Tag Archives: MN North: Forest Hill Cemetery

Boreal Bonanza!

May 4, 2018Year 5MN North: Amity, MN North: Forest Hill Cemetery, MN North: Mouth of the Lester Riverrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Home! Texas was great, but I love the Boreal forests of northern Minnesota … and the lakes! As I got closer and closer to Duluth, I became increasingly excited. Between our tour and the birth of our fifth grandson, Molly and I had been gone for over five weeks. Before even getting home, I went birding!

The melt waters have filled the North Shore rivers of Lake Superior to the brim with rushing water. This runoff causes the fish which have been staging for a spring spawning run to enter the streams and rivers. The mouth of the Lester River is only 800 yards from my house and it was a duck lovers delight. I saw 36 Common Loon and 12 Great Horned Grebe in just a few minutes. In addition, small inland ponds were filled with diving ducks which eat food other than fish!

Finally, my own yard is being invaded my migrants. Have to love spring migration!

Great Horned Grebe

Blue-Winged Teal

Bufflehead

Ring-Necked Ducks

Yellow-Shafted Flicker

Pine Warbler (1st warbler of the year!)

Merlin (part of a duo patrolling the Lester River … song birds beware)

Fox Sparrows Going North!

April 2, 2016Year 3MN North: Amity, MN North: Forest Hill Cemeteryrichardhoeg@gmail.com

I went birding in the Bog today. Nothing! The strong NW wind kept birds deep in the cover, but when I got home I was treated to a nice sized flock of Fox Sparrows using my yard as a layover on their way up to northern Canada. My home is right across the street from a stream, and heavily wooded, which is appreciated by the birds. In addition, although the Fox Sparrows and Slate Colored Juncos (relating and flocking together) do not use my feeders, I believe they are attracted by all the “feeder birds”. One of the feeder birds did attract my attention. I have also included one photograph of a particular Common Redpoll which has been around for a few days. I am trying to decide if it is slightly leucistic (around the eyes). Finally … one very wierd looking mallard I found yesterday at the Forest Hill Pond in Duluth.

Fox Sparrow

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Slate-Colored Junco

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Common Redpoll (leucistic around the eyes and head?)

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Off Color Mallard in a Snow Squall

Belted Kingfisher Preening Time

July 24, 2015Year 2MN North: Forest Hill Cemeteryrichardhoeg@gmail.com

It is vitally important for all birds to take care of their feathers. Most birds have a preen or oil glad. They rub their bills over the gland; pick up some oil and then rub the oil over their feathers.

This morning I had the privilege of watching a belted kingfisher preen itself. Given how skittish these birds are, I was happy to just have a seat near by, but then the kingfisher put on a show for me!

Announcing Belted Kingfisher Preening Time!