For the second year in a row it appears that Red-Headed Woodpeckers will nest in Duluth, which is at the very extreme edge of this species’ northern range! To keep things fair, the birds seem to be sharing themselves across our fair city … one on the Western Waterfront Trail (this pair), and another looking for a mate inland from Lake Superior along the Lester River (private land). In both instances, these are the same locations as last year’s successful nesting birds.
Making their home selection: Red-Headed Woodpeckers
Okay … there have been early migrants for the past month, but things really kicked in over the past few days with a combination of a wind out of the south and some very needed rain. Thus, at 5:50 am I was out the door … wearing shorts (47F) … and looking forward for a great morning of birding. Nature did not disappoint.
My first stop was to visit my owls. As they were hiding, and the crows were silent, I decided I would find my friends later in the day and thus headed for Lake Superior and the St. Louis River. While hiking Mud Lake I hit pay dirt. For years I have listened to Sora, but never been able to get much of a view. These birds hide out in deep marsh rushes. Finally, this morning an individual was a bit out in the open.
My first Sora photograph!
Mud Lake continued to be a great birding spot. At one point I almost stepped upon an American Bittern. I’m not sure who was more surprised, me or the bird. In addition I saw a nice flight of Yellow Warblers fly through the area.
After Mud Lake I drove over to the Western Waterfront Trail for a hike along the river. Right away I heard my first Baltimore Oriole of the year, and when I returned later (round trip hike) I was able to find the oriole out in the open and amenable to having its photo taken.
While I rarely take photos of Canada Geese, these Goslings were only a day or two old … quite cute.
Finally, I promised some images from my last visit with the Great Horned Owl family (Wednesday morning). Now that I am home from the cabin, and have a high speed web connection … voila.
Oh wait … before the owl pics, I also had another lifer yesterday afternoon at the cabin. A migrating Foster’s Tern stopped upon a nearby buoy.
Great Horned Owl Family
At sunrise … final image … everyone is asleep and ignoring me!
Mid Morning Wake-Up
Mid Morning Grooming
Even with four birding stops, I was home by 9:30 this morning. It helps when one leaves before 6 am!
Lake Superior at this time of year is cold! The water temperature is only in the high 30’s and even on May 18th there is still a tiny bit of ice in a few spots around the lake. This extreme cold not only affects the region’s weather, but also has an effect of where one can find birds.
As my wife was out of town, I decided to have a heavy day of birding. Given my knowledge of Gitche Gumee I visited three different spots where I expected to find certain kinds of birds.
My first location to visit was the Cloverland / Wisconsin Hwy #13 Grasslands. This area is on the south shore of Lake Superior, and is warmed by any southerly wind. In Northeastern Minnesota, southerly winds come across Lake Superior and the forests near my home are much colder … later into the Spring. I know I am able to find grassland and wetland birds much earlier near Cloverland.
My second location was a spot on the Western Waterfront Trail which is protected from Northeast winds. This means some protection for migrating warblers and the trees bud and bloom a bit earlier than elsewhere. It is a good early season location.
My final location was Minnesota Point just before sunset. For the past three days strong winds have blown off Lake Superior and I guessed the NE winds would result in Arctic shorebirds taking a break from their northward migration.
I was correct on all accounts. Here are some my images from today …
Sunrise Birding near Cloverland Wisconsin … Wilson’s Snipe and an Upland Sandpiper
Mid Morning Birding the Western Waterfront Trail … Male and Female Yellow Warblers
Sunset Birding on Minnesota Point … Ruddy Turnstones and Dunlins
