We had an excellent crew and witnessed 57 species of birds during our four-day adventure. Owing to the early spring, the season was more advanced than the birding seminars in earlier years. Leaves were emerging, as were black flies, but birds were still visible and bugs? never more than a friendly nuisance. Showers for the most part held back until we were snug in our sleeping bags.
A Black-throated Blue Warbler, and once again, Barred Owls right in our camp were just two of the highlights. We saw a lot of evidence of Moose this year, but alas, none of the big brutes showed themselves. There were great moments with Merlins, Bald Eagles, and Gnat Catchers.
If you are like I was a decade ago, you might visit the BWCA in search of Walleye or in hopes of seeing bear, moose or wolf, and even measure the success of a journey on whether you checked off those guys. Seeking out birds, could open a whole new dimension to your journey. It has for me. Believe me spying a male Blackburnian Warbler in spring plumage is every bit the thrill watching a rutting moose thrash through a willow patch.
Rob Kesselring
Uncommonseminars.com
rob@robkesselring.com
