As of April 10th, the gray-morph GYRFALCON was still in northeastern Dakota County. It was most recently reported by John Ellis just east of the junction of County Road 42 and State Highway 55.

GREAT GRAY OWLS and NORTHERN HAWK OWLS are becoming more difficult to find in northern Minnesota, but a few birds are still being reported. On April 10th, Warren Nelson found two Great Grays on Aitkin County Road 1, two more on County Road 29, and four on County Road 68.

A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was reported on April 10th from Murray County. Barb McGregor and Sue Bergman found it along County Road 8 between Highway 91 and U.S. Highway 59.

There was an interesting report of a TUFTED TITMOUSE from Baker Park near Maple Plain, in Hennepin County. Jim Solgard heard the bird calling on April 14th. To view this bird, begin at U.S. Highway 12, take County Road 19 north to County Road 24, then turn right and drive just under a mile. Look for the headquarters building and listen for the bird from the parking lot and from the walking trail.

Audrey Evers found a ROSS GOOSE at Fishermans Point of White Water Lake in Hoyt Lakes, in St. Louis County, on April 14th. Another Ross’s Goose was found by Keith Pulles in Wright County on the 13th at Beebe Lake.

Susan Hult reported an AMERICAN AVOCET at Pool #9 of the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area in Anoka County on April 10th. And a remarkable total of nineteen was found by Janet Timmerman on the 11th on the northwestern shore of Lake Wilson in Murray County.

On April 14th, a pair of LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES was seen by Emily Hutchins along Highway 30 near Blooming Prairie in Steele County, roughly one-quarter of a mile west of Highway 218. A second pair was found on the 13th by Steve Weston in Dakota County, just east of the 140th Street Marsh.

Also on April 14th, Conny Brunell reported one of the spring’s first BROAD-WINGED HAWKS in Eagan, in Dakota County. Other new reports this past week include HORNED GREBE, VIRGINIA RAIL, SORA, FORSTER TERN, BROWN THRASHER, EASTERN TOWHEE, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, and BREWER BLACKBIRD.