I live across the road from Amity Creek. The local birding habitat is mixed pine and deciduous forest. Our home is about 1/2 mile above Lake Superior and the end result is the migration often stops off in our yard both due to excellent habitat (my cleared yard is tall grasses and perennials) the proximity to the big lake … a migration route northward, and my six bird feeders which I keep filled all year round. While black bears are a problem (they knocked down three feeders within the past week), it is worth my becoming an expert bird feeder repairman.

Over the past few days, I have been experiencing a HUGE sparrow migration. The ground is often covered with over a 100 sparrows at once … many working their way north to their tundra breeding grounds.

White-Crowned and American Tree Sparrows

In addition, these locals have arrived back and are found in my yard. White-Necked Sparrows, Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, and Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks. The woodpecker starts drumming each morning shortly after 5 am … looking for love!

Finally, the smelt are entering the Lester River. A few Common Loons are always having breakfast each morning at sunrise. The mouth of the river is an easy walk from my house. It is nice to have all the birds back in the Northland. The warbler and shore bird migration is just beginning.