Happy Holidays 2005

12.28.05

10:20 a.m. Robin spotted in a tree along County Rd 88.

12.27.05

10 a.m. Two cardinals spotted on bird feeder by Fleming Lake.. male and female. Chased away by a bluejay.

Afternoon - Muskrat spotted on the ice below the office.

12.22.05

Last 24 hrs: High of 41° on the 22^nd, overnight low of 33° with rain of .07”.

12.19.05

8:10 a.m. Three ruffed grouse huddled under the schoolhouse; low of -7 degrees overnight.

12.14.05

7:10 a.m. Two students saw a red fox near the path by the flagpole.

12.13.05

Afternoon During wilderness meal, saw several voles running around.

12.10.05

Mid-morning Red forx crossed rock wall outside staff apartment.

12.08.05

9:40 a.m. 30 homosapiens laying on backs in snow moving arms and legs back and forth.

11:00 a.m. Large bald eagle soaring over County Road 5.

1:00 p.m. 25 cedar waxwings eating apples in my tree at McGregor.

Early Eve 4 Pine Grosbeaks and 4 Evening Grosbeaks at the Director's bird feeder.

12.07.05

3:15 p.m. Saw a fox urinate quickly in the woods during a lake hike.

12.06.05

7:50 a.m. Sundogs at sunrise and bald eagle over County Road 5.

12.02.05

4:00 p.m. A shrike was in a bush 2 miles north of Aitkin.

Afternoon Large group of Evening Grosbeaks at the Director's feeder.

12.01.05

8:00 a.m. Snowshoe hare was in Pat's front yard during the night.

11:45 a.m. Cardinal at Sally's bird feeder - Blind Lake north of Aitkin.

11.29.05

a.m. Snow! about 3 inches at LLCC.

11.28.05

6:00 a.m. Rain - Road wet - all day rain. Turned to snow by evening.

5:45 a.m. Skunk in front of dining hall - seen by two - smelled by ALL!

11.26.05

8:30 a.m. Lake has thick ice.

11.22.05

3:30 p.m. An ermine crossed Pat's dirt road - all in white now.

11.21.05

10:00 a.m. Redheaded woodpecker visits suet feeder at LLCC.

11.17.05

overnight Low of 5º, lake completely iced over (very thin).

a.m.? Male northern harrier seen hovering over a field on County Road 5.

11.16.05

5:00 a.m. 17º, very winding day. Icy, slippery on highways in the am hours.

11.15.05

9:00 p.m. Rain all day; turned to snow.

11.14.05

7:30 a.m. Director's wife/kids see gray fox in yard hunting mice.

Evening Grosbeaks on dining hall bird feeder.

11.13.05

morning 1st snow of season at LLCC - the ground is white!

11.11.05

Juvenile Loon still on Meagan's lake.

11.10.05

8:00 a.m. Pond completely froze over in yard by home at Fleming Lake.

11.09.05

11:15 pm STMA staff scare 3 deer under the volleyball net.

11:30 pm STMA staff scare 5 deer on the orienteering field.

9:30 p.m. Muskrat in Instructor Coordinator's window well.

11.08.05

5:30 am Foggy again. Temp 38º Humidity 99%

7:50 am Large red fox spotted at the gate to LLCC - had a nice winter coat started.

Afternoon Snowy Owl seen on Ditchbank Road near Aitkin.

11.07.05

5:00 am Very foggy. Temp 40º Humidity 95%

all afternoon - Otter playing in hte lake. High of 57º

11.03.05

6:30 am Loons still calling.

11.02.05

4:45 pm Male cardinal on Meagan's bird feeder.

11.01.05

7:45 am Snow buntings outside Aitkin.

10.29.05

10:20 pm Big "ugly" bug flew into dining hall. (To the Buffalo Crafters: This bug has been identified as a water bug called "Eastern Toe Biter" or more commonly, an "Electric Light Bug".)

10.27.05

10:30 am Pileated woodpecker on downed tree by North Star Lodge. also noted a thin film of ice on the small ponds.

10.26.05

7:35 am Large red fox on County Rd 88 by entrance to LLCC.

4:15 pm A very small red squirrel (looked young) was in a tree by the schoolhouse.

10.25.05

6:00 am Hard frost. LLCC ground is white.

9:20 am Coyotes out; one hunting in driveway ditch.

11:30 am Porcupine spotted in tree on LLCC land on Co Rd 88.

