Lake Superior at this time of year is cold! The water temperature is only in the high 30’s and even on May 18th there is still a tiny bit of ice in a few spots around the lake. This extreme cold not only affects the region’s weather, but also has an effect of where one can find birds.
As my wife was out of town, I decided to have a heavy day of birding. Given my knowledge of Gitche Gumee I visited three different spots where I expected to find certain kinds of birds.
- My first location to visit was the Cloverland / Wisconsin Hwy #13 Grasslands. This area is on the south shore of Lake Superior, and is warmed by any southerly wind. In Northeastern Minnesota, southerly winds come across Lake Superior and the forests near my home are much colder … later into the Spring. I know I am able to find grassland and wetland birds much earlier near Cloverland.
- My second location was a spot on the Western Waterfront Trail which is protected from Northeast winds. This means some protection for migrating warblers and the trees bud and bloom a bit earlier than elsewhere. It is a good early season location.
- My final location was Minnesota Point just before sunset. For the past three days strong winds have blown off Lake Superior and I guessed the NE winds would result in Arctic shorebirds taking a break from their northward migration.
I was correct on all accounts. Here are some my images from today …
Sunrise Birding near Cloverland Wisconsin … Wilson’s Snipe and an Upland Sandpiper
Mid Morning Birding the Western Waterfront Trail … Male and Female Yellow Warblers
Sunset Birding on Minnesota Point … Ruddy Turnstones and Dunlins
Great photos and description. Thanks for sharing your vast knowledge of birds. I greatly appreciate it. Sham and I will be driving around Lake Superior starting Friday of this week.
Driving around Lake Superior is a fantastic trip. Ice only went out on the Ontario Lakes north of Superior within the past week. The waterfalls will be fantastic. I believe Lake Nipigon may still be socked in with ice. My two favorite waterfalls are High Falls on the Pigeon River and Kakabeka Falls just west of Thunder Bay. High Falls has a free Minnesota State park just 20p yards before the border, and Ontario has a free park right at Kakabeka.
If time allows, stay an extra night in Grand Marais and drive up the Gunflint Trail at sunrise. Moose are calving, and are often easily seen in the boggy lakes next to the road at this time of year. Certain water plants germinate earlier than dry land vegetation … which means tasty food to munch upon. In addition, when dandelions bloom, black bears and their cubs will enjoy this delicacy. Very edible.
The lighting is great – are these early morning shots?
The photos near Cloverland were shortly after sunrise. The shorebirds images were shortly before sunset. I tend to leave early for my morning birding excursions … normally before sunrise which these days is at 5:30 am in northern Minnesota. Thanks for the kind words.