Winter is giving up its grip on the Northland … slowly. Off trail by my Greenwood Creek Bird Feeders the snow is still deep, but the trails are rock hard for easy walking (melt during the day, freeze solid overnight). One of the very first songbirds to nest every season is the Canada Jay (Gray Jay, Whiskey Jack, Campground Robber). I found a pair of Canada Jays foraging next to Lake County 2 … three hours apart at the exact same location. While this might seen surprising given the location was miles from any bird feeder, these jays actually nest in February when the temperatures often reach minus 25F at night … or worse.

Thus, it is likely these two jays have a nest nearby! I will be checking the area over the next few week and month to see if the gray fluffballs appear. The weather was 50F this particular afternoon with sun, thus time off from incubating could be taken. Later that same day I took a hike out Park Point. The warm weather screamed to stay outdoors! The view is of the Superior Entry and Lighthouse into the harbor. The ice buildup happens every spring along the point as NE winds push ice ashore.