3:00 pm A beaver swimming on the south side of the lake.

10.24.05

5:30 am 2 swans on Hill River on Hwy #169.

4:50 pm Sharped tail grouse feeding on pine tree by Chris' house North Aitkin County.

10.21.05

10:30 am Snow buntings are back on Hwy #5.

10.20.05

9:00 am 10-15 woodducks in small pond by parking lot.

9:15 am 2 large bald eagles in trees along Hwy #210.

10.12.05

7:15 am Saw large fluffy timberwolf on County Rd 4.

10.11.05

am Saw gray fox in McGregor.

am Saw red fox along Hwy 210.

10.07.05

6:00 am LLCC has 1st hard frost at 26º.

10.06.05

Very cold and windy. Low 31º and high at 45º.

12:30 pm Kids on the Wilderness Meal saw a fox cross the orienteering field. (also spotted on the beach below hte office building in the morning).

10.05.05

am 16" snow reported at Bismarck, ND; 10" rain in the twin cities. 2.66" rain at LLCC.

10.04.05

5:00-5:40 am Lots of roadkill along Hwy 169: 3 raccoons, 2 skunks, 1 porcupine, and 1 deer (not good!)

5:45 am Large skunk with 2 young by the LLCC gate.

10.03.05

6:45 am Large flock of geese on Long Lake.

11:30 am Large eagle in tree on Hwy 210.

10.02.05

1:00 pm Large eagle feeding on road kill (deer) on Hwy 169.

10.01.05

7:30 am Large gathering of Canada Geese on Long Lake..Looks like a convention!!

all day Fall colors out in full force! Not as colorful as last year, probably due to the dryer weather this summer.

09.28.05

11:30 am Junco's return - tree behind North Star Lodge - Big flock.

09.27.05

10:30 pm 2 - 8-point bucks by Meagan's house.

09.26.05

7:10 am Red fox hunting by school house to office then off to lab.

9:45 am Owl and deer in dining hall parking lot.

09.23.05

6:30 am First frost on hte flats, also on dining hall and Marcum House roofs.

09.14.05

7:30 am 4-pt buck spotted on orienteering field.

09.13.05

Early am Canada geese raising a "ruckus" on the lake.

Afternoon. Hundreds of imperial butterfly passing through at LLCC.

1:35 pm Imperial butterfly cluster on side of garage - several dozen huddled together.

09.11.05

4 pm Tons of flickers and white throated sparrows at Savanna Portage State Park.

5 pm 2 loons in winter plumage spotted. Young fox travels through director's yard going all the way around the house.

09.09.05

12:45 pm Director spotted large bald eagle eating on deer on County Rd 5 by old rice paddies.

09.08.05

9:45 Pileated woodpecker on tree outside dining hall window.

Monarch caterpillars are still found on the milkweed leaves.

09.07.05

All day Green winged teals at Rice Lake.

Late night Badger crossing Highway 65.

09.06.05

The maple tree leaves are turning red in front of Long Lake already.

Noon Snapping turtle nest in front of dining hall hatched.

08.27.05

2:00 pm. The Townline Road osprey nest has 4 ospreys flying; 2 adults & 2 young.

08.24.05

6:20 am. Two bucks on CR 28; one with 6 points and the other would have 4 points, but is missing the right antler.

08.23.05

6-6:30 am. Huge male beaver eating an aspen on Meagan's driveway. Sumac & aspen leaves turning along CR 28. Amazing, beautiful sunrise over the lakes on MN 210 - steam coming off lakes. Last night's low was 42º at my house and 34º in Aitkin.

08.21.05

Noon Very cool today. 65 degrees at Noon. Last several days have been cooler than normal.  Feels like fall has arrived early!

Evening. Young red fox spotted in Director's yard.

08.16.05

a.m. Caterpillar transforming to chrysalis stage and hanging from the house siding, eaves, and patio furniture at home on Fleming Lake.

08.14.05

a.m. Counted 46 monarch caterpillars on the milkweed in front of home on Fleming Lake.

08.13.05

2:15 p.m. 3 pairs of adult loons on Hill Lake; 2 pair with twins and 1 pair with only 1 young.

08.12.05

10 p.m. Persied meteor shower was awesome!

08.06.05

A mother raccoon with 3 young were spotted along Highway 5 about 1/2 mile N. of LLCC's road.

