Canosia Great Blue Heron Rookery

Year 12

When the Mississippi River Flyway & Willowsippi WMA did not produce for me over by Jacobson, Minnesota yesterday morning, I decided to come home via the Canosia Wildlife Management Area including a hike into the Great Blue Heron Rookery.

I was prepared for the major off trail bushwhacking to reach the beaver pond and rookery, but discovered that a large area had been logged over the winter. While the logged out area made for difficult hiking over the numerous trees which had been cut, but deemed not of commercial value (i.e. scattered and lying on the ground), the logging actually did make it easier to reach the pond.

While the ice only retreated off area ponds and lakes less than 5 days ago, all the fish eaters (ducks, ospreys and herons) were ready to migrate into our area upon learning there was open water. I estimated over 25 nests already had a male waiting for a mate, and a few nests were already occupied by mated pairs.

This Great Blue Heron Couple was the most active at the task of nest rebuilding. It took me a while to figure out that each time the male flew off in search of new branches and twigs, he only flew a short distance and landed upon an empty nest. The male heron would then proceed to deconstruct / dismantle the old nest and take sticks to fly home. He would then present his fantastic finds to his loved one! Pretty smart … very little energy expended.

A few more photographs of other nests …

And the local Osprey nest which was being contested by three individuals.

Canosia Great Blue Heron Rookery … the Movie! (video link for email subscribers)

Some Eat Voles. Some Eat Fish. Everyone Needs to Eat!

Year 12,

The swallows return to Capistrano (Pat Boone YouTube Link for eMail subscribers), and the White Pelicans return to Chambers Grove, Duluth!

Actually Pat Boone’s song is from 1957, just one year after I was born. While growing up in Duluth EVERYONE knew that the St. Louis River was a cesspool with pollution caused by the US Steel Plant and multiple paper mills. You did not swim or fish in this river. However, thanks to the great efforts of regional governments and the EPA our river is now crystal clean. Sturgeon which demand fresh, clean water once again are spawning in the St. Louis River. There exists a trophy musky fishery, and many species of fish now spawn near Chambers Grover and the base of the rapids and falls of the river. Wild Rice even grows once again in the backwaters of the river. Finally, the White Pelicans are back (and have been for many years) and will once again gorge themselves during their northward migration on spawning fish.

Two nights ago the White Pelicans returned to Chambers Grove (GPS Link). While there had been a few pelicans on the river, Wednesday night the BIG numbers started to arrive. Visit Chambers Grove for the next 2 to 3 weeks and you will see these birds before they head out fishing. Just park in the city park, and make the short walk over to the river. The birds will be congregated on any of the island’s numerous rock reefs.

Duluth Chambers Grover White Pelicans (video link for email subscribers)

Meanwhile across town the invasion of the vole snatchers continues. This winter’s owl irruption is now working is way north in reverse. This Great Gray Owl was hunting voles Wednesday afternoon near WDIO TV.

Duluth Great Gray Owl

Iced Ducks

Year 12

The ice out line across Minnesota roughly stretches across the state at Duluth. Yesterday Hartley Pond was still iced over, but the Forest Hill Cemetery Ponds were ice free. Bigger lakes are still socked in with ice, and as you head north the thickness of lake ice is still significant. However, stay off the ice. Current and melt water can quickly erode local ice.

Two days ago when there was still some ice on the Forest Hill ponds, I enjoyed quality time with migrating ducks. Waterfowl in their attempts to be the first to be the first to claim prime breeding habitat will always find the most northern open water. Small ponds allows a person birding to get MUCH closer to duck species that normally would never let a human be within hundreds of years.

Iced Ducks!

Wood Ducks

Common Mergansers (males)

Hooded Merganser (male)

Hoodies and a Woodie!

Quick note: The White Pelicans returned to Chambers Grove over night. While a few pelicans have been present on the St. Louis River, they are now hanging out in large numbers on the rock reefs.