Tag Archives: MN North: Canosia Wildlife Area

Showing Off Northern Minnesota: Campgrounds & Rookeries

Year 9, ,

My wife’s cousins from St. Louis just visited us. They had asked me if I could take them birding, and the Northland obliged in a great way. While day time temperatures were pushing 100F down south, Duluth and Lake Superior kept our weather around 70F with mainly sunny skies. At night temperatures dove to the 40’s and 50’s which encourage great sleeps amazed our relative!

Both Jerry and Suzanne promised me they were game to bushwack off trail deep into the forest and visit a wetland Great Blue Heron Rookery. Neither the mosquitoes (numerous), promised woodticks or soaked feet put them off! Given my cousins lives in a major metropolitan area like St. Louis, it was enchanting to first hear the rookery (lots of begging chicks) and then break through the undergrowth cover to stand next to a generations old beaver dam and drink in the sight!

Great Blue Heron Rookery (about 30 active nests)

Later that same day we walked the Western Waterfront Trail and visited our local Red-Headed Woodpecker near its nest hole.

Just before sundown everyone visited my brother-in-law and his wife. They had outdoor movie night at their campsite near Two Harbors, Minnesota. I missed the start of the movie when the local birds put them upon display just before sundown.

Eastern Bluebird and Purple Finch

We finished up yesterday with a trip to our cabin on Northstar Lake near the Marcell. I have become concerned that our local Bald Eagles may have met their demise given the avian flu. The nest we have watched for over 30 years has been empty this year. However, three different adult Bald Eagles seem to have now moved into the area and are using the local tall white pines as hunting and fishing perches.

Another concern while boating around Northstar Lake has been the total lack of loon chicks (unusual for mid July). Near our cabin I have identified five loon couples, and actually found two nests earlier this summer. However, at this point in the middle of July I have not seen a single chick. I am worried that due to the extremely late ice out (middle of May), and the fact that the water reeds did not emerge from the water till well into June, all the nests failed. Normally the loons nest deep in the reeds away from the land. This was not an option this summer. Other fledglings have been very later this year due to our very cold, wet spring. I hope I’m wrong.

And Yet More Grassland Birds

Year 9,

As I have noted in many posts over the past week or so … it’s heavenly out in the countryside between the wildflowers and birds. If you have the opportunity, drive Scenic 61 between Duluth and Stony Point. The Lupine are at their peak. Purple will rule the day, and I am not even a fan of Prince! 🙂

One early morning stop is the intersection of Stebner and Martin Road. Two Broad-Winged Hawks were sitting within yards of each other … which implies there has to be a nest in the vicinity. The big dead tree upon which one hawk was perched starts an area which was logged a few years back. The logging company left a decent number of deadheads, snags and other trees. This area (Google Maps link) will only get better for birding in the months and years ahead. If you visit, then drive further on Martin Road to Lavaque Road (next intersection in about one mile). Turn right and go visit Steam Shovel Sally (on left about one mile along the road). Finally, notice the American Goldfinch which photobombed the last Broad-Winged Hawk image! A few minutes later I saw a flock of goldfinches take a very large detour around the hawk.

Broad-Winged Hawk

For the past month I have attempted many times to get both good views, and photographs of Meadowlarks. Their melodious song is a beautiful part of driving Wisconsin 13 towards Cloverland. Take any back dirt road, and enjoy their song. I like Windy Lane.

Eastern Meadowlark

Tree Swallow

Northland Osprey Check-In!

Year 9

When the rain moved through the area much earlier than forecast this morning, I decided to go check out the three osprey nests that are near my home. All three couples focus their fishing efforts in the Canosia Wildlife Management Area … or just outside it.

The Twig couple surprised me the most. Today is the last day of June, and they appeared to be courting in progress. While our spring was cold, and ice out was extremely late, today would be extremely late to lay eggs. However, the male was definitely bringing sticks back to the nest and smashing them into the female’s back … real romantic, huh?!

I found Steam Shovel Sam and Sally hanging out together (he is the osprey on the right). I was rather surprised once again when he left the nest with a sunfish. I would have expected the fish was a meal for his missus, or the little ones, but it appears he flew to the nest with the sunnie, and then left. Hmmm … I don’t think I ever took Molly out for dinner while we were courting, and then took her meal away w/o giving her a chance to eat!

The third nest was normal boring … thus no pics.