TIME OFF FROM BIRDING

Hello. I hope all is well after the 10+ inches of snow in your world. I am glad that I got 2 good days of bird watching and logging in last week, as I have no plans to do anything this week. It's a combination of the crappy roads, cold weather, and busy work schedule that puts me in this scenario. And.........I'm OK with it. It's been an interesting February and Friday will put an end to it. I look forward to what March has in store. God bless you and keep you safe as you travel and work through this week. 

Sunrise at Sax Zim Bog

3 SHRIKES AND I'M OUT (BIRDING LIKE CRAZY)

If you couldn't tell from the title of this blog post, I saw 3 Northern Shrikes today. Wow! That was cool. And I had a record Big Day today for the month of February, tying January's biggest Big Day of 29 species. New bird as well for the month; an American Kestrel. I did not see a Brown Creeper today or a Barred Owl. The old reliable Barred Owl at Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley is no longer reliable. This is due to a continued project to remove buck-thorn from the park. All of the equipment and ripping through the woods has spooked the owl and it has not been seen for a while. There are still a couple of other spots that I see the Barred Owl on a somewhat regular basis so I will still be on the hunt. It appears a storm is on the way. I guess time will tell. The Lord will cover and protect us as He always does. I am glad He is in control. I hope you have a blessed day.

Here is my new Big Day record list for the month of February:

American Crow

American Goldfinch

American Kestrel

American Robin

American Tree Sparrow

Bald Eagle

Black-capped Chickadee

Blue Jay

Cedar Waxwing

Common Goldeneye

Dark-eyed Junco

Downy Woodpecker

European Starling

Gadwall

Hairy Woodpecker

House Finch

House Sparrow

Mallard

Mourning Dove

Northern Cardinal

Northern Shrike

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-tailed Hawk

Rock Pigeon

Snowy Owl

Trumpeter Swan

White-breasted Nuthatch

Wild Turkey

Black Duck & Common Merganser Make 50 for the Month

OK - so there are the local metro area birds, Minnesota Specialty birds, and then the out of state birds. But I never thought that I would see birds out of the country. It could happen this summer as a trip to Germany may be in the works. The plans are already in place for a trip to the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas this April. And the Sax Zim Bog trip has come and gone. So now I just count the metro area birds. Back to attempting to reach my goal of spotting 20 or more species. Today's list reached 22 and I added a Black Duck and a Common Merganser to the day's list, making the total for the month 50 species of birds. No who says that there are no birds in the winter in Minnesota? I ended the day at the dentist. No cavities - thank you Lord. Thank you for providing all that I need on a daily basis. Daily I see the Black-capped Chickadee so I thought I would add one of those photos today. 

SAX ZIM AND THE FUN RIDE HOME

When I left home for the Sax Zim Bog on Friday morning, I had no idea that I would be heading back in a wintry storm with poor visibility. Thank you Lord for leading me back home safely. It was a fun trip but I am glad to be back. I like the beauty of the bog but also love the familiarity of the metro area. The Twin Cities are home to some birds that are not up north but for Minnesota Specialty Birds, the bog is the place to be. I decided to log my Friday, Saturday, and Sunday's bird counting numbers to my Big Day totals and it really brought down the average. But after the last few days of birding up north, I now have 48 total bird species for the month!!! That breaks December & January's month totals. I added 13 new bird species to my month list; many of them not to be found unless you are up north during the cold winter months. The birds I added were: Black-billed Magpie, Northern Hawk Owl (that was my only Life Bird), Pine Grosbeak, Ruffed Grouse, Common Raven, Bohemian Waxwing, Great Horned Owl, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Boreal Chickadee, Evening Grosbeak, Gray Jay, Northern Shrike, and Snow Bunting. I also spotted many deer and was even lucky enough to get short glimpses of a beautiful Ermine (short-tailed weasel in winter plumage). The Northern Hawk Owl was my 287th Minnesota Bird. I need 13 more to join the elusive 300 Club. I guess good things take time and believe it will happen some day. I definitely am blessed and thank God for the gift of eternal life. When the time comes I will have a home in eternity with Him and a new heavenly body. What that will be like I do not know but I again will be patient and wait my turn joining that club as well. God Bless.

