Category Archives: Year 12

Birding Hike with Rich to the Canosia Great Blue Heron Rookery

Year 12

This coming Saturday morning, April 26th at 8:00 am sharp, I will lead a birding hike to the Canosia Wildlife Reserve Great Blue Heron Rookery. You MUST send me an email if you want to join us. I will leave the trailhead promptly at 8 am.

Aside from wearing proper clothes to the temperature you should have water proof shoes or boots, and if balance is a concern … a walking stick or ski pole. Although the hike is short (only 1/2 mile to the rookery and basically flat), you will go off trail into a recently logged area which has a huge amount of logs to step over … thus the pole.

It is extremely likely you will see a mated pair of Osprey, and hear (perhaps see) lots of Wilson Snipe. I will cancel if the weather forecast turns horrible, but Saturday looks good right now.

My email address is RichardHoeg {at} GMail.com

The GPS coordinates for the trailhead may be found on my Mn Birding Locations page. The West Lismore Trailhead location at Canosia. When parking, no NOT block the DNR trailhead gate.

I decided to lead this hike as lots of people have been asking for directions (happy to give). Obviously there is no cost, nor will any tips be accepted. The only requirement is that you enjoy the experience!

Canosia Great Blue Heron Rookery

Year 12

When the Mississippi River Flyway & Willowsippi WMA did not produce for me over by Jacobson, Minnesota yesterday morning, I decided to come home via the Canosia Wildlife Management Area including a hike into the Great Blue Heron Rookery.

I was prepared for the major off trail bushwhacking to reach the beaver pond and rookery, but discovered that a large area had been logged over the winter. While the logged out area made for difficult hiking over the numerous trees which had been cut, but deemed not of commercial value (i.e. scattered and lying on the ground), the logging actually did make it easier to reach the pond.

While the ice only retreated off area ponds and lakes less than 5 days ago, all the fish eaters (ducks, ospreys and herons) were ready to migrate into our area upon learning there was open water. I estimated over 25 nests already had a male waiting for a mate, and a few nests were already occupied by mated pairs.

This Great Blue Heron Couple was the most active at the task of nest rebuilding. It took me a while to figure out that each time the male flew off in search of new branches and twigs, he only flew a short distance and landed upon an empty nest. The male heron would then proceed to deconstruct / dismantle the old nest and take sticks to fly home. He would then present his fantastic finds to his loved one! Pretty smart … very little energy expended.

A few more photographs of other nests …

And the local Osprey nest which was being contested by three individuals.

Canosia Great Blue Heron Rookery … the Movie! (video link for email subscribers)

Some Eat Voles. Some Eat Fish. Everyone Needs to Eat!

Year 12,

The swallows return to Capistrano (Pat Boone YouTube Link for eMail subscribers), and the White Pelicans return to Chambers Grove, Duluth!

Actually Pat Boone’s song is from 1957, just one year after I was born. While growing up in Duluth EVERYONE knew that the St. Louis River was a cesspool with pollution caused by the US Steel Plant and multiple paper mills. You did not swim or fish in this river. However, thanks to the great efforts of regional governments and the EPA our river is now crystal clean. Sturgeon which demand fresh, clean water once again are spawning in the St. Louis River. There exists a trophy musky fishery, and many species of fish now spawn near Chambers Grover and the base of the rapids and falls of the river. Wild Rice even grows once again in the backwaters of the river. Finally, the White Pelicans are back (and have been for many years) and will once again gorge themselves during their northward migration on spawning fish.

Two nights ago the White Pelicans returned to Chambers Grove (GPS Link). While there had been a few pelicans on the river, Wednesday night the BIG numbers started to arrive. Visit Chambers Grove for the next 2 to 3 weeks and you will see these birds before they head out fishing. Just park in the city park, and make the short walk over to the river. The birds will be congregated on any of the island’s numerous rock reefs.

Duluth Chambers Grover White Pelicans (video link for email subscribers)

Meanwhile across town the invasion of the vole snatchers continues. This winter’s owl irruption is now working is way north in reverse. This Great Gray Owl was hunting voles Wednesday afternoon near WDIO TV.

Duluth Great Gray Owl