North Dakota Birding Hotline Reports
May 2008
Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North Dakota Birding Society. This report was prepared on Tuesday, May 27, 2008.
Another rare warbler this week, but it has to share the spotlight with a vireo.
Keith Corliss discovered a likely PLUMBEUS VIREO in the Forest River subdivision, south of Fargo, on May 25. There have been fewer than five State records of the species. Keith says the site also held many singing orioles, grosbeaks, vireos, and warblers, plus two GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS and two BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS. On May 21, Keith counted 16 warbler species while birding Fargo and West Fargo parks. Oak Grove Park offered a singing BLUE-HEADED VIREO with a few WARBLING VIREOS and a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. At Armour Park in West Fargo, Keith added his first MOURNING WARBLER of spring and a CAPE MAY WARBLER. For details, contact him at kcorliss@forumcomm.com.
An ORCHARD ORIOLE stopped at Connie Norheim's yard in north Fargo on May 21. She's at 701-232-4386.
The BLUE-WINGED WARBLER found by Mark Otnes at Little Yellowstone Park on the Barnes/Ransom County line on May 23 attracted a lot of interest. It was seen by at least half-a-dozen others, and was a new State bird for most of them. Moving on to the City Park in Valley City, five members of the group heard a singing GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. Mark visited Faust Park in Valley City, where he recorded a MOURNING WARBLER and INDIGO BUNTING. His total for the day was 19 warbler species in Barnes and Ransom counties. You can reach Mark at 701-241-4194.
Dan Buchanan had a BLUE-WINGED WARBLER stop briefly in his Jamestown yard on May 24. One day earlier, he was visited by an adult male INDIGO BUNTING, MOURNING WARBLER, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS, GRAY CATBIRD, LEAST FLYCATCHER, OVENBIRD, BROWN THRASHER, and HOUSE WREN. Contact Dan at 701-252-6604.
Carl Stangeland recorded one or two CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS at McElroy Park in Jamestown on May 23. Other sightings included WARBLING VIREOS. He's at carlcs@daktel.com.
Larry Igl and Jeremiah Slagter registered more than 80 species during a May 20 tour of Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge. Highlights included a female GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER, plus several WARBLING VIREOS. Larry says AMERICAN REDSTARTS and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS were present, but uncommon, but there were many BOBOLINKS and SEDGE WRENS, along with abundant CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, YELLOW WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, LEAST FLYCATCHER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, and SWAINSON'S THRUSH. They also noticed a BREWER'S BLACKBIRD nest with eggs on the ground in a grazed area. Larry passes along a report from Steve Lane of a CANADA WARBLER near Wimbledon on May 23. Call Larry at 701-253-5511.
Jean Legge found a CASPIAN TERN at the Sanborn slough on May 25. Other sightings that day included three CALIFORNIA GULLS and three WHITE-FACED IBIS near Dawson, plus three RUDDY TURNSTONES and a COMMON NIGHTHAWK near the Lake Isabel recreation area. On May 26, Jean's yard near Valley City briefly hosted male, female, and young RED CROSSBILLS, and a GRAY CATBIRD joined the BALTIMORE ORIOLES and ORCHARD ORIOLES at her feeders. Jean is at 701-845-4762.
Another BURROWING OWL nest has been reported in Wells County. Wayne Easley's party saw two of the birds at and around a nest on May 20, but came back the following day to find one of the birds had been shot. Wayne's party also saw a flock of a dozen BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS just north of Harvey. Call him at 701-324-2344.
Rita Staloch reported good birding at Minnewaukan on May 20. She saw BLACKPOLL WARBLER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, GRAY CATBIRD, and BALTIMORE ORIOLES. Contact her at rita_staloch@yahoo.com.
Peder Stenslie began a visit to the New Town area with an INDIGO BUNTING sighting on May 24. He's at peder.stenslie@sendit.nodak.edu.
Nearby, Glenna Meiers reported her yard's first AMERICAN REDSTART on May 25. She's at gmeiers@ruggedwest.com.
Bernice Houser had new arrivals near New Town on May 21. They were a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and a male LAZULI BUNTING. She also reported abundant CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS and CHIPPING SPARROWS as well as a few HARRIS' SPARROWS and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. A May 24 visitor was a CAPE MAY WARBLER. You can reach Bernice at sanishnd@hotmail.com.
The good weather on May 26 brought many birds to Diane Bingeman's yard near Beach. They included AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, LAZULI BUNTING, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, and ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. Diane is at bingeman@midstate.net.
A LARK BUNTING stopped at Ron Martin's yard near Sawyer on May 26. Ron says the species has been scarce in the Minot area in recent years. Contact Ron at jrmartin@srt.com.
