Monthly Archives: November 2022

A Birder’s Guide to Minnesota

Background, Year 9

Looking for that perfect holiday gift for a birder? You MUST buy the just released “A Birder’s Guide to Minnesota” written by Kim Eckert. I own the first version of this book, and pre-ordered the book’s new release a month ago. While everyone likes to use eBird while planning birding excursions, you really need to learn habitat and use that knowledge to plan your outings. Kim’s book reviews  Minnesota habitat county by county and provides suggestions and maps on where you should focus your birding efforts. The book actually reviews over 1,400 Minnesota birding locations! (as a fyi I receive zero compensation or financial benefit for making this recommendation)

  • Purchase “The Birder’s Guide to Minnesota”

You will be browsing to the web site of Sparky Stensaas. Sparky is the Director of the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog. While you could purchase this book via Amazon, your purchase via Sparky’s web site (The Photo Naturalist) insures more of your money goes to support both birds and the author.

Some notes about Kim Eckert: He turned to a career in birding after moving to Duluth, Minnesota in 1977, where he served as Naturalist at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve (for a total of 20 years), taught bird identification classes for a decade, and started leading birding tours (including 30 years with Victor Emanuel Nature Tours). In 1986, Kim created the Minnesota Birding Weekends & Weeks program of tours throughout Minnesota and elsewhere in the U.S. and Canada, which is now in its 37th season. Visit Kim’s web site.

Evening Grosbeaks of the Bog

Year 9,

There are definitely lots of grosbeaks and redpolls showing up minute by minute at Sax-Zim Bog. This bird took offence with my comments earlier this morning!

“Who are you calling Gros?! My beak is easily more beautiful than my cousin’s, Pine Grosbeak!”

Two more pics from this morning at the Welcome Center. I would estimate the flock at about 40 birds.

Meanwhile back at home my local birds wanted attention!

Bald Eagles of the Northland

Year 9

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, and has the opportunity to get some birding in after “eating the bird!”.  Two days ago my local bald eagles had a small convention … enjoying the morning sun while blocked from the strong NW wind. Remember, as the temperature falls and the winds rise in the winter, raptors in particular will almost always perch where they are both warmed by the sun, but protected from the cold NW winds.

The third Bald Eagle is an immature bird likely two years of age or younger. In the third year Bald Eagles start to get more white markings; normally by the fourth year an eagle has the classic white head and tail.