Cedar Waxwings do not hang out in Boreal Bogs. However, migrations with a touch of wind often pushes birds into unexpected places. Such was the case yesterday morning when I was startled to find a small flock of Cedar Waxwings on Owl Avenue.  In addition to the waxwings, there are still lots of Broad-Winged Hawks taking some time out from their migration to hunt in the Bog.

Today’s weather is a bummer for the Hawk Ridge annual festival … heavy fog, occasional drizzle and strong winds off Lake Superior don’t do wonders for birding. I live about one mile below Hawk Ridge. I have had a constant stream of migrating Blue Jays all day long in my feeders.

For those of you waiting to purchase my new book via Amazon (rather than my own web site), everything should be ready on Amazon by Monday at the latest.

Cedar Waxwings in the Bog (a first for me)

Broad-Winged Hawk

I spent five hours in the Bog yesterday. While none of the juvenile Great Great Owls were kind enough to show themselves when I arrived at sunrise, once the sun was over the horizon the Broad-Winged Hawks were present in force. These birds along with Northern Flickers, Blue Jays and warblers were migrating in force yesterday. The weather was perfect … little wind and nice sun after the morning ground fog burned off. Fall is one of my favorite times of year in Sax-Zim Bog … no bugs and different birds due to migration each trip.

Broad-Winged Hawk (3 different birds)

Northern Flicker

On the spur of the moment I went up to Sax-Zim Bog just after sunrise this morning. I was not looking for owls (too windy). In fact I was not looking for anything in particular … just looking for an enjoyable morning. Man alive, did I hit the jackpot.

My first find was a pair of Black-Billed Cuckoos about 400 yards south of the RR tracks on McDavitt Road. I can count on one had the number of cuckoos I have seen in northeastern Minnesota. I suspect these two have a nest near my sighting.

Black-Billed Cuckoos

After the cuckoos it was on to Admiral Road. The number of swallows was dumbfounding, and I quickly determined the Barn Swallows young had just fledged. It is amazing what happens in 1.5 seconds (the duration of this 15 set sequence of images). My favorite is #5.

Just Fledged Barn Swallows Demand to be Fed!