08.03.05

Strong thunderstorms with lightning and measureable rainfall in Aitkin. Cooled the air nicely.

08.02.05

5:45 a.m. Red fox crosses Long Lake's road.

Several days of over 90 degree temps outside.

07.30.05

a.m. 12-15 Canada geese spotted on shore of Long Lake. Molt is over. Geese and ducks are flying again. (spotted again on 08.01.05)

p.m. 2 fawns outside director's kitchen window.

07.29.05

a.m. Young bluebirds have fledged from nestbox over butterfly garden.

07.27.05

5:30 a.m. Temp outside is 43 degrees.

Noon Three Monarch butterflies "playing" in the Butterfly Garden at LLCC.

?? It's official! Chester the woodchuckl has made his home in the rocks behind the intern's apartment. He spends all day eating the clover and playing in the rocks!

3:00 p.m. Bluebirds observed picking raspberries and taking them to the nest.

07.26.05

3:00 p.m. Large Purple Fringed Orchid in full bloom. - N. Aitkin County line.

07.24.05

12:30 p.m. Chester, the baby woodchuck, was hanging out in the rocks by the Intern's apartment. He's gotten so big!

07.22.05

5:40 p.m. Barred owl perched on branch on LLCC road.

7:35 a.m. Four whitetail deer on LLCC road.

9:45 a.m. Doe with 3 babies along Highway 5.

1-3:30 p.m. "Billy Jean", the loon, kept Justing and Erin company while they were out in the rowboat supervising canoeing.

07.19.05

Early a.m. Doe with 2 fawn on LLCC road (County Road 88)

3:20 p.m. Badger spotted on dirt road off Highway 169 N.

5:35 p.m. Merlins have fledge their 3 young. Rooster face to face with baby... Mom didn't like the meeting.

07.18.05

Daytime After about 6 days above 90º, a relief of cool weather and a low 70º reading.

Afternoon Deer flies very aggressive and pesty. Difficult to work outside with them near the woods edge.

Evening Chicory are in full bloom.

07.17.05

4:00 p.m. Picked another quart of raspberries near Fleming Lake. Very large berries this year and stillshow new berries coming in.

Dusk: 2 tiny fawns (Starsky & Hutch) were spotted eating grass outside the Intern's apartment.

Early Eve: 2 young bucks spotted by the compost bins nibbling grass.

07.12.05

3:00 p.m. Blueberries are ripe. Picked 3 qts in 40 minutes. Very nice this year.

5:50 p.m. Cooper Hawk teaching babies how to hunt chickens.

07.11.05

5:26 a.m. Least Bittern sighted on side of road Highway 169, 2 miles from Highway 3 turn.

7:00 p.m. Picked another quart of wild raspberries in woods at home near Fleming Lake. Very abundant and ripe; fall off bushes while picking. There are still many un-ripened berries on the the bushes.

07.10.05

Noon 4 fledged phoebes were in the Marcum House parking lot, sitting on various objects; must have just come out of hte nest.

Morning - Several adult Monarch butterflies spotted in my yard at Fleming Lake.

07.09.05

11-Noon - 3 large woodcocks spooked while walking around lake.

07.08.05

3:30 p.m. Ospray w/2 young nesting by James Bay on Hill Lake.

07.07.05

5:45 a.m. Doe with set of fawns on Highway 5. Beaver sighting and beaver lodge sighting at far end of the lake.

07.05.05

Two days of sunshine in a row! 2X yeah!!

Picked 1 quart of wild raspberries in the woods at my home near Fleming Lake. Raspberries are more abundant and larger this year. Wild strawberries also found in smaller quantity. Strawberries are very small but sweet.

07.04.05

Sunshine all day! Yeah!!

07.02.05

Woodchuck hole near canoe area.

Loon at far end of the lake.

07.01.05

a.m. The waxwings moved elsewhere.

Crow young'uns have fledged.

06.30.05

Monarch larvae are on the milkweed plants in the buterfly garden. The wild milkweeds seem to have quite a few larvae.

06.28.05

11:30 p.m. A large Barred Owl was swooping back and forth across the parking lot under the light chasing a large moth.

Midday: Cedar waxwings are starting to build a nest in an oak tree at the top of the schoolhouse driveway.

p.m. Bluebirds are nesting by the Butterfly Garden.

06.18.05

4:00 p.m. 3 painted turtles seen laying eggs in the yard of a hom near Fleming Lake.