Bohemian Waxwing

Boreal Chickadee in flight

Evening Grosbeak

Gray Jay

Northern Hawk Owl - my Life Bird for the trip

Ruffed Grouse

BIRDING AT HOME HELPS MAKE 22

Another early start at work today and I actually got myself in a good position this morning to do some good birding. But I just needed to wait a bit. It was not quite light enough as I did some reading while sitting at Elm Creek Park. Patience needed for the morning light needed to give me the green light. When the walk was done,  I walked away with 14 species before 9 am. The coolest find was the Barred Owl that flew right in front of my path. After all that and a few more Medi-Van runs I had a break and headed for home with 17 species for the day. The instant I got home I rounded up the House Sparrow, House Finch, and the Dark-eyed Junco to lock in the 20.  I quick run to St. Paul added the last two of the day. I guess I use 20 species as my guideline. I feel like that is the lowest number that I should be able to find but sometimes I am unable to do that. It is all based on my schedule, my location, the weather, and of course a bit of luck. Of course with God as my guide I don't need to worry. Look up Matthew 6:25-27. I pray for travel mercies this weekend as I head up north. So if you don't see any blog entries for a few days, you will know why. God Bless

The American Goldfinch ( this one in summer plumage) was #22 today

25 TIES MONTH'S BEST BIG DAY

....And you know that God allows it. Well it was a different day today as I nabbed 25 bird species in a fun birding day. I saw both Snowy Owls in the city of Ramsey today (I call them the east and west owls). Latched onto 2 Cedar Waxwings at Ark on the River in Anoka - a wonderful home for seniors living out their final days (in this life). Located the American Goldfinches at one of my usual spots in Osseo, Minnesota; there were lots of them feeding on sunflower hearts. Then went to the park south of Ramsey Blvd along the Mississippi River. I don't usually go there but today it was calling. And then a Mourning Dove flew over head. I heard the sounds of Trumpeter Swans and the call and beautiful view of a Pileated Woodpecker; making that a 4 woodpecker (species) day. That was also a new one for the month which puts my month list at 35 species. Even if I don't see any birds (and believe me, that has happened on a few outings) I know that God loves me and He loves you too. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. All of us fall short but thanks be to God we have Jesus to fall on. It has been a long day and I am ready for bed. I will be missing the Great Backyard Bird Count this weekend as I travel to the Sax Zim Bog Winter Birding Festival. I am truly blessed with an abundance of things to do and thankful for God's provisions. Amen.

SHORT WORK DAY RESULTS IN 17 SPECIES

Although I did not do a bird count yesterday, I was able to add a Canada Goose to my month list which now stands at 34. Today I had a late start and a short work day and I was able to locate 17 species. No American Tree Sparrows, Cedar Waxwings, American Goldfinches or the Red-bellied Woodpecker, but I was happy with my day. (It's good to know that it is going to warm up soon). I was blessed with the viewing of the Sharp-shinned Hawk that has been prowling around the Como Park neighborhood and also drummed up a Brown Creeper. I ended my day with a beautiful adult Bald Eagle and then later saw a juvenile hanging out with the adult. Hey, we all need a little help from the adults right? Thank you God for caring for us as you do. And that doesn't always mean that He allows good things to happen. Sometimes He needs to steer us in the right direction. 

Snowy for Joe from Japan

An awesome men's bible study this morning and I will be missing next week's due to my being at the 7th Annual Sax Zim Bog Winter Birding Festival. That will indeed be fun and I have hopes of finding maybe 3 new Minnesota Life Birds. I typically don't do any bird counts on the weekends but next weekend will be a different story. Today no listing but helping a gentleman named Joe who is from Japan. He emailed me from an MOU post that I put on the web. He wanted very much to get a look at a Snowy Owl. I met him at Coburn's in Ramsey and within a few minutes we were gawking at his first Snowy. (The photo below is one that I just took today). I get a great feeling when I am able to direct people to birds. I've been blessed many times by birders with greater knowledge who have helped me in the past. It feels good to give back. Just hanging out today. But looking ahead - I feel that I won't be too fond of this coming Monday. It is supposed to get very cold. The lack of birding in the coming days will be more than made up for when I get totally engrossed this weekend at the festival. God Bless.

23 AGAIN

I've been corresponding with a member from the MOU and he really wants to see a Snowy Owl so tomorrow I will be meeting him in Ramsey to see the one present there. I saw it again today. Here's today's list of birds:

American Crow

American Goldfinch

American Robin

Bald Eagle

Black-capped Chickadee

Blue Jay

Brown Creeper

Common Goldeneye

Dark-eyed Junco

Downy Woodpecker

European Starling

Gadwall

Hairy Woodpecker

House Finch

House Sparrow

Mallard

Northern Cardinal

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-tailed Hawk

Rock Pigeon

Snowy Owl

Trumpeter Swan

White-breasted Nuthatch Another chilly day today. But God's love was keeping me warm. God Bless.

23 TODAY - ALL FROM BEHIND GLASS

Today was a very bitter cold day. How do I know that? Well, it wasn't because I went outside looking for birds. I just needed to look at the thermometer. All 23 of my bird sightings today were from either the comfort of my home or from behind the windshield of my Medi-Van.
Missed the Dark-eyed Junco again today but was blessed with a change in my schedule which landed me back in Ramsey, MN to see the Snowy Owl. And again God surprised me which the fact that I could actually see a lot of bird species - and not even take a hike! The God of our world is alive and well and in control. Amen. While driving my last client home today I saw 2 Ring-necked Pheasants in a field. But what was really interesting was while waiting for her in the Walmart Pharmacy parking lot in Elk River, I spotted a Trumpeter Swan fly by. How cool is that!!!!!!!!

