Molly and I leave early tomorrow for a little over two weeks in Costa Rica, with our first 3 nights at an off the grid eco lodge up in the rain forest. We follow that up by spending time on the Pacific at Las Catalinas. For the first time in my life I have hired local guides … twice for 1/2 day each time. Learn more about where we will be. I have a free PDF guide book I authored and photographed about the area.
Collared Aracari (Toucan)
Pay attention to the wind and weather! During the spring south winds rule, and after a night’s winds from the south you may find many new species of birds have arrived outside your home. Learn more about migrations … read up on BirdCast (my post). In addition if you live near a North / South river, it may be a migration highway. Pay attention.
I drove over to the Mississippi River and the Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area earlier this week. While the Father of Waters is still mainly iced over in northern Minnesota, where there are breaks in the ice waterfowl are resting on their northern migration. Twice I found Trumpeter Swans at this open spot on the Mississippi River.
When I reached the Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area (learn more about Willowsippi), I found a pair of Trumpeter Swans had already claimed prime habitat … even though the wetlands pond was still ice over.
Yesterday I spend time over at Sax-Zim Bog. After my local nest failure, I think a local Great Gray Owl took pity on me and wanted to give me some quality “owl time”. I watched this owl for over 1.5 hours. For the first 30 minutes the owl hooted and calmly looked around for a mate. This was followed by an hour of hunting, when I had to leave … the owl was not finished. Oh yes … the crowds are gone from Sax-Zim. I saw only one other birder / car during the three hours I was at the Bog.
The treat over at the Bog was finding a lone Snow Bunting. These small finches are impossible to approach when in flocks, but when they are by themselves one may approach within yards.
Unfortunately I will not be blogging about the Amity Owls this spring. While the pair hooted their love starting in September, and nest on February 5th, over the past few days I am not able to find either Les or Amy (Mom and Dad Great Horned Owl). This was the 7th year I found their nest in the dead of winter by hiking long after sunset and triangulating the hoot. Over the past two days the nest is empty, and I can not find Poppa Owl in any of his hiding spots. Another give away is the crows have stopped harassing the father. The owlets were due to hatch in a little over one week.
Amy (taken a few days ago)
Les (taken one week ago … guarding)