06.16.05

3:10 p.m. Director sees female Ruffed Grouse and 4 chicks on County Rd 88 inside Center land.

06.15.05

8:30 a.m. Female Woodcock and 4 young spotted on edge of Highway 210 between Aitkin and Deerwood.

06.07.05

8:30 a.m. Red fox spotted again in the Director’s yard, headed for the woodpile.

06.06.05

12:30 p.m. Everyone at lunch saw a red fox outside the staff room window.
2-5 p.m. Meagan and Pat checked the POS course on the lake (full sun, light breeze: tough job!) In bloom: Labrador Tea; Buckbean; Bullhead Lily, Iris; Pitcher Plant; Blue Flag; Bog Laurel. Heard singing: Redstart Wren, Kingbird, Verry, Least Flycatcher. Coolest find: a huge (6’ or more in length) Snotweed tuber at least 5” diameter – looked like a palm tree trunk! Also saw a hooded Merganser with 8-9 tiny ducklings.

4:30 p.m. On County Road 1, saw 20 Sandhill Crane.

06.03.05

Bluebirds and swallows have invaded the birdhouses all over campus.

06.02.05

1:00 p.m. A large painted turtle (Steve) was trying to crawl along the path to get to the dining hall for some of the cooks excellent food.

4:00 p.m. Blooming in the bog: Labrador tea; false Lily of the Valley; Big Laurel; Cottongrass; Moccasin flower. Dean has seen at least 6 baby woodchucks behind the EL. Swallowtails (yellow) are on campus.

06.01.05

7:30 a.m. Big Black Bear spotted 2 miles N. of McGregor.

05.31.05

7:00 p.m. Indigo Bunting and male Cardinal at Director’s birdfeeders.

05.26.05

11:00 a.m. Baby painted turtle (Galactor) was caught near beach.

5:00 p.m. Loon watching Bog class come in for dinner.

05.25.05

7 p.m. Mallard and dozen babies cross Gun Lake Road.

05.23.05

9:00 a.m. Mama goose with 4 young ones on Long Lake.

6:30 p.m. Monarch butterfly on Meagan’s lilacs.

8:00 p.m. Common Nighthawks over Thornton Lake.

05.20.05

5:30 p.m. Fox spotted running through woods and across road near Britt’s house.

05.19.05

6:00 p.m. Ruby Throated Hummingbird checks out interns and Millie building a campfire.

05.17.05

5:10 a.m. 2 swans on Moose River along Highway 169.

05.14.05

All Day. 2 large beavers (1 in road & 1 in lake), 1 large porcupine, 3 bald eagles, 1 fox, and several deer spotted on way to and from the headwaters of the Mississippi.

05.11.05

All Day. Oriole nesting in my back yard in McGregor. Swallow setting up residence in my birdhouse. Rose-breasted grosbeak visits feeder.

05.10.05

First fawn of season that I’ve seen along Highway 5.

Early AM. Loon accompanied parent chaperone on swimming length of Long Lake. Cold!!

Morning. Baltimore Orioles on Oranges SW of Aitkin.

Evening. Pileated Woodpecker by dining hall.

Early PM. Hummingbird at Oriole feeder at Director’s house.

05.09.05

Trilliums, Bloodroot-Marsh Marigolds, all in bloom in N. Aitkin County.

05.03.05

5:10 p.m. 2 swans, 1.5 miles south of Hill City on Hwy 169 on small pond.

5:45 a.m. 42 deer in 2 fields along Hwy 5.

04.27.05

2:35 p.m. 2 Eagles, talons locked, doing a free-fall, before hitting the ground, letting go, one flying to the right and one flying to the left, straight up. Then started the sky dance all over again. Watched for 10 minutes or more on US Hwy 169 and MN 18.

Noon Large Otter spotted headed over to Long Lake through the Director’s yard.

Evening. Ruffed Grouse drumming.

04.26.05

All Day. It is snowing at LLCC! White stuff!

All Day. It is Fall, Winter, and Spring all at once. Snow, rain, sleet, sun.. depends on the minute.

04.14.05

8 a.m. Loons calling back and forth from surrounding lakes.

04.13.05

8:30 a.m. Pair of Herons fly over dining hall.

04.12.05

Eagle seen during “Scoop on Poop.”

8:30 p.m. Teacher finds deer skull while watching for Woodcock.

