Bird Watching

[M.T. Bucket]

Grebe,

Rock Doves ARE your garden variety feral pigeon. The author of the caption is now technically incorrect, as the American Ornithologists' Union (they are the ultimate authority on such matters) officially changed the name from Rock Dove to Rock Pigeon earlier this year.

[M.T. Bucket]

I just returned from an owl survey I've been helping on. I couldn't believe it--after all of the owls I've been seeing, only 2 Great Grays on the entire route. My route was ~40 miles worth of road between Bowstring Lake, Deer River, and Marcell. I did see quite a few Bald Eagles though. Hopefully some of the other surveyors did better than I did.

[M.T. Bucket]

You guys to the south...

Start watching for the owls! They're being seen less and less up north and in greater numbers in counties like Pine, Crow Wing, and southern Aitkin. Just in the last 2 weeks there has been significant movement of Great Gray and Northern Hawk Owls to the south. Who knows where they'll stop. I've seen a few reports of both species south of the cities now. And Boreal Owls are starting to move down to northern Minnesota in great numbers from Canada.

This is the largest documented irruption of owls ever. Consider this:

As of 2 weeks ago, there have been over 1300 reports of Great Gray, 200 reports of Northern Hawk, and 300 reports of Boreal Owls ALREADY this winter. A more typical year would be 35 Great Grays, 6 Northern Hawk Owls, and 1 Boreal.

Unfortunately, as these owls move down into more open, more settled areas to the south, they will face greater dangers--fewer conifer stands to hide from predators, more open country to be hit by cars (over 150 roadkill owls have been collected already ), and more encounters with (Contact US Regarding This Word) who would harass or shoot these great creatures.

The upside is that many people who have never seen one of these awesome creatures will have the opportunity. Oh, and people are coming from all over the country (and other countries) to Minnesota for the "Year of the Owls". I've been seeing emails on the Minnesota birding listserves from birders all over the nation on a near daily basis looking for tips on finding owls--as well as good restaurants, lodging, etc--good for business.

By the way, there will be a special on the invasion on "Northland Adventures". Northland Adventures airs in thirteen states, from Indiana to Montana.

In Wisconsin, you can find it...

in the Madison area (WKOW - TV 27) Sunday, 7:30 AM

in the Milwaukee area (WISN -TV) Friday, 1:35 AM

in the Wausau area (WAOW- TV 9) Sunday, 11:05 PM

in the La Crosse area (WXOW - TV 19) Sunday, 10:35 PM

in the Green Bay area (WFRV - TV) Saturday, 11:05 PM

in the Superior/Duluth area (KDLH - TV) Sunday, 6:30 AM

in the Beloit area (WREX - TV) Saturday, 6:00 AM

in the Eau Claire area (WQOW - TV 18) Sunday, 10:35 PM

in the Chicago area (WFBT -TV) Sunday, 5 :00 AM

(Sorry, Northland Adventures does not air in the Twin Cities area...)

Stay tuned for "Invasion of the Rodent Snatchers"

[Dotch]

MT,

After seeing the damage they've already caused, have earmarked some bunnies for the owls' dining pleasure. Thanks for the heads up and will keep our eyes peeled.

[Dotch]

From this week's episode:

"Birds are definitely anticipating the nasty, cold weather. The goldfinches were monopolizing the thistle and sunflower seed feeders. Plenty of downies and hairies at the suet. The juncos were even picking at the suet and eating thistle seed out of the feeders. This is unusual for here anyway. Generally they’re ground feeders, picking up the leftovers the house sparrows toss out. The blue jays shoo everyone away when they show up. If they weren’t so pretty it would be tempting to shoo them away. The pheasants have found the corn and the oyster shell put out for them. Lots of tracks coming and going into the nearby thicket."

Addendum: Saw a bald eagle soaring above Hwy. 13 while on my way to the FSA office in Waseca this forenoon. Lots of other people cranking their necks around to see it. No mistaking our national symbol.

[The Grebe]

Some birds are anticipating something that I'm not sure of, but I don't think it is cold weather? Not the birds I seen today anyways.

