Tag Archives: MN North: Amity

Boreal Bird Migration

Year 11,

I have spent the early hours of the last three mornings well north of Two Harbors in the Superior National Forest both on Stoney River Forest Road and the Greenwood Bog in addition to other places. The birds are returning to the northern forests, even some of the bug eaters (normally the latest migrants). I have commented about Stoney River Forest Road, but briefly the road was used for a fire block when the Greenwood Forest Fire was expanding three years ago. The west side of the road is now a meadow or bog loved by wildlife.

You will NOT find the southern end of this 19 mile long logging road on Google Maps, but this blog post of mine has GPS coordinates. Better yet when snow is not on the ground, this is a road easily driven by two wheel drive vehicles. All I know is over three mornings I saw a number of owls, a huge selections of hawks, and spruce grouse. This road about 35 minutes north of Two Harbors is worth birding. In all three excursions, I saw 2 cars on Sunday, but then nary a vehicle the next two days. Peace and serenity reigns on this road.

A few images from the past few days. The Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks have been visiting my yard in huge numbers. Everything else is up in the Superior National Forest.

Stoney River Road Spruce Grouse (video link for email subscribers)

Lake County #2 Broad-Winged Hawk

Owlet Walk About

Year 11

Although I live in northeastern Minnesota, my Great Horned Owlets must feel they are kindred spirits to Australians!  The owlets fledged six days ago, and while I expected the older youngster to fly, I was surprised when the younger left the nest the that very same night. However over the course of the next few days I learned I was ‘not” wrong. The younger owlet wanted to leave the nest, but it really could not yet fly. This bird took a “walk about” each night, which is not unusual for many species of owls. In the six years I have watched Les and Amy raise a family next to Amity Creek, there have been owlets on the ground three times (50%).

How could I tell the youngest owlet took a walk? It was quite simple if one knows what to look for … I found the owlet for three days straight at almost eye level (lower than the nest). The young bird was perched on dead logs / branches that were long but stretched at an angle to the ground. The owlet had obviously used these bridges to climb back up into some trees.

Days 41 to 46 of the Owlet’s Lives

The Youngest Owlet on its Walkabout (photos taken over 4 days)

With yesterday morning both youngsters are now flying. The walkabout is over. I now find the Great Horned Owl family all together at the tops of some of the tallest white pines, which are NOT reachable via walking!

Up High in the Tree … the Older Sibling and then the entire family. (photos taken over 4 days, but the youngest owl did not join the party up high till the final day)

Owlets Fledged!

Year 11

Both Great Horned Owlets have fledged (flown away from the nest)! While I expected the older owlet to fledge, I was caught by surprise when the younger bird fledged the very next evening. Perhaps it did not like living in the nest alone?!

Make certain you see yesterday’s flight training post with lots of images and a video of the older owlet almost taking flight (hanging on for dear life).

Owlet #1: 31 Days Old – Fledged prior Night

Owlet #2: 31 Days Old – Will fledge early this same evening