Linda Gregg recorded her first GRAY CATBIRD of the season at Horace on May 26. You can reach her at lgregg@wah.midco.net.
From Buxton, Sharon Watson had a good day on May 20, with her first RED-HEADED WOODPECKER in years, a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, many YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, YELLOW WARBLERS, and a NORTHERN HARRIER. She says a few HARRIS' SPARROWS remain, and she also saw male and female ORCHARD ORIOLES, male and female BALTIMORE ORIOLES, and both male and female RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS, one of which had to be rescued from a skylight in their shop. For details, contact Sharon at alanwat@infionline.net.
That concludes this week’s report from the North Dakota Birding Society.
Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North Dakota Birding Society. This report was prepared on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.
It's another warbler that's attracting the most attention this week, but there are plenty of other good sightings.
Most birders don't think of Hettinger as North Dakota's warbler hot-spot, but that's where Jack Lefor found a female TOWNSEND'S WARBLER on May 17. The same community also held a CHIMNEY SWIFT, and he discovered a BAIRD'S SPARROW west of Hettinger. For more information, contact Jack at jpl@ndsupernet.com.
Jack was also in a group that discovered another PROTHONOTARY WARBLER. He, Corey Ellingson, and Ron Martin found the warbler feeding on a log in Beaver Creek at Seaman Park in Linton on May 20.
Lillian Crook spent quite a bit of early May on the Little Missouri River. She recorded CINNAMON TEAL, UPLAND SANDPIPERS, PRAIRIE FALCONS, WILLETS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and six AMERICAN AVOCETS in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. On May 18, she found seasonal firsts EASTERN KINGBIRD, LEAST FLYCATCHER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, ORCHARD ORIOLE, RED-EYED VIREO, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, CANADA GOOSE goslings, and a GREAT HORNED OWL with young south of Medora on the river. You can reach Lillian at lilliancrook@hotmail.com.
Mark Gonzalez birded Blacktail Creek on the Little Missouri National Grassland in northern Billings County on May 16. His seasonal firsts included SAY'S PHOEBE, BAIRD'S SPARROW, and CANADA GOOSE goslings. Call Mark at 701-250-4443, extension 106.
From Beach, Diane Bingeman reports a male RED-BREASTED GROSBEAK at her bird bath on May 18. She says it's the first time she has seen that species in her yard in three years. Diane had been hearing an unusual bird call for several days before she identified it as a SAY'S PHOEBE at a nearby vacant farm. Contact her at bingeman@midstate.net.
Mo O'Mara found good birding on the North Dakota side of the Yellowstone River at Sundheim Park on May 18. She recorded six BLUE-WINGED TEAL, two female BUFFLEHEADS, AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, CASPIAN TERN, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, more than 100 CLIFF SWALLOWS, a juvenile DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, SONG SPARROWS, SPOTTED TOWHEE, and KILLDEER. Back in Sundheim Park on May 19, she found seven EARED GREBES in the Yellowstone under the trestle bridge. She's at mo1_omara@yahoo.com.
The PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was still being seen at Dave and Ellin Lindee's place at Van Hook on May 17 and 18. Other sightings at the site, which is east of New Town on Lake Sakakawea, include AMERICAN REDSTART, BALTIMORE ORIOLE, LAZULI BUNTING, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, YELLOW WARBLER, LARK SPARROW, at least 30 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES at a time, CHIPPING SPARROWS, at least six YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS at a time, and several PINE SISKINS. Contact the Lindees at daveandellin@srt.com.
From New Town, Bernice Houser saw her first BALTIMORE ORIOLE of spring on May 15, along with HARRIS' SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, DARK-EYED JUNCO, lots of CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS and CHIPPING SPARROWS, and LARK SPARROWS nearby. One day earlier, Bernice saw two SWAINSON'S THRUSHES and a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH in her yard, plus a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON at a nearby wetland. For details, contact Bernice at sanishnd@hotmail.com.
Molly Rodriguez reports a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER in north Minot on May 13. Contact her at molly.rodriguez1106@yahoo.com.
Also from Minot, Marty Anderson saw two male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS on May 13, and noted that many WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and HARRIS' SPARROWS had arrived about that time.
Despite road construction in her area, or maybe because of it, a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW were visiting Kim Breuer's yard in Minot on May 13. She's at breuer@srt.com.
