Can’t we just be friends?
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, and has the opportunity to get some birding in after “eating the bird!”. Two days ago my local bald eagles had a small convention … enjoying the morning sun while blocked from the strong NW wind. Remember, as the temperature falls and the winds rise in the winter, raptors in particular will almost always perch where they are both warmed by the sun, but protected from the cold NW winds.
The third Bald Eagle is an immature bird likely two years of age or younger. In the third year Bald Eagles start to get more white markings; normally by the fourth year an eagle has the classic white head and tail.
Essentially that would be all birds. Over the past two days winds swung to being out of the south with gusts over 40 mph. The remaining migration came to a screeching halt, and birds that were in the area tried to forage and feed in areas protected from the wind.
Yesterday I had to go down and back to the Twin Cities for an appointment, and I made certain to leave long before sunrise such that I could circle in to Minneapolis from the Northwest. This allowed me to visit the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. I made two circuits of Wildlife Drive, and the ONLY place I found songbirds was where they could hide somewhat from the wind.
Wind Blown Bluebird
I also found some lazy Sandhill Cranes which even after 10 am had not made their escape to the local farm fields for foraging.
This morning I was north of Two Harbors exploring some new back roads. I was looking for nice bog areas which should be great spots once the owl season is upon us. This Bald Eagle was kind enough to take off in front of some spruce … rather that busy deciduous trees.
