FOY Broadwinged Hawk Osprey-Sparrow observations

[Steve J Engel]

Yesterday I saw my first Osprey (on the nest at the Babbitt school) and Broadwinged Hawk (near Blueberry Lake on 120) of the year. Also heard Fox Sparrows singing in Babbitt for the first time. Which reminds me I heard Ruffed Grouse drumming this morning near the Kawishiwi River.

Per my observations, the order of sparrow appearances this spring between 4/12 and 4/21 went like this (each one announced by song): Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Fox Sparrow.

This morning there were still large flocks of passerines flushing from the shoulder of the highway between Babbitt and the Kawishiwi River but fewer than in preceding days. Not all the birds flash the white outer tail feathers that indicate Dark-eyed Junco and when I've stopped to observe closely I see rufous crowns on birds. Some are American Tree Sparrows but maybe Chipping Sparrows are mixed in as well. 

The tree sparrows are moving through to breed north of here (as are many of the juncos), the chippers will be sticking around, so perhaps it is primarily the tree sparrow mixing it up with the vagabond juncos. Either way I think we can expect these roadside flocks that number from a dozen to multiple dozens to come to an end sometime soon. 

Steve Engel

Steve Engel

35 Hemlock Circle

Babbitt, MN  55706
https://mywildtracks.com/
218-343-7679

[Mary M White / Charles R Neil]

The carpet of juncos galore on the lawn around our house during the last few days virtually disappeared overnight with the warmer temps and today's southerly shift of wind. CN

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