From Coal Mine Lake Campground at Lonetree Wildlife Management Area in Sheridan County, Wayne Easley saw a female RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER, GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, and WINTER WREN on May 12. On the following day, a BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK visited his feeder near Harvey. On the 17th, Wayne confirmed Wells County's second BURROWING OWL site, with two owls present north of Harvey. Wayne also notes that his Bowdon friend, Larry Jones, had a male SCARLET TANAGER at his feeders and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS nearby on May 19. Larry says warblers seem to be moving through the area. Contact Wayne at easley57@yahoo.com.
You can add Towner County to the growing list of counties with BURROWING OWL residents. Cami Dixon saw a pair of owls east of Cando on May 13. You can reach her at 701-662-8611, extension 334.
From central North Dakota, Ann Hoffert has been finding good birds right near Pipestem Creek. On May 13, it was SORA, VIRGINIA RAILS, 15 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, AMERICAN BITTERN, and at least six SHORT-EARED OWLS. On May 14, she added MAGNOLIA WARBLER, and says the RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is still around her feeders. Contact Ann at pipestem@daktel.com.
Jerry and Diane Metzger had a productive May 17 in their backyard and "back oxbow" at Grand Forks. They recorded RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, two BALTIMORE ORIOLES, many HARRIS' SPARROWS, CHIPPING SPARROW, two YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, and BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, plus several WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, EASTERN KINGBIRD, and three SWAINSON'S THRUSHES. Contact them at jmetzger@gra.midco.net.
Brenda and Brian Heitkamp's feeders north of Bismarck were visited by a male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK on May 12, and there were three of them the following day. They note that LAPLAND LONGSPURS showed up the previous weekend, and that both species were new for their yard. Contact them at heitkamp@bis.midco.net.
Janelle Masters saw a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD about two miles north of Mandan on May 17. She's at janelle.masters@bsc.nodak.edu.
Larry Igl reports more new arrivals in Stutsman and Barnes counties. May 10 brought a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK to the Wimbledon area, followed on May 11 by a WHIP-POOR-WILL calling near the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center and a BLACKPOLL WARBLER near Wimbledon. On May 12, it was a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE at the Jamestown sewage lagoon, and a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and BOBOLINK both at the Cottonwood Lake Study Area, and a BALTIMORE ORIOLE was seen southeast of Jamestown on May 13. Larry was joined by Jeremiah Slagter for some Stutsman County birding on May 14-16. They saw LEAST FLYCATCHERS, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLERS, and an AMERICAN PIPIT at the Brigham Audubon Sanctuary, two BLUE-HEADED VIREOS, a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO, and two BLACKPOLL WARBLERS at the Northern Prairie complex, and Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge offered views of three BAIRD'S SPARROWS, many GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, LECONTE'S SPARROW, many BLACK TERNS, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, several SWAINSON'S HAWKS, and two CANADA GOOSE broods. Contact Larry at 701-253-5511.
Carl Stangeland had five or six BALTIMORE ORIOLES in his Jamestown yard on May 13. In Foster County, Carl added lots of YELLOW WARBLERS, TENNESSEE WARBLER, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, and MAGNOLIA WARBLER, BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, and lots of thrushes. Contact Carl at 701-952-1697.
Jean Legge reported several seasonal firsts near Valley City on May 16. They included CHIMNEY SWIFT, LEAST FLYCATCHER, WESTERN KINGBIRD, RED-EYED VIREO, and female RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD. She also saw four BALTIMORE ORIOLES that day. On May 15, Jean reported ORCHARD ORIOLE, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, and many YELLOW WARBLERS. On May 14, a RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH visited her feeders, and a female RED CROSSBILL was a brief visitor on May 19. You can reach Jean at 701-845-4762.
Bob Anderson counted eight warbler species on May 15 while birding Valley City State University and City Park. His list included at least 20 each of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER plus COMMON YELLOWTHROAT. Other sightings included PILEATED WOODPECKER, two BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, and four BROWN CREEPERS. He later added ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK and five HOODED MERGANSERS. Bob has a report that the OSPREY that spent time near Valley City National Fish Hatchery last year has returned. Call him at 605-695-1344.
A 15-warbler day is outstanding for anywhere in North Dakota, but that's what Connie Norheim and her groups ended up with on May 15. They found 13 in Trefoil Park including a MAGNOLIA WARBLER. Another highlight there was a spring-first GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. Joining up with another group in Oak Grove Park, Connie made NORTHERN PARULA her 14th warbler species and BLACKPOLL WARBLER was number 15. Returning to Trefoil Park on May 19, Connie reported nothing new, but more of the same 10 warbler species and fewer migrant sparrows than the previous week. You can reach her at 701-232-4386.
From north Fargo, Wanda and John Peterson had eight or 10 BALTIMORE ORIOLES in their yard at a time--the most ever. On May 19, ORCHARD ORIOLE became a new yard bird, and they also saw a male PILEATED WOODPECKER eating their suet. They're at wandaandjohn83@aol.com.
