Mid-May in Cass County

Cool temps have continued, and the leaves are still a ways from breaking out. The year's first trip to Pelican Island yielded Ruddy Turnstone and Sanderling among the thousands of gulls, terns, and cormorants. Warblers have been fairly steady, although Myrtles are still by far the most abundant. The banding station at Bass Pond detected a decent movement of Blackpoll Warblers on May 14, and the Walker sewage ponds have been good numbers (if not great diversity) of shorebirds during the last week. The Northern Parula pictured above was observed at Deep Portage, and the Clay-colored Sparrow below showed up at Baby Lake, both in Woodrow Township.

Early May in Cass County

It seems that normal weather has returned, although leaf-out is going to be late and many local lakes are just now losing their ice. The absence of leaves makes for great songbirding, and we've already seen a decent movement of warblers. Blackpoll, Cape May, Golden-winged, and Northern Parula have all made an appearance, showing up amidst the crowds of Yellow-rumped, Palm (see photo), and Orange-crowned Warblers. The highlight of the week was a Gray-cheeked Thrush (see photo) near the canoe livery. It has been several years since we last saw this species at Deep Portage. The Walker sewage lagoons are getting busy, with many Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Sandpipers, and 4 Wilson's Phalaropes. The last week has also produced first of year Green Heron, American Bittern, Whip-poor-will, and Winter Wren. Good birding!

Late April in Cass County

This April has presented some challenging weather. The latest round of snow and wind no doubt took a grim toll on birds caught in the weather and along busy roadsides. That being said, spring is in the air and the past weeks have brought many new migrants to the area. Palm, Pine, and Yellow-rumped Warblers have all been observed, as well as many sparrows, hawks, and waterfowl. Horned Grebes (see photo) have seemed especially abundant. The Wilson's Snipe below was photographed on Sunday morning (4/27), in the icy calm after the previous day's storm.

early April in Cass County

17 inches of snow on 4/6. Yikes. The past week has been very nice indeed, and many migrants are returning to the area. Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrow, Greater Yellowlegs, Osprey, and many species of waterfowl have all been sighted recently. A Great Egret (see photo) at Brockaway Lake on 4/4 was unusual, and the mink pictured below seemed interested in the same ducks we were scoping at Federal Dam on 4/5. The snow is piled high, but the melting has already begun. Migration shouldn't be slowed too much. Good birding!

Early Spring in Cass County

Warmer temperatures and longer days are finally making it feel slightly spring-like, although there is still plenty of snow and ice. Recent highlights include 3 Red-shouldered Hawks in the Pillager area on the 26th, and 2 Hoary Redpolls mixed in with the huge flocks of Common Redpolls that have been visiting the Deep Portage Learning Center birdfeeders. Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, and Rough-legged Hawk have been common lately, along with plenty of Red-tails. Purple Finches showed up on the 27th, as did the Great Blue Heron pictured above. Waterfowl are slowly returning, although open water is scarce. The most interesting so far has been a first spring record of Cackling Goose (see photo below) in Cass County. The bird has been present in Longville for at least a week. Red Crossbills have been common all month long, usually picking grit along the highways. Good birding!

Early March in Cass County

Winter is hanging on, but the arrival of the year's
first Horned Larks (photo at right) in late February signal that a change is on the way. A March 1st "big day" yielded 31 species, including Evening Grosbeak near Boy River, Northern Cardinal in Walker, and a Barred Owl south of Hackensack. Pine Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls continue to be conspicuous, but Black-billed Magpie, Boreal Chickadee, and the northern woodpeckers have been difficult to locate during the last month. Bohemian Waxwings were seen by birders in Remer on 3/2, and the Northern Hawk Owl was relocated along CR 72 by the same group. Red Crossbills have been fairly consistent at the Deep Portage Learning Center, and the wintering American Robin in Walker has survived to see the spring. Good birding!

Early February in Cass County

Spring has not arrived yet, but the woodpeckers are actively drumming. There seems to be an increased level of activity with many of the resident birds. The beginning of nesting season for owls and woodpeckers is coming quickly, and birding has been productive in the past week. Species seen include:

• 5 Woodpeckers, including Black-backed (photo above)
  
• Pine Siskin, Pine Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, and Common Redpoll
• Northern Hawk Owl still present on CR 73, along with a Barred Owl
• Northern Cardinals in Walker, near the Post Office
• Flock of 100+ Bohemian Waxwings in Walker on 2/2