My contribution to SuperB Owl Sunday. I found this Snowy Owl this morning near the Big Bog, a bit NW of Upper Red Lake.
Category Archives: Year 9
Minus 32F Birding Success!
Well … my trip has started out with the forecasted light winds, but man … was it cold yesterday morning, -32F (-35.5C). I drove back roads on the way to my first targeted area. Although I did not see a single bird (too darn cold), the habitat was fantastic and merits a return when the mercury warms a touch.
Proof of the Outdoor Temperature (actual, not chill factor)
The first real stop of the morning was Shoreline Drive NE in The Big Bog near Upper Red Lake. This road has wild rice farms (strange juxtaposition of words) right next to the edge of the boreal forest. This spot has been successful for me in the past, and did not disappoint. I found this beautiful Northern Goshawk in the same exact tree in which I have found Northern Hawk Owls in year’s past. Normally Goshawks spook easily, but I think because of the cold this bird was quite willing to let me be present.
I’ll give you one guess where I went next?! In fact I spent some time talking with both “Farmer Vern” and the US Border Patrol for very useful birding information!
Yes, although I was not lost, I had arrived in the Lost River State Forest north of Roseau, Minnesota. I very much enjoyed my birding and must thoroughly recommend the habitat introduced to me by my new friends … The Lake Bottoms! If one takes Roseau County Hwy 16 west from Hwy 310, and then drives north on Cty 123 to just over the Roseau River Bridge, there you will find “The Lake Bottoms”. While not Boreal Forest, it is a DNR managed wildlife area, and is most excellent. I even saw a lifer here, a bird I did not even know existed two weeks ago … the Gray Partridge. Photography was difficult because snow was now swirling near the ground.
Gray Partridge
And perhaps the Queen on the Day. I think this is a female Northern Hawk Owl due to its size. Getting near the bird was a real challenge. I did not have snowshoes (shame on me), and had to struggle through snow up to mid-thigh. In fact, this is when I talked with Farmer Vern. He had a good laugh at my struggle through the snow!
Northern Hawk Owl
Big Bog and the Great Plains
Yup … I’m off to explore The Big Bog and a small portion of the Great Plains! Most birders know of Sax-Zim Bog near Duluth, but did you know Sax-Zim pales by comparison to the Big Bog?! The DNR park linked is a miniscule portion of the Big Bog. This bog is the largest in the Lower 48 and is extremely remote. I will stay two nights with my brother on Deer Lake and one night up in Roseau. The advance forecast is for frigid weather, but moderate winds (hope the winds actually calm down as forecast). Four years ago when I last birded this area I actually found a Northern Hawk Owl couple, including their nest. I made repeated trips back to await the owlets, but their nest ultimately failed (bummer). However it was super cool to see Hawk Owls in May! Wish me luck! I have no eBird reports, Facebook posts or texting groups to use for advance information. My birding is based upon having learned about birding habitat over the years, and Google Maps satellite mode planning.