The leading edge of the “bug snatching birds” is here! Our leaves next to Lake Superior are finally leafing out, and with it … bugs! I have some favorite spots in the early season for bug snatchers … warblers and grassland birds. All the photos is this post were taken over the past few days.

For warblers, I love Hartley Creek which is only a few feet away from the Hartley Nature Center parking area. No matter where you live, consider these key aspects of this warbler hotspot … protected from with wind with running water, but not to strong a current. After cold nights, by mid morning there will often be a bug hatch. The insects remain in the creek bed area, out of the wind. Migrating warblers figure this out, and they are hungry!

Yellow Warbler

American Redstart

Black & White Warbler

Pileated Woodpecker (a year round resident, but still eating Hartley bugs!)

My other spot, primary for grassland birds is NW Wisconsin near Lake Superior (check my Mn. Birding Locations page … although Wisconsin … learn about the meadows and wetlands). Unlike in NE Minnesota where southerly winds come across Lake Superior (and get cold), these same winds still bring their warmth up from southern regions. The end result is NW Wisconsin “turns on” from a birding vantage point before NE Minnesota because the warmth equates to earlier bug hatches.

Killdeer

Solitary Sandpiper (using a very small farm pond … find the water)