10,000 Birds

JANUARY 24, 2013

An Imposing Great Gray Owl, by Carlos Sanchez. Great Gray Owl , Northern Hawk Owl , Snowy Owl – this trinity captures the imagination of most birders with their imposing presence, unique adaptations, and beauty as among the most desired species of bird to see in the world.

Minnesota 191

Minnesota Owls Bald Eagle Hoarding 191

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 5, 2014

I’m to the point that I wish all the Snowy Owls in the US this winter would head back north. There’s been some confusing info because Project SNOWStorm also captured and put a transmitter on a first winter female Snowy Owl around the same time in the same area. As Tracey Ullman said at the end of her show, “Go home!

Wisconsin 248

Wisconsin Falcons Owls Hunting 248

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 24, 2014

There are birds more prized by North American birders than the Great Gray Owl , but not many*. Like many cold-weather creatures, the Great Gray Owl can to some extent trade altitude for latitude. We made our way to the spot that the owl had, according to our guides, last been seen. The owl wasn’t there.

Owls 233

Owls Minnesota Montana 2014 233

10,000 Birds

JUNE 22, 2011

Many are familiar with dissecting owl pellets, but several birds will caste a pellet including hawks, eagles, gulls, herons and heck, I once witnessed a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher hack up a small one. Above is a pellet from one of a pair of Great Horned Owls that nested a few blocks from my apartment.

Bats 210

Bats Dissection Owls Minnesota 210

10,000 Birds

JULY 4, 2023

How much do you know about owls? I’ve been fortunate to encounter many owls in my birding life, sometimes because I’m looking for them, sometimes happily by happenstance. What the Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds is a joyous, fascinating read. I don’t think so.

Owls 219

Owls Science Barn Owls Penguins 219

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 8, 2014

I work part-time for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and here are some stunning views of our very urban park along the Mississippi River through the Twin Cities in Minnesota: This video is not only remarkable for the views, but also the places they take the small drone–behind waterfalls, are you kidding me?

Bald Eagle 198

Bald Eagle Mississippi Eagles Ducks 198

10,000 Birds

MAY 17, 2011

All the info I needed came in an e-mail from a Minnesota birder named Peder. I got out of the car, climbed a small hill where the shooting benches were and realized I was looking at a fabulous patch of habitat for a great gray owl to hunt. The day shift, hunting the meadow. that’s a *&$#^ Great Gray Owl!

Connecticut 174

Connecticut North Dakota Ohio Owls 174