Early migrants and baby birds are a good sign that July is well underway. It has been a cool and dry month so far, although 2 inches of rain on the 15th caught us up on the precip side of things. The youngster pictured above is a Spotted Sandpiper, seen at the Longville Sewer Ponds on the 6th. The photos below are of a LeConte's Sparrow from Walden Twp (7/3), and a Baird's Sandpiper (a common early migrant) at Sugar Point on Leech Lake (7/16). Good birding!
Hot weather has finally arrived, and the mosquitoes are roaming free across the landscape. The birding in Cass has been typical of the summer season, with only a few unexpected finds. The Blue-winged Warbler pictured above was seen in Pine River on the 13th, and is apparently a second county record. Also, a Northern Mockingbird was seen briefly in Kego Twp on the 20th. The photos below, of Sedge Wren and Blue-headed Vireo, were both taken on the 25th along County Road 129. Also present along the same road were LeConte's Sparrow, Canada, Blackburnian, Mourning, Golden-winged, Nashville, Chestnut-sided, and Black-thoated Green Warblers, Northern Waterthrush, Northern Parula, and Winter Wren. Yellow Rails and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows have been present at Swamp Lake along MN 371. Good birding!
This year's version of spring migration continues to roll along. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher seen on 5/18 was new for the Deep Portage reserve, and a bit unusual this far north. The photo above is of a gnatcatcher seen on 5/16 in Sylvan Township near Pillager, where they are more common. The American Redstart pictured below was also in Sylvan on 5/16. The black feathers near the eye let us know that it's a male bird in its first spring. Other birds seen around the county recently include Bay-breasted, Cape May, and Blackburnian Warblers, Hudsonion Godwit, Dunlin, Black-bellied Plover, and Scarlet Tanager. Good birding!
Spring migration is progressing along nicely, although we're still waiting for the bulk of the songbird movement. Yellow-rumped, Pine, Orange-crowned, and Palm Warblers are becoming common, and Ovenbird, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, and Nashville have been spotted as well. The Willet pictured below was present at Cat Lake on May 2nd. Purple Martins, also pictured below, have set up shop in Walker, and the Blue-winged Teal pictured above was in McKinley Twp, also on May 2nd. Good birding!
7 inches of snow on the 10th, along with -20 on the 12th, reminded us that winter is still here. The longer days and stronger sun tell a different tale, but birding remains much the same as it was in February. White-winged Crossbills, like the male pictured below, have remained common, and redpolls are still abundant. Increasing numbers of Horned Larks and Trumpeter Swans may indicate the first hint of migration. The Northern Hawk-Owl pictured above was present for several days in early March near Sugar Point (Leech Lake), in Gould Township. Good birding!
Temps have returned to normal after a warm and wet start to the month. Common Redpolls are abundant, and White-winged Crossbills are still present in many locations. The Hoary Redpoll pictured below is one of at least two that have been visiting feeders on Woman Lake. Red Crossbill finally made an appearance, in Woodrow Twp, although Bohemian Waxwings are still noticeably absent. A Varied Thrush, pictured above, was called in from Pleasant Lake. It has been present since mid-December, and may be the same individual reported from Hackensack around that same time. 39 Trumpeter Swans were present at the Gull Dam in East Gull Lake on 2/17, and a Horned Lark was singing from a farm field near Pine River on 2/16. Good birding!
The days are getting longer, but winter is not ready to release its grip just yet. Birding has been typical for the cold season around here, with a few oddities hanging around, and several species unusually hard to find. The Snow Goose is still present in Walker, across the street from the Super One, and there is a wintering Red-headed Woodpecker near Leader. Seemingly absent this winter are Red Crossbills and Bohemian Waxwings, with Pine Grosbeaks also quite hard to find. The Pine Grosbeak pictured below is the first one reported from Cass since last spring. It was at Federal Dam on Jan. 31st. The Gray Jay taking flight above was one of three seen in the county road 135 bog, also on Jan. 31st. There are several American Black Ducks overwintering with a large group of Mallards in Pine River, and a Hoary Redpoll coming to feeders on Woman Lake. Good birding!
