Tag Archives: MN North: Amity

Fox Sparrows Going North!

April 2, 2016Year 3MN North: Amity, MN North: Forest Hill Cemeteryrichardhoeg@gmail.com

I went birding in the Bog today. Nothing! The strong NW wind kept birds deep in the cover, but when I got home I was treated to a nice sized flock of Fox Sparrows using my yard as a layover on their way up to northern Canada. My home is right across the street from a stream, and heavily wooded, which is appreciated by the birds. In addition, although the Fox Sparrows and Slate Colored Juncos (relating and flocking together) do not use my feeders, I believe they are attracted by all the “feeder birds”. One of the feeder birds did attract my attention. I have also included one photograph of a particular Common Redpoll which has been around for a few days. I am trying to decide if it is slightly leucistic (around the eyes). Finally … one very wierd looking mallard I found yesterday at the Forest Hill Pond in Duluth.

Fox Sparrow

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Slate-Colored Junco

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Common Redpoll (leucistic around the eyes and head?)

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Off Color Mallard in a Snow Squall

After the Storm!

March 17, 2016Year 3MN North: Amity, MN North: Old Vermilion Trailrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Over the past 48 hours we have had high winds off Lake Superior, and depending upon your elevation above the lake … anywhere from 4 to 14 inches of heavy wet snow. The rumor is that the sun will shine tomorrow, but for the moment the world is encased in heavy white sticky stuff.

Before dawn this morning I took a hike along Amity Creek. It was fun to see the roaring river (not stream) all decked out in white. The hike made me realize that I needed to spend the day outside. After first stopping out on Old Vermilion Trail to fill the bird feeders, I spent a good amount of the day driving and hiking back roads. Many streams have flooded out of their banks, and I had to repeatedly stop and inspect the roadbed (good thing for muck boots) to insure there were no washouts.

Even with this return to winter, the spring migration is slowly starting. When I found some fresh roadkill 15 miles north of Duluth, I was treated to watching nine bald eagles. All and all, it was a great day!

Amity Creek (river?!) before sunrise

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Floods … Water Over Road Many, Many Times!

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Preening After the Snow … Immature Bald Eagle

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My Own Back Yard … 100’s of Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins

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Our own Homestead this Morning!

Snow Squall Pileated Woodpecker Video

February 14, 2016Year 3MN North: Amityrichardhoeg@gmail.com

While resting in our window seat after yesterday’s Mora Vasaloppet, I looked out into the woods that surround our house and … the pileated woodpeckers had decided to join me for lunch! Quickly throwing on a jacket, hat and gloves I went outside with my camera. I am really hoping this pair decides to nest in our yard. Regardless, it is fun to have them around. Both the male and female pileated woodpeckers seem to more accepeting of my presence. I spent almost 30 minutes with them outdoors!

Male Pileated Woodpecker Getting Lunch