Tag Archives: MN North: Hartley Nature Center

Rocky Mountain High: Calliope Hummingbird

June 14, 2016Year 3MN North: Hartley Nature Center, MN North: Minnesota Pointrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Sunday’s thunder storms brought a rare visitor to Duluth, Minnesota at the head of Lake Superior. For only the second time in known history a visit by a Calliope Hummingbird has graced our state, and the first male in full breeding plumage! This bird should be hanging out in the Rocky Mountains, or even further west. (Cornell Ornithology Lab Information)

Actually it’s kind of amazing this small bird was even found. It’s hanging out at the end of Park Point in an area with tons of blooming shrubs, and some protection from Lake Superior’s strong northeast winds. Quite the celebrity … this little bird … while I was there four people from the Twin Cities arrived (175 miles to our south) just in the hopes of seeing this beautiful bird.

Calliope Hummingbird (2 Videos … preening and sitting … the bouncing branches courtesy of Lake Superior’s strong winds, even in a protected thicket)

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Some still images of the Calliope Hummingbird

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Finally … An American Redstart (lots of color in the Northwoods!)

Sing Out for Summer … Part 4 (American Redstart)

June 10, 2016Year 3MN North: Hartley Nature Centerrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Another day, another warbler! Today I spent some time over at Hartley Nature Center. The small stream that is below the dam is a favorite for warblers (the thicket of trees immediately below the dam, and continuing for about 100 yards). Found this female Redstart and her mate, but only catch the female on my camera. At one point the male landed 10 inches from my head, and hung on the branch for about 5 seconds!

I also enjoyed this male Common Yellowthroat. These birds are often so deep in the heavy grass surrounding streams and swamps one never gets to see them, but you also “hear” them!

American Redstart (female) Sing Out for Summer!

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Common Yellowthroat (male)

Fledged in Northern Minnesota (yr 2, mth 7)

July 26, 2015Year 2MN North: Hartley Nature Center, MN North: NorthStar Lake Regionrichardhoeg@gmail.com

I hear many folks talk about how July is a horrible month for birding opportunities. Not true. While the unexpected jackpot finds during the spring and fall migrations are not possible, and the leaves block the view of birds you hear but can not see … July is a great month for birding. Think young! In other words, find the nests and the fledglings and you will be treated to neat views. Young birds have often not learned to be scared of us humans, and their parents are often so busy feeding their offspring who are almost their own size, that the adult birds sometimes lose a bit of their wariness.

The images below were taken over the course of the past week of fledglings. In short, get out there and enjoy the July heat!