The snow is mostly melted in the northern boreal forest. A few days ago I birded Sax-Zim Bog and the Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area. This basically allowed me to bird the Mississippi River Flyway, and life was good.
The highlight of the day was watching an American Woodcock dance for almost 15 minutes. These small birds arrive back in the wetlands before the snow and ice is totally gone. Enjoy the dance! (video link for email subscribers)
Dance of the American Woodcock
Momma Common Merganser says “NO!” to both of her suitors! (expand image)
Hooded Mergansers in Love (only open water … ditch on Stone Lake Road)
Migrating … not Courting: Northern Shrike and Rough-Legged Hawk
Pay attention to the wind and weather! During the spring south winds rule, and after a night’s winds from the south you may find many new species of birds have arrived outside your home. Learn more about migrations … read up on BirdCast (my post). In addition if you live near a North / South river, it may be a migration highway. Pay attention.
I drove over to the Mississippi River and the Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area earlier this week. While the Father of Waters is still mainly iced over in northern Minnesota, where there are breaks in the ice waterfowl are resting on their northern migration. Twice I found Trumpeter Swans at this open spot on the Mississippi River.
When I reached the Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area (learn more about Willowsippi), I found a pair of Trumpeter Swans had already claimed prime habitat … even though the wetlands pond was still ice over.
Yesterday I spend time over at Sax-Zim Bog. After my local nest failure, I think a local Great Gray Owl took pity on me and wanted to give me some quality “owl time”. I watched this owl for over 1.5 hours. For the first 30 minutes the owl hooted and calmly looked around for a mate. This was followed by an hour of hunting, when I had to leave … the owl was not finished. Oh yes … the crowds are gone from Sax-Zim. I saw only one other birder / car during the three hours I was at the Bog.
The treat over at the Bog was finding a lone Snow Bunting. These small finches are impossible to approach when in flocks, but when they are by themselves one may approach within yards.
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 …
The Movies! (video links for email subscribers: video1 | video2)
Hunting …
Hooting …
Later this same day, I would see Amy my local Great Horned Owl as she sang shortly after sunset. That post is coming soon!