Today we went fishing and with that wind blowing at 35 mph, it was COLD! On the way in, I spotted 2 Robbins! I pointed them out to my pard and he said that they must be mental to be here now.

That was earlier today. About 2 hours ago, I was going out on an estimate and got stopped by a train. All of a sudden I started seeing Robbins all over the place, I counted 15 and there might have been more? These are sleek birds, not the big fatties...they are definately on winter rations! I have seen them before, but not for about 5-6 years and never so many? It was pretty cool!

[fishface5]

Wow! The birds where thick today! At the beginning of the snow. Great big groups of Pine Siskins, Common, and Hoary Redpolls, House and Gold finches, a few Juncos, Chickadees, many diff. kinds of woodpeckers / Nuthatches, Blue Jays, Cardinals, and E. Sparrows. They emptied two good sized thistle feeders, and a Finch seed feeder, between 10:00a and 3:00p. Very fun to watch them gorge! Was any one fishing today? Kind of curious, Where the fish doing the same thing as the birds?

[M.T. Bucket]

Wow FF! You've got a lot going on. This morning I've been looking at Pine Siskins, Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches, Blue Jays, Common Redpolls, Black-capped Chickadees, and the ubiquitous Rock Pigeon. I don't know, but I suspect that the same conditions that have the birds feeding in droves also promote a good fish bite. I have noticed that days normally bad for fishing - cold front, not a cloud in the sky, high pressure, high winds usually NW - are pretty quiet at the feeders.

Grebe,

The birds definitely have an odd agenda this winter. In addition to the types of observations you've made, there have been all kinds of rarities sighted in MN this winter and birds turning up in odd locations. Another odd observation, while many of the owls have moved further south (even one Great Gray turning up in souther Iowa), in the last 2 weeks some people have noted loose flocks of owls flying NORTHEAST along Lake Superior. It's really odd to think that owls that are here from Canada because the low vole population is starving them might be splitting into 2 groups--those who will continue south and those that are returning to Canada still in the dead of winter. Or maybe there is something else going on entirely among these stressed birds.

We have so much to learn about wildlife.

['eyesmaster89]

There were a lot of birds at my place too yesterday afternoon, but this morning there more. Counted 80 birds this morning. Mainly golden and purple finches. A few Downy woodpeckers,white crowned sparrows, juncos, and a chickadee. We only have thistle seed , black sunflower, and a couple kinds of suet. What do you guys use to attract such a variety. Feeders were full and lots flying around, so I spread some feed on our snow covered deck and then they really came in.

[M.T. Bucket]

White-crowned Sparrows? Nice sighting this time of year. I get them during migration (along with White-throated and Harris's Sparrows), but most of them winter a little farther south - like Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, etc.

My feeding setup is nowhere near what I would like it to be due to a persistant pigeon population and my wife's #@%$& squirrels. Basically, I have 3 hanging feeders with sunflower seeds. I had to go to the wire basket style because of the pigeons. Some of the larger finches like Rose-breasted Grosbeaks would rather not use them, but they do. Mostly finches, chickadees, nuthatches, and chipping sparrows visit these. I also have a hanging thistle feeder for redpolls, Pine Siskins, goldfinches, purple finches, and house finches. I have a platform feeder I built that my wife puts peanuts on for the squirrels and bluejays--sometimes I give them corn as well. I'll also put raisins or diced up apple cores and apple peels in hopes of getting robins, thrushes, or thrashers in the winter--but usually the squirrels gobble them too. When the redpolls or juncos are around, I scatter sunflower and thistle seed on the ground and on the platform. The various sparrows (a stray Bobolink) and unfortunately the pigeons also like this. In the spring I start hanging a hummingbird feeder--and I leave up my seed feeders. The birds visit less regularly, but the variety is awesome. The most fun I've had is with the platform feeder in the spring (before the bugs get bad). Instead of seeds and nuts I switch to oranges and a dish of grape jelly, sometimes adding raisins, grapes, and diced apple or bananas. I get orioles, tanagers, various warblers, grosbeaks, robins, catbirds, and occasionally finches or sparrows eating the fruit. It works better during cold springs because the neotropical migrants have trouble finding insects and will eat fruit into the breeding season.

