November Nature Notes
The first part of November in Minnesota has been the warmest on record. Minnesotans can expect above normal temperatures to linger through mid-November -- ideal conditions for birding, especially since large numbers of birds continue to migrate through to their wintering sites.
Anyone who admires the beauty of tundra swans will want to visit the Weaver Bottoms marshes and the Brownsville Overlook along the Mississippi River during the month of November. From 25- to 40-percent of the eastern population of tundra swans use the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge as a resting site prior to their long journey to wintering areas on the Atlantic Coast. The spectacular sights and haunting sounds of huge concentrations of these birds is something that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime. Mid-November is generally when the largest number of tundra swans congregate, sometimes in the thousands. Bird counts for various locations within the refuge can be found at the Upper Mississippi River weekly bird sightings web page.
The fall sandhill crane migration at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge remains high with 6,200 cranes reported at the refuge on Nov. 3, 2016. Stop by the headquarters for a map of the viewing sites, or print a crane viewing map ahead of time to help you plan your trip.
Did You Know?
Help our feathered friends by keeping feeders full and participating in Project Feeder Watch. Gather data while enjoying your backyard birds and help scientists track winter bird populations and distribution. More than 20,000 people contribute data from November through early April -- it's not too late to sign up! The Project Feeder Watch site offers lots of fun birding information, including a neat interactive guide to Common Feeder Birds.
Upcoming Birding Events
Nov. 12, Elba
Tundra Swan Watch Field Trip
Learn about tundra swans during a short presentation, then caravan through the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area to Weaver Bottoms on the Mississippi River to observe tundra swans. Binoculars, spotting scopes and handouts will be available. Bring your own transportation. Whitewater State Park. 507-932-3007
Nov. 12, Houston
Owl Prowl to Call In Wild Owls
Experience wild owls outdoors, after dark! Experts will teach you how to call owls, and explain why calling shouldn't be done regularly in the same area. International Owl Center. 507-896-6957
Nov. 19, Dayton and Victoria
Bird Banding
See wild song birds safely trapped, studied, and tagged with numbered rings. Eastman Nature Center and Lowry Nature Center. 763-694-7700, 763-694-7650
Nov. 26, St. Paul
Raptors of Minnesota
Meet a variety of live raptors and learn what you can do to help protect the environment we share. Also tour The Raptor Center and the outdoor housing area, home of 32 education raptors. Openings available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Raptor Center. 612-624-4745
Rare Bird Alerts and Recent Sightings
A rough-legged hawk was observed on Nov. 8 by Allan Meadows at Rainy Lake. Rough-legged hawks are uncommon in Koochiching County in the fall season.
On Nov. 7, a snow goose was found at the Anderson Windows holding pond in Cottage Grove by Larry Sirvio. Snow geese are uncommon in Washington County in the fall.
Four cackling geese were observed by David Brislance on Nov. 6. They were found resting in the sun in the Grand Marais municipal campground. Cackling geese are uncommon in Cook County in the fall.
David Brislance found a cattle egret in Cook County on Nov. 1. Cattle egrets are a 'Rare Regular' in Minnesota.
Check the Duluth/North Shore Rare Bird Alert and the Northwest Minnesota/Detroit Lakes Rare Bird Alert for other recent bird sightings.
And during migration periods, check out Bird Cast Forecasts courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to learn about weekly movement for your area.
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