Tag Archives: MN South: Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Fog Bound Birding

Year 7

When I left the house before sunrise yesterday morning there were beautifully clear skies, but as the temperature dipped to 26F with calm winds ground fog appeared at my targeted wetlands. Although I could not see much, I felt able to hike without much pain for the first time since my bicycle crash. Thus, I headed off into the mist. Birds were few and far between at first (or at least I could not see them!). I could hear Sandhill Cranes and Trumpeter Swans calling through the mist.

It was a beautiful, eerie morning. I did not see another human, animal or bird during my foggy hike … at least till the fog lifted and I found these Canada Geese at a small pond.

Green Heron Day!

Year 7,

Yesterday was a great day … another successful eye treatment which continues to prevent my going blind, and a fantastic dawn visit to Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. If you live in the NW Twin Cities this refuge MUST be on your bucket list. It is approximately 25 miles north of Elk River, and there a great trails and the Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive.

I utilized the wildlife drive yesterday morning, and although most of the grassland birds have already migrated south, the number of water birds was amazing. In addition, the water levels are down in the wetlands which really congregated the fishing birds. I don’t think I have ever seen so many Great Herons. I lost track of the numbers.

I really liked all the dead snags and their shapes.

Green Herons

While Pelicans

Bald Eagle (there was a pair of Bald Eagles trying to catch Cormorants)

I also found this image on my camera from a trip to the Joyce Estate one week ago. This Common Merganser Family was quite wet due to the morning fog. They never saw me till they swam within 5 yards.

Spending a sunrise on the wildlife drive was heavenly. I felt so blessed to have my eyesight and to be able to watch nature. Even better, not another person used the dirt road for the two hours I was birding. It was all mine! Upon getting back to my daughter’s house, my wife and I took our four grandchildren who live in Plymouth bicycle riding. The day ended with frozen pizza and a glass of Chardonnay back in Duluth. Life is good!

Whooping Cranes!

Year 5, ,

According to the International Crane Foundation there are only 594 Whooping Cranes alive in the wild. Thus, when I knew I would be down in the Twin Cities, and two cranes had been often seen in the Minnesota Valley Nation Wildlife Refuge, I visited a bit after sunrise. While it took a while, I finally found the two Whoopers way across Rice Lake. While this photograph is poor due to the distance, I was just thrilled to see perhaps one of the rarest birds in the world. In the second photo there is also a Greater White-Fronted Goose in the foreground … another unusual bird for Minnesota.

The cranes were not the only large white birds present. Great Egrets are gathering on Rice Lake to feed heavily before starting their southern migration. It was fun to watch the dance of the egrets, a bird I rarely get to see in northern Minnesota.

Finally, on the way out of the area as I started my drive back to Duluth I stopped at Flying Clouds Fields in Eden Prairie. Blue Grosbeaks have extended their range to the north, and I struck pay dirt and saw this bird which would never be at home in the Boreal forest!

On the way driving down to the Minneapolis area, I also stumbled across this Sandhill Crane family intent on crossing the road, which leads one to ask the age old question … Why did the Sandhill Crane cross the road?

Video of the Great Egrets on Rice Lake