Unfortunately I will not be blogging about the Amity Owls this spring. While the pair hooted their love starting in September, and nest on February 5th, over the past few days I am not able to find either Les or Amy (Mom and Dad Great Horned Owl). This was the 7th year I found their nest in the dead of winter by hiking long after sunset and triangulating the hoot. Over the past two days the nest is empty, and I can not find Poppa Owl in any of his hiding spots. Another give away is the crows have stopped harassing the father. The owlets were due to hatch in a little over one week.
Sparky, who is both a friend and and the Executive Director of the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog visited my Greenwood Creek Bird Feeders a few days ago. Sparky has has a video series named “Shooting with Sparky”. While a large number of his videos focus upon Minnesota birding, he has both visited and documented birding excursions from the Rio Grande River to Hudson’s Bay. (Links to Sparky’s Blog and YouTube Channel)
His latest effort was a late winter birding trip into the Superior National Forest, which included a stop at my very remote feeders. Folks should watch his latest video (video link for email subscribers)
While I didn’t cross paths with Sparky at my feeders, I’ve also went up to Greenwood a few days ago. While it may seem like Spring because of the warm weather in the rest of Minnesota, deep in the boreal forest of northeastern Minnesota winter still rules! Here are some photographs I took of Common Redpolls. While my feeders were only a few feet away from these small finches which were working their way back north into Canada, the birds chose ignore my feeders and feast upon natural food that was becoming plentiful on the forest floor due to melting snow.
Common Redpolls (last image is a female)
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
In closing I think most folks know I have been a volunteer at Sax-Zim Bog for over ten years. While many people may think of the Bog only as a birding area, the primary focus of the Friends organization has been habitat preservation and research. Under Sparky’s leadership the Friends organization has purchased and saved for future generations thousands of acres of critical habitat. The research insures we understand how to keep nature available for our children.
On a lighter note, I have actually known Sparky’s family for much longer than the time I have been a volunteer at Sax-Zim Bog. I first met Sparky’s parents through our mutual Lutheran church. His parents made sure I did not “mess up” when I volunteered / worked at our annual lutefisk dinner!!! In addition Sparky’s Mom, Connie, always made certain my children got first chance to watch any new VeggieTales video that arrived in the church library. Uff Dah … who needs birds to define a friendship when one already has a relationship built upon children’s videos and lutefisk?!
Winter is giving up its grip on the Northland … slowly. Off trail by my Greenwood Creek Bird Feeders the snow is still deep, but the trails are rock hard for easy walking (melt during the day, freeze solid overnight). One of the very first songbirds to nest every season is the Canada Jay (Gray Jay, Whiskey Jack, Campground Robber). I found a pair of Canada Jays foraging next to Lake County 2 … three hours apart at the exact same location. While this might seen surprising given the location was miles from any bird feeder, these jays actually nest in February when the temperatures often reach minus 25F at night … or worse.
Thus, it is likely these two jays have a nest nearby! I will be checking the area over the next few week and month to see if the gray fluffballs appear. The weather was 50F this particular afternoon with sun, thus time off from incubating could be taken. Later that same day I took a hike out Park Point. The warm weather screamed to stay outdoors! The view is of the Superior Entry and Lighthouse into the harbor. The ice buildup happens every spring along the point as NE winds push ice ashore.
