Tag Archives: MN North: Mud Lake

Duluth Mud Lake Yellow-Headed Blackbirds

June 1, 2021Year 8MN North: Mud Lakerichardhoeg@gmail.com

They’re back! After not being around for a few years, Yellow-Headed Blackbirds are back nesting on Mud Lake (St. Louis River backwaters). Our group of five was treated to great views from as close as 10 yards. We lost track of the number of males, and saw several recently arrived females which were being actively courted. Leaving the pull out at 7:05 am for the 20 minute hike was perfect timing. As we arrived at the colony the males increasingly stopped their morning feed and started advertising for a mate!

Directions:

Park at the pullout on the left as one faces Wisconsin just before the Oliver Bridge in Gary New Duluth.
Hike the RR Tracks (not in service) towards downtown Duluth across the small bridge and almost to the other side of Mud Lake nearing the tree line. The Yellow-Heads were nesting in this area.

We also saw a pair of courting Green Herons and an Osprey fishing as well as many other birds. The birding excursion was fun for everyone and I will host more of these events later in the Spring / Summer.

Here are some photographs from this morning:

Yellow-Headed Blackbirds looking for a mate

Yellow-Headed Blackbird (female)

Some more pics of the guys!

Yellow-Headed Blackbirds

May 30, 2021Year 8MN North: Mud Lakerichardhoeg@gmail.com

For the first time in years, Yellow-Headed Blackbirds seem to be reestablishing a breeding territory at Mud Lake (St. Louis River). Folks often ask to bird with me. At 7 am on Tuesday morning, June 1st, I will meet at the pull-out on the left at one faces Wisconsin just before the Oliver Bridge in an attempt to see the blackbirds. In addition rails, soras and bitterns are being seen in that area. Anyone is welcome to join me. Stout shoes for walking the RR tracks out into Mud Lake are recommended. The RR tracks are not in use.

Migration! Finally!

May 15, 2020Year 7MN North: Amity, MN North: Mud Lake, MN North: NorthStar Lake Region, MN North: Western Waterfront Trailrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Okay … there have been early migrants for the past month, but things really kicked in over the past few days with a combination of a wind out of the south and some very needed rain. Thus, at 5:50 am I was out the door … wearing shorts (47F) … and looking forward for a great morning of birding. Nature did not disappoint.

My first stop was to visit my owls. As they were hiding, and the crows were silent, I decided I would find my friends later in the day and thus headed for Lake Superior and the St. Louis River. While hiking Mud Lake I hit pay dirt. For years I have listened to Sora, but never been able to get much of a view. These birds hide out in deep marsh rushes. Finally, this morning an individual was a bit out in the open.

My first Sora photograph!

Mud Lake continued to be a great birding spot. At one point I almost stepped upon an American Bittern. I’m not sure who was more surprised, me or the bird. In addition I saw a nice flight of Yellow Warblers fly through the area.

After Mud Lake I drove over to the Western Waterfront Trail for a hike along the river. Right away I heard my first Baltimore Oriole of the year, and when I returned later (round trip hike) I was able to find the oriole out in the open and amenable to having its photo taken.

Baltimore Oriole Video (link for email subscribers)

While I rarely take photos of Canada Geese, these Goslings were only a day or two old … quite cute.

Finally, I promised some images from my last visit with the Great Horned Owl family (Wednesday morning). Now that I am home from the cabin, and have a high speed web connection … voila.

Oh wait … before the owl pics, I also had another lifer yesterday afternoon at the cabin. A migrating Foster’s Tern stopped upon a nearby buoy.