04.10.05

Loon on Turner Lake. Meadowlark on Pat’s road.

Peepers and bullfrogs very loud in swamp in northern Aitkin County

5 p.m. Carrion beetles have found deer carcass and are setting up shop.

04.08.05

7:00 a.m. Sandhill cranes fly over County 5.

8:00-9:00am. Director on trip to Grand Rapids saw:

a pair of Sharptail Grouse in full court along Cty. Rd. 5,

a pair of Trumpeter Swans along Hwy. 169 south of Swatara,

three Bald Eagles gathered around the fishing hole on a lake, and

three Great Grays along Hwy.169.

04.07.05

Swans overhead. Bufflehead pair on lake. Rowing beetles. Bluebirds. Millions

of robins – they’re taking over!!

7:45 a.m. Great Gray Owl spotted near Co. Road 5 north of LLCC.

8:00 a.m. Bluebird seen on campus.

Noon. Both ospreys are on the Town Line Rd. nest.

PM. Wood frogs and spring peepers (a few). Wood frogs and chorus frogs

singing at Pat’s.

8:20 p.m. Woodcock up near the archery area.

04.06.05

8:30 a.m. Bald eagle calling behind dining hall.

10:00 a.m. A pair of killdeer were 4 miles north of Aitkin.

10:00 p.m. Wood frogs are singing near Pat’s house.

04.05.05

7:00 a.m. Otter near lake level gauge on Long Lake.

9:30 a.m. Da bog hike group spots a star-nosed mole swimming in the moat

around the bog.

4:45 p.m. Bog kids spook a bald eagle sitting on the otter hole.

7:00 p.m. Pair of bluebirds spotted near Garrison.

04.04.05

10:00 a.m. A phoebe calling near the office. A bald eagle is patrolling the

lake openings and picking through otter leavings (partially-eaten bullheads).

Daytime. “Owly” spotted on Roxy’s thicket (resident Great Gray still on

campus).

Kingfisher near Pat’s house. A flicker seen on County 5.

04.03.05

2:35 p.m. Badger in den in northern Aitkin County.

7:00 p.m. Two Great Gray Owls spotted hunting in fields near Aitkin. Female

PM – Barred owls are calling to each other.

Northern Harriers are back. Pussy willows are opening.

04.02.05

3:45 p.m. Great blue heron spotted.

04.01.05

5:30 p.m. Two Bald Eagles flying over the lake. One stays to feed at an open

hole on Long Lake all weekend.

03.30.05

9:00 a.m. First thunderstorm (brief) of spring, a duck was in field 3 mi.

north of Aitkin.

2:30 p.m. 2 Trumpeter swans and several geese in flooded field along Hwy.

169 north by old peat plant.

03.29.05

4:30 a.m. Flocks of Geese over house.

7:00 a.m. Redwing blackbirds are on the flats. A Meadowlark was seen just

north of Aitkin. A dead Groundhog on roadside north of Aitkin.

Robins are back in northern Aitkin County, north side of Hill Lake near Chris'

house.

3:00 p.m. High of 66º, snow is going fast. High temp. of 70º at LLCC.

8:00 p.m. Fox crosses Highway 18 in headlights.

03.28.05

6:30 a.m. Robin singing at Pat’s house. Great Gray owls still around as well

as Hawk owls.

03.25.05

11:30 a.m. Robin spotted at Co. Road 5 & 88 intersection.

Sometime between 03.25.05 and 03.28.05

Connie, LLCC’s largest snake, passed away. She will be missed.

03.23.05

4:45 p.m. A mosquito on leg of naturalist during frog pond activity.

03.21.05

The resident Great Gray Owl stayed next to dining hall all day (minimum 9:30

to 3:30).

Snowfleas all over the bog.

Most of the north side of lake is snowless.

03.19.05

2:00 p.m. A male Northern Harrier just north of Aitkin, cruising a field. An

Osprey was back, near the Mississippi, about 1/2 mile from the Townline

road.

11:00 a.m. Canada goose flew over Pat’s house.

03.17.05

5:30 a.m. Bald Eagle on Co. RD 88 half way to LLCC.

03.16.05

A.M. Beautiful snowfall in the early a.m. It’s beginning to look a lot like

Christmas!

6:45 a.m. A coyote was out in the middle of a field, oblivious to cars,

pouncing on mice (Co. Road 1 north of Aitkin).