Rick Holbrook had four ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS and a BALTIMORE ORIOLE in his Fargo yard on May 14. Try him at fholbrook@cableone.net.
Keith Corliss had 10 warbler species in Oak Grove Park in Fargo on May 13. Newcomers were CAPE MAY WARBLER and TENNESSEE WARBLER. He estimated 200 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. The park also held a RED-HEADED WOODPECKER--only the second one he had ever seen there, and a first-of-the-year GRAY CATBIRD. Try Keith at kcorliss@forumcomm.com.
Bob O'Connor heard a WHIP-POOR-WILL in the Oak Grove area of Fargo on May 13. Contact him at robert.oconnor@ndsu.edu.
It was crowded on the suet log at Mel and Elaine Bennefeld's place in north Fargo on May 13. They counted 11 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS at one time. They're at emben1@juno.com.
From Horace, Linda Gregg watched on May 16 as a season-first ORCHARD ORIOLE joined a BALTIMORE ORIOLE dining on grape jelly. Contact Linda at lgregg@wah.midco.net.
And a final reminder about the spring meeting of the North Dakota Birding Society in Grand Forks. The group will gather at 6:00 am on May 24 at the Grand Forks Super 8 Motel. For details, call Betsy at 218-791-5079.
That concludes this week’s report from the North Dakota Birding Society.
Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North Dakota Birding Society. This report was prepared on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.
A warbler has sole possession of the spotlight this week.
Dave and Ellin Lindee were surprised to discover a PROTHONOTARY WARBLER in their yard at Van Hook, which is located roughly between New Town and Parshall. They first saw the bird, an "accidental" in North Dakota, on May 11, but it was still there late the following day. For details, it's daveandellin@srt.com.
Ron Martin counted 10 species of shorebirds near the Minot lagoons on May 6. They included 85 LESSER YELLOWLEGS and 140 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS. Other sightings included RED-NECKED PHALAROPE and BANK SWALLOW. New to Oak Park that day were BLUE-HEADED VIREO, HOUSE WREN, BLACKPOLL WARBLER, and WILSON'S WARBLER. Ron is at jrmartin@srt.com.
Charles Taft's Minot yard was visited by ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS on May 13. Contact him at cjtaft@mac.com.
Bernice Houser reports a good flock of CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS arrived with some CHIPPING SPARROWS near New Town on May 9. Other visitors that day included two AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES and two or three-dozen BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS. She is still hosting quite a few WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and one or two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. Contact Bernice at sanishnd@hotmail.com.
Magnus Elfwing and his family visited the Badlands on May 3-4, and Magnus ended up with 147 species. Highlights included FERRUGINOUS HAWK and LONG-BILLED CURLEW between Belfield and Amidon, PIPING PLOVER at Buffalo Springs, a pair of LONG-BILLED CURLEWS north of Marmarth, six singing male MCCOWN'S LONGSPURS at Rhame Prairie, HARRIS' SPARROW at Bowman-Haley Dam, plus CLARK'S GREBE and 16 shorebird species including BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, 15 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, more than 500 BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, 60 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, LEAST SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, STILT SANDPIPER, SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, and LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. For more information, contact Magnus at magnus.elfwing@gmail.com.
Lillian Crook birded Twin Buttes, Camel Hump Lake, and the south unit of Teddy Roosevelt National Park on May 3, finding LONG-BILLED CURLEW, LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, HORNED GREBES, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, FIELD SPARROW, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, SONG SPARROW, and WILLETS. On May 5, she moved on to the Little Missouri River from Logging Camp Ranch to near Bullion Butte, where she recorded WOOD DUCKS, CINNAMON TEAL, UPLAND SANDPIPER, NORTHERN PINTAIL, PRAIRIE FALCON, COOPER'S HAWKS, and WILLETS. On May 6, she found some new Badlands birds including YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, and WESTERN SANDPIPER at Camel Hump Lake and HOUSE SWALLOWS in Medora. Contact Lillian at lilliancrook@hotmail.com.
Diane Bingeman reports the HARRIS' SPARROWS and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS have arrived in Beach. The WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS showed up on May 12. She's at bingeman@midstate.net.
From Pipestem Creek, near Carrington, Ann Hoffert reports a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER in her yard for two days, along with ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS. Call Ann at 701-652-2623.
