BIRDING

ALWAYS IN SEASON: Slowly, winter birds give way to spring species

It’s tempting this week, with this weather, to write only about winter birds.

By Mike Jacobs , April 20, 2013

Little owls are a big deal this winter in the Northland

Tiny boreal owls, down from Canada to find food, are drawing birders to Duluth in flocks.

By Sam Cook , February 11, 2013

Arctic-nesting shorebird passes by on its way to Argentina

rom a still and benign assemblage of cluttered stones, plants, and grass, a pale form moves haltingly. Soon it becomes apparent to the onlooker that this is some sort of animal.

By Keith Corliss , September 12, 2012

Flight Lines: Eurasian species shows up, but is it welcome?

By Keith Corliss , July 04, 2012

Flight Lines: Little discoveries on the North Dakota prairie

“I doubt it.” That was my answer to the question, “Do you think these caterpillars are eating lichens?”

By Keith Corliss , June 20, 2012

Flight Lines: Elusive flycatcher found near West Fargo

Last Sunday I asked for a copy of North Dakota’s most recent record of Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens); it soon arrived via email. In the dispassionate language of scientific data, the entry simply stated, “5/29/1973 (1 called) Montpelier (LCH).” Translated it means someone with the initials LCH had heard this species calling in Montpelier in late May, 1973. Presumably “LCH” did not even see the bird. Prior to this there is only one other record from the state, a specimen recovered in Grafton in 1927 which now purportedly resides within a collection at the University of North Dakota. These are facts that make what occurred Sunday all the more significant.

By Keith Corliss , June 06, 2012

Flight Lines: No mystery, now is the height of songbird migration

Dates are important. Always have been; just ask Julius Caesar about the Ides of March. Whether to recognize birthdays or anniversaries, or to memorialize an event for a specific reason (eg. June 6, 1944, D-Day), people all over the world have long looked at certain spots on the calendar as being significant.

By Keith Corliss , May 23, 2012

Flight Lines: First flycatcher of spring defies convention

There is any number of ways we can divide birds into groups: Pelagic (oceangoing) vs. land-based, precocial vs. altricial young, cavity nesting vs. nest building, or perhaps vegetarian vs. flesh-eating.

By Keith Corliss , May 09, 2012

Festival of Birds returns to Detroit Lakes

This summer marks the 25th anniversary of when trumpeter swans were restored in Minnesota — the first one from the restoration project was released at the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge. So it seems only fitting that the bird be honored during the 15th annual Festival of Birds celebration next month.

By By Pippi Mayfield , Forum Communications Co. , May 03, 2012

Flight Lines: West Fargoan adds species to county bird list

A 2006 poll conducted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service showed North Dakotans among the least likely Americans to be bird watchers on a per capita basis at 14 percent. Only Hawaiians polled lower among the 50 states. I’ve got my own theories as to why this might be the case but let’s put that aside for another time and assume the data are reasonably accurate.

By Keith Corliss , April 25, 2012

N.D. Game & Fish notebook: Report shows 2011 deer season success was lowest in recent history

Also: New licenses needed April 1 ... Bighorn sheep tag sold at auction ... reports of whooping crane sighting wanted ... etc.

March 28, 2012

Birding an enjoyable and unique outdoor experience

I’ve had the opportunity to hunt many different places and species across North Dakota, much of it a result of having lived in more than 10 different zip codes across the state.

By Doug Leier, North Dakota Outdoors , March 23, 2012

Flight Lines: Roadrunner very real, just not here

From the following list of cartoon birds, select the one with the specific real life counterpart and matching name: Big bird, Roadrunner, Woody Woodpecker, Daffy Duck, Woodstock, and Tweety. Woody Woodpecker comes close, I guess, and Daffy Duck even includes the word “duck.” But only roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) meets the specifics called for in the first sentence.

By Keith Corliss , March 21, 2012

Flight Lines: Morning, lengthening days lead to singing birds

“In the Spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love,” wrote British poet Alfred Lord Tennyson in his work titled, Locksley Hall. Indeed there is something about the slightly warming weather, the ever longer days, and the slow greening of the landscape which stirs the hearts of not only young men, but young organisms of all types.

By Keith Corliss , March 07, 2012

Flight Lines: Sorting through natural relationships not always easy

The other day I received an email with an attached video showing scenes of a crow and a house cat frolicking and carrying on in a playful and friendly manner. Strange as it would seem, these two normally antagonistic creatures were boldly defying nature in a peaceful, even affectionate, fashion. Or at least defying nature as we typically recognize it.

By Keith Corliss , February 22, 2012