Perfect timing for photographs at an Osprey nest in Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota.

A mid-summer trip to Minnesota yielded Ospreys, including a great view of an adult and three soon to fledge nestlings that gave me the opportunity to photograph them at their well-built nest. I also found two lone Common Loons in adjacent lakes, each probably having an incubating mate nearby. I also appreciated seeing a Red-shouldered Hawk, a Cooper’s Hawk, and an abundance of Northern Cardinals, which were the primary songsters. These are welcome views of birds I don’t see in the Great Plains, emphasizing some differences between the birds of the eastern woodlands and the adjacent Great Plains.

While I was in the Minneapolis area for a couple days, I didn’t want to interrupt the action at my home oriole feeder, so I added a larger bowl of grape jelly to my feeding station to keep the orioles interested. I checked the jelly containers when I returned after dark Thursday, and was surprised to see that most of the jelly was eaten, despite my belief that I was over-compensating for just two days – but I’m glad I provided plenty.

Oriole Action

Friday, my feeding station visitors became more predictable with an apparent trio of Baltimore Orioles, a male, female and, eventually, a surprise fledgling that watched other birds, but didn’t try a taste. Same story the second time I saw a fledgling come to the feeder, but after the young oriole investigated the insects on the hummingbird feeder for a bit, the adult female flew in to feed on jelly, then approached the fledgling who begged for food and was fed by the female. Ah, just what I’ve been waiting for – visits from new fledglings – hooray.

By Sunday, at least two Baltimore fledglings were stopping by, along with at least one additional female or immature – five Baltimores total – adding a higher level of oriole activities when combines with the in’s and outs of the varied Orchard Orioles utilizing my feeders. House Finches use the jelly feeders as much as the orioles, including a couple really impressively red males. I was quite surprised to have an American Robin work over my feeding station a couple times – not for any food I provided, but for the few small insects attracted to the foods. With all that fun out my bay windows, I’m sorry to report that I haven’t had a hummingbird visit for a couple weeks again, but I’m sure things will gear up at the nectar feeder soon.

Field Trips

Friday, Saturday, and Monday evenings I did my regular tour of nest sites, concentrating on the Red-headed Woodpeckers for more photo opportunities, although the birds have been only mildly interested in accommodating me. There were a few pairs of American Goldfinches active in the woodpeckers’ hunting area, along with hunting pairs of Orchard Orioles, Western and Eastern Kingbirds, a Least Flycatcher, a Northern Flicker, and a surprise Yellow Warbler.

On the four-mile drive to the Bald Eagle nest, I crossed paths with single Red-headed Woodpeckers at both of the other nesting territories I know of, along with a colorful male Eastern Bluebird, a very rare species in this area, an uncommon Gray Partridge, two male Dickcissels, and a male American Kestrel. All five Bald Eagles were present at the nest site Friday, although only one was actually on the nest. The two adult Bald Eagles were perched on large branches adjacent to the nest, while two soon to fledge “branchers” were perched on a large branch just 12 feet and 4 feet from the edge of the nest.

Saturday, one of the branchers was missing, apparently having left the nest for a trial flight. I’d bet that first fledgling was probably hidden in the tall vegetation on the ground near the nest, and will return to the nest or adjacent branches soon. Monday, one adult was perched fairly prominently above the vacant nest, while two of the young eagles perched on branches adjacent to the nest – one about 10 feet south, another about 25 feet to the north. No sign of the larger female fledgling again, but that’s typical during the first days of fledging. I’m sure the following post-fledging weeks will be interesting at the Bald Eagle nest.

Hawks & Owls

At the Ferruginous Hawk ground nest I could see three nestlings in openings between the tall plants that now surround the nest. The young Ferrugs have begun walking around the nest proper in advance of fledging, similar to the “branching” behavior of tree nesting raptors. One adult was perched on the ground between my position and the nest, aware of me but showing the usual lack of concern for my presence. Nearby, both the Great Horned Owl fledglings were perched in the shade of their usual willow stand. I haven’t seen both young owls for some time, leading me to think they may be extending their range some days as they improve their flying and hunting abilities.

Ducklings Galore!

Friday I viewed three duck broods that included 5 newly hatched Lesser Scaup with an attentive hen, as well as a brood of 9 week-old Blue-winged Teal, and a brood of 11 large Mallard ducklings just a half-mile south of home. But Saturday provided the bonus broods I’ve been expecting. With calm water on area wetlands, ducklings ventured into the open more than usual and I counted 16 broods including 7 Gadwall broods, 3 Mallard broods, 3 Blue-winged Teal broods, and 3 Northern Shoveler broods with a grand total of 131 ducklings! WoW!

Summer Snows

At Melody’s lake, just a half-mile south of home, I was happy to see three Snow Geese – one blue morph, one white morph, and one hybrid blue-white – probably yearling birds that did not make the full migration north to the Arctic nesting range of this species. I have been seeing such summering Snow Geese scattered around the area much more than usual, with some flocks numbering about 40, but most are in the 3 to 10 range. Snow Geese are special birds for me, so I’m happy to see these so close at hand, along with the usual flightless armada of extended families of Giant Canada Geese and a variety of ducks.

After parking Monday evening, as I walked to my house I was reminded by a wild call to the south that I should share with you that this is the first summer that I’ve had Wilson’s Snipe active in my neighborhood. I hear them calling mornings, evenings, and at nighttime when I’m outdoors and they’re probably performing flight displays in the process. New birds, new behaviors, and annual changes can make birding so much fun.

Article and photos by Paul Konrad

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