My Big Year has been over for close to a month now. My final total is 132 species spotted from April 30, 2017 - April 29, 2018. It was a fun year, and I saw a lot of species that I had never seen before. The following is the species list in its entirety, and the locations of first sightings:
1. Red-winged Blackbird - Gunflint Lake, MN
2. Common Grackle - Gunflint Lake, MN
3. Dark-eyed Junco - Gunflint Lake, MN
4. White-throated Sparrow - Gunflint Lake, MN
5. Song Sparrow - Gunflint Lake, MN
6. Pileated Woodpecker - Gunflint Lake, MN
7. Downy Woodpecker - Gunflint Lake, MN
8. Black-capped Chickadee - Gunflint Lake, MN
9. Golden-crowned Kinglet - Gunflint Lake, MN
10. American Crow - Gunflint Lake, MN
11. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - Gunflint Lake, MN
12. Bufflehead - Ham Lake, Cook County, MN
13. Mallard - Ham Lake, Cook County, MN
14. Winter Wren - Ham Lake, Cook County, MN
15. Turkey Vulture - Ham Lake, Cook County, MN
16. Blue Jay - Gunflint Lake, MN
17. White-breasted Nuthatch - Gunflint Lake, MN
18. Hairy Woodpecker - Gunflint Lake, MN
19. Chestnut-sided Woodpecker - Gunflint Lake, MN
20. Ruffed Grouse - Gunflint Lake, MN
21. Common Merganser - Lonely Lake, MN
22. Northern Flicker - Gunflint Lake, MN
23. American Tree Sparrow - Gunflint Lake, MN
24. Clay-colored Sparrow - Gunflint Lake, MN
25. Common Loon - Gunflint Lake, MN
26. American Robin - Gunflint Lake, MN
27. Herring Gull - Grand Marais, MN
28. Bald Eagle - Lake Superior near Grand Marais, MN
29. Ring-billed Gull - Duluth, MN
30. Chipping Sparrow - Duluth, MN
31. Horned Grebe - Duluth, MN
32. Red-breasted Merganser - Duluth, MN
33. Rock Pigeon - Duluth, MN
34. American Woodcock - Lake Superior, MN
35. American Kestrel - Gunflint Trail, MN
36. Purple Finch - Gunflint Lake, MN
37. House Finch - Gunflint Lake, MN
38. Pine Siskin - Gunflint Lake, MN
39. Red-necked Duck - Centennial Trail, MN
40. Savannah Sparrow - Gunflint Lake, MN
41. Vesper Sparrow - Gunflint Lake, MN
42. Belted Kingfisher - Grand Marais, MN
43. Canada Goose- Grand Marais, MN
44. Long-tailed Duck - Grand Marais, MN
45. Spruce Grouse - Bingshick Lake, MN
46. Yellow-rumped Warbler - Bingshick Lake, MN
47. Common Snipe - Magnetic Rock Trail Head, MN
48. American Black Duck - Gunflint Lake, MN
49. Brown-headed Cowbird - Gunflint Lake, MN
50. American Goldfinch - Gunflint Lake, MN
51. Black-throated Green Warbler - Gunflint Lake, MN
52. White-crowned Sparrow - Gunflint Lake, MN
53. Canada Warbler - Gunflint Lake, MN
54. Rusty Blackbird - Gunflint Lake, MN
55. Bonaparte's Gull - Gunflint Lake, MN
56. Common Yellowthroat - Lonely Lake, MN
57. Rose-breasted Grosbeak - Gunflint Lake, MN
58. Northern Cardinal - Roseville, MN
59. Cerulean Warbler - Roseville, MN
60. Baltimore Oriole - Roseville, MN
61. House Sparrow - Roseville, MN
62. Tree Swallow - Roseville, MN
63. Hooded Merganser - Gunflint Lake, MN
64. European Starling - Roseville, MN
65. Cedar Waxwing - Roseville, MN
66. Mourning Dove, Roseville, MN
67. Wood Duck - Roseville, MN
68. Cooper's Hawk - Roseville, MN
69. Broad-winged Hawk - Roseville, MN
70. Gray Catbird - Roseville, MN
71. Yellow Warbler - Roseville, MN
72. Eastern Phoebe - Roseville, MN
73. Ruby-throated Hummingbird - Roseville, MN
74. Great-blue Heron - Roseville, MN
