Tag Archives: Birding Know How

Spring Northern Migration in Progess

Year 11,

Even here in northern Minnesota, the Spring Migration has started. In the last two weeks I have seen many Trumpeter Swans, Snow Buntings, Rough-Legged Hawks and Bald Eagles working their way northward. All of these species of birds are first arrivals to breeding grounds, and many breed upon the Arctic tundra. While those of you who live south of Minnesota already have open lakes and rivers (assuming they ever froze), up here we pay attention to ice out. Some waterfowl will use open water in rivers during migration (ice free before lakes), but many birds prefer to wait for open water on regional lakes. Ice free lakes generally equate to the start of more available food. If a river tracks generally

The Minnesota DNR has an excellent resource for determining ice out dates … essentially in real time. Even if the lake in which you are most interested is not listed, there will always be a nearby lake that you may check for ice conditions. If you follow the march north of ice out, you will get an excellent idea about where to look for the leading edges of significant bird migration. Just remember, all birds will want to ride strong winds out of the south.

Here is the link to the Minnesota DNR Ice -Out Resource and two annotated screenshots to help you understand the tool. I prefer to use a device with a larger screen.

And of course, what would any post be w/o a few images. I saw this immature Bald Eagle and Ruffed Grouse 3 days ago during an earlier morning bird at Sax-Zim Bog.

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.

Crisp Point Lighthouse is NOT on a Bird Migration Highway

Year 10,

I have served as a Crisp Point Lighthouse keeper for many years during the Fall Bird Migration. Most folks knows of the major North American Bird Migration Highways: The Atlantic or Eastern Flyway, The Mississippi Flyway, The Central Flyway, and The Pacific or Western Flyway. However, each of these major flyways is made up of many smaller “bird highways”. Although Crisp Point is only 10 miles “as the crow flies” from Whitefish Point, very few birds are ever seen near Crisp Point. Take a look at this map, and you’ll understand why. Birds don’t want to fly west from Whitefish Point along the shores of Lake Superior when much better options exist to fly directly south along Lake Michigan or Lake Huron (another post of mine about migration highways). In five days of lighthouse keeping at Crisp Point I saw very few birds. However over the past week the official migration counters employed at Whitefish Point saw thousands and thousands of birds (only 10 miles distant). Moral of the story … look at a map of your local and regional area. Pay attention to “migration highways” … rivers or large lakes. Chances are these spots will optimize birding during the twice yearly migrations.

Here are a few shorebirds I did see on one “keepers” walk … Sanderlings and a Semi Semipalmated Plover.

And a couple of final photographs of the lighthouse …