From Grand Forks County, Eve Freeberg saw HARRIS' SPARROW and BROWN THRASHER on May 6, followed by SORA, VIRGINIA RAIL, and CLIFF SWALLOW on May 7. Eve posted some big numbers on May 9, including 260 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, 85 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, 290 SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, 30 GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES, 31 HERMIT THRUSHES, and 220 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. On May 10, Eve teamed up with Magnus Elfwing, and added AMERICAN BITTERN, BLACK DUCK, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, and a whopping 1,500 HORNED GREBES to top the 1,081 figure she had registered 10 days earlier. They also counted 10 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS. On May 11, Eve recorded BOBOLINK, SANDERLING, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, MARSH WREN and HOUSE WREN. Call Eve at 701-741-8105.
Betsy Batstone-Cunningham was busy recording new yard birds in Grand Forks. She had RED-BREASTED GROSBEAK on May 7, LARK SPARROW on May 8, and BLACKPOLL WARBLER on May 11. Close, but not in her yard that day were BROWN THRASHERS, HARRIS' SPARROW, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS. On May 9, a pair of BLACK-NECKED STILTS visited a pond south of Lincoln Park. Contact Betsy at 218-791-5079.
Seasonal firsts for Nancy Drew at Clifford included ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK on May 9 and GRAY CATBIRD on May 10. She also saw three more ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS on May 11. Contact her at ncdrew@polarcomm.com.
From Buxton, Sharon Watson also had some firsts: male RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, male BALTIMORE ORIOLE, and male ORCHARD ORIOLE on May 13. She's at alanwat@infionline.net.
At Horace, Linda Gregg reported an invasion of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS on May 9, her first RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD and many more HARRIS' SPARROWS, plus her first two male BALTIMORE ORIOLES. Contact Linda at lgregg@wah.midco.net.
Connie Norheim has been birding Fargo area parks as well as her yard. On May 6, she saw OSPREY, two BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, first-of-the-year ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, HARRIS' SPARROW, YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER, and a calling NORTHERN CARDINAL at Trefoil Park, and a female ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK in her yard--the first since 1999. On the following day, she saw a likely LEAST FLYCATCHER, GREAT BLUE HERON, and TREE SWALLOW at Lion's Conservancy Park plus two SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, and at least eight warbler species at Trefoil Park plus at least two GREAT HORNED OWL young. Connie was back at Trefoil Park on May 9, recording BOBOLINKS in flight, CAPE MAY WARBLER, several BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS, two PALM WARBLERS, lots of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, HARRIS' SPARROW, and CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. Her yard attracted the first RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD of spring on May 10 and a male BALTIMORE ORIOLE on May 11. Connie recorded her first double-digit warbler day of spring on May 12. The list included AMERICAN REDSTART and both male and female BLACKPOLL WARBLER at Trefoil Park and TENNESSEE WARBLER at Lindenwood Park. An unidentified oriole stopped at Connie's feeders on May 13, with two male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS nearby. Trefoil Park had a PILEATED WOODPECKER and six warbler species that day, and she finished with ten when she found WILSON'S WARBLER and COMMON YELLOWTHROAT at Lindenwood Park, plus her spring first HOUSE WREN. Connie is at 701-232-4386.
Dean Riemer birded Trefoil Park on May 9, finding his first BLACKPOLL WARBLER of the season, plus PALM WARBLER and six other warbler species. He's at driemer@kwh.com.
Armour Park in West Fargo didn't have much warbler variety on May 11, but Keith Corliss says it held great numbers of thrushes, OVENBIRDS, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES. His best bird, though, was a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE. He's at kcorliss@forumcomm.com.
Pat Beauzay racked up 85 species in Fargo and Moorhead city parks on May 10. Highlights included a VIRGINIA RAIL in Trefoil Park and 15 warbler species including first-of-spring CAPE MAY WARBLER, as well as AMERICAN REDSTART, BLUE-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, and MAGNOLIA WARBLER. He and Dean Riemer counted 38 PALM WARBLERS, female PURPLE FINCH, EASTERN TOWHEE, and OSPREY. Contact Pat at 701-231-7064.
Rick Holbrook noted an overnight influx of HARRIS' SPARROWS on May 13, with their numbers growing from three to 12 at his Fargo feeders. He also recorded ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK that day. Rick is at fholbrook@cableone.net.
Mark Otnes birded Roberts County, South Dakota, and Sargent County, North Dakota, on May 9, ending up with 124 species. Highlights on the North Dakota side included seven LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and three STILT SANDPIPERS at Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge, while Borg Lake held two WHITE-FACED IBIS, three SORAS, SANDERLING, three SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, 13 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, and abundant SEDGE WRENS. At Milnor, Mark added at least 100 WILSON'S PHALAROPES, two RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, six SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, and three SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS. Contact Mark at 701-241-4194.
