North Dakota Birding Hotline Reports
October 2008
The North Dakota Birding Hotline is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the North Dakota Birding Society. To access the telephone birding hotline, call 701-355-8554.
Welcome to the North Dakota Rare Bird Alert compiled by the North Dakota Birding Society. This report was prepared on Tuesday, October 28, 2008.
Raptors and "winter birds" headline our report this week, but there are other good sightings.
Ron Martin and Dan Svingen found a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at the Bismarck landfill on October 25. Earlier in the day, Ron saw a SURF SCOTER at Lake Audubon. On October 24, Ron recorded a COMMON RAVEN at Minot plus 12 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS at Oak Park and 40 more at the Denbigh Experimental Forest, as well as 101 ROSS' GEESE at Buffalo Lodge Lake in McHenry County. On Ocober 26, Ron discovered an early SNOWY OWL in McHenry County. For more information, contact jrmartin@srt.com.
Sherry Leslie discovered her first COMMON REDPOLLS of the season as well as 85 PINE SISKINS at Burlington on October 27. She's at sherry_leslie@excite.com.
Howard Lien found two COMMON REDPOLLS in Minot on October 27. Contact him at hlpromo@srt.com.
Lillian Crook reports flocks of SANDHILL CRANES flying over Medora from October 11 though October 21. She's at lilliancrook@hotmail.com.
Betsy Batstone-Cunningham has been enjoying good raptor viewing along the Greenway in Grand Forks. On October 25, she recorded an AMERICAN KESTREL and a NORTHERN SHRIKE, as well as a number of other raptors during the week. The kestrel was still there the following day, and Betsy watched it chase off a RED-TAILED HAWK. She also saw a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK that day, and noticed lots of geese heading south. For more information, contact Betsy at batsham@gra.midco.net.
Mark Otnes discovered his second Barnes County COMMON RAVEN near Claussen Springs on October 25. But he believes he also heard one the previous day between Bald Hill Dam and Valley City. Other birds that day included a SEDGE WREN at Sibley Crossing and a number of RUSTY BLACKBIRDS in the Oriska area. Mark reported numerous large flocks of LAPLAND LONGSPURS both days. Contact him at markotnes@cableone.net.
Keith Corliss saw an unusually large flock of 17 GREATER YELLOWLEGS during an October 23 visit to the Fargo lagoons. The same site also held two SANDERLINGS, 104 SNOW BUNTINGS and "lots of waterfowl." On October 26, Keith recorded a MERLIN at the corner of 7th Avenue North and Broadway in Fargo, a RED-TAILED HAWK and a NORTHERN GOSHAWK flyover in north Fargo. He wrapped up the day with a NORTHERN HARRIER flyover above Main Avenue as he headed home to West Fargo. For more information, contact Keith at koolhand@juno.com.
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, October 21, 2008.
They're regular visitors to North Dakota, but it's always a treat to see them.
Sherry Leslie got good views of six WHOOPING CRANES along the scenic road at Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge during an October 20 visit to the refuge near Kenmare. On the way there from her home in Burlington, she saw two BALD EAGLES, two NORTHERN HARRIERS, SWAINSON'S HAWK, AMERICAN KESTREL, eight GRAY PARTRIDGE, SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, and RING-NECKED PHEASANT. In her yard, Sherry counted 14 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, along with HARRIS' SPARROW, BLUE JAYS, HOUSE FINCHES, and several PURPLE FINCHES, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, HAIRY WOODPECKER, and DOWNY WOODPECKER. For details, she's at 701-725-4389.
Corey Ellingson estimated about 1,000 birds present at the Bismarck landfill on October 17, highlighted by an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL. Others included two first-winter THAYER'S GULLS and five adult HERRING GULLS. At Sleepy Hollow Park that day, he got a close view of a GREAT HORNED OWL, although the two dozen ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS from earlier in the week were gone. A FOX SPARROW stopped in his yard earlier in the week. For more information, contact Corey at tcellingson@juno.com.
Dan and Emily Svingen ventured to Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge on October 19, and were treated to a young SABINE'S GULL. Dan is at 701-250-4443, extension 107.
From Grand Forks County, Eve Freeberg reported a season-first TREE SPARROW on October 15, as well as another SURF SCOTER at the Grand Forks Air Force Base lagoons plus a SWAMP SPARROW. On October 17, she discovered her first NORTHERN SHRIKE of the fall. On the next day, it was a Harlan's RED-TAILED HAWK, followed on the 19th by at least 10 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS at Stewart Lake and four GREATER YELLOWLEGS. On October 20, Eve recorded a LONG-TAILED DUCK, and October 21 brought an early SNOWY OWL and five COMMON GOLDENEYE. For details, call Eve at 701-741-8105.
