Great Gray Owls in a SnowStorm

February 3, 2025Year 12MN North: Lakewoodrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Saturday was a ugly day, and all the owls … both our locals and irruption migrants … decided they needed to hunt DURING the storm. For Great Gray Owls which catch prey by hearing mice and voles running beneath the snow, I can’t believe they had much success. It goes to show, hunger is a great motivator. Make certain you watch the videos. The snow was coming down at an amazing rate (Video links for email subscribers: Owl#1 | Owl#2 | Owl#3). I will be following this post up with a “morning after the storm” addition to this blog!

Finally here are some still images taken during storm. I actually hung out at home till the worst of the storm hit. Thankfully, none of these owls were over 10 miles from my home. I just slowed down my driving and took my time. I was actually somewhat amazed I found any owls given the poor visibility. Luck (and some skill) definitely played a role.

Just prior to the storm … unlike us, owls don’t get to use weather apps to learn that a storm in coming

Great Gray Owls during the storm. The last owl was in a ravine, which I thought was smart, but then it flew up to a non protected area. In the fourth image, the owl is shaking show off its head … thus the bit of blur.

Flight shots. Quite frankly I am amazed I not only found these owls, but managed to photograph them in flight.

Owl Song Day. It was a Hooting Good Time!

February 1, 2025Year 12MN North: Amityrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Any day when you get to hear not one, but different species of owls sing out and hoot, life is good! This post is about Amy, my local Great Horned Owl. She and her mate have nested near my home across from Amity Creek (thus the name Amy) for six years, and they are back for a seventh season!

The photograph and video accompanying this post was taken 25 minutes post sunset which makes photography difficult, but the experience was super positive. Earlier in the day I may have had a “once in a lifetime” experience. While birding in the Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area I found a Northern Hawk Owl, and happened to be taking videos when that bird decided to call out! See that post, and hear that owl.

Amity Creek Great Horned Owl

Amy Hooting (video link for email subscribers)

Willowsippi WMA Northern Hawk Owl

February 1, 2025Year 12MN Centralrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Two days ago when the temperature soared and the winds calmed, I drove over to the Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area which is SW of Floodwood, Minnesota. I knew the unseasonably warm weather and mild winds would make for a great day of exploring out in the open, and I was rewarded! These wetlands and Boreal Forests are worth birding at any time of the year, and are included in my list / descriptions of areas I like to bird (free PDF download).

After an extensive I search I found this Northern Hawk Owl when it essentially came to me and started hunting next to the dirt road. One nice item about the dirt roads in this WMA is there is no active logging. Thus, if the dirt roads are plowed, you need not fear a logging truck speeding down upon you.

Another treat of the morning was actually hearing the Hawk Owl sound off. I had heard there are multiple NHO’s in Aitkin County, and we are now reaching the time of year when owls, which breed earlier than other birds are beginning to think of love. I suspect the calm warm conditions made the owl decide to call out in the hopes another Northern Hawk Owl might hear its calls and visit! Remember, hawk owls tend to hunt by sight during the day. Thus, hearing a “hoot” during the daytime is not as strange. However, I had never heard one call. In addition I even managed to capture this owl in flight (they are very fast). Fun!

Northern Hawk Owl Winter’s Hunt

Hunting & Preening …