The Cornell School of Ornithology wanted to study and learn how North American birds reacted to this week’s eclipse. Would Amy, Momma Great Horned Owl who lives near Lake Superior think night was near and start her evening hoot / hunt? We will never know!
Day #6 (since Easter Morning first appearance)
The days leading up to the eclipse were warm and sunny.
The owlets now may be left by themselves while both parents hunt at sunrise and sunset. Momma tends to still be nearby on guard duty. She returns to the nest later each morning. These are still young owlets.
Day #8 ( since Easter Morning first appearance)
Lake Superior decided Cornell did NOT need to study Great Horned Owls! Rain reigned supreme, and Amy needed to keep her owlets warm and dry.
During the long cold winter months, we hearty Northlanders often wonder if the birds of spring will every return. This past weekend provided just a hint, and the next few days should give us a HUGE push of our feathered friends into Northwestern Wisconsin and the Northeastern Minnesota.
Over the weekend, the rest of Minnesota and Wisconsin actually had some southerly winds (not up here), but it still helped a few intrepid birds reach our environs. However, over the next few days the winds will be extremely favorable for migrating birds … even near Lake Superior. Better yet, the forest near my home is almost devoid of snow … not just spots out in the open. If you decide to look for birds remember these few facts:
Forecast southerly winds often run smack dab into Lake Superior. Many times there are winds out of the NE in the spring and early summer when the US Weather Service assures us to expect otherwise. My point is I normally do not bird the shores of Lake Superior (or just inland) at this time of year. Instead I prefer non Boreal forest habitat which warms earlier and quicker in the spring … think farmland with scattered forest interspersed habitat. I particularly like regions where southerly winds do NOT blow across Lake Superior. Thus, I tend to avoid the forests inland from the North Shore.
Remember your migration highways and if possible bird near those migration paths. The Mississippi River Flyway is only 60 miles west of Duluth, and birds will also come up through Wisconsin along north / south rivers … ultimately figuring out how to either migrate along or avoid Lake Superior.
Most songbirds do their major migrations at night, but will still move in a northerly direction during the day. Unlike the fall migration, birds do not tend to linger long in one location. They are in a hurry to return to breeding territory.
Here were some of my own cool finds over the weekend …
The South Bog Region of NE Minnesota (farmland and forest south of Meadowlands)
Northern Shrike Returning to its Canadian Homeland
It is fun to watch the owlets grow up. It is less than one week since they said hello to the world. The routine seems to be stay under Mom till the sun finally reaches the nest in the very late morning. Finally at dinner time, Mom leaves to hunt.
Day #4
Two images taken from a different location / perspective
