Long Lake Conservation Center Homepage

Nature News from Long Lake

2006 Phenology

Brown Christmas... but a White New Year!!
12.30.06
Measurable snowfall at 4" to give a "white New Year"
12.27.06
3:00 pm. Eagle soaring across Hwy 210 one mile east of 169/210 split.
12.19.06
5:45 p.m. Red Fox across Hwy 3 & 5 intersection.
12.18.06
Not much snow left anywhere. Everyone looking for a White Christmas!
12:15 pm  Eagle on Hwy 210 near County Road 5.
12.16.06
7:00 pm  Barred Owl spotted in McGregor.
12.14.06
1:00 pm  Kestrel hunting off wires on the flats.
3:30 pm  Raining on students.
12.13.06
2:30 pm  Student found a blue-spotted salamander in Thicket game.
12.11.06
10:30 am  Pileated woodpecker seen outside of apartment – very large!
1:00 pm  40 degrees and sunny.
3:00 pm  Star-faced mole crawled along the sidewalk by the Lakeside Lab.
10:30 pm  5 skunks on County Road 88.  Raining.
12.10.06 
High of 45 degrees and sunny.  Snow almost gone.  Kids in shorts. Finches, Nuthatches, and Chickadees everywhere.
12.9.06
10 pm Several shooting stars while skating on the Long Lake ice.
12.7.06
Temp reached low of -8° F at LLCC (Windchill of -12). Aitkin reported -11° F.  Lakes froze.  Several portable fish houses spotted on lakes in the area.
12.4.06
7:30 am  1-2” snow cover, large flock of snow buntings on Hwy 5,
9:00 am  Pileated woodpecker in pine tree on Maddy Street (McGregor) 2 feet off ground.
Morning  Fox tracks along lakeshore below admin building at LLCC
12.3.06
11:30 am  Great Gray Owl spotted along County Rd 3 west of Palisade, MN.
6:30 pm  Halo around moon.
11.29.06
Am      Lake open 90%.
8:00 am  Otters playing on lake.
2:00 pm  Porcupine in trees along edge of pine forest.
2-4:00 pm  White throated sparrow in red pine plantation; Ruffed grouse and fox scat spotted in the bog.
11.28.06
Very Early am  LLCC has thunderstorm! Getting .41” of rain.
12:30 am Northern Lights shining.
11.18.06
4:00 pm  Adult red fox and 2 young fox playing below my tree stand while deer hunting near Fleming Lake.
11.15.06
4:45 pm Porcupine that lives in white pine in thicket by Alpha Trail came down from tree and lumbered across Alpha trail and up a hill; Observed by the "green" group.
11.14.06
3:15 pm 2 bald eagles fly low over archery field.
8:20 pm Stargazing group spots the ermine disappearing behind Ryan's house. Lots of preliminary shooting stars from the coming meteor shower.
11.13.06
Early am Overnight snow coats the ground and trees.
2:00 am Squirrel jumps down from tree behind students in thicket.
7:10 pm Bobcat on County Road 88!
11.11.06
11:00 am Bunny in yard at McGregor eating seeds.
11.09.06
5:40 pm Nice 8 point buck in ditch on Highway 5 waiting to cross east; very windy.
11.08.06
5:00 pm 1 day of "Indian Summer"; high of 61° F.
11.7.06
7:10 am Gray Jay stops off at feeder for a quick bite.
2:30 pm Porcupine on edge of red pine forest.
11.6.06
3:30 pm Ermine (all white with black tail) on archery/bog trail. Student group stopped to watch it... Awesome!
8:30 pm Geese fly over students on night hike (we hear their wings flapping - very low - couldn't see them - foggy out.
3:45 pm  White weasel (black tip tail) spotted from deer stand at Fleming Lake.. playing in the leaves and busy gathering.
4:30 pm   Fisher spotted from deer stand by Fleming Lake.  (NO DEER spotted from deer stand by Fleming Lake!)
11.4.06
4:15 pm 2 deer eating from the apartment bird feeder.
11.03.06
Lake is frozen over this morning. A lone mallard still down by the lake .. under the dock.
11.2.06
Canada Geese have moved on. A lone mallard is by the lake... possibly injured and waiting to heal before moving on.
11.1.06
9:00 am Whistling swans flying 4 miles N of Aitkin, over the Mississippi.
4:00 pm 3 Otters playing & having a bullhead snack near the beach.
10.31.06
6:30 am Wolf spotted on County Road 3 by Round Lake.
Noon 2 adult and 1 immature Bald Eagles on Highway 210/169.
Evening 2 Fishers spotted on Gun Lake Road about 1/4 mile apart.
10.30.06
morning - 5 swans on the lake... 2 large and 3 small (family??)
all day - Canada geese are still hangin around on the lake.
9:30 pm Barred Owl on County Rd 5.
10.29.06
12:30 pm Male Cardinal seen on feeder at Palisade.
Daytime Both kinds of Nuthatches on Pat's feeder at Aitkin.
1:00 pm Grouse in backyard at McGregor.
10.23.06
3 p.m. Gray jay and deer tick seen on Tree Farm Road.
10.22.06
afternoon Evening Grosbeak and red-bellied Woodpecker at feeder in Palisade.
10.21.06
3 p.m. 1 Sharp Shinned hawk hunting/migrating past Meagan's house.
10.20.06
Noon 1 water shrew on Townline Lake
2 p.m. Flock of 5 Show buntings on County Road 28.
Afternoon Red-winged balckbirds spotted at home in McGregor.
10.17.06
All Day Frogs everywhere on campus (many alive - 1 dead).
10.16.06
10:00 a.m. 1 fox sparrow, 15 cedar waxwings in tree eating crab apples. 15 robins, 1 red squirrel, and 1 tomcat spotted.
10.15.06
All Day 25 robins, 2 jays, 12 juncos, 2 doves, 1 fox sparrow at McGregor.
10.13.06
5:30 a.m. Trucks salting Hwy 210… in October!! (Friday the 13th).
10.12.06 
All Day  More snow, overnight low of 19 degrees.
10.10-11.06 
overnight  1st snowfall. Dusting on grass and roof.
10.9.06 
Morning Large group of Canada Geese on the lake.
9:15 a.m. 
Ryan & Todd saw 2 skunks and 1 red fox on County Road 5.
8:15 p.m.  Carol saw 2 skunks – 1 on County Rd 88 and 1 on County Road 5. Also saw a gray fox by Fleming Cemetery.
10.8.06 
11:00 a.m. Saw adult wolf on County 24, 10 miles north of Aitkin.
10.7.06 
1:30 & 4 pm  A bald eagle was seen over Long Lake.
10.6.06  
8:00 a.m.  Flock of robins feeding by North Star Lodge (at least 20).
1:00 p.m.  3 otters were playing in Long Lake
8:00 p.m.  3 beavers splashing at Erin and Tracy out in the canoe with the full moon.
10.3.06 
6:30 a.m. 1 extremely loud owl killing prey waking up 2 of 3 seasonal naturalists.
8:30 p.m.   2 large bald eagles on County Road 5 by Fleming Church.
10.2.06 
7:50 a.m. Medium porcupine in Director’s front yard.
9.30.06 
8:30 p.m.  2 deer spotted in the City of McGregor
10:00 a.m.   Blue jays, robins, grackles, & black squirrel in my yard. Box elder bugs & Asian beetles everywhere – swarms on my shed.
9.29.06 
5:00 pm  Sleet/frozen pellets falling from sky in Aitkin.
9.26.06 
8:10 am   Bald Eagle eating an unfortunate raccoon on Highway 5.
9.25.06
1 pm   Bald Eagle flying over the archery field.
??   6 Turkey Vultures eating something on County Road 5.

