Andy's "Green Birding" Big Year

  I've been trying to visit Spring Lake as much as I can over the last week or so. Winds from the north have started to become steadier and more frequent; and temperatures are seasonal/dropping, so that means - diving ducks! Well, hopefully. As my "found" species total racks up, my success rate gets lower with new species for the year with each ride. There just aren't that many more species that I can get as the last two months of the year approach. However, as you well know, a common migrant diving duck - Canvasback - has been my nemesis for much of the year. Not anymore! A Pied-billed Grebe surfacing briefly between dives After an unsuccessful search on Wednesday, I decided to try again on Thursday, keeping with my strategy of hitting close by spots frequently. I different cast of characters at my bird feeder that morning raised my hopes for something different - my first American Tree Sparrow of the fall showed up. I couldn't wait to get on the bike.  I arrived...

White-throated Sparrows continue to push through I've managed to get out a few more times over the last several days. My first ride was to Spring Lake to look for scoters and grebes, and whatever else I could dig up. It was a cloudy day with winds from the north. Would this be the day for finding my first scoter of the year? I was cautiously optimistic as I biked along the road.  Upon arrival, I was happy to see a lot of birds on the water. Lots of American Coots and Ruddy Ducks were in rafts on the water, and hundreds of gulls - mostly Ring-Billed and Franklin's - were circling overhead. We started scanning to see if anything unusual was in the mix.  A few distant Ruddy Ducks There were some grebes along the far eastern shore of the lake. I sifted out two Horned Grebes from the Pied-billed Grebes, which were pretty numerous. Then another small grebe with a upturned bill came into view - Eared Grebe! Unexpected, but welcome! Unfortunately it stayed far away, and I lost it afte...

Another great hike on a beautiful day The much-anticipated cooler weather finally arrived, and I got out on the bike as soon as I could to take advantage of the nice weather and hopefully increased bird movement. A report on eBird of Harris's Sparrow AND Winter Wren at Blue Lake (where I went a few times last winter/early spring) made my choice of destination easy. I still needed both of those! The ride over was a delight - much, much nicer than my last wind-battered slog to Marsh WMA (minimal headwinds and less weight on the bike made a world of difference). It was a beautiful morning also - one of those days that makes you so grateful to be able to be outside to enjoy it. I pulled into the parking lot and immediately heard lots of call notes from the brush. A good sign, I hoped. Lots of sparrows on the move now, including this Song Sparrow I sifted through the flocks of White-throated Sparrows around the parking lot. Dark-eyed Juncos have arrived and were there in good numbers. A...

  American Golden-Plover I just got back from a long, cross-country trip and have been excited to get back on the bike. Watching reports of several target species showing up in the area have added to my "itchiness" to get out. Nelson's Sparrow, LeConte's Sparrow, and Harris's Sparrow have been on the top of my list. I've been sifting through flocks of White-throated Sparrows looking for a Harris's for a while, but still no luck. For the other two, there's a reliable spot...but one that is an unpleasant ride - Marsh WMA. You may remember my last trip there was a total bust. Still, no pain, no gain - and I decided to go for it yesterday afternoon.  The conditions on the ride over quickly made me question my decision. Steady 20-25 mph winds were blowing directly into my face. Every hill was a battle, especially those on gravel roads. It was brutal. After crawling along for about 3 miles, I paused and considered going back. This is a 31-mile round trip, an...

Monarchs on the move! It's been a relatively slow week birding wise - not because of a lack of opportunity, but because of an annoying cold! I've been laying pretty low recovering for the most part. It's been a challenge - the mind is willing, but the body hasn't been, until today! I decided to get back on the bike and head over to my favorite green birding spot, Louisville Swamp.  Gray Catbird giving me a hard look The ride over was ok but I definitely had to pace myself. I'm MOSTLY recovered, but not quite 100% yet. I immediately heard White-throated Sparrows calling as I was locking the bike up. Sifting out a Harris's Sparrow was top of my mind. The first flock proved to be all White-throated, but an Ovenbird was responsive to my "pishing" and gave me a chance to get a picture. An Orange-crowed Warbler also popped up, which was cool...but their arrival only means one thing - warbler migration is coming to an end soon. I'll enjoy it while I can! ...

Spotted Sandpiper keeping an eye on me It's been a pretty good stretch here in early September. The weather has cooled off somewhat overall which has been refreshing (although it's hot again today as I type this). With the cooler weather came some good bird movement. I've continued with my strategy of focusing on close by local hotspots and hitting those more frequently and not trying to range too widely - for now.  Sumac turning to red Early last week, I focused on working the spruce trees in my yard at every possible opportunity, hoping for a Black-throated Green Warbler. I didn't have any luck there. At the end of one unsuccessful evening search, I decided to have a seat and just watch the water for a while. A pale white bird flew into view that I first thought was a dove until I got my binoculars on it - it was a Sanderling! Not an easy bird to get in Minnesota at any time really, and a nice surprise. Best of all, it was my 20th "green" shorebird species! ...

Ruby-throated Hummingbird - I keep wondering when the last day I'll see them will be. It was a nice Labor Day weekend here. Saturday and Sunday I didn't get on the bike at all, just giving my legs a rest after the long ride to and from work on Friday. The weather was really comfortable though, so I made sure to spend time birding in the backyard every morning. Saturday morning was fairly quiet - a couple of warblers but nothing new. Flycatchers were very active. Every tree seemed to have one. Red-breasted Nuthatches also seem to be everywhere, which is cool. But I didn't really have much to get excited about. Sunday morning, however, was a different story.  The prairie mound doesn't have the color it used to, but this goldenrod is pretty. I stepped outside after breakfast on Sunday and immediately noticed activity. The flycatchers were very busy, chickadees were calling, and there were Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos in the yard, still singing, as vireos always do. A Merli...