Birds of the Gunflint Trail

March 2, 2019

Text and photos by John Silliman
Gunflint Lodge Head Naturalist

It is hard to believe that we are already to the end of February. This day also marks the end of meteorological winter (December/January/February). I have spotted a fair number of bird species this month, and have spotted the first migratory bird of the year (the American crow) on the lower Gunflint Trail.  Here is a list of all the birds I have spotted on the Gunflint Trail.

1. American Crow (Lower Gunflint Trail)

2. Black-capped Chickadee

3. Blue Jay

4. Canada Jay

5. Common Raven

6. Common Redpoll

7. Downy Woodpecker

8. Hairy Woodpecker

9. Hoary Redpoll

10. Pileated Woodpecker

11. Pine Grosbeak

12. Pine Siskin

13. Red-breasted Nuthatch

14. White-breasted Nuthatch

We have other wild visitors at the Gunflint Nature Center feeders as well. Two of my favorites are the nocturnal flying squirrels, and the red squirrels we see during the day. I did not get any good pictures of the flying squirrels this month because the lighting was too dim, and it would be cruel to shine a flashlight or camera flash at an animal with such sensitive night vision.

However, I did get some fun pictures of the red squirrels. One of the pictures below is of a squirrel eating on the ground, and the other is one who managed to pry up the lid of one of hanging feeders, and squeeze inside. In case you are wondering, he managed to get out on his own as well.