Tag Archives: MN North: Two Harbors

Transition Birding

Year 11,

Snowmageddon is supposed to hit the Northland in a few hours. By early this afternoon it is supposed to be snowing at a rate of 1/2 inch of white stuff per hour as the winds clock in off Lake Superior over 40 mph. Right now it is Sunday morning and some gentle white fluff is falling through the air, and the winds are somewhat calm. Even my owls are still hooting a bit after sunrise. However, the storm is supposed to continue for over 48 hours.

This preamble leads me to today’s topic, Transition Birding. Over the past few days I have visiting some of my favorite winter haunts … both in Sax-Zim Bog and north towards the Greenwood Forest Fire Burn Area. At times the forest is devoid of a single bird, and then I come across unexpected pleasures … with bird species that are still hanging down in the area like the Northern Hawk Owl (mid Manitoba bound) to Greater White-Fronted Geese which are early migration arrivals as they push to arrive on the shores of the Arctic Ocean and their breeding grounds. Thus, I never know what I am going to see … and sometimes I see nothing. However, while out birding yesterday morning north of Two Harbors I noted that even though I was on paved roads for much of the time, in 60 miles of driving I only saw four cars. The end result is I enjoy peace and solitude out in nature.

Transition Birding – Passing Through

Greater White-Fronter Geese

Transition Birding – Early Arrivals on their Breeding Grounds

American Kestrel

Transition Birding – Winter Visitors Leaving Soon for Points North

Northern Hawk Owl

Common Redpolls

Just Plain Local – Year Round Friends

Wild Turkey

Arctic Bound, Wrong Turn at Duluth: Greater White-Fronted Goose

Year 11

In ten years I have never seen a Greater White-Fronted Goose in the Duluth area … only much further west during their Spring migration. Whether it was strong westerly winds, or a bad sense of direction, Greater-White Fronted Geese have shown up along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Our cold lake should make them feel at home … almost the Arctic Ocean which is where they breed each summer!

I became informed about these birds because I have a free eBird account and subscribe to county wide rare bird alerts for St. Louis, Lake and Douglas Counties. These three counties cover the head of the lakes, a bit of the way up the shore, and north through the Boreal Forest to the Canadian Border.

Subscribing to any county in the United States is easy. Create a free eBird account and  then perform a Google search on the desired county names. I normally include the words “eBird” “Alert” and the abbreviation for the desired state such as “Mn” for Minnesota. Across the USA there are many counties with identical names. I have no desire to subscribe to alerts for other “Lake Counties” across America. There are many.

Here are two annotated screenshots for Lake County

And of course, the Greater-White Fronted Geese which I saw this morning on the Two Harbors Golf Course. Amazingly the ponds are ice free on this March 9th, and have been for days. Waterfowl are quick to find ice free ponds.

Birding the Greenwood Forest Fire Region (2 years post fire)

Year 10, ,

Two years ago there was a HUGE forest fire 40 miles north of Two Harbors. While it will take a long time for the pines to grow back, nature is already beginning to recover. Wednesday I drove up Lake County #2 to the McDougal Lake area, which was ground central in terms of the burn area. It was amazing to drive the back roads and see the amount of greenery that has reappeared.  While I did not find any moose, I am certain these majestic creatures are enjoying feasting on the new growth. Last month I did spy a bull moose just south of the burn area. It is also apparent that Black-Backed Woodpeckers have now very much moved into the area judging by the amount of bark stripped off burned trees. My hope is this fall will see Northern Hawk Owls establish a presence in the burn area. They are another bird which loves this burned over habitat.

My favorite sighting of the excursion was this Ruffed Grouse totally mixed up as to the season. Although he was courting his lady love, now is NOT the time to start a family (do we males wen it comes to love ever pay attention to the rules!!?)

I saw quite a few Red-Tailed Hawks hunting in the wildfire area.

Earlier in the morning I stopped to take a sunrise photograph of the Langley River. If you’re interested in seeing this river during the other seasons, browse to this post.

On the way home I birded Two Harbors to Duluth along Scenic 61. Bluebirds and Horned Larks were very much present and migrating. Guess what the bluebirds were using for bug hunting perches?!