Larry Igl has been busy keeping track of new arrivals in Stutsman and surrounding counties. May 1 brought BANK SWALLOW, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, and HARRIS' SPARROW. On May 2, it was OVENBIRD, followed on May 3 by VIRGINIA RAIL, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, BROWN THRASHER, and GRAY CATBIRD. Showing up on May 4 was UPLAND SANDPIPER. May 5 arrivals included SORA, MARSH WREN, and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER. A LEAST FLYCATCHER appeared on May 6, followed on May 7 by SEDGE WREN, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, HOUSE WREN, WESTERN KINGBIRD, and YELLOW WARBLER. And, a WESTERN SANDPIPER arrived on May 8. You can reach Larry at 701-253-5511.
May 5 brought an UPLAND SANDPIPER to Jean's Legge's neighborhood north of Valley City, followed on May 7 by a SWAINSON'S THRUSH at the city park in Marion, and spring-first FORSTER'S TERNS to Hobart Lake near Valley City on May 8. On May 9, Jean saw a RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD at her feeder, as well as AMERICAN BITTERN, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON at Hobart Lake, and a SORA. May 10 was a good day for yard birds. They included OVENBIRD, LEAST FLYCATCHER, ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK, HOUSE WREN, and SWAINSON'S THRUSH. Other sightings that day included WILLET, WILSON'S PHALAROPE, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, AMERICAN BITTERN, CASPIAN TERN, and PURPLE MARTINS between Valley City and Crystal Springs, plus about 10 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS, two white-phase and one blue-phase SNOW GEESE and a SPOTTED SANDPIPER at Hobart Lake. Jean is at 701-845-4762.
Finally...a couple reminders: If you have a television that can pick up KVLY out of Fargo, tune in on Thursday, May 15, for a birding " primer" with reporter Mel Stone and area birder Bob O'Connor. And, the South Dakota Grasslands Coalition is sponsoring two days of birding at a private ranch near Bristol in Day County, South Dakota, on June 6-7. Try their web site for details. It's sdgrass.org.
That concludes this week’s report from the North Dakota Birding Society.
The next update to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert will be the week of May 27, 2008.
Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North Dakota Birding Society. This report was prepared on Tuesday, May 6, 2008.
It's not unusual that a warbler and a sparrow top our report this time of year, but they don't usually have to share the limelight with a heron and some plovers.
A GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW turned up at Russ Rytter's feeders nearr Kenmare on May 1 and was still there the following day. There are probably fewer than 10 records of the species in North Dakota. You can contact Russ at 701-385-4248.
It was unusual enough that one PINE WARBLER showed up in Fargo, but apparently there were two. Dennis Wiesenborn saw a male PINE WARBLER at Mickelson Pines in Fargo on May 3. He hadn't seen the species in Fargo since 1997. Then a female of the same species appeared in the same spot on May 5. Dennis recorded nine warbler species on May 3, with COMMON YELLOWTHROAT being new to the area. On April 30, he saw TURKEY VULTURE, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, WINTER WREN, three PALM WARBLERS, a YELLOW WARBLER, and two LARK SPARROWS. You can reach Dennis at 218-287-4420.
On May 4, Bob O'Connor saw one of the PINE WARBLERS plus YELLOW WARBLER, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, OVENBIRD, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, PALM WARBLER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and his first GREEN HERON of the season. For details, it's robert.oconnor@ndsu.edu.
Dean Riemer birded Mickelson Field, Oak Grove Park, and Trefoil Park on May 3, recording nine warbler species. Highlights included a PINE WARBLER, male BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER, OSPREY, HOUSE WREN, WINTER WREN, two SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL near the Fargo landfill, and an EASTERN TOWHEE in his yard. Dean was joined by Keith Corliss on May 4. In the Fargo area, they saw TRUMPETER SWAN, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, HARRIS' SPARROW, and WILLET. It's driemer@kwh.com.
Rick Holbrook recorded his first YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and first ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK of the season at his Fargo feeders. He's at fholbrook@cableone.net.
Keith Corliss spent a productive hour at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo on April 30. He saw eight BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, six TURKEY VULTURES, NORTHERN HARRIER, seven ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, three BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, five HERMIT THRUSHES, two WINTER WRENS, nine BROWN CREEPERS, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, and two EASTERN TOWHEES. Details at koolhand@juno.com.
Pat Beauzay visited Mickelson Pines and Trefoil Park in Fargo on May 6, recording SWAINSON'S THRUSH, HERMIT THRUSH, TENNESSEE WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, Myrtle's YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, OVENBIRD, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, WINTER WREN, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and many RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS. For more information, call Pat at 701-231-7064.
