPURS on April 28 in northwestern Stutsman County; LEAST SANDPIPERS and SOLITARY SANDPIPER on May 3 in Bloom Township; many BANK SWALLOWS at Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center on April 29; two SWAINSON’S THRUSHES and a DICKCISSEL in Jamestown on May 3; and WESTERN KINGBIRD and BROWN THRASHER in Ellendale on April 30 and 26 respectively. For details on those sightings, call Larry Igl at 701-253-5511.

Carl Stangeland reports a CATTLE EGRET flew in behind his digger north of Kensal on May 1. He’s at carlcs@daktel.com.

Ron Martin birded McHenry County on May 5-6, with several new species making an appearance. He listed SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, RUDDY TURNSTONE, LEAST SANDPIPER, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, CATTLE EGRET, GRASSHOPPER SPARROW, HOUSE WREN, SWAMP SPARROW, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER, EASTERN KINGBIRD, and CHIMNEY SWIFT. Ron also noted fair numbers of HARRIS’ SPARROWS and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS in McHenry County, a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE at the Minot lagoons on May 4, and a SMITH’S LONGSPUR at Sawyer on May 6. For more information, try jrmartin@srt.com.

Mark Gonzalez recorded his first WESTERN KINGBIRD of the season in McKenzie on May 5, and a very late GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE that was probably unable to migrate at McKenzie Slough. Contact Mark at kristingonzalez@bis.midco.net.

From Grand Forks, on May 4, Betsy Batstone-Cunningham saw a female and male NORTHERN CARDINAL at her feeders, a number of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, and some TURKEY VULTURES, and –later– a COOPER’S HAWK. She’s at batsham@gra.midco.net.

A WHIP-POOR-WILL gave a series of calls near Dave Lambeth’s Grand Forks home on May 3. Dave says it’s a new addition to his yard list. Contact him at davidlambeth58201@yahoo.com.

Bob Scarlett saw BURROWING OWLS, a BELTED KINGFISHER, two RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS, a female RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, and a GOLDEN EAGLE along the Heart River southwest of Mandan on May 1. Bob is at bobkat@btinet.net.

Jesse Kolar reports his recent sightings in the Dickinson area include OSPREY at the Dickinson dike and two NORTHERN GOSHAWKS near the Elkhorn Ranch site. Contact him at jekolar@hotmail.com.

A ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK spent some time in Diane Bingeman’s yard at Beach on May 6, and an AMERICAN REDSTART was there a day earlier. She’s at bingeman@midstate.net.

The May 2 new arrivals at Bernice Houser’s yard in rural New Town were HARRIS’ SPARROW and CHIPPING SPARROW, plus the RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD and female BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD. Contact her at sanishnd@hotmail.com.

Rita Satermo recorded a “Myrtle” YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER near New Town on May 4. She said the CEDAR WAXWINGS descended on her flowering crab tree a few days earlier. For details, try rsatermo@rtc.coop.

Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North Dakota Birding Society and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This report was prepared on Tuesday, May 1.

One county and refuge-first, and lots of seasonal firsts this week.

The PILEATED WOODPECKER seen at J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge by Ron Martin on April 29 was not only a new bird for the Refuge, but also for McHenry County. Other birds at the Refuge that day included WHITE-FACED IBIS, nine FORSTER’S TERNS, and three LECONTE’S SPARROWS. Ron also had a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW visit his feeder near Sawyer that day. On April 28, Ron saw two NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS, a LARK SPARROW, and four SMITH’S LONGSPURS, all in McHenry County. For more information, contact Ron at jrmartin@srt.com.

New species continue to filter in to Stutsman County. The BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS have returned and two SNOWY EGRETS appeared at Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge on April 24, while six WHITE-FACED IBIS were seen in a wetland four miles north of Medina, and the first NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW of the season showed up near Jamestown on April 23. For details, call Larry Igl at 701-253-5511.

Also from that area. Carl Stangeland saw YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, LINCOLN’S SPARROWS and SONG SPARROWS, plus a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER at nearby Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge. Contact Carl at carlcs@daktel.com.

A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON and a first-of-the-year FORSTER’S TERN were present near Hobart Lake in Barnes County on April 30. Jean Legge also saw a SEDGE WREN in a wetland near Valley City and a HARRIS’ SPARROW at her feeder on April 28. In LaMoure County, Jean saw a SWAINSON’S HAWK and an AMERICAN WOODCOCK in a farmyard near Marion on April 28. Three days earlier, Jean heard three different SAY’S PHOEBES calling, and noted that WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were getting more numerous, and the FIELD SPARROW has been singing. On April 24, Jean saw the FIELD SPARROW, as well as a SORA near the south exit of Highway 1 in Barnes County, and a COMMON LOON with the RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS and HORNED GREBES at Hobart Lake on April 23. You can reach Jean at 701-845-4762.

Mark Otnes discovered a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD three miles southeast of Rogers in Barnes County on April 29. For more information, call him at 701-241-4194.

