Before turkey, there are owls (Great Gray), jays (Canada Jays) and grosbeaks (Pine Grosbeaks). I had a delightful morning up at the Bog starting at sunrise. Next up now that I am home is a Zoom get together with my children and grandchildren.
Happy Thanksgiving!
It was a tough morning birding today. Not much was happening as I made a swing through some my favorite haunts where owls will set up winter territories. I made certain to check everything out in the pre-dawn light. After the sun came up I finally found a few Pine Grosbeaks “gritting up” including this male.
Up at Sax-Zim Bog the feeders are now up. In addition the ultimate suet is now at the Welcome Center and at most the boardwalks. We put up deer carcasses (from venison processors). Both the birds and small mammals lover same. While I am not allowed to put up a carcass in the woods near my own home (wife does not like the idea), I am allowed to offer real suet. Thus, I just purchased some meat suet which I will hang within the next few days. The bears should now be hibernating.
Gray Jay / Canada Jay enjoying a snack.
This Great Gray Owl would not come out and play yesterday evening. It was waiting till dark to hunt. All the same … it was a great way to celebrate my “return to the Bog”. Winter birding starts now! While our Great Grays are year round residents of the Northland, I have been getting reports of other owls starting to show up in our region (specific reports of Northern Hawk and Snowy Owls). Hopefully this bodes will for a nice movement down from Canada this year (they are allowed across the border!). I hope to also see some non local Great Grays along the North Shore.
My goals for the Pandemic Winter are to receive medical clearance to get back on cross-country skis (no races this winter), and find the hunting spots of various species of owls. Given our new lockdown here in Minnesota, outdoor activities will keep us all sane.
