At least it sure feels like Lapland, and I’m seeing a lot of Lapland Longspurs. Thus, Duluth must be part of Lapland!
Somehow I think this little guy I found next to the harbor would prefer to be further south. After taking my bike ride up the North Shore of Lake Superior this afternoon, maybe I would like to be further south. Nope! While my ride was cool (23F and a chill factor of 6F), the lake was glistening blue. Eat your heart out Miami!
I was down on Park Point before the sun rose this morning. At first birding was slow, but when the golden orb’s rays finally began to provide some warmth the birds appeared. Apparently the songbirds had spent the night deep in some thick cedar trees. I suspect the branches kept them both warmer and shielded from the strong SW wind.
Most of the song birds did not venture far from the cedars. The SW wind made migration unwise, and the Merlin which was hanging around made a decision to forage near heavy cover a life extending wise decision.
Merlin in search of songbirds
Yellow-Rumped Warbler giving a Bronx cheer to Mr. Merlin
Hermit Thrush
The Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory which is up on the ridge about two miles from my house counted over 5,500 Blue Jays yesterday. The southward migration is definitely in full force working its way down the North Shore of Lake Superior and ultimately to points south. Over the past week it has been rare for me not to have at least a few Blue Jays in the feeders. I have learned that Blue Jays give way to the Common Crow and Morning Dove. Otherwise they rule the feeders. Here is just one of my visitors.
And short movie of the American Golden Plovers I took a few days ago …