In general, July is an excellent time for avid and novice birders to check out the Minnesota River Dam in Granite Falls, the dam near Watson, and the spillway on Marsh Lake near Appleton to see American White Pelicans. These pelicans put on quite a display while fishing, and are very graceful in flight. For more on this area, visit www.prairiewaters.com

The following is a list of recent, significant sightings:

The BROWN PELICAN has been present throughout the week at Little Spirit Lake in southern Jackson County, which is just north of the Iowa border and southwest of the town of Jackson. The bird has been present at the north end of Spirit Lake in Iowa just south of Jackson County Road 2 since July 14th, but seems to be more commonly seen at the Little Spirit Lake location. The best place to view the pelican is from the boat launch at the north end of Little Spirit Lake. At the dock, look southward to where the bird has often roosted just off the peninsula.

Also of note is the BLACK-HEADED GULL that has been seen at both locations.

At least one CLARK’S GREBE was still at Lake Osakis in Todd County on July 21st.

Shorebirds have been reported in small numbers from Walker in Cass County, and the Crane Creek area near New Germany in Carver County. Species found include SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, LEAST SANDPIPER, BAIRD’S SANDPIPER, SOLITARY SANDPIPER, PECTORAL SANDPIPER, and STILT SANDPIPER.

Two EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were in the town of Otter Tail in Otter Tail County on July 24th. Jeff Schultz reported them at the feeders in the vicinity of Lake Boulevard.

Kiki Sonnen found a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD on the 26th. The bird was seen along Mississippi River Boulevard at the bridge between Huron and Dartmouth streets in southeast Minneapolis.

And in Cook County, Mike Steffes found four BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERS on Moose Mountain on July 28th.