2:30 p.m. Great Gray Owls still around, counted 10 in 15 mile drive on Co.

RD 5 & 3 and Highway 169.

4:40 p.m. Great Gray Owls sitting on 438th LN sign at intersection of Co.

RDs 88 & 5.

03.15.05

6:30 a.m. Otter on Rice River northeast of Aitkin. Counted 18 Great Gray

Owls on the way to LLCC.

03.14.05

5:50 a.m. Large Bald Eagle sitting on burnt stump by LLCC gate.

2:30 p.m. Wooly bear caterpillar (?) found on snow…alive!

3:45 p.m. Grouse on bog trail.

4:00 p.m. Great Gray Owl on Long Lake (& everywhere else).

03.12.05

9:00 a.m. Large Great Gray Owl on edge of Long Lake.

03.11.05

7:00 a.m. Greeted by a Woodpecker tapping upon coming out of North Star

Lodge.

03.10.05

A.M. 4” snowfall at LLCC

8:15 a.m. A Rough-legged hawk was on a pole north of Aitkin County.

2:30 p.m. Large Great Gray Owl in Director’s front yard.

3:15 p.m. Bald Eagle perched in tree behind mailbox on Co.RD 5.

03.09.05

4:50 p.m. Raccoon crosses County Road 5.

6:30 p.m. Nine deer on County Road 88

03.08.05

5:30 a.m. Falling star in the northwest sky.

5:35 a.m. Large Snowshoe hare plays chicken on Hwy. 169 in northern Aitkin

County (mile marker 272). He lives!

4:45 p.m. Bald Eagle feasting on deer carcass very close to the intersection

of Co. roads 5 & 88.

03.07.05

10:00 a.m. Chipmunk dashed under Administration building. Is it the same

one Todd saw on the 1st? It most likely is.

03.05.05

A.M. Horned larks alongside County Road 1 north of Aitkin.

03.04.05

3:30 p.m. Two Bald Eagles on County Road 3 perched at the very top of a

tree.

03.03.05

6:45 a.m. Red Fox scoping out owl. Fox was sliding down hill.

03.01.05

A.m. Great Gray Owl hanging around campus. Visiting students were able to

observe it.

Todd sees first chipmunk.

11:45 a.m. Did you see the Bald Eagle soaring majestically over LLCC? I did!

02.27.05

11:00 a.m. Goldfinch at Pat’s north of Aitkin.

02.25.05

3:30 p.m. Bald Eagle flew alongside car for about 100 feet. God Bless

America!!

02.22.05

5:30 p.m. Large doe & yearling at bird feeder by Intern apartment.

02.21.05

5:30 p.m. wolf tracks following deer trail near southwest bog.

02.19.05

12:30 p.m. Two timber wolves cross Co. Rd. 5 in front of Leigh's car.

02.17.05

6:30 a.m. Parents see Great Gray owl in front of North Star Lodge. 2:15 p.m.

three Hawk owls on Co. Rd. 5, one Great Gray owl on Co. Rd. 3 & two Great

Gray owls 10 miles north of County Line Road.

02.16.05

12:30 p.m. Pat watched a Shrike hunting on her road. 4:50 p.m. A doe &

yearling on Co. Rd. 88.

02.15.05

10:30 p.m. Bobcat on Hwy. 169 halfway between Palisade & Hill City.

02.14.05

9:00 a.m. Six Great Gray owls seen on 5 between 210 and LLCC road. Large

number of starlings seen on Pat's road. 10:00 a.m. 11 Great Gray owls

spotted on Hwy. 65 from Hwy. 232 to McGregor.

02.12.05

9:30 a.m. Shrike seen sitting in a bush four miles north of Aitkin. Eagle seen

sitting high in a dead tree.

02.11.05

9:30 a.m. - 5:00p.m. Barred owl seen sitting in a birch tree at Chris' house in

northern Aitkin County.

02.10.05

4:30 p.m. Great Gray owl spotted sitting on a tree stump outside of LLCC

North Star Lodge. Students, chaperones & LLCC interns watch Great Gray

owl make a kill.

02.06.05

4:30 p.m. Five Great Gray owls seen on 210 in McGregor.

02.05.05

3:00 p.m. Grouse seen on side of the road in McGregor/Lawler.

02.03.05

9:15 p.m. a raccoon was seen on County 3 road west of Palisade.

