Tag Archives: MN North: Greenwood Creek Bog

Greenwood Creek Boreal Bog

Year 11

I have made a number of changes …

  • The birdfeeders are now a “public place” on Google Maps (just off Lake Cty. 2 south of Greenwood Lake). Assuming I am able to convince Google that I am the owner of said feeders, I will add updates for the public page.
  • I pointed a trailcam at the feeders for about two days. Two videos are given below.  This morning I shifted the trailcam about one mile to the actual  bog area where I have seen Lynx and Moose tracks.
  • If you wish to drive closer to the Bog, I removed a huge tree which was blocking US Forest Road #813. Assuming you have an all wheel or 4 Wheel Drive vehicle, drive very slowly for 6/10 of a mile. Park at the rock pile. Do NOT drive beyond this point as the road gets bad fast with wet spots that even a 4-Wheel drive vehicle might not like. From the parking spot the bog is only a few hundred yards (a one mile hike from the bird feeders next to Lake County #2)
  • If you need a bathroom, there is a US Forest Service Outhouse in very good condition at the White Pine Picnic Area (normally also very clean), which is 5.5 miles south of the bird feeders via Lake County #2.

Canada Jay seen and photographed a few days ago on Stony River Forest Road, which is near the Greenwood Creek Bog.

Greenwood Creek Boreal Bog Bird Feeder TrailCam Videos (video one and two links for email subscribers)

Boreal Bird Migration

Year 11,

I have spent the early hours of the last three mornings well north of Two Harbors in the Superior National Forest both on Stoney River Forest Road and the Greenwood Bog in addition to other places. The birds are returning to the northern forests, even some of the bug eaters (normally the latest migrants). I have commented about Stoney River Forest Road, but briefly the road was used for a fire block when the Greenwood Forest Fire was expanding three years ago. The west side of the road is now a meadow or bog loved by wildlife.

You will NOT find the southern end of this 19 mile long logging road on Google Maps, but this blog post of mine has GPS coordinates. Better yet when snow is not on the ground, this is a road easily driven by two wheel drive vehicles. All I know is over three mornings I saw a number of owls, a huge selections of hawks, and spruce grouse. This road about 35 minutes north of Two Harbors is worth birding. In all three excursions, I saw 2 cars on Sunday, but then nary a vehicle the next two days. Peace and serenity reigns on this road.

A few images from the past few days. The Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks have been visiting my yard in huge numbers. Everything else is up in the Superior National Forest.

Stoney River Road Spruce Grouse (video link for email subscribers)

Lake County #2 Broad-Winged Hawk

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)