Let the Bird Migration Begin in Earnest!

Year 7,

Okay … migration is really starting to get going … even if the temperature was 23F at sunrise this morning. However, some of my local ponds are ice free, and one only finds Golf Course and the Forest Hill Cemetery. Both locations have ponds which ice out early, and the birds are drawn to these locations like magnets.

The cemetery has a flock of geese maintained by the staff, and birds attract birds. This morning I found a Common Merganser couple and a Wood Duck. I am able to use my car as a blind and get quite close to the waterfowl. It helps that the resident Mallard population is so used to humans that they never take alarm, which relaxes the more wild ducks.

Common Mergansers (black head is the male, rust head is the female)

Wood Duck

Next if was off to the municipal golf course near my house. This set of links has a series of five ponds which are set next to woods, meadows and wetlands. Birds avoid the big lake and use the ponds as a resting spot during migration. The course is only a mile from Lake Superior.

Bluebirds! (a very uncommon bird for my region … “washed out” blue is the female)

Bufflehead Love!

As a fyi … I have these images in higher resolution, but downgraded the photos a bit such that this web page would load a bit quicker on mobile devices.

Easter \ Passover Birds

Year 7

During this Coronavirus health crisis, on a gloomy morning (weather wise) it was nice to discover a flock of Goldfinches in my yard. Happy Easter and Passover! This male goldfinch shows the promise of new life to come. It’s winter plumage is still evident, but the bright yellow of summer is prevailing.

Molly and I enjoyed Easter Brunch without family. However, my three kids, spouses and grandchildren arranged to have the same brunch at identical times in everyone’s respective homes. We ate at noon Central Time and watched / listened to:

Andrea Bocelli: Music For Hope – Live From Duomo di Milano
(YouTube Link for email subscribers)

Finally … the new life is very evident over at my Great Horned Owl’s nest. All these images were taken yesterday during the sunshine, which both the owlets and I very much appreciated.

Hacking up an owl pellet

Siblings

7:30 am … Trying to stay warm in the very early morning sun! (29F)

Mom (she now has left the nest and is part of the hunting detail … these kids are always hungry)

Great Horned Owl Triplets?

Year 7,

I hiked over to my Great Horned Owl nest yesterday evening. While only 8 days ago I was wondering if there was only one surviving owlet, I am now thinking I was wrong all along and there are three chicks! (video link for email subscribers)

In addition I made the short trip over to the Wisconsin grasslands. Wow! Birds are really starting to arrive. Perhaps spring may really be hear (note to self: ignore heavy snow warnings for this weekend).

One of six Killdeer that I suspect were migrating further north.

Bald Eagle overlooking a “hunting pond”

And Hay Bale Betty! My thanks to the farmer who provided me a smile while I was out birding. During this health crisis, we all need a smile.