75. Great Egret - Roseville, MN
76. Barn Swallow - Roseville, MN
77. Northern Harrier - North Branch, MN
78. Ovenbird - Gunflint Lake, MN
79. Merlin - Gunflint Lake, MN
80. Spotted Sandpiper - Grand Marais, MN
81. Osprey - Gunflint Lake, MN
82. Swainson's Thrush - Hungry Jack Lake, MN
83. Northern Parula - Gunflint Lake, MN
84. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - Gunflint Lake, MN
85. Semipalmated Plover - Grand Marais, MN
86. Semipalmated Sandpiper - Grand Marais, MN
87. American Redstart - Devil's Track Canyon - MN
88. Veery - Sweatheart's Bluff, Grand Marais, MN
89. Hermit Thrush - Hungry Jack Lake, MN
90. Common Nighthawk - Gunflint Lake, MN
91. Indigo Bunting - Gunflint Lake, MN
92. Black and White Warbler - Gunflint Lake, MN
93. Red-eyed Vireo - Gunflint Lake, MN
94. Nashville Warbler - Gunflint Lake, MN
95. Northern Waterthrush - Gunflint Lake, MN
96. Scarlet Tanager - Gunflint Lake, MN
97. Magnolia Warbler - Gunflint Lake, MN
98. Peregrine Falcon - Twin Cities, MN
99. Red-bellied Woodpecker - Roseville, MN
100. Double-crested Cormorant - Two Harbors, MN
101. Gran Jay - Pine River, Ontario
102. Red-tailed Hawk - Thunder Bay, Ontario
103. Philadelphia Vireo - Kakabeka Falls, Ontario
104. Wild Turkey - Near Neebing, Ontario
105. American White Pelican - Near Neebing, Ontario
106. Red-necked Grebe - Gunflint Lake, MN
107. Least Sandpiper - Grand Marais, MN
108. Green Heron - Roseville, MN
109. Golden Eagle - North Shore of Lake Superior, MN
110. Sharp-shinned Hawk - Hawk Ridge, Duluth, MN
111. Franklin's Gull - Second Crow Wing Lake, MN
112. Palm Warbler - Buffalo River State Park, MN
113. Connecticut Warbler - Buffalo River State Park, MN
114. Brewer's Blackbird - Moorhead, MN
115. Harlequin Duck - Grand Marais, MN
116. Lapland Longspur - Kadunce River confluence with Lake Superior, MN
117. Horned Lark - Gunflint Lake, MN
118. House Wren - Superior Hiking Trail, MN
119. Sedge Wren - Superior Hiking Trail, MN
120. Bohemian Waxwing - Grand Marais, MN
121. Black-backed Woodpecker - Gunflint Lake, MN
122. Redhead - Grand Marais Harbor, MN
123. Common Redpoll - Gunflint Lake, MN
124. Hoary Redpoll - Gunflint Lake, MN
125. American Coot - Lonely Lake, MN
126. Pine Grosbeak - Gunflint Lake, MN
127. Great-horned Owl - Roseville, MN
128. Eastern Meadowlark - Gunflint Lake, MN
129. Evening Grosbeak - Gunflint Lake - MN
130. Snowy Owl - Grand Marais, MN
131. Tundra Swan - Highway 35 near North Branch, MN
132. Boreal Chickadee - Gunflint Lake, MN
My goal now is to increase the size of my Life List. Since the end of my Big Year, I have already added numerous species when I took a road trip out west. I'll probably try another Big Year in the future, but plan to wait a while first.
Happy Birding!
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Tundra Swan and Black-capped Chickadee
The bird migration has begun, but is still not in full swing in northern Minnesota. On the Gunflint Trail, the winter birds (Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls, and Hoary Redpolls) have departed for lands to the north. The birds that have returned to the Gunflint Trail for the summer are: the Common Crow, American Robin, and Red-tailed Hawk. I also spotted a Snow Bunting on its way north.
