Tag Archives: MN North: Greenwood Creek Bog

Broad-Winged Hawk Research Project

Year 12, , ,

I am helping out with a Broad-Winged Research Project this summer, and you may help me help both northern Minnesota’s Hawk Ridge and Pennsylvania’s Hawk Mountain‘s research efforts (Learn more about Broad-Winged Hawks via the Cornell School of Ornithology). This beautiful raptor’s population population has fallen 16% out in its eastern range since 1980’s. Thankfully here in the Central Flyway populations appear to be stable, and perhaps even rising. This Broad-Winged Hawk Research Project will be one of the first extensive studies of this bird specie. It is hoped to band many of these hawks with transmitters that will let us follow their migrations and learn more about where they truly winter in Central and South America … perhaps leading to habitat preservation along their migration paths and wintering habitats.

In the past week I have personally identified eleven Broad-Wing breeding territories with GPS coordinates … including one actual nest! How can you help? If you discover Broad-Winged Hawk Nests this summer in the Northland please contact me (Richard.Hoeg@GMail.Com). I will need both the GPS coordinates and a description of the nest site. I promise NOT to share the nest location to eBird or any other individuals OTHER than the research staff from Hawk’s Ridge. If the nest is on private property we will need permission to access the given location.

Here is the Broad-Winged Hawk I have seen twice within the past few days near Sax-Zim Bog’s Welcome Center and Overton Road.

Moose Family Videos! (Northern Minnesota)

Year 12

I have been tweaking the locations of my three trailcams over the past month based upon animal tracks, scat and locations which are trail choke points that are near water. I am certain that at least three moose families are featured in these videos, possibly four. My wilderness research is what allows me to occasionally have “in person” experiences … like this Canada Lynx!

Anyhow … family movies from the past month … all moose movie clips except for one short spot where my local Canada Lynx inspects my camera. Timber Wolves and Coyotes have also been regulars in my trailcams over the past 30 days … including “Poodle”! (a very large timber wolf whose tail looks like a poodle’s)

  • Moose Family Video 1: Movie link for email subscribers
  • Moose Family Video 2: Movie link for email subscribers

I also want to mention the night images and movies are taken with infrared light. Thus, the animals are NOT being blinded by any bright lights. Observe in any of the images or videos of bull moose, a new rack of antlers are under construction!

Moose Family Movies – Greenwood Bog

Moose Family Movies – Yukon Trail

Northeastern Minnesota Forest Fire Update

Year 12

The fires have now grown to 30,000 acres. There is hope that rains will arrive late this afternoon and evening. Here is the official site to obtain the most current fire information. The forest fire is now named the Brimson Complex Fire, which manages these two large fires (Camp House and Jenkins Creek Fires).

This fire is 0% contained, and complicated by almost no forest roads through the affected area, and the native spruce bud worm caterpillar which has resulted in large stands of dead spruce trees (the insect defolliates and kills the trees). The dead trees are perfect fuel for the fires. At this time most of the fire fighting efforts are focused towards saving structures.

Many friends from church are helping to fight the fires (thanks and prayers). Molly made 4 dozen cookies for distribution to the fire fighters … as did many other church members at French River Lutheran. If you wish to help out, join Molly and me by donating to the combined United Ways of Lake and St. Louis Counties. 100% of your financial donation goes to those affected by the fire, not overhead or administrative expense. Send or direct your donation to the Wildfire Relief Fund of the Head of the Lakes United Way.

The Greenwood area is now officially closed by the forest service. Do not visit the feeders or hike the trails. Here is an affected area map from the U.S. Forest Service.