Explore Minnesota Birding Update - May 2019

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Explore Minnesota Birding Update - May 2019 
Canada warbler; photo by Jon Swanson
 

This is your monthly Explore Minnesota Birding Update.

Happy birding!


 

May Nature Notes

May is the best month for viewing the greatest numbers and varieties of colorful warblers in full breeding plumage. Look for roughly 20 species of warblers including American redstart, black-throated green, black-throated blue, blackburnian, blackpoll, Canada, Cape May, chestnut-sided, common yellowthroat, golden-winged, magnolia, Nashville, northern parula, orange-crowned, palm, Tennessee and yellow warblers. At the end of May, you can still view these stunning birds in the far northeast corner of the state.

According to an article written by Robert B. Janssen for the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, Frontenac State Park is a hot spot for viewing warblers. Find out why at The Warbler Capital. Before you go, check out the DNR's Songs of Spring video for information on 10 warblers to watch and listen for in Minnesota.

Other stunning birds to watch for include Baltimore oriole, indigo bunting, scarlet tanager and rose-breasted grosbeak.

Late May is a great time to check Minnesota's western prairies for marbled godwits, bobolinks, dickcissels and sandpipers. The Pine to Prairie International Birding Trail offers many excellent prairie sites to view these birds.

If you haven't already, it’s time to set out your hummingbird feeders since ruby-throated hummingbirds are beginning to arrive. Please be sure to thoroughly clean your feeders before filling them with fresh sugar–water nectar, and try to hang them in shady areas. It is also important to clean your hummingbird feeders every few days. Another way to attract hummingbirds is to plant native nectar-producing flowers and flowering vines and shrubs. Consider colorful options such as bee balm, butterfly milkweed, cardinal flower, great blue lobelia, honeysuckle, red columbine and wild blue phlox.

Did You Know?

The Audubon Society offers a great tool for learning about birds in your area through their Guide to North American Birds. Just choose a species or family of birds along with the region in which you reside to view a comprehensive list of possible birds in your area. When you click on each of the birds identified you will discover a wealth of information including songs and calls, habitat and information on migration.

Are you ready to plant your garden or spruce up your yard?  If so, consider plants that benefit the birds that live near you. The Audubon Society makes it easy via their Native Plants Database. Just type in your email address and zip code and you’ll discover a wide array of flowers, shrubs and trees best suited for specific species of birds. 

Upcoming Birding Events

May 4, Hastings
Bird Hike
Learn to identify birds by sight and sound with local experts. Binoculars and field guides will be available to use or you can bring your own. Registration is recommended. Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center. 651-437-4359

May 4, Rochester
Zumbro Valley Big Birding Day
Spend the day birding at numerous locations in the Rochester area and count as many species as possible while enjoying the beauty of the local parks. Come to one, two or all five of the walks, and enjoy an after-party at LTS Brewery at the end of the day. Participants should be able to walk on uneven ground. Bring binoculars. This event is not suitable for young children. For more details, check out the printable map and schedule.

May 4, Onamia
Spring Bird Migration
This talk and slideshow about the spring migration will include a lesson on the use of binoculars and tips on how to attract birds to your backyard. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park Interpretive Center. 320-532-3269

May 10-12, Lake City
Spring Warbler Weekend
Join experienced birders who will help you find and identify warblers, owls, orioles, and many other birds. Groups will take trails or travel by car in Hok-Si-La and nearby parks on the Mississippi River. Also enjoy gathering, socializing, eating and recording at Hok-Si-La Park. 651-340-3487

May 11, Stillwater
Birds, Buds and Blooms Walk
Enjoy a morning walk with a naturalist to locate spring birds and spring wildflowers. Brown's Creek State Trail & Nature Reserve. 651-231-6968

May 11, Zimmerman
Bird Tour
View and learn about local birds during a morning bird walk. Binoculars are available to borrow. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. 763-389-3323

