Category Archives: Year 5

Chambers Grove White Pelicans

Year 5

There were over 100 white pelicans yesterday morning at Chambers Grove on the St. Louis River. Assuming these birds are migrating up to Red Lake, Lake of the Woods or Rainy Lake, the St. Louis River is a great place to stop. Ice rules on those lakes even on May 5th.

When I was a child back in the 60’s, pelicans never would have stopped to rest and fish on the St. Louis River. The pollution was horrible and the water did not support much life. Over the past fifty years the clean-up of the river has been fantastic, and even sturgeon once again spawn in the river. The musky fishery is also quite healthy. Learn more about the great work being done which has brought this river back to life via the St. Louis River Alliance.

Over the next few days, if you have a few free moments, a trip to Jay Cooke and the Swinging Bridge followed by a jaunt down to the Chambers Grove would be a great activity. The river is rushing and the birds are present!

Migration may have been held up by the late winter, but the birds are definitely now appearing. Jeannette. a reader of this blog, pointed out it will soon be time for the 2018 Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival. Given migration is heating up, the number of birds seen at the festival (May 17 to 19) could be fantastic this year.

White Pelicans

Boreal Bonanza!

Year 5, ,

Home! Texas was great, but I love the Boreal forests of northern Minnesota … and the lakes! As I got closer and closer to Duluth, I became increasingly excited. Between our tour and the birth of our fifth grandson, Molly and I had been gone for over five weeks. Before even getting home, I went birding!

The melt waters have filled the North Shore rivers of Lake Superior to the brim with rushing water. This runoff causes the fish which have been staging for a spring spawning run to enter the streams and rivers. The mouth of the Lester River is only 800 yards from my house and it was a duck lovers delight. I saw 36 Common Loon and 12 Great Horned Grebe in just a few minutes. In addition, small inland ponds were filled with diving ducks which eat food other than fish!

Finally, my own yard is being invaded my migrants. Have to love spring migration!

Great Horned Grebe

Blue-Winged Teal

Bufflehead

Ring-Necked Ducks

Yellow-Shafted Flicker

Pine Warbler (1st warbler of the year!)

Merlin (part of a duo patrolling the Lester River … song birds beware)

Homeward Bound!

Year 5,

Molly and I are homeward bound to Duluth! Our bicycle tour was fantastic, and in total we cycled 1,028 miles. Our final night was spent with a fantastic host family via the WarmShowers organization. Families in this group provide a friendly assist to touring cyclists. After all the miles and nights in small motels or camped out on the ground, the opportunity to stay with a local family can not be overrated. We open up our home in Duluth to touring cyclists.

In addition, we spent a day and a half at Phillis and Bill’s farm after we finished touring. It was great to rest, eat, and enjoy great family time on a beautiful farm.

Bluebird of Happiness on the Farm

Photo of Molly and Me Taken on the final day of the tour

Our completed route through Texas