Back on the trail!

 

It's been a while! The temperatures have been really cold here through much of February - day after day below zero, which makes doing anything beyond yard birding pretty much a non-option. I did add Great Horned Owl and Golden-crowned Kinglet from the yard over the last several weeks, but not much else beyond that! I've been itching to get back on the bike. 

Finally, temps got a little warmer and with forecasted highs in the 40s on Saturday, I locked myself in for a bike ride. My friend Caleb found a Northern Saw-whet Owl recently at a nearby park which was my main target. It would require a longer ride, but I was feeling highly motivated and wasn't going to let anything stop me from getting out! After a nice breakfast and warm drink I loaded up and hit the road. 

Temperatures were around 25F to start and it was a beautiful sunny day. It felt so good to be out in it! With lengthening days, the local birds have really started singing too - Black-capped Chickadees, Northern Cardinals, and White-breasted Nuthatches were all singing around me around the house and through town, and woodpeckers were busy chasing each other and fussing. I'm so excited for spring - when things will really start getting going. 

Most of the first half of the ride was easy - until I hit the main bike trail, which to my dismay was covered with snow still. After a 1/8 mile of hard riding and sliding around, I was beginning to wonder if I'd have to turn around. My gravel bike just isn't able to handle snow. Thankfully, the road got a broad shoulder after a bit, so I was able to safely get through the most snowy section by just riding along the road.

Snowy trails - oof! 

I crossed the Minnesota River through the Wilkie Unit of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. I feel so fortunate to have this huge publicly owned parcel so close by. It's a great birding spot and provides lots of habitat for wildlife. Pretty unique for an urban refuge - it's massive. Lots to explore once spring comes around...

At last I got to my destination. There were a couple of pretty steep hills that required a few breathers, but I made it. Now to try for that Northern Saw-whet Owl! If you're not familiar with them, they are an absolutely adorable, tiny little owl that breed mostly in northern Minnesota, but can be found here in migration and winter in varying numbers from year to year. This year hasn't been particularly great for seeing them but in previous years, I found at least four within walking distance of where I used to live. I was really glad to have a chance to see one - if I could find it. They are exceptional at hiding, even with the good directions that Caleb gave me. 

A short pleasant hike took me by a pretty little spring fed stream. Caleb found a Winter Wren there on his last visit, which I need too, but I really wanted to make sure I had plenty of time for the owl, so I kept going. After about a 10 minute hike, I got to the conifer stand. 

Winter Wren habitat?

The stand was fairly sparse and small, but it still took some time to figure out exactly where I was in it. Lots of human and rabbit-made trails criss-crossed the stand and I walked through it several times with no luck. Hmmm. I had time though, so I decided to start completely over and navigate more using the nearby hill to get my bearings vs. the trails. Then I found a tree that matched the description pretty well. I crouched down and peeked through the branches and sure enough, there was a little feathered form tucked in there, taking a nap! 

I was excited to try my new camera out. I've been practicing with it and feel like I'm starting to get a better hang of it. I found the owl in the viewfinder and zoomed in. Immediately, the bird woke up at the sound of the lens moving. I was surprised because I was pretty far away, relatively speaking. Napping is serious business for these birds - and I didn't want to disturb my little friend - so I quickly snapped a few pictures and walked away, thrilled at the find and thankful for my friends great effort to find it! 

Umm, can't you see I'm napping here?

Now it was time to try for a bonus Winter Wren. I got back to the little stream and had a great time listening to the water and watching a flock of American Robins and Dark-eyed Juncos scratching in the leaves and bathing. Not many things more relaxing than watching birds obviously enjoying themselves. I took out my snack and water and hung out for a while soaking in the sun and nature. A few Pileated Woodpeckers flew through the area which is always a treat. After a while though, it was obvious the wren wasn't around, and my thoughts were turning to a warm drink in town on the way back home, so it was time to go. Thankfully, I remembered my wallet this time...

What's better than watching birds foraging and bathing in warm winter sun? Not much, I'd say.

Back through the snowy trails and into the refuge I went. As I passed through the part along the highway, a raptor was perched along the road in the tree. I had seen a gorgeous dark-phase Rough-legged Hawk on the way over right near there, but it flew away before I could fish the camera out of my backpack, of course. I got the binoculars on it pretty quick. Immature Red-shouldered Hawk! I again took off my backpack and tried to get the camera, and away it flew again before I could get the camera out. Oh well. You'll take my word for it, right?

Great place for raptors - just not raptor photos, apparently

After an uneventful ride back along the trail and road, I made it to Shakopee Brewhall. I couldn't wait to get my warm drink and danish! My legs were starting to get tired so a break would be nice for many reasons. My son drove over and joined me there, and we sat for a while and chatted while I recovered a little energy back. Then I powered home for the last 6 miles or so. It was a challenge. The longer ride plus snowy trails were a workout! I pushed myself and got those legs really burning on the last stretch. By the time I got home I was ready for a nap, satisfied and refreshed from getting out. 

I'm now up to 56 "green" species! 30 miles on the bike plus about 2 mile on foot on this trip. There are still a few more species to get before spring - more of those owls, maybe...so hopefully it won't be too long before my next post to share with you. I hope that you enjoyed this one, and that you can get out and enjoy birds sometime soon too.