All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Stranded in Haugastol, Norway!

March 3, 2016Year 3Norwayrichardhoeg@gmail.com

What do you do when the power crumps in the middle of the Norwegian mountains? The answer, wait! While taking the train from Oslo to Bergen the mountains experienced a power outage, and we ended up stopped in a small town … waiting for buses to come and rescue us! Actually, all was fine as our Hurtigruten ship was not due to leave till late that night. Once all the buses arrived at our train, we convoyed with two snow plows leading the way through the passes. It ended up being a fun, scenic and beautiful experience. Hurtigruten knew of our problems, and met us when and where our bus arrived in Bergen. Sometimes the unexpected roads in life are the most fun.

We have now been on the ship for a little over 24 hours. The Norwegian Coast in the winter is gorgeous, and during a three hour stop today in Alesund I even had the opportunity to bird the local harbor. Much to my surprise I actually recognized a bird I had never seen in my life. Two winters ago a female Common Eider appeared on Lake Superior in the Duluth area. While I had never seen a male, given the amorous attentions being paid to the drab female, I knew what I was seeing! Very cool. The other bird I think is some kind of petrel. Without a European field guide book, I am stumped as to an identification. Help anyone?

My thanks to Simon Rix, the Oslo Birder, who commented my unknown feathered friend was a Common Guillemot/Common Murre!

Stranded in Haugastol

Haugastol

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Bergen … onboard our Hurtigruten ship

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The Norwegian Coast north of Bergen

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Common Eiders in the Alesund Harbor

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Unknown bird … a petrel?? Nope! A Common Guillemot/Common Murre. Thanks to Simon Rix!

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Norway Bound!

February 27, 2016Year 3MN North: Sax-Zim Bogrichardhoeg@gmail.com

On Monday Molly and I travel to Norway. For the next ten days we will cruise up the coast of Norway from Bergen to Tromso (north of the Arctic Circle) on Hurtigruten, the ferry system which services all the Norwegian coastal towns. Upon reaching Tromso will will Nordic Ski (no races!) by day, and search for the Northern Lights by night! Given early March is not yet migration time, birding opportunities will likely be limited, but I will still keep an eye out for our feathered friends!

Stay tuned to this blog for updates as we ski and search for the Aurora! Yesterday was my last birding day in the USA. I volunteered all day at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center. The number of winter birds is really starting to drop.

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Hairy Woodpecker

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Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Snowbound! Waiting for Spring

February 25, 2016Year 3MN North: Isabella, MN North: Sax-Zim Bog, MN North: Two Harbors Highlandsrichardhoeg@gmail.com

By the end of February the birding picture here in northern Minnesota becomes tough. In fact, it takes both tough birders and birds to hang in there through our deep cold winter. However, when the birds become few and far between, it becomes “exploration time” for me in the wilderness. The Minnesota Arrowhead contains innumerable logging roads which snake their way through the Superior National Forest, and environs. The scenery is gorgeous even if the birds are sparse. This time of year allows me to discover good bird habitat which I then make plans to visit during warmer weather.

All is not black and white in the winter. If you know where to look, flashes of color appear in the forest which was the case with yesterday’s drive / hike in the Sax-Zim Bog. Should you actually be in the Bog tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 26th), stop by at the Welcome Center. I will be your host, and happy to give my latest birding intelligence.

My Morning Commute … Courtesy of the Civilian Conservation Corp.
Near Isabella, Minnesota