May 12, Elba
Bird Banding Demonstration
Join a master bird bander for close-up experiences with birds. Program participants will have the opportunity to handle and release birds after they have been caught in nets, studied, observed and banded with an aluminum tag. An Intro to Trout Fishing, Peregrine Falcon program and Bluegrass Jam will also be offered that day. Whitewater State Park. 507-312-2300

May 15-18, Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds
Observe up to 275 species of birds during the 22nd Annual Festival of Birds! Witness the spring bird migration in a unique transition zone of tall-grass prairie, northern hardwood and conifer forests and wetlands in the Detroit Lakes area. The festival kicks off with "The Return of the Peregrine Falcon" by Carrol Henderson at Maplelag Resort, followed by weekend bird tours, a bazaar, exhibitors and presentations. 218-847-9202

May 18, Zimmerman
Bird Tour & Spring Celebration
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day on a morning bird walk to view migratory birds and pollinators. Afterwards, head to the Oak Savanna Learning Center for the Friends of Sherburne NWR plant sale, kids craft activities, engaging booths and presentations, and more guided hikes! Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. 763-389-3323

May 18, Chaska
A Day of Birding Walks and Workshops
Join birding enthusiasts and experts from around the region and celebrate the spring migration amidst spring flowers. The day is packed with featured presenters, workshops, classes, organization booths and guided walks. All must pre-register. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 952-443-1400

May 18 & 25, Ely
Birding at Bear Head
Join experienced birding guides for a stroll around Bear Head Lake, looking and listening for birds within the park. A limited number of binoculars are available for use. Meet at the Park Office. Bear Head Lake State Park. 218-235-2520

May 19, Elba
Bird Banding Demonstration
Join a master bird bander at the visitor center bird feeders for close-up experiences with birds. Program participants will have a chance to handle and release birds after they have been caught in nets, studied, observed and banded with an aluminum tag. An Intro to Trout Fishing, Peregrine Falcon program and Bluegrass Jam will also be offered that day. Whitewater State Park. 507-312-2300

May 19, St. Anthony
Walk with a Naturalist
Stroll through the park watching and listening for seasonal birds and wildlife. Bring binoculars if you have them. Free for all ages. Silverwood Park. 763-694-7707

May 25, Pipestone
Raptor Program and Migratory Bird Day
See owls, hawks and bald eagles up close! The UMN's Raptor Center will bring raptors to the park for an interactive, educational program, along with a celebration of Migratory Bird Day at the park. Free and open to the public. Pipestone National Monument. 507-825-5464

May 25, Park Rapids
Take Flight! Spotting Spring Birds
Discover the songs and sights of Minnesota's spring migratory birds. Join birder and instructor Ron Miller MD for a birding walk in Itasca State Park to discover recently arrived breeding birds, as well as species passing through on their northward migration. Itasca State Park. 218-699-7251

June 1, Hastings
Bird Hike
Learn to identify birds by sight and sound with local experts. Binoculars and field guides will be available to use or you can bring your own. Registration is recommended. Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center. 651-437-4359

Recent Bird Sightings

Check the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union web site for recent bird sightings and rare bird alerts.

For additional information, consider joining the Minnesota Birding community on Facebook.

 

 


American redstart; photo by John A. Anderson     

Black-throated blue warbler; photo by David Brislance

Blackburnian warbler; photo by Liz Stanley

Chestnut-sided warbler; photo by Jon Swanson

Golden-winged warbler; photo by David Cahlander   
Nashville warbler; photo by www.mikelentzphotography.com   
Northern parula; photo by David Brislance   

Palm warbler; photo by Terence P. Brashear   
Yellow warbler; photo by Travis Bonovsky  

Baltimore oriole; photo by Wayne Bartz

Rose-breasted grosbeak; photo by Richard Vincent
Scarlet tanager; photo by Bruce Lees    

Ruby-throated hummingbird; photo by David Brislance    

Bobolink; photo by www.mikelentzphotography.com  

Dickcissel; photo by David Cahlander

Stilt sandpiper; photo by Larry Sirvio   

 

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