Tag Archives: MN North: Lester Park

Blackbacks, Bluebirds and Bears … Oh my!!

Year 11,
  • Blackbacks, Bluebirds and Bears … Oh my!!
  • Blackbacks, Bluebirds and Bears … Oh my!!
  • Blackbacks, Bluebirds and Bears … Oh my!!

Yup, that pretty much sums up the birding over the past few days. Two days ago I hiked from my home through the Lester / Amity Woods over to the Lester Park Golf Course Ponds. Upon approaching the largest and third pond, aside from seeing Tree Swallows for the first time this Spring, I heard Bluebirds singing. Eventually I tracked the singing down to a couple of males chasing one early arriving female. She was not yet choosing a home or making a commitment to a mate. (as a fyi … I have nominated myself to the citizen committee which will help determine the future of Lester Park Golf Course)

Lester Park Ponds Bluebirds

Yesterday I knew it was time to head north of Two Harbors and refill the Greenwood Creek Bog Bird Feeders (learn more about this region) which I maintain.  There is a pair of Black-Backed Woodpeckers thinking of nesting about 500 yards down the trail / forest road #813 from the feeders!

Greenwood Creek Bog Female Black-Backed Woodpecker

And finally … the bears. Momma Bear and her three cubs returned last night after a five day absence. Their visit was obvious when I got up in the morning. Thankfully, I have been able to fix all the damage the bears cause up to this point.

Momma Bear and the Cubs Pull a Tag Team! (video link for email subscribers)

Bluebird Singing for this Rainy Day

Year 9

The wind is blowing in off Lake Superior this morning, and the ever present drizzle is back. However for a few days the wind blew lightly out of the south and the migrating bug eaters returned to the Northland. This is one of the latest northern migrations in my recent memory. For the past two days walking the ponds at the Lester Park Golf Course (closed at present) has yielded bluebirds!!! I am enjoying their song even more this Spring. Last year the number of bluebirds up north was down dramatically after a severe freeze in the south where the birds winter killed significant numbers of these songbirds. If you decide to walk the ponds, listen first to a recording a bluebird’s song. While walking follow your ear!

Eastern Bluebird (video link for a bluebird singing for email subscribers)

What with a post be without an owl update. Yesterday afternoon the poor owlets, which are lousy fliers / perches (i.e. they do not have the ability yet to land and bury themselves within a white pine or cedar tree), found themselves under constant crow attack from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Now that the flow on Amity Creek has calmed down a bit, I can hear the crows from my house. At one point I did hike over to owl land. Mom was not pleased with what was going on, and had this perch in the tallest white pine, but the crows were very careful to avoid her.

Branching!!!

Year 9,

One of my owlets was branching for the first time yesterday evening! It may not seem like much, but for a Great Horned Owlet to move 3 feet away from and out of its nest is a HUGE life accomplishment. Its first flight should be in about two weeks. If you would like to learn more about the life cycle of an owlet follow this link to the Cornell School of Ornithology.

When the rain let us this morning, I hiked back to the nest. Both owlets were drenched and now branching! Guess owlet number 2 decided it needed to be like its sibling.

Here are a couple more images from the past two days before the big branching decision. Mom normally inspects me and then goes back to sleep. Most days Mom is up high in another white pine behind her owlets.

The kids being goofy.

Meanwhile over at Lester Park Golf Course courting is in full swing. Glad Molly did not make me give up part of my arm years ago when I was wooing her (i.e. the feather offering for a nest). I don’t think either of these guys were successful.

My yard has also seen a steady stream of Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks, which is very enjoyable!

Finally … remember, anyone is welcome to download a free PDF copy of my book about the owlets growing up, Do You Hoot?