Even though I live on the edge of town, I've gotten a decent variety at times. I've had birdhouses out with no success. I did have a pair of Tree Swallows in the yard looking for a nest cavity, so I might try a house for them this year.

I would like to try suet, but I think the squirrels would carry it off. The only woodpecker I get regularly is Yellow-bellied Sapsucker anyway. They will eat fruit too. If it weren't for the pigeons, I'd have a birdbath. I'll probably offer a hanging onion sack full of pet hair and other nest materials this spring.

I have a Mountain Ash as well as dogwood and cranberry bushes to provide fruit and cover. I would also recommend crabapple and red cedar. I have planted some white cedar trees as well because dense conifers are the best bird cover. I also choose flowers that the hummingbirds like for the flower garden. I tried planting maize and sunflowers last year with the intent of leaving them standing for the birds over the winter, but the #$%$#^ squirrels chewed them down before they seeded.

I know, sounds like a lot of work, but if you break it down, it's not really. I think the important things are to:

- provide some type of cover be it evergreens, dense shrubs, or brush piles

- avoid mixed bird seeds with lots of millet (scattering millet on the ground for Mourning Doves is good though)

- choose feeds like thistle and sunflower seeds

- offer oranges, jelly, or other fruit in the spring

- KEEP THE FEEDERS FULL. It's amazing how many people hang up feeders, fill them a couple of times and never fill them again.

It sounds like you have a pretty good setup if you're getting all of those species. Just don't miss out on the fun of spring and summer feeding.

Even being in a pretty bad location with a small yard in town and nasty horde of pigeons dropping by, I've managed to list 45 species in my yard in the last 5 years.

[Wayne Ek]

M.T. I have two suet feeders out and use beef suet, the feeders are quite large, they will hold 1.5 to 2 pound chunks of suet. I also have alot of squirrels, I can count 6 to 10 greys and 3 reds as I type this. With the exception of the reds, the squirrels do not seem to bother the suet. I get alot of birds to the water I have out, it is a Nelson heater in an old oil pan, works great. You may want to give the suet a try.

Wayne

['eyesmaster89]

I also have a heated birdbath, it seems to work pretty good and the birds love it.

[knoppers]

M.T.bucket,

your right, I saw 3 great grey owls in the mcgregor/palisade area. also saw a boreal owl.

[Tom Linderholm]

MT I normally see 5-10 Greys every morning on my way to work from Duluth up to Castle Danger. Today I saw none, been on vacation for the past week only to come home to over 2 1/2 feet of fresh snow on the north shore. These grey owls have definately taken some cover or moved on in the past week.

[M.T. Bucket]

I'm suprised the squirrels don't carry off the suet. I know people who have had that problem. Guess they have different habits everywhere.

The Palisade area is a great area for viewing not only owls, but quite a few other interesting birds. County roads 5 & 18 are always worth a drive to see birds any time of year. Some of the birds I have seen there include White-winged Crossbills, Great Gray Owls, Northern Shrikes, Marsh and Sedge Wrens, Indigo Buntings, Connecticut Warblers, Rough-legged Hawks, and Black-billed Magpies. There are Sharp-tailed Grouse, Northern Goshawks, Black-backed Woodpeckers, Pine Grosbeaks, Northern Hawk Owls, Yellow Rails, LeConte's Sparrows, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows...you name the bird, it's probably there.

Yeah, the owls reports (I subscribe to a birding listserve) have been very sporadic on the North Shore lately. Some days there seem to be quite a few sightings, other days there are nothing or they are seen traveling in a specific direction. To me, this would say that there might be several population groups down here and some of them are moving quite a bit. I did hear from one owl bander who said that he had the experience of banding some Great Gray Owls in the exact same location on consecutive days, and they were different owls. This constant stressed movement makes it very difficult for ornithologists to try and get a handle on the actual size of this invasion. The best tool they have is the survey that I am taking part in (volunteer survey conducted by the MOU). There are a number of predetermined routes across northern MN that surveyors drive and record all of the owls (with location and habitat details) they find. The survey routes are checked each month at specified dates and times. This way, an owl seen at one location is definitely not the same individual seen at another location.