Mark Otnes discovered a totally albino AMERICAN COOT near the headquarters at Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge near Cayuga on October 16. That same day, he had three flyovers by a male SMITH'S LONGSPUR at Englevale Slough in Ransom County, and recorded two TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRES at Morningstone Pond, which is just east of Fort Ransom. On October 14, Mark found at least two SMITH'S LONGSPURS east of the headquarters at Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge. He also saw EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES in both Wimbledon and Courtenay. On the following day, Mark observed a tail-less TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE south of Dawson, three PRAIRIE FALCONS between Dawson and South Lake, and a WINTER WREN at Claussen Springs in Barnes County. He notes that all the common goose species were present at South Lake, and that TUNDRA SWANS were common and widespread both October 14 and 15. Mark recorded his first SNOW BUNTING of fall at Borg Lake in Sargent County on October 16, and three NORTHERN SHRIKES in northern Barnes and Stutsman counties on October 14, with at least one per day otherwise. For more information, contact Mark at 701-241-4194.
Keith Corliss saw NORTHERN HARRIERS and RED-TAILED HAWKS near Wyndmere on October 17, but says they were the only raptors he found. He did record his first NORTHERN SHRIKE of the season on a power line about five miles north of Wyndmere. He reports Armour Park in West Fargo was very slow except for a lone HERMIT THRUSH. Keith is at koolhand@juno.com.
Rick Holbrook saw a flock of about 50 SANDHILL CRANES circling and heading south about two miles south of the Fargo airport on October 19. Contact him at fholbrook@cableone.net.
From the opposite end of the State, Mo O'Mara saw flocks of 80 and 60 SANDHILL CRANES near East Fairview on October 19. She reports the cranes came from the west, joined up and headed south. The following day, Mo counted 25 WILD TURKEYS in a field just south of Trotters in Golden Valley County. For more information, it's mo1_omara@yahoo.com.
Ron Martin found a single COMMON RAVEN near Sawyer on October 15. On the following day, he saw a MERLIN carrying a bird, which he later discovered to be a FOX SPARROW. In Oak Park that day, he saw a single RED CROSSBILL. Ron was joined by Corey Ellingson on October 19 for some Burke County birding. They recorded single ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and GOLDEN EAGLE, two RED CROSSBILLS and a total of 15 WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS in small flocks in Powers Lake and Lignite. For more information, it's jrmartin@srt.com.
Doug Norquist notes that EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES are being seen regularly in Buxton. For the best chance of seeing them, contact Doug at norqstorq@gra.midco.net and he'll give you the location.
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, October 14, 2008.
A rare gull tops our report this week, but there are other good sightings.
Dan and Emily Svingen discovered an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge on October 14. Their only other highlight that day was 17 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS. Back on 
September 28, Dan and his family happened on what Dan called the largest raptor push he had ever seen in the Dakotas. Again, the site was Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and Dan estimated 750 raptors in 45 minutes. The movement included five SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, about 200 BROAD-WINGED HAWKS, about 200 SWAINSON'S HAWKS, and 350 RED-TAILED HAWKS. In the Cedar River National Grassland of Grant County, Dan found two SMITH'S LONGSPURS on October 1. Dan and Emily didn't see much other than 100 RING-BILLED GULLS at the Garrison Dam tailrace on October 5. Dan was surprised to see a male BELTED KINGFISHER in his Bismarck yard on October 10, and a trip to the Bismarck landfill with Ila Svingen that day revealed 1,000 gulls including about 10 HERRING GULLS, five CALIFORNIA GULLS, and three adult THAYER'S GULLS, with the rest being RING-BILLED GULLS. For more information on those sightings, call Dan at 701-250-4443, extension 107.
Dennis Wiesenborn scored a female VARIED THRUSH across the river from Jack Williams Stadium in Fargo on October 11. Dennis says the bird was feeding on wild grapes along the river. In Trefoil Park that day, he saw a WINTER WREN and FOX SPARROWS. Southeast of Woodland Drive, Dennis added a likely LEAST FLYCATCHER, plus SEDGE WREN and numerous sparrows--mainly WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, but also HARRIS' SPARROWS, SONG SPARROWS, SWAMP SPARROWS, LINCOLN'S SPARROWS, and CHIPPING SPARROWS, but also some WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. Across from Mickelson Pines, Dennis saw COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, MARSH WREN, WESTERN MEADOWLARK, VESPER SPARROWS, and CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS. Call him at 218-287-4420.
