Tag Archives: MN North: Duluth

Invasion of the Bug Snatchers (leading edge)

Year 12,

Even though there are almost zero bugs in the woods, and I am still able to find tiny bits of snow on the ground 40 miles inland from Two Harbors (and ice on the lakes), some bug snatchers have arrived in Duluth! While visiting Chambers Grove yesterday, a birding friend reminded me to NOT have a one track mind (as in While Pelicans on the river). Make certain you visit the small pond that immediately abuts the parking area. The little pond yesterday had an amazing number of early arriving warblers. In fact I even heard some grogs croaking which was amazing for Duluth on April 27th. I suspect this small body of water will be a warbler magnate over the next few weeks for many reasons including …

  • It is extremely protected from inclement winds and weather
  • The shallow waters will warm much more quickly than any other nearby waters
  • Warmer waters and wind protection will mean early season bugs
  • Chambers Grove is on a preferred migration path

Chambers Grove Bug Snatchers!

Yellow-Rumped Warblers

Eastern Phoebe

Song Sparrow

Meanwhile Friday evening this Great Gray Owl was hunting not too far away within the City of Duluth. Actually, most of the time it slept and given sunset was over 3 hours away, I left it to enjoy some ZZZzzz’s. However at one point it looked down, then up. I assume the owl thought it heard a vole. and an eagle, which I could not see, must have flown overhead.

Finally, about 12 of us had a super time hiking in to the Canosia Wildlife Management Area’s Great Blue Heron Rookery. We had super weather … sunny, 40F and dead calm winds. Stay tuned, I may some other walks, but like this one the announcement will come via my blog based upon current birding conditions / sightings and the weather forecast.

Some Eat Voles. Some Eat Fish. Everyone Needs to Eat!

Year 12,

The swallows return to Capistrano (Pat Boone YouTube Link for eMail subscribers), and the White Pelicans return to Chambers Grove, Duluth!

Actually Pat Boone’s song is from 1957, just one year after I was born. While growing up in Duluth EVERYONE knew that the St. Louis River was a cesspool with pollution caused by the US Steel Plant and multiple paper mills. You did not swim or fish in this river. However, thanks to the great efforts of regional governments and the EPA our river is now crystal clean. Sturgeon which demand fresh, clean water once again are spawning in the St. Louis River. There exists a trophy musky fishery, and many species of fish now spawn near Chambers Grover and the base of the rapids and falls of the river. Wild Rice even grows once again in the backwaters of the river. Finally, the White Pelicans are back (and have been for many years) and will once again gorge themselves during their northward migration on spawning fish.

Two nights ago the White Pelicans returned to Chambers Grove (GPS Link). While there had been a few pelicans on the river, Wednesday night the BIG numbers started to arrive. Visit Chambers Grove for the next 2 to 3 weeks and you will see these birds before they head out fishing. Just park in the city park, and make the short walk over to the river. The birds will be congregated on any of the island’s numerous rock reefs.

Duluth Chambers Grover White Pelicans (video link for email subscribers)

Meanwhile across town the invasion of the vole snatchers continues. This winter’s owl irruption is now working is way north in reverse. This Great Gray Owl was hunting voles Wednesday afternoon near WDIO TV.

Duluth Great Gray Owl

Migration Madness: Great Gray Owl

Year 12

Migration is in full force in the Northland, but you must know where to go birding. Up the shore and inland from Lake Superior does not yet have much action as the lakes, ponds, streams and rivers are still iced over. In addition 35 miles inland from Two Harbors one still finds snow on the ground (and inland from Silver Bay, Tofte, Grand Marais, etc.)

However, if you avoid the deep Boreal Forest there is lots of migration action. The Forest Hill Cemetery ponds in Duluth’s Woodland neighborhood are partially ice free, and migrating ducks are finding this limited open water. Before church this morning I had fun at the ponds (expect to see images).

Another favorite drive is going north on US #53 … then west on Hwy #133 to Meadowlands (southern part of Sax-Zim Bog) and then continue west on Hwy #133 to Wawina. In Wawina load directions to the Willowsippi Wildlife Management area, but drive across US #2 to the dirt road directly opposite Wawina. Let Google Maps update and drive the direct roads till you meet up with Mn #65 to cross the Mississippi River at Jacobsen. Your directions will take you down the Great River Road till you turn away from the river at Cty #18. See the high level map immediately below. This is a great Mississippi River Flyway Birding Excursion with lots of fantastic habitat.

Now on to the owl migration madness! Remember this winter’s owl irruption? Many of those owls are working their way back to the Boreal Forest. For the same reasons that the Hawk Ridge moves their spring count to West Skyline Drive because hawks and eagles while heading north channel though this area, the owls often use the same funnel. For the past several weeks Great Gray Owls have often been seen on Haines Road, Arlington Road and Observation Road. The owls hunt the tall grasses. However, unlike in the winter, these birds do not stick around long … perhaps a second day in the same area but most move further north quickly.

I have the privilege to watch a Great Gray Owl hunt for well over an hour in this area yesterday afternoon. I actually left the owl, not vice versa. Here are a few pics from yesterday. Make certain you all see the final image of this post … a ChatGPT artificial intelligence special … created by me!

Great Gray Owl in Duluth

Note: In the two photographs taken while the owl was on the ground, the Great Gray did catch something which appeared to be larger than a vole. It stayed on the ground and ate its prey which was on the ground (I could not see the prey). Great Grays tend to lift voles they catch up and swallow them whole.

And now the ChatGPT special image. Some of you may have seen the efforts of many people who have uses this service to create “toy action figures” of themselves. I decided … why not?! Friday evening I watched a YouTube video and learned how to create “Rich the Owler” (not sold in any store … sorry)

Anyhow … enjoy migration from “Rich the Owler”!