Return to Home Page
-RBA *Minnesota *Duluth/North Shore *January 2, 1997 *MNDU9701.02 -Birds mentioned
Hotline: Minnesota Duluth/North Shore
Date: January 2, 1997
Sponsor: Minnesota Ornithologists' Union (MOU)
Reports: (218) 525-5952
Compiler: Kim Eckert
Transcriber: Roger Schroeder
Re-transcriber: David Cahlander dac@skypoint.com
This is the Duluth Birding Report for Thursday, January 2nd sponsored by the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union.
Most of the birding news this week has to do with both GREAT GRAY and NORTHERN HAWK OWLS, which continue to be seen in many locations in northeastern Minnesota.
The GREAT GRAYS are primarily seen in the Sax-Zim bog area northwest of Duluth, and in Aitkin County west of Duluth. But elsewhere, 2 GREAT GRAYS were relocated in Carlton County along CR 6, 2 to 3 miles west of CR 3. And a new GREAT GRAY was seen along MN HWY 1 near the Kawishiwi River in Lake County.
The GREAT GRAY OWL reports from the Sax-Zim area are of birds previously reported were along St. Louis CR 7 about half way between Sax and Zim, and 2 on CR 319 east of CR 7. New GREAT GRAY OWLS recently seen in the Sax-Zim area were along CR 7 about 2.25 miles south of CR 133. On CR 133 2 miles east of Meadowlands. Two individuals on CR 7 about 0.5 miles north of CR 133. Another GREAT GRAY on CR 7 about 2.0 miles north of CR 133. And on CR 28 about 2.5 miles west of Sax.
Also in the Sax-Zim area recently, NORTHERN HAWK OWLS which were previously reported were relocated on CR 7 between Sax and Zim, and at the intersection of CR 7 and CR 319. And a new HAWK OWL found recently at the intersection of CR 7 and CR 52.
Meanwhile in Aitkin County, 2 NORTHERN HAWK OWLS were relocated near the intersection of CR 5 and CR 18, and another individual on CR 1 about 10.5 miles north of Aitkin. Previously seen HAWK OWLS were also relocated elsewhere. In Duluth near the corner of Jean Duluth and Riley roads, and in Lake County on CR 121, 2.0 miles north and 2 miles west of Two Harbors. Two new HAWK OWLS were recently discovered. In Duluth near the intersection of Martin and Stebner Roads, and near the intersection of MN HWY 61 and Homestead.
As far as Aitkin County GREAT GRAY OWLS go, one was relocated on CR 5 about 1.5 miles south of CR 18, and 2 were relocated on CR 18 about 2.0 miles west of CR 5. Also, two new GREAT GRAY OWLS were found on CR 1 about 11.0 miles north of Aitkin, and on CR 18 about 2.25 miles east of US HWY 169.
SNOWY OWLS also continue to be relatively easy to find in the Duluth-Superior harbor area and in Aitkin County, especially along CR 1 north of Aitkin. On 12/29 a BOREAL OWL was found just off West Skyline Parkway near Enger Tower in Duluth, but it was apparently only there for that day.
About the only other birds of interest seen recently include a few BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS seen in Two Harbors in Lake County near the intersection of 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue. Also, the VARIED THRUSH in Bennetville in southern Aitkin County. For more information on that and other birding news in Aitkin County you can contact Warren Nelson.
And for more information on northern Minnesota wintering species - for example Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, Bohemian Waxwing, Boreal Chickadee, Northern Shrike, Red Crossbill, White-winged Crossbill, and others - please feel free to call me.
Unless something unusual is reported, the next scheduled update is Thursday, January 9th. And as always, if you have something to report you can leave a message after the beep.