Owling Failure

Year 8

I drove up to Sax-Zim Bog this morning arriving a bit before sunrise. I thought it might be a good morning for owling due to these reasons:

  • Two nights ago it rained (owls do not hunt in the rain … thus might still be hungry)
  • The forecast for the hours at sunrise was light winds and clouds (ideal for owls)

I failed BIG time in terms of finding any Great Gray Owls. There were some factors I could not have predicted, but meant my local owl population made themselves well hidden in the deep for rest:

  • Four Bald Eagles were hunting at my primary owling grounds
  • Two Rough-Legged Hawks were hunting at my primary owling grounds

These six raptors spell trouble for Great Grays. Thus, I failed, but did see some cool hawks and eagles. My birding also yielded a few magpies and snow buntings. Finally, this Ruffed Grouse was strutting its stuff on the connector road between Admiral and McDavitt Roads. Thus, it was a fun morning, just not what I expected.

Duck Pond Birds

Year 8

I know I’ve written this before, but it’s worth repeating. Birds attract birds, and during migration the end result may be some very nice birding. Per normal I make an almost daily stop at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Duluth Hunter’s Park neighborhood. The resident domestic geese, and almost tame wild mallards at the duck pond attract all kinds of other birds. During migration the cast of characters changes daily.

This morning I was pleased to spy a male Hooded Merganser. This duck is one of my favorites, and is very beautiful.

Over the past two weeks, each of these birds made an appearance at the duck pond, and I am finally getting around to including them in  blog post. Better yet, these birds tend to arrive in very small groups. When they are in larger flocks, it can be very hard to get close. I was within 15 yards of the American Coot. While I have seen huge rafts of Coots with hundreds of birds, just one duck taking alarm means viewing options are very limited.

Hooded Merganser

Today’s Sora Pic (yup … they are still around)

From earlier in the week …

Ring-Necked Duck

American Coot

Double Crested Cormorant

Let’s Go On a Snipe Hunt!

Year 1

Obviously I would use my camera, but for some reason snipe hunting is deemed comical by popular media. In fact, in this clip from the TV show, Cheers, Frazier gleefully proclaims it is “the night of the full moon”. Let’s be “manly” and get out there after dark! (TV show Cheers video clip)

Wikipedia link: Snipe Hunting

Regardless, I watched this Wilson’s Snipe two afternoons ago for almost one hour. During that entire time it moved less than six inches, and stayed right next to the long reeds. Good thing I was not on a snipe hunt. I was lucky to have spotted the bird at all. I will admit the event was not very exciting!