BOTH ANOKA COUNTY SNOWY OWLS STILL PRESENT

A new month total (I know- it's still early). Ended the day today with 25 bird species. Yesterday's Dark-eyed Junco drought brought a flurry of action today. I got a chance today to show one of my Medi-Van clients a Snowy Owl (both were present in Ramsey today). On Monday I saw 9 Red-tailed Hawks and yesterday 0. Late in the day today I finally found 2. I was able to take a nice long walk at a park in Ramsey called Lake Itasca and flushed a Ring-necked Pheasant and saw 5 Mourning Doves (that was odd). But like I have said, God has a lot of surprises in store when you get out and about. He made it all and is in control and I am just breathing it in. Thank you Lord - You are my rock and my redeemer. Walked around the Mississippi River Park behind K-mart today looking for an American Robin or a Cedar Waxwing. No waxwings to be found and what I thought to be a robin on closer inspection (via binoculars) was indeed a Northern Flicker. Wow. What a fun day.

 

BARRED OWL MAKES 20 FOR THE DAY

Another long day at work!!! But a huge gap in my schedule today allowed for looks for the Snowy Owl in Maple Grove - No luck. A conversation with another gentleman who was also looking revealed that the owl is still in the area as he said he saw it yesterday. I ended the day with the Barred Owl but not the Barred Owl at Springbrook. I saw this one at Elm Creek Park, which was the jackpot today. Other notables were the Purple Finch and 3 flocks of Cedar Waxwings; one rather large flock. I indeed was blessed. The day was cut short by an add-on run to my schedule that directed me to Buffalo, Minnesota for a 5 pm pickup. The added hours will come in handy as a week from this Friday I will be on the road for the Sax Zim Bog Birding Festival. The festival is booked (150 participants) and there will be folks attending from 24 states and the UK. It is a blessing to be able to do that and God guided me safely home today from Buffalo to St. Paul and then Anoka. Thank you Lord. 

2 ACCIPITER DAY

Back to work today with a nice long 13 hours!!! I ended my birding today with the 2nd of 2 accipiters. There are 3 in North America; Northern Goshawk (which I have yet to see), Sharp-shinned Hawk, and Cooper's Hawk. It was the Cooper's Hawk that ended my day at 22 bird species. I was wondering why there were no birds hanging around Harriet Alexander Park in Roseville. That hawk must have been hungry. Earlier today I got a nice surprise after viewing a beautiful adult Bald Eagle. I followed the trail at Bruce Vento Nature Park in St. Paul all the way to the end where there is an open water sewage pond. Among the many Mallards were 2 Gadwall. God always seems to bless me with something fun. 2 days in a row now I have not re-found the Barred Owl at Springbrook. I am sure it is still there but yesterday I did find the American Tree Sparrows but no Wild Turkey. Today Wild Turkey but no American Tree Sparrows. And it required some searching, but I did manage to find a few Dark-eyed Juncos today. 

When I got home today Melinda said, "boy-there sure were a lot of Juncos in our yard today. Only I got home after dark. Life is funny that way sometimes. God Bless!!

SNOWY SUNDAY FOR FRIENDS

It was a beautiful morning. We had a wonderful service and fellowship. My friend Duane (from church) mentioned that he and his wife recently looked for the Snowy Owl off of Armstrong Blvd. and said that they didn't find it. That broke my heart! So I told him that I would go over and look today and if I find it, I would call. After I found the owl it was only about 20 minutes that had past before Duane, Karen, and Danny were sharing a sight to see; the beautiful Snowy Owl. I am glad that they got to see it - and it was a blessing again for me to be able to help folks see something so special. Thank you Lord. Keep us safe and in your care this week. 

JANUARY'S TOTALS

The end of a brutal month!!! Again snow, cold, having a cold, tough road conditions, and less light make for lower numbers (sometimes). That isn't always the case as January's biggest Big Day was 29. I ended the month with a total of 36 different bird species and I averaged 22 bird species per day of birding. I was out on Wednesday and even though it started out as a good birding day, I ended up with only 17 species as I got sent on a Medi-Van run to Park Rapids, MN. That was a long day. Then we had the big snow on Thursday - no birding. Ending the week at Springbrook Nature Center I was pumped to add the Barred Owl, the Wild Turkey, and the American Tree Sparrow; all regulars this past few weeks. Well, I think it was the curse of the camera again because I didn't see any of those species. But I did end the day on Friday with a total of 21. Whenever I bring my camera to get a shot of the Barred, I usually don't find it. So even though it is an old photo, I am including in this entry a photo that I took last year of the Barred Owl at Springbrook. It's a blessing to be alive and given the gift of eternal life through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were made. That includes all the beautiful birds of the earth.

Barred Owl

Thank you Lord.!!!