Mother Nature will keep the Northland quite wet over the next few days. Thus, it seemed like a good time to “kick back” while I am housebound and publish some spring birding notes. Here goes, in no particular order:

• Ponds and lakes in the Duluth area have experienced ice out, or at least have large areas of open water. This is a great time to photograph waterfowl as they move northwards using the latest open ponds.
• Chambers Grove Park at Duluth’s Fond du Lac neighborhood finally has hundreds of white pelicans. Best days to visit are sunny, calm mornings. The pelicans really start moving around once the sun pops up over the trees around 8 am and warms them up. The fish spawn is running a bit late on the St. Louis River, which is why the pelicans like this spot.
• Forest Hill Cemetery’s ponds and grounds are great for bird watching during migration. You are often able to get close to many duck species. The male common merganser was photographed at Forest Hill. Use your car as a blind. Do not get out of your vehicle. In addition, let the ducks swim to you. Don’t keep moving your car.
• North of Duluth and inland of Two Harbors, roads which were not plowed all winter are mostly snow free. However, shady “east-west” roads are much wetter than “north-south” roads given the amount of sun that reaches the roadbed. Given the amount of rain received over the past week you will find local flooding. The picture of the Spruce Grouse running across the snow was taken two days ago (April 24th) next to Stoney River Forest Road
• Mammals are moving around towards summer habitat, but trails are real wet and messy. Yesterday I was not able to reach my goals for where I wanted to hike because of flooded areas over the trail I was hiking. However, ticks are out. I pulled five ticks off myself after a different hike yesterday.
• If you want to drive back roads right now during this period, I advise using a vehicle with all wheel or 4 wheel drive. Major dirt roads which are plowed all winter should be fine for two wheel drive cars.