Wanda and John Peterson had a male NORTHERN CARDINAL singing in north Fargo on April 30. They're at wandaandjohnp83@aol.com.
From Horace, Linda Gregg reports "tons" of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS and a RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER on May 1, her first HARRIS' SPARROW of spring on April 30, two female RED-BREASTED GROSBEAKS and a few LINCOLN'S SPARROWS on May 3, and her first male RED-BREASTED GROSBEAK on May 4. She's at lgregg@wah.midco.net.
Nancy Drew recorded her first HARRIS' SPARROWS of the season on May 3 at Clifford. On the following day, she saw one BARN SWALLOW and 36 TREE SWALLOWS. Contact her at ncdrew@polarcomm.com
Mark Otnes saw an OSPREY near I-94 on April 30 and a WINTER WREN near his Fargo home on April 28. Birding Stutsman and Barnes counties on May 3, Mark found seven warbler species. Highlights included YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, OVENBIRD, PALM WARBLER, and TENNESSEE WARBLER. McElroy Park in Jamestown produced Mark's first FIELD SPARROWS of the season. Below Jamestown Dam, he added GREEN HERON and BROAD-WINGED HAWK. Above Pipestem Dam, he saw two CASPIAN TERNS, and a single CASPIAN TERN below Baldhill Dam. Contact Mark at markotnes@cableone.net.
Carl Stangeland hiked the White Cloud trails in Jamestown on May 2. He discovered BROWN THRASHER, PALM WARBLERS, BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. He's at carlcs@daktel.com.
Jean Legge took some students birding near Marion in LaMoure County on May 5. They saw HARRIS' SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, SONG SPARROW, PINE SISKINS, BROWN CREEPER, and large flocks of FRANKLIN'S GULLS. Jean birded Barnes County on April 29, where she found four BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, three pairs of BELTED KINGFISHERS, two HOODED MERGANSERS, abundant RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, a RED-TAILED HAWK, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, Myrtle's YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, EASTERN PHOEBES, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, three GREATER YELLOWLEGS, and COMMON MERGANSER. On May 4, she saw HOODED MERGANSERS at a couple places along the Sheyenne River in Valley City. Call Jean at 701-845-4762.
It looks like the TRICOLORED HERON has returned to Lake Alice National Wildlife Refuge near Devils Lake, in the same spot it was seen last year. Biologist Cami Dixon saw the bird on April 30. You can reach her at 701-662-8611.
Todd Larson observed six WHITE-FACED IBIS near Lake Laretta in the Michigan area on May 3. Other sightings that day included PURPLE FINCHES in Michigan, GREAT HORNED OWL on a nearby nest, over 100 WESTERN GREBES plus the other expected grebes. Stump Lake offered up BROWN CREEPER, HERMIT THRUSH, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Todd notes that SHARP-TAILED GROUSE were common. He's at i81.ou812@yahoo.com.
Dan Ackerman saw three large flocks of FRANKLIN'S GULLS with at least 50 birds in each on May 4. He describes the location as over I-94, about 10 miles west of Jamestown. Call Dan at 701-330-5781.
Four SNOWY PLOVERS have been seen in a restricted area of Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge. They're in the same area the species nested last year--the first recorded nesting in North Dakota. Biologist Mike Rabenberg says other recent sightings have included dowitchers and WHITE-FACED IBIS on May 1 and HUDSONIAN GODWIT on April 28. Call Mike at 701-387-4397.
Mark Gonzalez took his kids kite-flying at Double Ditch near Bismarck on May 4, and they watched an OSPREY make a couple circles around their kites. He's at mark.gonzalez@fs.fed.us.
Dan Rogers recorded 95 species in two trips from Bismarck to Fort Yates on May 3-4. Highlights were 10 BURROWING OWLS, six dowitchers, four WILLETS, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, nesting PIPING PLOVERS, LEAST SANDPIPER, UPLAND SANDPIPER, MARBLED GODWIT, SAY'S PHOEBE, PIED-BILLED GREBE, HORNED GREBE, EARED GREBE, and WESTERN GREBE. Try him at 701-224-5530.
Sleepy Hollow Park in Bismarck was Corey Ellingson's destination on May 2. He saw a COOPER'S HAWK pair, LEAST FLYCATCHER, BLUE-HEADED VIREO, WINTER WREN, TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, HERMIT THRUSH, OVENBIRD, SWAMP SPARROW, at least 75 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, FOX SPARROW, and DARK-EYED JUNCO. On May 5, he discovered an Audubon's YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER near the Mandan Experiment Station, plus BROAD-WINGED HAWK, three likely GREAT HORNED OWL young, and BELTED KINGFISHER. At Sibley Park near Bismarck, he added BROAD-WINGED HAWK, PEREGRINE FALCON, GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH, three NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, and a SOLITARY SANDPIPER pair. Try Corey at tcellingson@juno.com.
