While most people would consider Duluth on Lake Superior the frigid Northland, the birds would disagree with this opinion. Right now Arctic birds are migrating through the area on their way up to the tundra. Ice way up north should be melting soon. While I have yet to spy a Red-Throated Loon which is one of my favorites, this morning on the beaches of Minnesota Point I found three different kinds of shorebirds. These birds are fearless, and if one sits down on the sand they will walk within 4 to 5 feet of your location (which they did!).

Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings

Ruddy Turnstones

Dunlins

Here is a short video of bathtime! (video link for email subscribers)

The other good news to me is after two days of searching, I refound my Great Horned Owl family. This is the third location they have used including the nest in my local forest. Today I got some nice images of both Mom and Dad. Notice that Mom is much bigger / sleeker than Dad, while he has a “pot belly”!

Mom (with a crow right behind her)

Dad

One of the Owlets

Breakfast Berry Birding is done for another summer.  For the past month whenever I have gone out bird hiking, I have always been able to finish off my breakfast with fresh berries. Back in July I enjoyed wild raspberries, while over the past two weeks I have been consuming lots of thimbleberries. Thus, if I am lucky in addition to red stained fingers when I get home, I have both a full stomach and some nice images! However, summer is ending and this morning while looking for Hoot I came up empty both in terms of finding my owl family AND any berries!

However, seasonal transitions bring other opportunities. Yesterday morning I decided to visit the Park Point beaches and Recreation Area for the first time this summer. While I found a few shorebirds on the sand, I struck paydirt upon checking the trees against St. Louis River Bay. A huge south wind was beginning to blow, and birds will declare a stop to migration in the face of stiff headwinds. Such was the case and I experienced a mini fallout as suddenly I was surrounded by large flocks of Eastern Kingbirds, Baltimore Orioles, Cedar Waxwings, and various Warblers. Yup … the bug eating birds are definitely exiting the northern forest. As most of you live south of me, get ready for migration. It’s coming soon!

Female Baltimore Oriole (could not determine if they were finding bugs in amonst the pine, or sipping some sap)

Eastern Kingbirds (these birds would fight over the best bug ambushing perches)

Cedar Waxwing