Not to make light of the problems of the present Coronavirus crisis, but outdoor activities are a fantastic way to take a breather from the constant news cycle. When one walks in the woods under a warm sun, the problems of the world are a bit further removed.

I practice what I preach. Molly and I are down in the Twin Cities for a few days. We were supposed to be attending the first Nordic Skiing World Cup event to be held in America in years. However, not to surprisingly the ski race was cancelled. Rather than mope about this situation, I decided I needed to enjoy a climate which is much warmer than northern Minnesota. Spring tends to arrived in the Minneapolis area three weeks prior to northeastern Minnesota. I know from past experience, if I can find bits and pieces of open water when most streams and lakes are still ice covered, birding can be fantastic. Ducks will often let you stand closer than normal. Waterfowl want to lay dibs on preferred habitat, and other areas of open water are often far away. Thus, the duck which would normally fly when you get within 100 yards, will let you stand only 15 yards distant.

I found 100 yards of open water in a suburban stream. In addition to the ever present mallards, I watched a pair of Hooded Mergansers with love on their mind! One side note, raptors will often hunt these small stretches of water. Ducks in love are easy prey. Thus, keep your eyes also scanning the branches and trees above.

Early Season Hooded Mergansers

My final training ride for our Texas bike tour was snowed out over night. Depending upon one’s location in Minnesota, new snow totaled between 3 and 11 inches of snow. Combine the white stuff with a 25 mph wind, temperatures falling through the 20’s into the teens, and biking was a bust. Thus, I went birding!

If one finds the open water, one finds the birds. I birded a small steam with accompanying wetlands. It was a bird bonanza. Basset Creek as it flows out of Northwood Park in New Hope, Minnesota was full of birds. This morning I saw lots of juncos, redpolls, grackles, blackbirds, mallards, geese, hooded mergansers, wood ducks, great blue herons, and even a woodcock!

All these birds also attracted the attention of this juvenile red-tailed hawk which had vision of duck for breakfast. I was surprised that even when the hawk swooped down towards the stream, then ducks ignored the raptor.

Juvenile Red Tailed Hawk Hunting Ducks

Mr. and Mrs. Hooded Merganser

Goose Fight

Skies eventually cleared … Red Bellied Woodpecker