Although we have not reached October, which I personally think of as being the period of the prime moose rut, my local moose appear to think otherwise! Last night, three trailcams I have deep in the Superior National Forest recorded both a huge bull moose, and a cow. At times the moose were only inches from my cameras making visuals impossible. However, the close proximity made hearing the moose very easy. Pay attention … you will hear both the cow and bull in the various videos.

Here is a screenshot from Google Maps which gives you an idea of camera positioning. As noted each camera is within 400 yards of the subsequent camera. I have noted in this blog post’s text if the relevant video snippet includes moose sounds. However, I thought it was worth including all the videos that were recorded over the wee hours of the morning on September 19th from 12:23 am to 1:32 am … regardless of the amount of sound. Each video is 30 seconds in length.

Even non blog subscribers may wish to note the short comments about the sounds one may hear in each video … next to blog subscriber links.

Trailcam #2

• Video link 1 for blog email subscribers
  • Just breathing sounds
• Video link 2 for blog email subscribers
  • Cow makes sounds starting at 18 seconds
• Video link 3 for blog email subscribers
  • Bull makes sounds starting at 4 seconds
  • Other sounds may be from the cow, but she can not be seen
• Video link 4 for blog email subscribers
  • Just breathing sounds
  • Bull’s beard is within inches of the camera

Trailcam #3

• Video link 5 for blog email subscribers
  • Bull walking through the bog … water sounds

Trailcam #2

• Video link 6 for blog email subscribers
  • Isolated grunts from the bull
• Video link 7 for blog email subscribers
  • Isolated grunts from the bull
• Video link 8 for blog email subscribers
  • Isolated grunts from the bull

Trailcam #1

• Video link 9 for blog email subscribers
  • Silence … bull walking through bog
• Video link 10 for blog email subscribers
  • Mostly silent … some breathing sounds from the bull

For me, this sequence of videos which took place over one hour are amazing. The locations of the trailcams represent years of my learning about forest habitat, and specifically two years of my learning this particular area of the Superior National Forest.  The exact location of each camera is not “dumb luck”. I have been observing the wildlife in this region for a long time, and hiking various trails, including game trails, while paying attention to signs of wildlife. Since June I have seen eight moose with my own eyes, not just via trailcams.

The wind is blowing strongly out of the northwest, which means fall migration is upon us. Actually, birds have been migrating south since July, but strong NW winds in September and October mean birds being pushed against Lake Superior on their southward journey. As most birds don’t want to head out over the lake, birding near the lakeshore can bee excellent. Remember … think migration highways!

This morning I took one of my favorite autumn birding drives, which I document here for you. This route is excellent because of the birds, natural beauty, and low traffic volumes. In late September one gets to add Autumn colors into the equation. Here are two screenshots of my route, and  GPS way points:

All links in these directions are Google Maps waypoints. Make CERTAIN you take this birding drive IN THIS DIRECTION! The sun will be behind you in the early morning.

• Start in Two Harbors
  • Fall birding stops
    • Lake View Cemetery
    • Two Harbors Waterfront
    • Lake View National Golf Course
    • Flood Bay State Wayside
    • Note: These birding stops are hit or miss. The golf course’s birding gets better after golfers hang it up for the year.
• Turn left inland onto Lake County #3 at the mouth of the Stewart River
  • In late October through the winter, watch for Great Gray Owls on this road
  • Pay particular attention near any farm fields or boreal wetlands
  • Take a very short side jaunt onto West Castle Danger Road to bird Crow Creek. Immediately after the creek, reverse directions back to Lake County #3.
• Turn left onto East Alger Grade / Silver Lake Township #24 (towards Lake County #2)
  • Excellent dirt road (no need for 4 Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive vehicles)
  • No logging trucks on this dirt road!
• Turn left onto Lake  County #2 (back towards Two Harbors)

As I drive back to Duluth, I like to drive past Stony Point (exit Two Harbors Expressway at Alseth Road), and then I take Scenic 61 back to Duluth. Get onto Stoney Point Drive at its northern end. Drive the short distance back to Alseth Road. Turn back (uphill) towards Scenic 61. With the right wave conditions, watch for surfers at Stoney Point.

This morning, I found this Sandhill Crane family on Lake County 3. I ALWAYS love birding freshly mowed hay fields in the fall. There was also a huge flock of Canada Geese feeding in the same field, but with no unusual additions to the flock (i.e. snow geese, etc.)