Tag Archives: MN North: Western Waterfront Trail

Showing Off Northern Minnesota: Campgrounds & Rookeries

Year 9, ,

My wife’s cousins from St. Louis just visited us. They had asked me if I could take them birding, and the Northland obliged in a great way. While day time temperatures were pushing 100F down south, Duluth and Lake Superior kept our weather around 70F with mainly sunny skies. At night temperatures dove to the 40’s and 50’s which encourage great sleeps amazed our relative!

Both Jerry and Suzanne promised me they were game to bushwack off trail deep into the forest and visit a wetland Great Blue Heron Rookery. Neither the mosquitoes (numerous), promised woodticks or soaked feet put them off! Given my cousins lives in a major metropolitan area like St. Louis, it was enchanting to first hear the rookery (lots of begging chicks) and then break through the undergrowth cover to stand next to a generations old beaver dam and drink in the sight!

Great Blue Heron Rookery (about 30 active nests)

Later that same day we walked the Western Waterfront Trail and visited our local Red-Headed Woodpecker near its nest hole.

Just before sundown everyone visited my brother-in-law and his wife. They had outdoor movie night at their campsite near Two Harbors, Minnesota. I missed the start of the movie when the local birds put them upon display just before sundown.

Eastern Bluebird and Purple Finch

We finished up yesterday with a trip to our cabin on Northstar Lake near the Marcell. I have become concerned that our local Bald Eagles may have met their demise given the avian flu. The nest we have watched for over 30 years has been empty this year. However, three different adult Bald Eagles seem to have now moved into the area and are using the local tall white pines as hunting and fishing perches.

Another concern while boating around Northstar Lake has been the total lack of loon chicks (unusual for mid July). Near our cabin I have identified five loon couples, and actually found two nests earlier this summer. However, at this point in the middle of July I have not seen a single chick. I am worried that due to the extremely late ice out (middle of May), and the fact that the water reeds did not emerge from the water till well into June, all the nests failed. Normally the loons nest deep in the reeds away from the land. This was not an option this summer. Other fledglings have been very later this year due to our very cold, wet spring. I hope I’m wrong.

The Return of “Red!”

Year 9

I have relatives in town, and they would like me to take them birding. A few questions on my part of them determined my habit of hiking well off trail and bushwhacking was perhaps not the best idea for a “more casual birdwatchers!”. Thus, this morning starting at 5:30 am I started my “pre-birding hikes”. My first target bird are Merlin fledglings. However both a drive to a known Merlin location, and a 16 mile bike ride along the shore both failed to turn up any youngsters. I may still be a bit early for Merlin chicks, but when they become a bit older their screeching gives them away from a HUGE distance. My third strike out this morning was an attempt to find my owls. However, at least my hike in the woods was almost mosquito free.

My final search was to check the Western Waterfront Trail and discover the status of my nesting Red-Headed Woodpeckers. Originally I thought it might be a bit early for seeing youngsters poking their heads out of the nest hole, but I checked my July posts from last year. The woodpecker chicks should be shortly announcing themselves to the world.

As a reminder, anyone planning on visiting / birding northern Minnesota, might be well advised to check their target months on my blog. My archive stretches back to January 2014, and may be easily viewed my your target month. July from last year reminded me that the Red-Headed Woodpecker chicks would soon be sticking their heads out of the nest hole. Depending upon the platform upon which you are viewing my blog (phone, tablet, or PC), the date archive moves around, but it is a prime object either in the right margin or bottom of the my blog.

In July, one of the best ways to bird is by ear. Chicks in the nest often make a commotion, and help one learn where to look. I walk trails, stopping frequently to listen.

Red-Headed Woodpecker (image taken around noon today)

NE Minnesota Birding Updates

Year 9,

Okay … my owls will have to wait a while before I am willing to visit. The mosquitoes are horrible in the woods. Even though I’ve heard crow attacks, the buzzing monsters have forced me to turn back several times.

Thus, northeast birding (not just Duluth) should be limited to areas somewhat out in the open. This morning I discovered that Sax-Zim Bog has a record number of bzzzzzing bugs. However, there are options …

  • Hawk Ridge is a great for finding Indigo Buntings at sunrise. This little guy shown below was singing his heart out yesterday morning at 6:30 am.
  • The Red-Headed Woodpeckers on the Western Waterfront Trail were also still courting yesterday morning
  • A hike along the railroad tracks out into Mud Lake did NOT yet yield any yellow-headed blackbirds