On March 15th, I saw species 131 of my Big Year, the Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus). I was driving on Highway 35, just north of North Branch, MN, when several of these beautiful birds flew in front of me. Unfortunately, I could not get a picture (since I was driving at 70 mph.) but did get a good enough look for identification.
Earlier this month, I did get a series of rapid shots of a black-capped chickadee, which are featured below. In this series of pictures, it is breaking into a sunflower seed:
On March 15th, I saw species 131 of my Big Year, the Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus). I was driving on Highway 35, just north of North Branch, MN, when several of these beautiful birds flew in front of me. Unfortunately, I could not get a picture (since I was driving at 70 mph.) but did get a good enough look for identification.
Earlier this month, I did get a series of rapid shots of a black-capped chickadee, which are featured below. In this series of pictures, it is breaking into a sunflower seed:
Monday, March 5, 2018
Beginning of Migration
The bird migration on the Gunflint Trail has officially begun. On my walk today, I saw the first Bald Eagle of the season at Gunflint Lake. I've also heard numerous reports of American Crows returning as well.
The winter birds are still present. Three of the species will be heading back to the Arctic in the next few months, and others will be staying here for the summer.
The birds below are here throughout the year:
The winter birds are still present. Three of the species will be heading back to the Arctic in the next few months, and others will be staying here for the summer.
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| Female Pine Grosbeak These birds will head back to the Arctic for their breeding season. |
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| Female Common Redpoll These birds are Arctic breeders. |
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| Male Common Redpoll Hoary Redpolls are also present at this time. |
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| Male Pine Grosbeak |
The birds below are here throughout the year:
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| Downy Woodpecker |
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| Black-capped Chickadee |
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| Red-breasted Nuthatch |
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| Black-capped Chickadee and Red-breasted Nuthatch |
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| Blue Jay |
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| Hairy Woodpecker |
Also spotted this month are the Gray Jay, Common Raven, and Pileated Woodpecker.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Snowy Owl!
I saw my first Snowy Owl in the wild today! It counts as both a Big Year bird for me as well as a life lister. It was thrilling to see this great hunter of the tundra grace the shore of Lake Superior in Grand Marais, Minnesota.
Over the last week, I had heard several reports of this owl around Artist Point, and the Grand Marais Municipal campground. After eating lunch with some old friends, we searched both locations for the bird. We did not find it at that time, but did talk to another avid birder, and he told us where some of the recent sightings had been. Shortly after that, I had to go to the radio station to do my first show.
About two and a half hours later, one of my friends called me, and said he was looking at the Snowy Owl at the D.N.R. boat landing. When my dinner break came a half hour later, I went down to see if I could find it. After a little searching, I saw it sitting on the ground next to the harbor. It was eating a gull, but kept a close eye on me while I took a few pictures. I have a 60 x optical zoom on my camera, so I was able to photograph it from a distance.
This is an immature Snowy Owl. They are the most likely ones to come out of the Arctic for the winter.
The darker bars are also an indicator of immaturity. Adult male Snowy Owls can be almost pure white, and adult females are not as dark as the immature birds.
Over the last week, I had heard several reports of this owl around Artist Point, and the Grand Marais Municipal campground. After eating lunch with some old friends, we searched both locations for the bird. We did not find it at that time, but did talk to another avid birder, and he told us where some of the recent sightings had been. Shortly after that, I had to go to the radio station to do my first show.
About two and a half hours later, one of my friends called me, and said he was looking at the Snowy Owl at the D.N.R. boat landing. When my dinner break came a half hour later, I went down to see if I could find it. After a little searching, I saw it sitting on the ground next to the harbor. It was eating a gull, but kept a close eye on me while I took a few pictures. I have a 60 x optical zoom on my camera, so I was able to photograph it from a distance.
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| 130. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) - Grand Marais Harbor, Lake Superior, MN |
The darker bars are also an indicator of immaturity. Adult male Snowy Owls can be almost pure white, and adult females are not as dark as the immature birds.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
December 5th Birding Update
I have added one new species since my last post, number 129 in my Big Year, the Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) on Thanksgiving. They were just around for one day, and all four appeared to all be juveniles.
