Canosia Wildlife Preserve Birding

Year 11

I don’t think I have given enough emphasis to birding the Canosia Wildlife Preserve just north of Duluth. There are many birding options available … hikes or drives. On the car front any of these roads are worth your time:

  • Lavaque Road (north of Martin Road)
  • West Lismore Road to Hiking Trailhead (private road beyond that point)
  • Ugstad Raod to the Hiking Trailhead

The trails leading from either of these two trailheads are easy, but very buggy. Use bug goop. Eventually via the trails you want to reach the wetlands (more bugs). Here is a map I created. Please note the Great Blue Heron Rookery. It may only be reached by hiking off trail. In May, June and early July you will hear the herons long before you see them. Given sun angles, an early morning visit is best whether you are just birding, and / or wanting to take some photographs. There is also an osprey nest in the wetlands next to Trailhead #1. On Lavaque Road you will drive by “Steam Shovel Sam & Sally) (osprey nest in the shovel’s bucket).

These images were taken early Sunday morning.

Canosia Wildlife Reserve Map

Osprey

Broad-Winged Hawk

Indigo Sunrise

Year 11

My Haikubox told me within the last week that Indigo Buntings had arrived back to the Northland (see my review of Haikubox and bird migration). For me this means I have to take my annual trip to Hawk Ridge just after sunrise. I wait for a sunny day with light winds. It was 45F when I left for Hawk Ridge (only 4 miles from my home via 7 Bridges Road). Light winds are necessary to insure I don’t freeze up there since I am always wearing shorts! Light winds also means better birding.

By 5:30 am (sunrise is at 5:15 am) I was walking down the wooden stairs from Skyline Parkway to the ledge. I waited for the singing to begin, and It only took a few minutes before I heard multiple male Indigo Buntings singing out to show their territories.

Indigo Sunrise – the view back towards the harbor. The large white building is Northland Country Club where I caddied for many years. Imagine carrying two large, heavy golf bags up the rather steep Duluth hill. My biggest fear was getting assigned two golfers who would end up duffing balls to opposites sides of the fairway / rough (remember the hill). Back in the early 1970’s one was paid $5 for 18 holes of caddying (6+ hours of work). Normally a caddy could also expect a $1 tip and a can of pop after nine holes. It was not easy work. Monday’s caddies were allowed to golf free at Northland Country Club, but one had to tee off by 8:00 am. I don’t believe I ever saw a member play early on a Monday morning!

Indigo Bunting Sunrise

Owl Family Update

Year 11

Les and Amy’s owlets are doing fine. The Great Horned Owls have moved a significant distance from their nest, but after six years of watching the parents raise their young, I am pretty good at knowing their favorite spots … longer hikes required!

Yesterday was the 61st day I have seen the owlets, and I think they are about 71 days old … getting big.

Momma Owl still watches out for her owlets

The youngsters still often perch together

A favorite tree …

Out in the open during the afternoon??! (still learning)

Harsh Light of the Afternoon

One owlet was still in the same spot come evening