Sax-Zim Bog Short-Eared Owl!

November 30, 2020Year 7MN North: Sax-Zim Bogrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Short-Eared Owls are not normally what one finds in the Bog, but today was not normal. Early this morning I read via the Bog’s Telegram App that a Short-Eared Owl has been spied (my thanks to Mike Hendrickson who runs this service … see the Facebook Group named Sax-Zim Bog if you wish to join the sightings group). Even though I had two hours worth of appointments, when those were finished I dropped everything else for the day and drove over to the Bog (45 miles). Short-Eared Owls are very nocturnal and I knew there was a good change the bird if not flushed would not move till sundown. Jackpot!

Short-Eared Owl

My favorite pic …

In its environment

A closeup

Most of the time the owl was sleeping as seen below, but when a truck drove by the owl woke up and glared at the vehicle (above pics)

Look Left

Look Right

After a great time with the owl I drove down McDavitt. I found over 40 Evening Grosbeaks feeding at “the Zabin”, and this heavily camouflaged Ruffed Grouse.

Snowy Owl Moonrise

November 29, 2020Year 7MN North: Amityrichardhoeg@gmail.com

While driving home this evening after unsuccessfully looking for snow owls, the moon rose and the skies cleared for a brief period of time. I jumped out of the car and took this photo of moonrise over the Lester River Bridge (no time to set up a tripod … only a monopod). Within 3 minutes the moon hid behind a cloud bank. Fun time.

Boreal Birding Bonanza!

November 28, 2020Year 7MN North: Sand Lake Pine Forestrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Today has been one of those days that reminds the soul of the beauty of nature. Fourty minutes before sunrise I got in the car and drove north deep in the Boreal Forest Wilderness. I hoped I might find a Great Gray Owl in the pre-dawn light, but birds were a no show until one hour after sunrise everyone came out of the woods to “grit up”. For the course of an hour by slowly driving along Lake County #2 I was treated to some incredible birds … Canada Jays, Pine Grosbeaks, Red Crossbills and Spruce Grouse. All these birds were flying over to the only source of grit for tens and tens of miles. Although Lake County #2 is a paved road, it is deep in the wilderness. A car would pass me while I was birding only every fifteen minutes.

My real hope of the morning was to find some Spruce Grouse, and I had the jackpot with a small flock of five. Even though it is the end of November, this male was “strutting his stuff” for a nearby lady. She did not seem to be too impressed.

(Gritting Up video link for email subscribers)

A few miles down the road I discovered a flock of Red Crossbills. I seriously doubt these birds have ever seen a human. I was able to stand within six feet as they “gritted up”. Given the unique bills … crossbills to pry open pine cones … gritting up is quite the production. Note how these birds have to turn their heads sideways to the ground to pick up gravel.