Tag Archives: MN North: Forest Hill Cemetery

Cooper’s Hawk Mantling its Prey

Year 10

My expectations upon heading out birding this morning were infinitesimal. The wind was gusting over 25 mph … not to mention the rain. In fact I wondered why on earth I was even trying to find birds. Only a person with a “birdbrain” would decide to go birding in such horrible weather.

With these extremely high expectations I drove over to the Forest Hill Cemetery (see Minnesota birding locations web page). Immediately I found Great Blue Herons and Belted Kingfishers looking for breakfast at one of the ponds. Moments later I discovered a “non fisherman” mantling and then enjoying its meal.

When hawks catch their prey, these birds often “mantle”. The goals of this behavior is to spread their wings and hide their catch from other predators. This juvenile Cooper’s Hawk was NOT interested in sharing!

Cooper’s Hawk Mantling its Prey

A few moments later … enjoying breakfast.

I watched the Cooper’s Hawk eat for over 20 minutes. Its prey (duck or goose??) was obviously too heavy to be moved.

Oh yes … the horrible weather?? On a normal morning Forest Hill Cemetery would have been full of folks taking a morning walk. However, this morning I had the cemetery to myself which turned horrible birding conditions into a fantastic time. I doubt my special time with the Cooper’s Hawk would ever had occurred on a nice day.

And two videos from this morning (video links for email subscribers: one | two)

Bird Your Local Cemetery!

Year 10,

If your local cemetery has a pond now is the time to visit and enjoy the birds. Through the end of migration you may strike it rich. Birds in cemeteries are often a bit more used to humans, and the local residents who are six feet under tend to leave our feathered friends alone! My best local cemetery is Forest Hill. Two mornings ago I had an excellent time.

At the little mud flat / inlet at the top of one pond, some sandpipers were partaking of breakfast.

Solitary Sandpipers (not living up to their name)

Least Sandpiper

Cedar Waxwings

Later in the day I had another Chardonnay and Hummer session in my garden. My Bee Balm is now in full bloom, and the female pictured often sits in a near by tree and guards this scrumptious food …  quickly attacking any other hummingbirds that invade her patch. I hope you enjoy the slow motion video. The movie occasionally goes out of focus, but always clears up.

Ruby-Throater Hummingbird

The Movie in 1/4 Time! (video link for email subscribers)

Colder by the Lake Birding (and foxes!)

Year 10, , , ,

Colder by the Lake! As we drove home two days ago, the temperature was 65F across Minnesota … until Molly and I approached Duluth. Any weather forecast for the State of Minnesota at this time of year will always end, but “colder near Lake Superior”. The water temperature in the big lake is in the high 30’s F, which makes it hard to warm up the air if you live near Gitchi Gummi. Thus, 45F is a pretty common temperature at my house 800 yards above the shore if the wind is off the lake (or colder).

One practical effect of “colder by the lake” is spring food production starts later than spots inland. The Black Bear which raided my bird feeders last night understands this issue very well. Find a food source and stick with it! For birding, find the local micro-climate with food and migrating birds will be easily be found. Here are a few images I took over the past few days.

Amity Creek (my home area)
Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Canosia Wildlife Preserve (Pioneer and Rice Lake Road Wetlands)
Greater Yellowlegs

Forest Hill Cemetery
Hooded Merganser

St. Louis River at Chambers Grover
White Pelican

Duluth Area
Fox Kits

Stoney River Forest Road (Greenwood Forest Fire Region)
Ruffed Grouse

Note: Stoney River Forest Road is clear of snow, but as you can see, not Whyte Road. The snow in the Boreal Pine Forest is still about one foot deep.