In the last few days, I have seen a lot of other birds on the Gunflint Trail. Some of them are pictured below:
The Common Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks migrate to their wintering grounds on the Gunflint Trail from their breeding ground in the Arctic. The Blue Jays and Black-capped Chickadees are here throughout the year.
In the last few days, I have seen a lot of other birds on the Gunflint Trail. Some of them are pictured below:
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| Male Pine Grosbeak |
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| Male Pine Grosbeak |
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| Common Redpoll |
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| Female Pine Grosbeak |
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| Black-capped Chickadee |
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| Blue Jay |
Sunday, November 5, 2017
November 5th Birding Update
At the conclusion of daylight savings time, I have 128 species of birds on my Big Year list. Many of the winter species have returned, including the Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, and Hoary Redpoll. Some more rare birds have also shown up in recent weeks, including: the Black-backed Woodpeckers, and Eastern Meadowlarks. Here are the new species I observed between October 9th, 2017 to November 3rd, 2017:
118. House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) - Superior Hiking Trail near Lutsen, MN
119. Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) - Superior Hiking Trail near Lutsen, MN
120. Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) Grand Marais, MN
121. Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) - Gunflint Lake, MN
122. Redhead (Aythya americana) - Grand Marais Harbor, Lake Superior, MN
123. Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) - Gunflint Lake, MN
124. Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni) - Gunflint Lake, MN
125. American Coot (Fulica americana) - Lonely Lake, MN
126. Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) - Gunflint Lake, MN
127. Great-horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) - Roseville, MN
128. Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) - Gunflint Lake, MN
118. House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) - Superior Hiking Trail near Lutsen, MN
119. Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) - Superior Hiking Trail near Lutsen, MN
120. Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) Grand Marais, MN
121. Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) - Gunflint Lake, MN
122. Redhead (Aythya americana) - Grand Marais Harbor, Lake Superior, MN
123. Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) - Gunflint Lake, MN
124. Hoary Redpoll (Acanthis hornemanni) - Gunflint Lake, MN
125. American Coot (Fulica americana) - Lonely Lake, MN
126. Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) - Gunflint Lake, MN
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| Female Pine Grosbeak |
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| Male Pine Grosbeaks, with a Dark-eyed Junco in the Background |
128. Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) - Gunflint Lake, MN
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| Eastern Meadowlark with Blue Jays |
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| Eastern Meadowlark |
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Ten More Species
Since my last post, I have been birding from one side of Minnesota to the other. I've traveled from the Gunflint Trail, to Duluth, to the Park Rapids area, Moorhead, and the Twin Cities. I have hiked through the boreal transition forest, the hardwood forest, and the prairie in search of interesting birds. The list below is of the next 10 species of my Birding Big Year:
108. Green Heron (Butorides virescens) - Roseville, MN
109. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) - North Shore of Lake Superior, MN
110. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) - Hawk Ridge, Duluth, MN
111. Franklin's Gull (Larus pipizcan) - Crow Wing Lakes Chain, MN
112. Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum) - Buffalo River State Park, MN
113. Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) - Buffalo River State Park, MN
114. Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) - Moorhead, MN
115. Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) - Grand Marais, MN
116. Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) - Kadunce River Wayside, Lake Superior, MN
117. Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) - Gunflint Lake, MN
108. Green Heron (Butorides virescens) - Roseville, MN
109. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) - North Shore of Lake Superior, MN
110. Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) - Hawk Ridge, Duluth, MN
111. Franklin's Gull (Larus pipizcan) - Crow Wing Lakes Chain, MN
112. Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum) - Buffalo River State Park, MN
113. Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) - Buffalo River State Park, MN
114. Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) - Moorhead, MN
115. Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) - Grand Marais, MN
116. Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus) - Kadunce River Wayside, Lake Superior, MN
117. Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) - Gunflint Lake, MN
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| Horned Lark |
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| Horned Lark with view of "Horns" |
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My initial goal in doing another Birding Big Year was to beat my Big Year total from a few years ago. My old record, when I was much more o...
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Recently I have identified seven more species. The first species was the golden eagle. I saw a pair of them in Theodore Roosevelt Nationa... -
My third Big Year ended the day before Easter. I added a lot of new species in the last few weeks due to a birding trip I took to Texas. ...