Tag Archives: MN North: Sand Lake Pine Forest

Greenwood Lake Forest Fire Birding

August 20, 2021Background, Year 8Birding Know How, MN North: Greenwood Forest Fire Area, MN North: Sand Lake Pine Forestrichardhoeg@gmail.com

The Greenwood Lake Forest Fire is in the news and for good reason. This fire ignited on August 15th from a lightning strike, and has been growing about 1,000 acres per day due to warm, dry, windy conditions. The prevailing winds have been from the south, which unfortunately threatens many wilderness cabins and homes on the McDougal chain of lakes. Many, many people are threatened by this fire, and have been evacuated including a personal friend, Michael Furtman. Mike has a cabin up on McDougal Lake, and I have been following his story as he tries to learn what is happening to his dream cabin in the woods. He and his wife were evacuated safely. Thus, obviously, I do not mean to discount the personal tragedies which are unfolding. It is a sad situation.

This area about 60 miles from my Duluth home is a favorite spot for me to spend time in the forest. The skies are dark (rated a #1 … the darkest in the world), and the wilderness is unspoiled. Here is a selfie I took five years ago as I watched the Northern Lights in the pre-dawn light from the Greenwood Lake boat launch. The fire started on the north shore of the lake in the direction that I am looking.

The fire as of this morning (Friday, August 20th) is just under 5,000 acres. The forest service is hoping to use Lake County 2, Minnesota Highway 1, McDougal Lakes and a Power Line Cut on the south of the region to contain the fire. However containment is made difficult when embers skip forward 1/2 mile north of the fire and start new areas burning. The red area just north of Greenwood Lake is the present boundary of the fire.

(source of map and image: Superior National Forest)

Fires in recent years have proven more of a problem to extinguish. Over the past 50 years, fires were often put out too quickly. While this might seem smart, forest fires are a natural part of the environment. Through fires forest grow anew. Fire management now lets fires burn in areas which do not threaten people. The Forest Service is trying to protect the McDougal Lake area and its cabins.

This fire will change the area. Within 5 to 7 years new spruce trees will repopulate the area providing great forage for animals and birds alike. Within a year, one of the first birds that will arrive on the scene will be the Black-Backed Woodpeckers. A few years ago, I actually took these photographs of Black-Backed Woodpeckers in the middle of the Pagami Creek Wildfire burn region. Somehow these woodpeckers figure out there is a new burned out region, and move in for the next five years … enjoying bark beetles that are feasting on the burned out trees.

Spruce grouse will rebound in about 5 to 8 years as the new spruce trees grow up. However, there will be slim pickings in terms of food for spruce grouse over the next few years. I took a photo of this Spruce Grouse right within the Greenwood Lake Forest Fire Region last winter. The bird is actually “gritting up” on Lake County 2.

More than birds will be affected. Moose will ultimately move into the regrowth area as the burnt out area provides lots of new forage. However, in the short term this fire may be a tragedy for lots of folks with cabins in the wild. Learn more about forest fire regrowth.

Boreal Birding Bonanza!

November 28, 2020Year 7MN North: Sand Lake Pine Forestrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Today has been one of those days that reminds the soul of the beauty of nature. Fourty minutes before sunrise I got in the car and drove north deep in the Boreal Forest Wilderness. I hoped I might find a Great Gray Owl in the pre-dawn light, but birds were a no show until one hour after sunrise everyone came out of the woods to “grit up”. For the course of an hour by slowly driving along Lake County #2 I was treated to some incredible birds … Canada Jays, Pine Grosbeaks, Red Crossbills and Spruce Grouse. All these birds were flying over to the only source of grit for tens and tens of miles. Although Lake County #2 is a paved road, it is deep in the wilderness. A car would pass me while I was birding only every fifteen minutes.

My real hope of the morning was to find some Spruce Grouse, and I had the jackpot with a small flock of five. Even though it is the end of November, this male was “strutting his stuff” for a nearby lady. She did not seem to be too impressed.

(Gritting Up video link for email subscribers)

A few miles down the road I discovered a flock of Red Crossbills. I seriously doubt these birds have ever seen a human. I was able to stand within six feet as they “gritted up”. Given the unique bills … crossbills to pry open pine cones … gritting up is quite the production. Note how these birds have to turn their heads sideways to the ground to pick up gravel.

Finally on the way home, old Baldy was enjoying some roadkill.

Boreal Bird Bonanza: Red Crossbill Nest Building!

February 24, 2020Year 7MN North: Sand Lake Pine Forestrichardhoeg@gmail.com

The weather forecast screamed I should head north towards Ely this morning (11F, sunny and calm winds). Taking Lake County #2 out of Two Harbors one quickly enters the Superior National Forest, and although my home is within the Boreal Forest, getting north of Two Harbors means true wilderness. Near a small river as one approaches Mn Hwy 1 is a hot spot for Spruce Grouse, and this year … Crossbills. The four miles from the Sand River to the radio tower are fantastic birding, just watch for logging trucks in the rear view mirror. Otherwise the traffic is very light.

Most people head to this region for Spruce Grouse, but my target birds also included Red Crossbills. Neither bird disappointed! The numbers of Crossbills I saw shortly after sunrise was amazing, and I was extremely fortunate to spot nest building is process. Red Crossbills will nest at any time of year given an ample supply of pine cones. Their unique shaped beak is perfect for cracking open pine cones. Most other animals and birds are not able to access the seeds within, so the food is all theirs. The Northwoods definitely has a great supply of pine cones this winter from last summer’s growing season.

A Female Red Crossbill works nest building while her mate supervises! The female eventually walked around the tree and sat down. I could see her with my binoculars, but not the camera.