Connie Norheim and Becky Oberlander saw their first two PALM WARBLERS of the year on April 25 at Oak Grove Park in Fargo. They also reported ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and a nice wave of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, plus one HERMIT THRUSH. On April 24, they heard RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS and two NORTHERN CARDINALS, and saw YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, a COOPER’S HAWK pair near a nest, and seasonal first ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and HERMIT THRUSH. On her own, Connie saw a SWAMP SPARROW near Downer, Minnesota, a pair of BREWER’S BLACKBIRDS at the West Fargo lagoons, BARN SWALLOW near the West Fargo airport, BROWN THRASHER at the Harwood lagoon, plus eight FRANKLIN’S GULLS and good numbers of HORNED GREBES and LESSER SCAUP.

Connie’s first LINCOLN’S SPARROW of the season reached her yard in north Fargo on April 26. Contact her at 701-232-4386.

Becky Oberlander’s feeders north of Fargo attracted HARRIS’ SPARROWS and three pairs of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS on April 26. During a brief stop at Oak Park that afternoon, she saw YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, three pairs of WOOD DUCKS, CHIPPING SPARROWS, and a YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. For details, it’s raoberlander@hotmail.com.

From Grand Forks, Dave Lambeth reported the SPOTTED TOWHEE was present for the third day on April 28. He also saw two COMMON RAVENS north of Mekinock that day. Dave closed out the month with a PALM WARBLER and FORSTER’S TERNS flying over three different wetlands. He also reported a singing LINCOLN’S SPARROW and his first LARK SPARROW of the spring, as well as a SAY’S PHOEBE at Riverside Park in the Grand Forks Greenway. Dave said the PEREGRINE FALCON that has been hanging around the “smiley face” water tower has been identified as a 2005 male from Fargo, and a female has been visiting. He noted that WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS greatly outnumber the DARK-EYED JUNCOS. You can reach Dave at davidlambeth58201@yahoo.com.

Wayne Easley and his wife found scores of HORNED GREBES, WESTERN GREBES, and a few pairs of EARED GREBES at Goose Lake near Harvey on April 28. However, Wayne adds that many of the potholes and small lakes in that part of Wells County are dry. Call him at 701-234-2344.

Clark Talkington discovered SPRAGUE’S PIPITS in five different locations in eastern Burleigh County on April 29. Other sightings included 5,000 CALIFORNIA GULLS and one GREAT EGRET at Salt Lake, as well as a flock of 50 BONAPARTE’S GULLS at the north end. Near the Burleigh-Sheridan County line, Clark saw four pairs of RED-NECKED GREBES. On April 28, he saw a SOLITARY SANDPIPER at the Tesoro Refinery in Mandan. On April 25, Clark birded the Brekken/Holmes Recreation Area and Lake Williams in McLean County and New John’s Lake in Burleigh County. Among his finds: 26 GREATER SCAUP, a pair of RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, 140 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, about 1,750 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, 600 AMERICAN COOTS, three BONAPARTE’S GULLS, and single BARN SWALLOW, CHIPPING SPARROW and FOX SPARROW. He recorded a COMMON LOON at New John’s Lake, plus three HUDSONIAN GODWITS and four LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS at the Brekken-Holmes Recreation Area. Clark has been doing surveys between Stanley and Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge in Mountrail County. His 8-square-mile plot turned up NORTHERN GOSHAWK on April 11; TUNDRA SWAN and NORTHERN SHRIKE on April 12; BONAPARTE’S GULL, WILSON’S SNIPE and WILSON’S PHALAROPE on April 23; five singing SAVANNAH SPARROWS on April 24; and three singing VESPER SPARROWS on April 25. For more information on those sightings, contact Clark at ctalkington@bis.midco.net.

Corey Ellingson discovered a WINTER WREN at Sleepy Hollow Park in Bismarck on April 27. He reported the COOPER’S HAWKS are paired up and have a nest at the top of the ravine. For details, contact Corey at tcellingson@juno.com.

After a very slow time near New Town, two WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS showed up in Bernice Houser’s yard on April 29. Other regular visitors included six RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS and a couple of BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES. Bernice recorded several seasonal firsts to close out April. They were WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, LINCOLN’S SPARROWS, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, plus additional WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. On April 27, a drive to the Van Hook arm of Lake Sakakawea revealed hundreds of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS on one of the islands. She says the area regularly has some pelicans, but never this many. For more information, contact Bernice at sanishnd@hotmail.com.

From Fort Yates, Thane Popelka’s yard attracted both female and male HAIRY WOODPECKERS, two DOWNY WOODPECKERS, a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, four AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, and two PINE SISKINS. For details, e-mail lightningfog@yahoo.com.

Bob Neugebauer covered a lot of miles the last two days in April. He recorded eight SAGE GROUSE at a lek northeast of Marmarth in Slope County, and a PILEATED WOODPECKER at Fort Ransom State Park in the Sheyenne Grasslands. Contact him at bobneugebauer@yahoo.com.

We also have a report of the season-first PAINTED BUNTING north of Dickinson on May 1. For details, call Louann at 701-225-9453.

If you’re interested in birding McKenzie Slough, Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Kimball Bottoms area as part of a group on May 12, contact Nathaniel Umphrey at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Call 701-328-6332.

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