Tag Archives: MN North: Two Harbors Highlands

Pine Siskin and Friends

Year 9,

A quick winter birding report for NE Minnesota including Sax-Zim Bog. The promised eruption of winter finches is reality. At this time, most of the grosbeaks, redpolls, and other finches are north of the Duluth area. There is a nice sized flock of Evening Grosbeaks using the Sax-Zim Bog bird feeders. As always the best time to see these “yellow birds” is shortly after sunrise. Most of the other finches are not yet using feeders as there is plenty of natural food in the woods. However, the magic hour to easily find them on backroads “gritting up” seems to be around 8:45 to 9:00 am.

Unfortunately the number of raptors, such as our native Great Gray Owls, and migrating into the area Rough-Legged Hawks are way down. I am beginning to believe our local owls did not have a good year breeding. Some of the other raptor populations may have been affected by avian flu (i.e. preyed upon infected ducks). Hawk Ridge had one of its lowest season totals in terms of “banded birds”. Finally, Snowy Owls have not yet appears in the Twin Ports. Hopefully the latter part of December and early January will bring some Canadian owls down to our area. Time will tell, but numbers and sightings are sparse.

This morning I found this Pine Siskin hanging out with a Goldfinch Flock.

In addition, this Bald Eagle was eating moose. I don’t often find moose carcasses, and will have to revisit the scene of the crime. Moose are a lot bigger than deer, and often attract wolves, bobcat and lynx, but I need to go close to sundown.

Grosbeak Invasion!

Year 9

Over the past few days I had explored a HUGE amount of territory both in Sax-Zim Bog and inland from Two Harbors. I kept wondering, “Where are the winter birds?” At this time of year the birds that will stay the winter in northeastern Minnesota appear in my area, but the backroads were bird free … that is until I visited Lake County 15 for the 8 miles directly east of its intersection with Lake County 2. Taking advantage of a break in the winter storm that was dumping lots of snow on the Lake Superior highlands, around 9:30 am this morning I found hundreds, if not well over one thousand Evening and Pine Grosbeaks moving between pines and the road to “grit up”. While the light was poor, the experience was fun.

Evening Grosbeaks and Friend (one female Pine Grosbeak in the middle)

Evening Grosbeaks (males and females)

Pine Grosbeaks (male and immature male)

I also found this Snowshoe Hare which was caught by surprise by the early winter storm. Its fur is still mainly gray, which makes it much easier prey for Canada Lynx, Bobcat and others. I know I also saw the rabbit much easier, which is not good for our floppy eared friend!

Snowshoe Hare