All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Boreal Bird Bonanza: Red Crossbill Nest Building!

February 24, 2020Year 7MN North: Sand Lake Pine Forestrichardhoeg@gmail.com

The weather forecast screamed I should head north towards Ely this morning (11F, sunny and calm winds). Taking Lake County #2 out of Two Harbors one quickly enters the Superior National Forest, and although my home is within the Boreal Forest, getting north of Two Harbors means true wilderness. Near a small river as one approaches Mn Hwy 1 is a hot spot for Spruce Grouse, and this year … Crossbills. The four miles from the Sand River to the radio tower are fantastic birding, just watch for logging trucks in the rear view mirror. Otherwise the traffic is very light.

Most people head to this region for Spruce Grouse, but my target birds also included Red Crossbills. Neither bird disappointed! The numbers of Crossbills I saw shortly after sunrise was amazing, and I was extremely fortunate to spot nest building is process. Red Crossbills will nest at any time of year given an ample supply of pine cones. Their unique shaped beak is perfect for cracking open pine cones. Most other animals and birds are not able to access the seeds within, so the food is all theirs. The Northwoods definitely has a great supply of pine cones this winter from last summer’s growing season.

A Female Red Crossbill works nest building while her mate supervises! The female eventually walked around the tree and sat down. I could see her with my binoculars, but not the camera.

More Red Crossbill images

Spruce Grouse in a Pine Tree (very lucky view up into the tree)

Snowshoe Snowy (Owl Trifecta at Dawn)

February 22, 2020Year 7MN North: Sax-Zim Bogrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Up in Sax-Zim Bog there is a female Snowy Owl which rarely hunts near any road. Most views of this bird are from 3/4 of mile away. This morning a bit after sunrise I decided today was the perfect day to snowshoe the 3/4 mile from Hwy #7 to said Snowy Owl (1.5 miles round trip). The weather was perfect … starting at 3F and ending at 28F with light winds.

If you know where this Snowy hangs out, there is no sneaking up on the bird, and any wind would make the snowshoe trip very, very cold. However, Madam Snowy decided said human (i.e. me) was harmless and waited for me to make my long approach.

While I was only 1/2 the way across the open meadow, the owl took off on an aborted hunt, but returned to the same perch. I was rather concerned all my efforts would be for naught, but that was not the case.

It was actually a great trifecta of a morning with a Great Gray right at sunrise, and then a Hawk Owl. I did all my birding along Hwy #7 except for a hike far back in along the South Logging Road Trail from McDavitt (saw nothing).

As always it was great time in the Bog, and hiking / snowshoeing away from the road I was rewarded with private time with some neat birds. Even with the snowshoes I broke through the crust at times … falling on multiple occasions. I was still home by 12 noon (brief stop for lunch), and then enjoyed a warm sunny Nordic ski on the Lester Amity Ski Trails. The mercury at this point was up to 43F. Great day.

Snowshoe Snowy Owl