By the way, one birding group that spent most of their time in Aitkin County recently reported seeing 207(!) Great Grays in a single day. Another birder reported seeing 5 species of owls in one day on the North Shore. I haven't spent more than a couple of hours at a time looking, but my best day has been 34 owls (a few were Northern Hawk Owls), and there have been a few days that I have exceeded 20. There are definitely places where one could find many more, but I've been primarily concerned with what is going on in Itasca County.

Just tell me when to stop hogging the thread...

[knoppers]

I seen two magpies this year up there. this area also sees a migration of hawks, and they get thick.

[river rat316]

Was out fishing the Miss in Monti today and didnt get a bite for about an hour but man were the birds out, saw the usual water fowl (mallards,blue bills, Canadian Geese , and some beautiful trumpeter swans) also saw some downey wood peckers, the huge woodpeckers ( I think they are called pileated) chickadees (saved one from the water and carried for about 20 minutes and tried to warm him up), 2 bald eagles, and I dont think this is normal but theres a lot of robins around the river! all in all a very good day of fishing and bird watching!

[M.T. Bucket]

Winter Robins are becoming more common as planted crabapple and other fruit trees are becoming more common. Due to feeders, many birds are expanding to the north as well, like Cardinals and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Many birds won't migrate farther than they have to if ample food is available--the cold isn't really a problem for them, although high winds can be deadly for smaller birds like Chickadees. This is why having dense cover near a feeder will get you many more birds.

Can't believe you found a chickadee in the water. Last spring I was working on Kabetogama Lake for a couple of weeks. As I ate lunch in the cabin, I heard a thud. A male Blackburnian Warbler (brilliantly colored warbler!) had flown into the window. After it didn't move for a couple of minutes, I scooped up the twitching bird and carried it down to the nearby visitor center to see if there was a certified wildlife rehabber in Voyageurs' or the vicinity (there isn't). As I was waiting for them to call, the warbler burst from my hand and started flying around the center. After a bit, I managed to corner it and get my hands around it. I took it outside and it perched in a clump of balsams. Hopefully with no cats in the area, it was able to recover and find a mate last spring.

[river rat316]

When I first saw the chickadee I thought it was dead washed up on shore then I seen it moving when I picked it up it tried to get away and hopped up my arm into my hood and sat right in the back of my hood I let it sit there for about ten minutes then its started digging its nails into my neck so I picked it out of thre and held it in my hands blowing warm breath in them to try and warm him up after about ten minutes I dried him off as best as I could and put him in a dugout next to the bank and he crawled back in the roots, when I was there today I tried to find him and he was no where to be found so hopefully its a good thing, there was no tracks of anykind around there so I hope he made it

[little buddy]

Here's a great gray that posed for me over in Polk Cnty

['eyesmaster89]

I had a few different siteings today. On the way home from school I seen two robins hoping around and I came through town and there was a bat flying around the church. I got home to look at the feeders and am now watching a mourning dove. Correct me if I'm wrong, but are'nt the bats supposed to be hibernating and the doves further south. I read the earlier posts about the robins and I suppose that is maybe why they and the dove are still around.

[M.T. Bucket]

You sure you saw a bat?? They should definitely be hibernating right now. I'm not so surprised you saw a dove. If they can find food, a few will stay farther north--although the snow cover usually forces them further south than your location during the winter. About 3 winters ago I had one on my roof in Itasca County in January.

But a bat...what would it eat?

[The Grebe]

Maybe the Dove that stayed through the winter? Easier to catch when they have ice in their veins, has more nutrients then a mouth full of gnats!

[The Grebe]

Bump...no special sightings, just don't want this one to get to far away.

[M.T. Bucket]

I had a great sighting on Monday. I was out in a Blandin tract near Goodland and an adult Northern Goshawk flew low over my head and perched in a tree nearby. It was the closest look I've ever had at an adult. Twice I've seen fledgelings in a nest. Awesome bird.