I just spent the past two days near the Canadian border near Big Falls, Minnesota. I knew that many of the back roads I enjoy which are nearer our cabin, would soon be impossible in terms of access due to deep snow. Toomey Williams Forest Road in Pine Island State Forest was just barely drivable with my all-wheel drive. My timing was near perfect and I enjoyed two perfect days of sunny weather in the midst of snow flocked pines before last night’s and this morning’s high winds and extreme cold kicked in. Better yet, I found the sweet spot of migrating winter birds that will remain in our local Boreal Forest for the next few months. The most numerous bird were pine grosbeaks, but there were plenty of Common Redpolls and White-Winged Crossbills to keep this birder happy.

The one specie of bird which I saw nary an individual was the Great Gray Owl. Although I was in prime habitat at the right time of day, the Gray Ghost never appeared. Normally by late October I can count upon the fact that some juveniles are beginning to hunt well into the daylight hours (a bit after sunrise, and before sunset). Our Great Grays are native and year round residents, but an interesting fact is that Hawk Ridge’s raptor banding count for the entire month of October was only 500 birds (hawks and owls). This monthly number is way down compared to the historical average. In addition, none of my friends are seeing any of our northern owls with any kind of frequency … and definitely not at any time other than dawn and dusk. Bummer.

Regardless … shades of Red … Winter Birds!

Pine Grosbeaks

Take-Off

Gritting Up

White-Winged Crossbill

Common Redpoll

Big Fork River (upstream and downstream from one of the Mn Hwy #6 Bridges)