Category Archives: Year 8

Duluth Mud Lake Yellow-Headed Blackbirds

Year 8

They’re back! After not being around for a few years, Yellow-Headed Blackbirds are back nesting on Mud Lake (St. Louis River backwaters). Our group of five was treated to great views from as close as 10 yards. We lost track of the number of males, and saw several recently arrived females which were being actively courted. Leaving the pull out at 7:05 am for the 20 minute hike was perfect timing. As we arrived at the colony the males increasingly stopped their morning feed and started advertising for a mate!

Directions:

  1. Park at the pullout on the left as one faces Wisconsin just before the Oliver Bridge in Gary New Duluth.
  2. Hike the RR Tracks (not in service) towards downtown Duluth across the small bridge and almost to the other side of Mud Lake nearing the tree line. The Yellow-Heads were nesting in this area.

We also saw a pair of courting Green Herons and an Osprey fishing as well as many other birds. The birding excursion was fun for everyone and I will host more of these events later in the Spring / Summer.

Here are some photographs from this morning:

Yellow-Headed Blackbirds looking for a mate

Yellow-Headed Blackbird (female)

Some more pics of the guys!

Long-Eared Owl Family

Year 8

Friday night just before sunset I first saw the entire Long-Eared Owl family. All three owlets were still in the nest with both parents nearby. I decided Sunday afternoon to delay our drive back north to Duluth and look for these cool birds one more time. After significant hiking in the woods I found Mom, Dad and one owlet. The youngsters have now left the nest and are branching. Given how heavily treed the thicket in which the owls nested, the owlets are able to walk quite a ways from branch to branch. Although 2 pm in the afternoon is not a good time to see owls, as they are very drowsy, I had a great time.

My final comment is I had always thought Long-Eared Owls were large, but I was mistaken. Compared to Great Horned Owls, the parents are much smaller. However, compared to a Screech Owl they are much bigger. Thus, I now would describe them having finally seen the owls as “medium sized”.

Long-Eared Owlet

Dad (sort of awake)

Mom (sleeping)

Yellow-Headed Blackbirds

Year 8

For the first time in years, Yellow-Headed Blackbirds seem to be reestablishing a breeding territory at Mud Lake (St. Louis River). Folks often ask to bird with me. At 7 am on Tuesday morning, June 1st, I will meet at the pull-out on the left at one faces Wisconsin just before the Oliver Bridge in an attempt to see the blackbirds. In addition rails, soras and bitterns are being seen in that area. Anyone is welcome to join me. Stout shoes for walking the RR tracks out into Mud Lake are recommended. The RR tracks are not in use.