Category Archives: Year 10

Post Storm Birding?

Year 10

Believe it or not the winds are down this morning … only 35 mph and out of the west on Lake Superior. Ships had been hiding in the Duluth Harbor from the strong 60+ mph NE winds and ice buildup the waves might cause. In very short order I saw three “Lakers” heading down lake. (the photo location is about 13 miles up the shore from Duluth’s Canal Park)

The sun also returned, but the birding is still horrible given the very strong winds. The chill factor this morning must be below zero. However, within a few days spring is rumored to arrive in the Northland with temperatures soaring into the 50’s with strong winds out of the south (bringing migrating birds??). The North Shore waterfalls will be intense given both the depth of the snow back in the woods combined with an extremely fast melt which will start (video link for email subscribers … this morning’s ore boat)

Winter Waves at Stony Point on Lake Superior

Year 10

It may be April 5th, but do NOT tell Lake Superior. There were 60 mph winds overnight and heavy snow. My yard at the northern edge of Duluth still has 2+ feet of snow on the ground.

Around the point from the crashing waves, our cold water surfers were at play. They dared not surf out at the point … normally their favorite local spot. (winter waves videos for email subscribers … Video1 | Video2)

Sax-Zim Bog Food in Short Supply

Year 10

Don’t ask me when we last had 2+ feet of snow on the ground on April 3rd near my house, or 3+ feet of white stuff on the ground in Sax-Zim Bog on the same date. Five days ago while out birding I wanted to check out some possible Great Gray Owl nest sites … mea culpa. Even though the temperature was 17F and I assumed I would be able to easily walk across the frozen crust, I sank in snow up to my mid thigh. After only ten yards of trying to move forward, I spent minutes trying to extricate myself from the mess I was in … next time I will bring snowshoes.

This morning I returned to the Bog, with my snowshoes. Unfortunately freezing drizzle put off my hike. However, I think both the birds and mammals are desperate for food. I found a dead deer which I assume had starved. The number of Bald Eagles, Crows, and Magpies which had gathered around the carcass was amazing. When driving backroads one now sees an amazing number of deer which have no desire to be walking in the deep snow, and these same deer do NOT want to move away from my car. At this point the only goal is to conserve energy.

Bald Eagles Above the Deer Carcass

Earlier in the morning I found a SnowShoe Hare. Please note it is eating small pine branches which I doubt have much nutritional value. In addition, its coat of white fur is starting to turn gray which will make it much easier prey for forest hunters. The snow will not melt soon, and the rabbit will stand out like a sore thumb in the brown drab forest. (video link of SnowShoe Hare for email subscribers)

Snowshoe Hare Eating Pine Branches