Tag Archives: MN North: Two Harbors

Winter Birding

Year 5,

This morning I saw my first two flocks of pine grosbeaks in the Duluth area. The first flock of 20+ birds were migrating through Two Harbors; the second flock was hanging out in Cloverland on Korkki Road. The grosbeaks were using both ash and pygmy crab apple trees for their breakfast.

I have not yet seen any Bohemian Waxwings. Both species will increasingly relate to berries. The best two berry caches about which I know between Duluth and Two Harbors include Pioneer Jct. Road (take McQuade Road to Smith River Road) and the parking lot opposite the two locomotives in Two Harbors. Worth checking both if you are in the area.

On another note, I will NOT be putting out my winter birds feeders on Old Vermilion Trail till after the Minnesota firearms deer hunting season concludes on Sunday, November 18th.

One of this morning’s Pine Grosbeaks

Lake Superior Storm Waves (video)

Year 5,

While Lake Superior may not generate hurricanes, today’s 20 foot waves are still most impressive. From Duluth I traveled up the North Shore to Two Harbors and then Silver Cliffs … and yes … the photographer (me!) definitely got wet taking these photographs. However, I never ventured anywhere near where the actual waves were break. That would have been both stupid and life threatening. According to the Duluth newspaper, I freighter out on Lake Superior measured a wind gust at 86 mph not to far from the location of my Silver Cliff photos. The videos are after the still images.

The Case of the Disappearing Gazebo … Silver Cliffs on Lake Superior

Two Harbor’s Agate Bay Lighthouse

Video #1: Silver Cliffs

Video #2: Two Harbors

St. Louis River Mudflats

Year 5

I spent a lot of time this past weekend hiking into a spot where I check for late migrating ducks, and earlier arriving shorebirds. This was my first trip of the spring and I was thrilled to discover the water level was down slightly which has resulted in some nice mud flats. While I saw a reasonable number of Greater Yellowlegs, it was obvious the shorebird migration up to the Arctic with stops near Lake Superior has not started in earnest yet.

Although my primary target was shorebirds, I was thrilled when shortly after sunrise I was able to get close to two of my more favorite ducks. The first was Northern Shovelers, which although some might claim look a bit dorky, I like. The other duck was Green Winged Teal. Due to a large dirt mound, and a rising sun directly behind me, I was able to get closer than normal to these two spooky birds.

However, when on a follow up hike I tried to get close to a small flock of Bonapart Gulls, I failed miserably. In this second instance I had little cover, and the birds quickly became aware of me. Finally, it was nice to do these hikes in weather that allowed for shorts and a t-shirt. Prior to this weekend, northeasterly winds had made it difficult to get out on the low 40’s near the big lake.

Greater Yellowlegs

My Favorite Ducks … Together!

A Green Tealed Quack

Swimming Shoveler