Tag Archives: MN South: Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Battling Birds of Sherburne

Year 10

Oh my what a difference escaping Lake Superior makes in terms of climate. Earlier this week at home we had one day where even at high noon the temperature was 39F, and getting above 50F was impossible. Now I am 175 miles south for a family gathering and early summer is in full swing. Thus, at 5:30 yesterday morning I left for Wildlife Drive in the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. The prairie lupine were in full bloom, and in the early morning sun the fields were alive in purple. Prince would have been happy! The water level is high, and the reeds have not grown high blocking easy birdwatching.

Given courting is in force, the birds were singing and fighting. Some of the earlier nesting birds took umbrage when other birds got too close. The first fight on the card was between Trumpeter Swans and Canada Geese. Normally the swans force the geese to move, but the trumpeters did not take into account an early hatch and brood for the geese. They fought back hard and encouraged the swans to move on.

The Fight!

The Vanquished Deliver a Bronx Cheer!

The next conflict on the morning’s fight card was between a flock of Sandhill Cranes and Red-Winged Blackbirds. Even given the HUGE size difference the blackbirds eventually forced the cranes to move.

Next it was time out from the fighting to enjoy a lifer singing its heart out in front of the prairie lupines … a Grasshopper Sparrow.

And then the real reason I had ventured forth to Sherburne, Yellow-Headed Blackbirds. The males were singing and staking out territories. I don’t think any females had yet arrived on the breeding grounds.

Dawn Dance: Sandhill Cranes!

Year 9
Sandhill Cranes mate for life. This morning I found the Mr. and Mrs. renewing their vows in the Sherburne National Wildlife Reserve. Even though it was only 26F shortly after sunrise, the loving couple felt like performing a “dawn dance”.
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Another piece of information I did not know, in addition to the Wildlife Drive, between September 1st and the start of deer hunting season, there is a another dirt road one may drive which starts at the Blue Mound Cemetery (3.5 miles long with a side trip to the public boat launch). It was well worth the drive, and next year I will come down from Duluth and make certain I try the road closer to September 1st

The Offering Followed by the Dance (maximize to see the crane’s beak)

The Movie (video link for email subscribers)

Just Hanging and Dancing

Reflections

Birds that Hide from the Wind!

Year 9,

Essentially that would be all birds. Over the past two days winds swung to being out of the south with gusts over 40 mph. The remaining migration came to a screeching halt, and birds that were in the area tried to forage and feed in areas protected from the wind.

Yesterday I had to go down and back to the Twin Cities for an appointment, and I made certain to leave long before sunrise such that I could circle in to Minneapolis from the Northwest. This allowed me to visit the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. I made two circuits of Wildlife Drive, and the ONLY place I found songbirds was where they could hide somewhat from the wind.

Wind Blown Bluebird

I also found some lazy Sandhill Cranes which even after 10 am had not made their escape to the local farm fields for foraging.

This morning I was north of Two Harbors exploring some new back roads. I was looking for nice bog areas which should be great spots once the owl season is upon us. This Bald Eagle was kind enough to take off in front of some spruce … rather that busy deciduous trees.