Dean Riemer birded the Fargo area with Ron Martin and Corey Ellingson on October 10. They recorded two AMERICAN WOODCOCKS at Armour Park in West Fargo and two SURF SCOTERS in the northwest cell of the Fargo lagoons. Keith Corliss joined Dean on the following day, and they found a RUDDY TURNSTONE, 32 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, and two SURF SCOTERS. On October 12, it was Dean, Ron, and Corey again. They observed an EASTERN TOWHEE and a WILSON'S WARBLER in Trefoil Park, and a SPOTTED TOWHEE behind Jack Williams Stadium. For details on those sightings, try Dean at driemer@kwh.com.
A new yard bird showed up at Keith Corliss' place in West Fargo. Keith saw a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE on top of a power pole, after hearing a somewhat-familiar call. Keith is at koolhand@juno.com.
The rain and snow of October 12 brought David Walsh a new yard bird. A RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET made an appearance in David's yard, which is just west of Minot. In the 48 hours preceding that sighting, David also saw HARRIS' SPARROWS, WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, PINE SISKINS, DOWNY WOODPECKER, HAIRY WOODPECKER, HOUSE FINCHES, AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, DARK-EYED JUNCOS, BLUE JAY, and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE. For details, try davidw@ndak.net.
Kim Breuer of Minot recorded her first DARK-EYED JUNCO of the season on October 13. It was on her garage roof. For details, it's breuer@srt.com.
From Burlington, Sherry Leslie had a dozen EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, 23 HARRIS' SPARROWS, three RED-TAILED HAWKS, plus numerous PINE SISKINS and HOUSE FINCHES on October 8. She notes that YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS are still around, but the other warblers have moved on, while the WILD TURKEY and AMERICAN ROBIN flocks are getting larger. You can reach Sherry at sherry_leslie@excite.com.
From Grand Forks County, Eve Freeberg recorded BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER on October 7, followed by the last of the BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS, plus LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and 120 AMERICAN PIPITS on October 8. The next day brought AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, DUNLIN, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, and LEAST SANDPIPER. On October 10, Eve counted about 100 PIED-BILLED GREBES, a young BALTIMORE ORIOLE that was found dead later, and a HERMIT THRUSH. On October 12 she saw about 50 HARRIS' SPARROWS. On the following day, Eve saw young SURF SCOTERS and young BLACK SCOTERS, two SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, and noticed an increase in BUFFLEHEAD and scaup--mostly LESSER SCAUP. She added two SANDERLINGS and a DUNLIN on October 14. For more information, call Eve at 701-741-8105.
Janne Myrdal's rainy day of October 12 was brightened by a flock of 65-75 SANDHILL CRANES flying over a site northwest of Edinburg. For details, it's mybros@polarcomm.com.
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, October 7, 2008.
It's a brief report this week, but it includes some seasonal firsts and other good sightings.
Corey Ellingson recorded three seasonal firsts in three days at Sleepy Hollow Park in east Bismarck, but remains disappointed with the fall migration. It was an OVENBIRD on October 3, followed by a PALM WARBLER the following day, and then a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH on October 5. At Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Corey discovered two LECONTE'S SPARROWS, and he notes there are several SWAMP SPARROWS still around, along with some MARSH WRENS. Corey adds that the RUSTY BLACKBIRDS have arrived in the area. For more information, you can reach him at tcellingson@juno.com.
The migration has been less than exciting in northeastern North Dakota, too. From Grand Forks County, Eve Freeberg saw two RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, a TUNDRA SWAN and a juvenile OSPREY on September 29, followed by six HERMIT THRUSHES the following day, and 63 AMERICAN PIPITS plus her first SURF SCOTER of the season on October 1. On the next day, she added RUSTY BLACKBIRD, 20 SANDHILL CRANES, 71 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS, four SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, and two LEAST SANDPIPERS. Skipping ahead to October 5, Eve saw two GREATER SCAUP, SNOW BUNTING, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, and three BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS. She says a PEREGRINE FALCON was still in the area on October 6, and Eve also is noticing a few pairs of SANDERLINGS. You can contact her at 701-741-8105.
A PILEATED WOODPECKER flew across the road in front of Betsy Batstone-Cunningham on October 6 as she drove home to south Grand Forks. She also saw an adult BALD EAGLE flying south along the Red River on October 5. For details, Betsy is at batsham@gra.midco.net.
That concludes this week’s report from the North Dakota Birding Society.
