MN North: St. Louis River | 365 Days of Birds

There were over 100 white pelicans yesterday morning at Chambers Grove on the St. Louis River. Assuming these birds are migrating up to Red Lake, Lake of the Woods or Rainy Lake, the St. Louis River is a great place to stop. Ice rules on those lakes even on May 5th.

When I was a child back in the 60’s, pelicans never would have stopped to rest and fish on the St. Louis River. The pollution was horrible and the water did not support much life. Over the past fifty years the clean-up of the river has been fantastic, and even sturgeon once again spawn in the river. The musky fishery is also quite healthy. Learn more about the great work being done which has brought this river back to life via the St. Louis River Alliance.

Over the next few days, if you have a few free moments, a trip to Jay Cooke and the Swinging Bridge followed by a jaunt down to the Chambers Grove would be a great activity. The river is rushing and the birds are present!

Migration may have been held up by the late winter, but the birds are definitely now appearing. Jeannette. a reader of this blog, pointed out it will soon be time for the 2018 Chequamegon Bay Birding & Nature Festival. Given migration is heating up, the number of birds seen at the festival (May 17 to 19) could be fantastic this year.

White Pelicans

At least this would have been your opinion this morning if you were one of the Canada Geese or Trumpeter Swans hanging out in the few open water spots at Chambers Grove on the St. Louis River. Some early Spring migrants are making their appearance in the Northland, and the Bald Eagles were hoping to have waterfowl for breakfast! Take a look at the last flight sequence photo for the mature bald eagle, and you will spy two geese paying close attention to Mr. Eagle!

In addition to checking out Chambers Grove, I found a large number of early migrating songbirds along the Western Waterfront Trail (63rd Ave. West). In addition to the mourning doves and red-winged blackbirds pictures, I saw pine siskins, song sparrows, grackles and robins! I hope they all know snow and cold weather will return within 24 to 48 hours. Today’s sunny 60F is an anomaly for Duluth at this time of March, but we all enjoyed it!

Immature Bald Eagle: Dive, Captain, Dive!