The Owl Next Door! (A Talk by Me!)

Background, Year 9

Does everyone have spring fever? This winter has been cold and long. Thus, what could be better than to escape to a small organic farm a bit north of the Twin Cities on Saturday … enjoy homemade hard cider while I speak about the Amity Owls! Assuming the weather permits, you would also be able to walk around the farm and visit the maple syrup operation in progress. The talk will be in Sapsucker Farms modern cider barn with plenty of warm space. Although you are welcome to bring your own food, the farm will have a food truck present serving “Fireman’s BBQ”! This is a great family friendly event. My talk is just part of Sapsucker Farm’s Spring Day! Learn more.

  • Sapsucker Farm’s Spring Day: Saturday, March 26th
  • Time: 12:00 to 8:00 pm
  • The Owl Next Door Talk (me): 2:00 pm
  • Learn more via Sapsucker Farm’s web site.
  • Cost: Free!
  • Address: 2752 215th Avenue, Mora, MN 55051
  • Google Maps Link
  • Download a free PDF copy of my book, Do You Hoot?

Winter’s Last Gasps – Fluff Watch

Year 9,

This morning I am awaiting a new winter storm which will dominate our region for the next two days … rain, sleet, snow and ice plus 40+ mph winds. Yesterday afternoon when it was just plain windy (32 mph winds), I hiked over to visit Amy, the Great Horned Owl Mom. Each year, I start my official “fluff watch” on March 23rd. The owlets may have already hatched, but for the first seven plus days the youngsters will be under mom 100% of the time. Here are a few seconds of windblown Mom (video link for email subscribers)

I did stop and watch The Deeps waterfall on Amity Creek during my afternoon hike. It lost much of its ice cap yesterday (video link for email subscriber). The footbridge seen in the video is 225 yards from the end of my driveway.

Meanwhile about 800 yards down at the lakeshore, the blow was apparent. I was very surprised to see three trumpeter swans fighting their way north into the wind. Getting to breeding grounds first and choosing a choice territory is a powerful incentive for the male birds. In the fall, one would never see migrating birds fightings such strong winds.

Spring Bird Migration Aides 2022

Year 9

Although it was -9F at my house on Monday morning (March 14th), since then the warming effects of the sun have actually been noticeable with the golden orb pushing afternoon temperatures above freezing. There is hope for spring migration (actually, it has already started). Last year I created and linked several tools about which I wish to remind my readers.

Birdcast: “Over the past few years, folks in the know have been able to gather data about the Spring or Fall bird migrations as they were in progress (birding forecasts & real time updates). However it took a Phd in web knowledge to find this data and review same. Now Cornell, Colorado State and UMass Amherst have collaborated to create a great new web site with easily viewable data. Better yet, with just a few clicks you may discover what the expected migration conditions will be like in your home town (or region). The service is called BirdCast.”

When I Saw Stuff! Both for myself, and everyone else I compiled a spreadsheet of bird sightings / locations using seven years of my data from the months of April and May. You may download your PDF copies (no cost). The migration PDF’s have active web links to the appropriate blog post and Google Maps location. Each document has 160 sightings.