02.02.05

9:00 a.m. Six deer beds spotted while snowshoeing in red pine forest off red

trail behind North Star Lodge. Several piles of deer scat found around deer

beds.

02.01.05

8:45 p.m. Small wolf pack answers student during alpha wolf activity.

01.28.05

8:30 a.m. Twenty Great Gray Owls off County Road 5.

01.27.05

7:45 a.m. Nine great gray owls between Aitkin and Long Lake.

01.24.05

7:45 to 8:00 a.m. Nine great gray owls are easily visible along ten miles of

Hwy 210 and Co. Rd. 5.

8:30 a.m. An otter has located a hole in the lake ice and is popping up

through it while fishing. Have the weak spots in the ice been created by

bullheads, or does the otter have an auger?

12 p.m. On Justin's trip to Aitkin, he spots: 4 great grays, 3 deer, and 1 Kiki.

01.23.05

Millie and her husband spot a tourist who came all the way from Montana. . .

to visit northern Minnesota. . . in January. . . to see owls.

01.21.05

Afternoon and evening: Another beautiful snow storm drops about six inches

of new snow. Blizzard conditions are threatened in southwestern and central

Minnesota.

01.20.05

During the day, many great gray owls are spotted by the staff. One is

roosting just outside Long Lake's campus, along Co. Rd. 88. Four were seen

between Long Lake and Palisade; four or five were seen between Long Lake

and Aitkin.

Pat and her snowshoeing group see a great gray owl while snowshoeing

north of the lake.

01.19.05

2:35 p.m. Light snow. Spotted four barred owls and two great grays.

One great gray owl feeding on prey, 5 miles south of Co. Rd. 18 on Hwy 169.

01.18.05

Wait, can we go back to 15 below and sunny? Temperatures hit double digits

above zero for the first time since Jan. 14, but blustery, gusting winds

and snow make for a chilling day.

12:30 p.m. Great gray owl in tree, then on fencepost, along Co. Rd. 5.

01.17.05

8 a.m. A raven perched behind the dining hall has frosty whiskers.

8:30 a.m. Cold morning hits rock-bottom at -30 degrees F.

2:30 p.m. A great gray owl on a fencepost along Co. Rd. 5.

4:30 p.m. Three great gray owls perched near the Fleming Lake access, Co.

Rd. 5.

Pat takes a birding trip to Co. Rd. 18 north of Palisade, and sees 41 great

gray owls! Only one hawk owl.

Daily high is -3 degrees.

More northern lights tonight, blues and greens.

01.16.05

-27 degrees last night. That's better.

3:30 p.m. A great gray owl and a barred owl along Co. Rd. 5, near Fleming

Lake.

3:45 p.m. A shrike is perched on the point of a branch along Hwy 169, by the

flats northeast of Aitkin.

In the heat of the day, the temperature reaches zero degrees.

Northern lights are spectacular.

01.15.05

The overnight low was not quite what the weather gurus were predicting: only

22 degrees below zero.

10 a.m. A white tail crosses Long Lake.

01.12.05

11 to 11:45 a.m. 13 great gray owls, 1 deer, and a barred owl along Hwy 65

to Jacobson.

Chickadees are singing their "cheese-bur-ger" song. Spring is on the way?

Six inches of lovely new snow falls during the day.

01.11.05

2:15 to 3:15 p.m. Three barred owls, one great gray owl, two eagles, one

broadwing hawk, and a grouse, all along Co. Rd. 5, Co. Rd. 3, and Hwy 169.

01.09.05

A quick afternoon snow shower leaves nearly 4 inches of snow at Long Lake.

The better to ski upon!

01.06.05

2:45 p.m. A grouse hits the Dining Hall window and dies.

01.05.05

Twenty deer, along Co. Rd. 5.

Millie sees great gray owls on his way to work.

01.04.05

Otter, grouse, and fisher tracks on Pine Point by the floating bog, east end of

Long Lake.

01.03.05

In the fresh snow: Mink tracks along the lakeshore, retreating under the

upturned rowboat.

Fisher tracks near the south bog.

01.02.05

8:30 a.m. Two great gray owls on telephone poles along Co. Rd. 3.

9:45 a.m. Large red fox spotted digging in the snow on a field along Co.

Rd. 3.

01.01.05

Four inches of new snowfall at Long Lake! Yay for cross country skiing!

More owls along Hwy 169 between Aitkin and Grand Rapids.