Tag Archives: MN South: Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Dawn Dance: Sandhill Cranes!

Year 9
Sandhill Cranes mate for life. This morning I found the Mr. and Mrs. renewing their vows in the Sherburne National Wildlife Reserve. Even though it was only 26F shortly after sunrise, the loving couple felt like performing a “dawn dance”.
.
Another piece of information I did not know, in addition to the Wildlife Drive, between September 1st and the start of deer hunting season, there is a another dirt road one may drive which starts at the Blue Mound Cemetery (3.5 miles long with a side trip to the public boat launch). It was well worth the drive, and next year I will come down from Duluth and make certain I try the road closer to September 1st

The Offering Followed by the Dance (maximize to see the crane’s beak)

The Movie (video link for email subscribers)

Just Hanging and Dancing

Reflections

Birds that Hide from the Wind!

Year 9,

Essentially that would be all birds. Over the past two days winds swung to being out of the south with gusts over 40 mph. The remaining migration came to a screeching halt, and birds that were in the area tried to forage and feed in areas protected from the wind.

Yesterday I had to go down and back to the Twin Cities for an appointment, and I made certain to leave long before sunrise such that I could circle in to Minneapolis from the Northwest. This allowed me to visit the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. I made two circuits of Wildlife Drive, and the ONLY place I found songbirds was where they could hide somewhat from the wind.

Wind Blown Bluebird

I also found some lazy Sandhill Cranes which even after 10 am had not made their escape to the local farm fields for foraging.

This morning I was north of Two Harbors exploring some new back roads. I was looking for nice bog areas which should be great spots once the owl season is upon us. This Bald Eagle was kind enough to take off in front of some spruce … rather that busy deciduous trees.

Fog Bound Birding

Year 7

When I left the house before sunrise yesterday morning there were beautifully clear skies, but as the temperature dipped to 26F with calm winds ground fog appeared at my targeted wetlands. Although I could not see much, I felt able to hike without much pain for the first time since my bicycle crash. Thus, I headed off into the mist. Birds were few and far between at first (or at least I could not see them!). I could hear Sandhill Cranes and Trumpeter Swans calling through the mist.

It was a beautiful, eerie morning. I did not see another human, animal or bird during my foggy hike … at least till the fog lifted and I found these Canada Geese at a small pond.