Strong easterly winds brought new birds to Oak Park in Minot on May 1. Ron Martin and Sherry Leslie counted 51 species, including seven warbler species. Highlights included BROAD-WINGED HAWK, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, LEAST FLYCATCHER, 13 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, HERMIT THRUSH, 40 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, YELLOW WARBLER, PALM WARBLER, 80 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, four BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS, OVENBIRD, and 12 NORTHERN WATERTHRUSHES. Back at his Sawyer area feeder, Ron recorded his first HARRIS' SPARROW of the year and earlier spotted two PEREGRINE FALCONS north over Sawyer. For details, it's jrmartin@srt.com.
Sherry Leslie went to Kenmare and saw the GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW on May 2. The same site also held about 25 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. Other sightings included WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS, CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS, SONG SPARROWS, LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, DARK-EYED JUNCO, and RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, plus NORTHERN SHRIKE and COOPER'S HAWK. For more information, try her at sherry_leslie@excite.com.
Ryan Shively observed an albino MALLARD on May 1 about two miles southeast of Wolford. He's at ryan_shively@fws.gov.
Wayne Easley and his wife concentrated their May 3-5 efforts on the area between Harvey and Esmond. They found 15 TUNDRA SWANS, all five grebe species about five miles east of Esmond, and hundreds of FRANKLIN'S GULLS just south of there. East of Harvey, they recorded several hundred LAPLAND LONGSPURS. Near Harvey, six species of sparrows visited the Easley yard: WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, HARRIS' SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, CLAY-COLORED SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and LINCOLN'S SPARROW. While exploring Coal Mine Campground at Lonetree Wildlife Management Area, they saw six RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS in brilliant color. Contact Wayne at easley57@yahoo.com.
From Minot, Molly Rodriguez saw a YELLOW WARBLER and a handful of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, plus WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, and her usual CEDAR WAXWINGS on May 2. Molly also has been visited by a probable HERMIT THRUSH. She's at molly.rodriguez1106@yahoo.com.
Kim Breuer's feeders in Minot attracted a CHIPPING SPARROW on May 1, and a YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER turned up in her backyard on May 4. Try her at breuer@srt.com.
Charles J. Taft started May off with CHIPPING SPARROW and HARRIS' SPARROW, and followed up on May 2 with an OVENBIRD in his Minot backyard. He reminds Minot-area birders of a combination birding/clean-up of Oak Park on the next few Fridays. Contact him for details at cjtaft@mac.com.
A juvenile RED CROSSBILL visited Dave and Ellin Lindee's feeders in Minot on April 29. Their other recent sightings came at the Van Hook Arm of Lake Sakakawea on May 4. Highlights included HARRIS' SPARROW, TREE SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, FIELD SPARROW, FOX SPARROW, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, BROWN CREEPER, OVENBIRD, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, DOWNY WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, PURPLE FINCH, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, slate DARK-EYED JUNCO, and PINE SISKIN. Try them at daveandellin@srt.com.
Bernice Houser finally has some new birds near New Town. On April 30 and May 1, she found LINCOLN'S SPARROW, HARRIS' SPARROW, CHIPPING SPARROW, BROWN THRASHER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER. May 2 brought FIELD SPARROW, WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, and CLAY-COLORED SPARROW plus COMMON GRACKLE, BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER. On May 4, she noted large numbers of AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS where they nested last year on an island in Van Hook Arm. Also, WILLETS, MARBLED GODWITS, BLUE-WINGED TEAL, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, and others using a small wet area. Contact Bernice at sanishnd@hotmail.com.
Jack Lefor stayed home in Dickinson the weekend of May 3-4, and let the birds come to him. He recorded new yard birds: GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH and BROAD-WINGED HAWK plus a spring-first YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. He's at jpl@ndsupernet.com.
Late April and early May brought good birding for Lillian Crook in Medora. On April 27, she saw LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE and COOPER'S HAWK. On April 28, it was a LAZULI BUNTING, followed by a ROCK WREN on April 29, a CHIPPING SPARROW on April 30, and lots of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS as well as a flock of SAVANNAH SPARROWS on May 1. For details, try her at lilliancrook@hotmail.com.
Diane Bingeman reports the TREE SWALLOWS have returned to the Beach area. She saw them at their nest sites on May 4. Contact her at bingeman@midstate.net.
That concludes this week’s report from the North Dakota Birding Society.
