Category Archives: Year 12

Early Winter Northeastern Minnesota Birding Report

Year 12,

A new winter storm is bearing down upon Northeastern Minnesota, and deeper snow could change the birding dramatically. To our northwest including the farm area of NW Minnesota into SE Manitoba, the plains are almost snow free.  Thus, there is little incentive for the raptors in those at this time areas to push further south … including more Snowy Owls. The Wisconsin DNR has reported the early surge of Snowy Owls this season has come to a screeching halt.

Some other notes:

  • Not a single recorded sighting of a Great Gray Owl in December has been recorded in Minnesota
  • Not a single recorded sighting of a Northern Hawk Owl in December has been recorded in Minnesota
    • The two previous statements are based upon eBird reports (do not give actual locations for these two species, but still DO record “grid area” locations
    • My own extensive private network
  • There are lots of Pine Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls around, but few are yet visiting feeders.  Look for Mountain Ash and Pygmy Crabapple Trees. Both grosbeaks and other species (Bohemain Waxwings) are visiting those fruit trees.

A female Pine Grosbeak enjoying a meal over the weekend near my home in Duluth Lakeside.

Sea Smoke Sunrise

Year 12

December 1st was the start of Meteorological Winter vs Astronomical Winter (more information from the Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire). Whichever winter start date you choose to follow, all I know it was COLD this morning before sunrise at our house (-10F). Given the wind had finally abated, the calmer conditions meant Lake Superior was steaming this morning, or Sea Smoke. On windier days (such as the last two mornings) the Sea Smoke blows out into the big lake. The HUGE temperature differential between the air and water forms the smoke. Even when I got home around 8:30 am (80 minutes after sunrise), it was still -7F at our house. Not quite certain how the birds survive these temps (actually … yes I do know their survival tactics). All I know is I was quite cold upon arriving home. Unfortunately to take photographs it is often necessary to remove one’s winter gloves. Uff dah.

Duluth, Minnesota Sea Smoke Sunrise (These images take you from 35 minutes before sunrise to an hour after sunrise. I also spent some time right at sunup looking for Snowy Owls. The harbor is almost completely iced over, which provides the contrast along Minnesota Point)

Greenwood Creek YouTube Channel at Sand Lake / Seven Beavers

Year 12,

Thursday evening Molly and I will attend a small reception given by The Nature Conservancy celebrating their recent land purchase of over 10,000 acres which has dramatically expanded their Northeastern Minnesota initiative, Sand Lake / Seven Beavers Preserve. As many of you know, I am the individual who most likely spends the most time hiking in their wilderness preserve, and provides the Greenwood Creek Bird Feeders for everyone’s enjoyment.

I recently created a YouTube Channel with a primary focus upon the Greenwood Creek Boreal Forest Bog in the Sand Lake / Seven Beaver’s Preserve. My goal was to have the channel finished before the The Nature Conservancy’s reception.

Please browse to my new channel and consider subscribing!

The channel is 100% non commercial and will feature the nature and wildlife of Greenwood. In the preserve I have remote birdsong listening stations, trailcams and bird feeders. A small trailhead parking area may be found 1/2 mile south of Greenwood Creek on Lake County Highway #2, which is also where the birdfeeders are located.

Learn more via this channel’s web links:

And that special night when Lady Aurora danced over Greenwood! (video link for email subscribers)