Up on Stony River Forest Road this morning I am now seeing flocks of Snow Buntings. I know from previous years that when I start to see flocks of snow buntings, the Fall songbird migration is over. Snow Buntings will also be the first songbirds I see northbound next season, as early as February. The Arctic Ocean is a long ways away … thus last arriving and first leaving. There will still be raptor migrations stretching into the winter. Here are some of the dates I personally look to see the early owl migrants:

• Thanksgiving: Northern Hawk Owls
• December 1st: Snowy Owls
• January 15th: Boreal Owls

Obviously it is very possible to see any of these owls prior to my dates, but from a practical standpoint this is when these birds appear in northeast Minnesota. On rare occasions, both Boreal and Northern Hawk Owls nest in my area. I actually was privileged to find a Northern Hawk Owl nest and watch it through the Spring into early Summer five years ago. As a fyi, never ask me for an owl’s nesting location (and often even just a hunting location). These birds get loved to death.

From this morning, a nice male Spruce Grouse.