Tag Archives: MN South: Minneapolis

Birding Minnesota this Spring

Year 12

While I might be down in Costa Rica, there are some fun birding opportunities back home in Minnesota:

  • BirdGV: A fellow techie buddy of mine from our Honeywell days has an amazing setup which allows anyone to watch Wood Ducks this spring … from laying eggs through “the drop”. Paul’s blog and cameras inside and out of his boxes will let you experience the wonder of these ducklings … wherever you may live. Browse, learn, enjoy, and subscribe. BirdsGV.
  • The other opportunity is from the Friends of the Rice Lake National Wildlife Reserve. On May 3rd during prime migration from 9 to 12 noon they will have a birding experience at the reserve. See their website for details.

Long Eared Owls and Christmas Bird Counts

Year 12

We celebrated a late Christmas with my daughter and her family two evenings ago, but we had to be back to Duluth by last night such that I could participate in this year’s Isabella Christmas Bird Count. This is the 125th year of the count, which makes it the longest running citizen science research project in the world. As I type this blog post at 6:30 a.m. I am noting the temperature inland is -12F (not including chill factor). Needless to say I am wearing many layers of clothes and will have goggles should I find myself hiking in open spaces. If you want to learn more about the Christmas Bird Count, Science Friday has an excellent piece on their show yesterday (link to Science Friday podcast)

Just like I had a Christmas treat of Barn Owls while visiting one of my sons this Christmas while out in Seattle. While down in the Twin Cities a friend told me where to hike and see some Long Eared Owls. It was a brisk 1.5 mile walk, but very worthwhile.

Minneapolis Long-Eared Owls

Owl #1

Owl #2

Time to leave for Isabella …

Rich On TV – Next Monday: Minnesota Live

Background, Year 11

KSTP Channel 5 in the Twin Cities has a live morning show. It’s title is Minnesota Live, and this coming Monday, October 7th I will be their guest. In a 5 to 10 conversation I will speak about these subjects:

  • Bird Photography
  • Cornell’s Bird App: Merlin
  • Cool Birds to See this Fall
  • How I Became Interested in Birding as a Child
  • My Children’s Owl Picture Books (PDF’s available for free)

Obviously that is a lot of content for such a short time period. Regardless, you may watch live streamed from the KSTP web site. I do not know the exact time I will be featured on the program, but the show airs between 9:00 and 10:00 am. My segment may be available after the fact. Here is Minnesota Live’s web site (including live viewing link)