Tag Archives: MN North: Sax-Zim Bog

Now Arriving on Track Nine at the Arctic Riviera: Snow Birds!

Year 12, ,

My friends who are the human version of snowbirds have all left for points south, but here on the Arctic Riviera (i.e. Duluth, Minnesota on Lake Superior) the real snowbirds are arriving. Take a look at this range map from Cornell for the Long-Tailed Duck (an Arctic seabird), it could actually also be the range map for all three species featured in this post … Long-Tailed Ducks, Rough-Legged Hawks and Snowy Owls.

All three species are now present in the Northland. In fact, I hesitate to use the word, but folks are saying this might be an Irruption Year for Snowy Owls. Both the Wisconsin DNR and Project Snowstorm (In With a Bang) are speculating that the large white owls will be in abundance this winter. All I know, yesterday I saw a Snowy in Sax-Zim Bog … the second earliest date I have ever personally seen this species of owl. My sighting was not rare. Snowys are being seen all over the Northland, and more arrive every day. The shores of Lake Michigan stretching from the Upper Peninsula to Chicago are a hot area. Migrating owls follow this migration highway due south from Whitefish Point on both sides of Lake Michigan. Apparently two Snowy Owls are hanging out on the Windy City’s waterfront (Chicago).

First … yesterday’s star attraction in Sax-Zim Bog on Highway 7 … A Snowy Owl!

And Duluth’s local Long-Tailed Duck … I suspect the duck is grinning because all of the Zebra Mussels at McQuade Harbor.

Finally to end the Arctic Trio … another lover of Lemmings and Voles, a Rough Legged Hawk (also on Highway 7 in the Bog)

This Ring-Necked Pheasant had better watch out for the owl and hawk … just south of Meadowlands. I was looking for Snowy Owls on the farm land to the SW and West of Meadowlands.

And this hawk does not belong with this post, but what the heck … I call the photo “Down on the Farm Birding. Hopefully folks can figure out the name of this species. Look at the tail. I was recently visiting my 94 year young uncle in west central Iowa. He still helps with combining corn. Retirement, that is a word farmers do NOT know.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

The Other Chickadee … Mr. Boreal!

Year 12

Most folks think chickadees are all year round residents, but in fact many, many chickadees migrate a bit further south each winter, while some stay all winter in the Northland. Over the past few weeks I have known that Boreal Chickadees were coming south … many along the North Shore of Lake Superior. How did I know that fact when Boreal Chickadees are normally NOT a feeder bird? My Raspberry-Pi Birdsong listening devices. The listening stations at my house, French River Lutheran Church and my friend who lives near the mouth of the Sucker River suddenly showed lots of Boreals migrating … from zero present only two weeks ago.

I love these little birds, and yesterday I decided to visit a Boreal Chickadee hot spot (the Admiral Road Feeds in Sax-Zim Bog). Another friend put out peanut butter, and for over an hour it was a non stop parade of Boreal Chickadees.

Meet Mr. (or Ms.) Boreal Chickadee!

As a fyi, earlier this week on a very gloomy day the Birdnet-Pi’s indicated White-Winged Crossbills were migrating along the North Shore of Lake Superior in the hundreds. After church I visited some spruce trees which I knew were loaded with cones and was rewarded with lots of sightings of crossbills. Actually I saw hundreds of crossbills. Both examples from this post are essentially non feeder birds. Both species will visit feeders on rare occasions, but it is not common.

Red-Winged Blackbird Attacks Bald Eagle

Year 12,

Momma warned me there would be days like this!!!

An immature bald eagle was repeatedly dive-bombed by a red-winged blackbird at the Park Point Recreation Area a few days ago. The blackbird had to have a nest near by with recently fledged young. I personally have been on the receiving end of blackbird attacks many times in my life.

As a fyi, Bald Eagles do not get their white heads and tails till almost 4 years old. This is not a Golden Eagle. However, we do get some migrating Golden Eagles coming south from their breeding grounds neat Hudson Bay in late October to early November.

Press or click upon any image to view at full size. It’s fun to see the eagle’s eye expressions.

Incoming

Close Encounters of the Blackbird Kind

And from a very wet early morning up in Sax-Zim Bog this past week … a drenched Broad-Winged Hawk.