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.