Birding Pine Island State Forest / Fiero Truck Trail

Year 13

If you like to bird Pine Island Forest west of Big Falls, which includes Toomey Williams Forest Road, Pine Island Forest Road and Fiero Truck Trail, this morning 3.5 miles north of Pine Island Road on Fiero Truck Trail there are now “no trespassing signs” on both sides of Fiero Truck Trail posted by the Red Lake Nation starting at Trapper Jim’s Corner (exactly 3.5 miles north of Pine Island Forest Road).

I suspect this is part of the dispute between the Red Lake Nation, the State of Minnesota and the federal government … mainly over Upper Red Lake which is 19 miles distant. I turned around at Trapper Jim’s Corner. Continuing north eventually allows a person to exit the wilderness towards Littlefork via County #77, but would be trespassing on posted tribal lands. Thankfully the first 3.5 miles includes the best birding habitat on Fiero Truck Trail. I realize ownership of this land is in dispute. However, given the popularity of this wilderness area, I wanted folks to be informed. I saw zero “no trespassing” signs anywhere else which included Toomey-Williams, Pine Island and the first 3.5 miles of Fiero Truck Trail.

This is the Google Maps Link to Trapper Jim’s Corner

Another Merganser Morning!

Year 13

For the past two weeks we had an amazing number of non stop house guests, including at various times all of my eight grandchildren. As the family tended not to get up till later in the morning, the nearby Lester River Ravine was a great birding getaway for me. It only took five minutes to reach the ravine, and I could spend quality birding time but still be home by 8:00 to 8:30 am. which was prime breakfast time. Before the Common Merganser Ducklings escaped to the big lake (Lake Superior), it was fun to watch them near the mouth of the river. These images are from ten days ago, and the youngsters were my primary focus. If I moved slowly and stayed low, Momma Merganser was willing to put up with my presence.

Common Merganser Ducklings (movie at end of images)

The Movie! (video link for email subscribers)

The same morning I was watching the mergansers, I found both a Red-Necked Grebe (somewhat rare for NE Minnesota) and an American Coot.

Morning Moose on Lake County 2

Year 13

This Cow Moose was the third moose I have seen in the past two mornings … two cows and one HUGE Bull Moose. Whereas the first two Moose only allowed for quick visits, this Cow let me watch her for over 40 minutes while breakfast was being served! The Yellow Flowers through which she was walking appropriately enough are named “Birdsfoot trefoil” … a member of the pea family of plants.

At one point the Cow Moose walked right towards me. While originally 30 yards distant. I had to back peddle and retreat across the road! See the video accompanying this post. Kind of felt like I belonged in Cicely, Alaska. (Northern Exposure Trailer)

Morning Moose in NE Minnesota

The Moose Movie! (video link for blog email subscribers)