[EMAS] Northern Minnesota Sightings: Cool Birds in Cold Places, Part 2

From: alan lenk <adlenk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: EMAS Listserv <emas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2018 18:45:53 +0000 (UTC)

Northern Minnesota is known for its owls and we were very fortunate to see four
species:  Snowy, Great Gray, Northern Hawk, and Boreal.    We also saw the most
Bald Eagles I had ever seen in one location, approximately 18-20, immatures and
adults.  There were also plenty of Ravens and a large number of gulls.  The
eagles, ravens, and gulls (Herring and Glaucous) were near and in a somewhat
unexpected location, a landfill near Duluth.  Comments below and attached
photos provide visual detail of the sightings.
•  Snowy Owl-  This female was seen on the west coast shoreline of Lake
Superior in the greater Duluth area.  It is sitting on a pile of jumbled ice
chunks near the shore and didn't seem to mind that cars and people were nearby.
It was one of three we saw on the trip. Lifer, my first in the wild.
•  Snowy Owl at airport-  we made a short foray into Wisconsin one afternoon to
look for more snowys at a small airport.We found two, one was perched on a wind
sock, seen here.  We saw another in the field and later it flew, we think,  to
the top of a billboard by a busy highway where we spotted it again.
•  Great Gray Owl-  I believe we saw three along the roads in the bog area, and
one along side the interstate returning to Minneapolis.  We actually saw an owl
everyday of trip.  This photo is the first Great Gray we saw along Homestead
Rd. checking us out from a treetop. Lifer.
•  Grey Gray Owl up close:  One of the most interesting sightings was along the
side of the road with the owl in the arms of a bander.  A university group was
in the process of banding Great Grays for research purposes as we happened by,
and we stopped to chat, watch, and take photos.  The owl did not seem
particularly stressed  and when the banding was done it few to a nearby tree to
perch.
•  Northern Hawk Owl- observed in the bog area after several trips up and down
the road where it was expected to be seen, perched in a snag.  Persistence paid
off.  This owl is active during the day and eyes were wide open.  Lifer.
•  Boreal Owl- Aaron informed us that this owl was the rarest seen.  It had not
been seen reliably in the last 3-4 years in the Duluth area and only comes
south during irruption years when food is scare and it's on the move.  It was
seen along the shoreline of Lake Superior quite near Duluth.  The photo was
taken late afternoon  and unfortunately I think the owl is not quite awake with
it's eyes closed.  Had there not been several photographers taking photos of
the bird we might has missed it.  It is a small owl only 10 inches long.
•  Bald Eagle-  as mentioned above there were several Bald Eagles at the
landfill near Duluth. Many circled and landed for food and others were observed
over water nearby.  Pictured here is an immature.
This sums of the highlights of our trip.  Those wanting to know what other
birds were seen can check the Ventures Birding website as Aaron with have a
trip report and full listing soon.  If you decide to bird in northern Minnesota
take plenty of warm clothes! I felt it was a very worthwhile trip.
Alan LenkAsheville

Attachment: SnowyOwlDuluthBrightenBeach©.jpg
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Attachment: SnowyOwlOnWindSockWISairport.jpg
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Attachment: GGOwl,HomesteadRdMN©.jpg
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Attachment: GrGrayCloseMN©.jpg
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[EMAS] Northern Minnesota Sightings: Cool Birds in Cold Places, Part 2

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