Category Archives: Year 9

Thinking Like an Owl?

Year 9

Have you ever tried to think like an owl? With most birds, when they focus upon a food source, is there a reason a particular decision has been made? If one is able to confirm (or deny) one’s hypothesis it will make birding easier in the future.

A number of us found a Northern Hawk Owl yesterday up in Sax-Zim Bog. The owl chose to hunt from the tallest tree that was near a small bit of open water in a small creek. My question, for which I don’t know the answer, did that small amount of open water attract more voles and mice. While I may not know the answer, it is quite possible the owl has learned the answer to this question. These are the kinds of questions you should always be asking yourself while birding.

Northern Hawk Owl

and on its perch …

Boreal Bird Bonanza!

Year 9

Well sort of … a Snow Bunting is really an Arctic Tundra bird. The buntings are busy migrating back through northern Minnesota to reach their breeding grounds up in the Arctic. They will arrive up north before the snow completely melts. (all the links in this post are to the Cornell School of Ornithology)

The rest of the birds in this post are true Boreal Forest Birds. Brown Creepers will never visit your feeders, but often relate to nuthatches and chickadees. While nuthatches go downhill on your trees, brown creepers go uphill!

Everyone knows the Black-Capped Chickadee. These little birds bring joy through the deep dark days of winter, but how many of you have ever met Minnesota’s other chickadee … the Boreal Chickadee?! These chickadees will never visit your feeders UNLESS you bribe them with peanut butter (or suet). They do no eat sunflower seeds. Seen while hiking Gray Jay Way up in Sax-Zim Bog yesterday afternoon.

Guardian of the Night: Great Gray Owl

Year 9
Normally I never try to photograph owls after sunset. They are extremely hard to find in the dark, but yesterday evening I made an exception. Thankfully I found a cooperative Great Gray Owl at the top of a dead snag … silhouetted against the sky.
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Just to set the scene, even though I was up in Sax-Zim Bog, I was far from where the crowds gather before sundown in the hopes of seeing an owl. I was miles away … just me and the owl … no traffic on my road. Life is good!
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If you are interested in seeing a Great Gray Owl, head to Mn State Hwy #7 between Sax and Zim Roads (a bit west of Cotton, Minnesota). Arrive 40 minutes before sunset on a day with calm weather. Our severe winter both in terms of the amount of snow, and cold weather has pushed quite a few owls south to join our native population of Great Gray Owls. Drive the stretch of road keeping a close lookout for owls on the tops of pine trees. As actual sundown approaches more owls will appear. If you see other cars parked, pull over and ask them to point out an owl! This winter’s sundown owl viewing will end within 2 to 3 weeks. Great Grays thoughts will be of love, and they will move deep into the bog.

Before my night time episode with the Great Gray, I found two Bald Eagles. The eagle on the snowbank is just becoming a mature bird (3 to 4 years old). It is at that age Bald Eagles acquire their white head and tail.