I don’t think I have given enough emphasis to birding the Canosia Wildlife Preserve just north of Duluth. There are many birding options available … hikes or drives. On the car front any of these roads are worth your time:

• Lavaque Road (north of Martin Road)
• West Lismore Road to Hiking Trailhead (private road beyond that point)
• Ugstad Raod to the Hiking Trailhead

The trails leading from either of these two trailheads are easy, but very buggy. Use bug goop. Eventually via the trails you want to reach the wetlands (more bugs). Here is a map I created. Please note the Great Blue Heron Rookery. It may only be reached by hiking off trail. In May, June and early July you will hear the herons long before you see them. Given sun angles, an early morning visit is best whether you are just birding, and / or wanting to take some photographs. There is also an osprey nest in the wetlands next to Trailhead #1. On Lavaque Road you will drive by “Steam Shovel Sam & Sally) (osprey nest in the shovel’s bucket).

These images were taken early Sunday morning.

Canosia Wildlife Reserve Map

Osprey

Broad-Winged Hawk