What a difference a year makes. Last year the Pine Grosbeaks did not drop down from Canada into northern Minnesota. There was plenty of food for these bird species in the northern Boreal Forest, but this year that equation has changed. Both Pine Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings are invading northeastern Minnesota and enjoying our bumper crop of Mountain Ash berries. In addition the NW winds tend to push migrating songbirds against the North Shore of Lake Superior which then means easier birding (note … not easy).

I know from personal knowledge that Grand Marais is loaded with Mountain Ash trees, and in November it can be a great spot to find these northern Boreal birds. My favorite haunts are Artist Point (forms the Grand Marais Harbor) and the local RV Campground (also abuts the harbor). Both locations are easy finds for migrating flocks of birds as they are right against the lake, and both locations have lots of Mountain Ash trees. I first hiked Artists Point, and it was obvious the trees had been mostly picked clean of their fruit. Thus, I headed over to the campground, and jackpot! Oh my did I see lots of Pine Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings. I tend to like the berry trees very near the lake with available pine trees for cover for when the birds are not feeding.  Anyhow, the trees in the campground are still loaded with fruit, and our feathered friends will certainly hand out there for a while.

Finally, now that all the tourist traffic along the shore is a distant memory, I am able to reach Grand Marais with only an hour and forty-five minute drive with almost zero traffic!

In total I took 894 photographs. Uff dah! Thankfully I am only posting a smaller subset of images! This may also be a two part post. I still have plenty of videos to process, but that takes even more time. Remember, you can check out any of my bird song listening stations along the North Shore. It was not dumb luck that sent me up to Grand Marais. Even though Bohemians Waxwings never come to feeders, and Pine Grosbeaks are only feeder birds later in the winter, I knew from bird song ID’s that both species were moving along the shore.

Bohemian Waxwings

Pine Grosbeaks

Ever have a “blowout birding” trip? Molly and I are experiencing just such a trip right now. We love to travel up the shore of Lake Superior each November and stay at a cool Scandinavian modern apartment. November is the dead season time on the shore, which we love. The leaf peepers are gone, and the skiers / snowmobilers won’t arrive till shortly before Christmas. Grand Marais is only 1 hour and 50 minutes from our home, and while it would be an easy day excursion from our house, the getaway allows us to totally relax and enjoy each other

Okay, why a “blowout”? When we arrived last night there were 40 mph winds blowin gin off Lake Superior. As the winds picked up moisture they generated an early winter storm. The southerly headwinds to migration insured winter birds that visit our area stayed in Canada. The deep snow meant exploring remote backroads off the Gunflint Trail were not possible. While we did drive up the Gunflint Trail and took a shorter hike on a plowed dirt road, even that hike was shortened when we started slipping, and my case falling, on the ice underneath the snow. Thus, both birding and exploring are out of the question and we returned to our lodging.

Eventually cabin fever forced me out into the dizzle and I sat in my car next to the Grand Marais harbor. One lone bald eagle enjoyed scaring hundreds of gulls. Finally a flock of Buffleheads stopped nearby and snacked on whatever tasty bits they found on the harbor bottom. Thus, my camera did finally get a workout.

I am back at our apartment, The Aurora at the 3 Sisters. Please realize Molly and I are still having a most excellent time. We are spending lots of time together this afternoon without any distractions, which has always been too rare over our 40 years of marriage. Perhaps this blowout was a blessing?!