Birding and the Weather / Apps

Background

This morning I had planned to return to the Greenwood Forest Fire Burn Area which is 40 miles north of Two Harbors. Before heading out on a birding outing, I always check the weather conditions, and sometimes the road reports. Optimal weather in the winter involves both safety, and understanding if I am likely to be successful. My check of the weather this morning put an end to my birding plans … icy roads and low visibility.

The number of weather apps available for either the Android or Apple platform is mind boggling. I will review the app I use, and indicate the aspects of the app I like and why. Obviously other apps may have similar features … the key is does your app provided you with the necessary data. My app is WeaWow (Google Play | Apple App Store). The basic app is free and has no advertisements, but for a small $2 donation you may unlock additional sources used for weather data input.

Click / Press Upon any Image to View at Full Size!

The StartUp Screen & Overview

The Weather Warning from the US Weather Service (based  upon  this  warning  I did  more  research. Not too surprisingly I am very interested in wind speed / direction, cloud cover, and visibility)

Hour by Hour Forecasted Details (my arrows point to information in which I have most interest)

Weather Maps (what is happening right now … rain/ snow and wind are my primary interests)

The weather data concerned me enough I then browsed to Mn511. This service of the State of Minnesota provides current road conditions. I can even look at pictures only  minutes old from snow plow cameras (real cool). Most states have similar services.

Here are two screenshots taken earlier this morning when I decided to cancel my morning birding outing. In summation, use the weather apps / services. I doubt I would have seen anything, and already many car crashes were being reported.

UnWinter Birding

Year 10

Instead of snowstorms, there is rain and more rain. We are down in Milwaukee to visit my son and his family. This morning the sun made an extremely brief appearance. A local Red-Tailed Hawk was all over the break in the weather and was immediately hunting. I have now seen this raptor on four different occasions. It likes a “closed college campus” for its hunting grounds! The sunshine only lasted for 30 minutes, but it was precious.

Comment on the Plan to Kill / Shoot Barred Owls

Background, Year 10

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has a draft management plan to kill / shoot Barred Owls to save Spotted Owls in the Pacific Northwest. The Spotted Owl is native to this region, and the Barred Owl is encroaching upon their range. I think this plan is morally wrong. NBC News and others have recently reported about this “draft plan”. You may wish to read their news story about the Spotted and Barred Owl conflict.

It is wrong to kill one bird species to save another. This action will teach Barred Owls to fear humans. In addition it was likely humans who messed up the old growth forest habitat with excessive logging. Should we shoot loggers? While you may not agree with me, anyone may comment upon this proposed owl management plan. The comment period closes on January 16, 2024. Most news stories do not include a direct link to the US Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Plan Comment Page. Here is the link:

  • Comment upon the Barred Owl / Spotted Owl Draft Mgmt Plan