Even though there are almost zero bugs in the woods, and I am still able to find tiny bits of snow on the ground 40 miles inland from Two Harbors (and ice on the lakes), some bug snatchers have arrived in Duluth! While visiting Chambers Grove yesterday, a birding friend reminded me to NOT have a one track mind (as in While Pelicans on the river). Make certain you visit the small pond that immediately abuts the parking area. The little pond yesterday had an amazing number of early arriving warblers. In fact I even heard some grogs croaking which was amazing for Duluth on April 27th. I suspect this small body of water will be a warbler magnate over the next few weeks for many reasons including …

• It is extremely protected from inclement winds and weather
• The shallow waters will warm much more quickly than any other nearby waters
• Warmer waters and wind protection will mean early season bugs
• Chambers Grove is on a preferred migration path

Chambers Grove Bug Snatchers!

Yellow-Rumped Warblers

Eastern Phoebe

Song Sparrow

Meanwhile Friday evening this Great Gray Owl was hunting not too far away within the City of Duluth. Actually, most of the time it slept and given sunset was over 3 hours away, I left it to enjoy some ZZZzzz’s. However at one point it looked down, then up. I assume the owl thought it heard a vole. and an eagle, which I could not see, must have flown overhead.

Finally, about 12 of us had a super time hiking in to the Canosia Wildlife Management Area’s Great Blue Heron Rookery. We had super weather … sunny, 40F and dead calm winds. Stay tuned, I may some other walks, but like this one the announcement will come via my blog based upon current birding conditions / sightings and the weather forecast.