This afternoon I talked to some birders from Colorado at Lighthouse Point in Two Harbors, who said they saw 21 Great Gray Owls flying UP the shore across Agate Bay yesterday evening. This was very surprising to hear, since just 12 days ago, on January 3, at least 16 Great Grays were seen flying DOWN the shore (southwest) over Lighthouse Point and Agate Bay, with many more birds seen in subsequent days flying over the treetops in and near Duluth, all headed southwest. Large numbers of Great Grays have subsequently been seen in Carlton, Pine, and Aitkin counties in MN, and Douglas Co. in WI.
So this evening Sharon and I went to Lighthouse Point from 4:55 to 6:00 pm, and we counted 27 Great Gray Owls flying northeast across Agate Bay and up the shore. Many were seen perched in the treetops at the crest of Port City Hill on the western shore of Agate Bay, then flying over the bay and over our heads. This was really an amazing thing to see. With the bitter cold of the last few days, and 10" of additional snow on the North Shore Wednesday, it is hard to imagine why birds would suddenly be moving north. I have heard recent reports from people in Cook County who continue to see Great Grays along the shore, and I assumed these were birds continuing to head south from Canada. It seems too early for birds to be headed back to breeding areas, but who knows? I know where I'll be tomorrow night. Jim Lind Two Harbors