9.24.06 
Evening  Large doe with fawns crossed Highway 5 by County 88.
9.23-24.06  
LLCC receives over 1” of badly needed rain.
9.22.06
am    Weather is much cooler and wet this morning.  Rain in the forecast for the weekend.
9.21.06
a.m.  Frost on the windshields this morning.  A sure sign of cooler days ahead.
all day   A Canada Goose has joined the Richardson goose.  Both appear to be recovering from an illness or injury.  Both are now eating and walking around. Both are swimming in the lake. The Canada Goose does fly a short ways when approached by humans.  The two are sticking together.
??  4 raccoons visited the Seasonal Naturalist’s apartment’s back lawn.
9.20.06  a.m.  Meagan came into work smelling like “flowers”.
6:00 am  The 3 raccoons are back at climbing in and out of the garbage bins.
all Day   The Richardson Goose still hanging around. Looks as though it’s feeling better, but is not flying. It is going into the water briefly.  Seems to be trusting human approach a bit more today.
9.19.06 
a.m.  Richardson Goose hanging around the lake shore.  Appears to be hurt.
6:00 am   3 Raccoons climb in and out of garbage bins (very large ones).
9.16.06
a.m.   Raccoons seen at Roxannes home.
All week  Weather has been perfect all week in 70’s and clear.
9.15.06
4:01 p.m. Baby Snapper Turtle came ashore during canoe class when showing the "C" stroke. Student's attention momentarily diverted.
9.12.06
10.01 p.m. Pack of wolves howling at hte stars.
9.9.06
4:45 p.m. Three sandhill cranes in Rice Lake Refuge.
9.7.06
8:00 a.m. Three porcupines- 1 adult, 2 young - in a tree along the road near the archery area.
9.4.06
8:40 a.m. Male oriole at Meagan's house.
5:30 p.m. Ryan enhoyed the first of his sweet corn that he grew at LLCC.
9.2.06
Morning While camping on the North Shore by Silver Bay, saw a pine marten.
8.31.06
8:30 p.m. Director chased a raccoon up a tree by the shop.
Afternoon. Robins flocking up, 2 oven birds came to check out the new race course & a Cooper's Hawk came to check out the oven birds.
8.22.06
5:20 p.m. 15 common nighthawks blying over County Rd 28 near Meagan's house.
8.21.06
Afternoon. Tree #3 on "Mn Trees" (Red Maple) has a few red leaves. 3 Otters playing near swimming raft. 20 Canada geese near the beach.
8.18.06
8:00 a.m. Large otter spotted cruising Long Lake... looking for tasty bullheads.
8.9-14.06
Weasel "serial killer" at Meagan's house... 2 long tailed weasels decapitated and left on farm road.
8.14.06
7:40 a.m. Huge 10-point buck feeding in the ditch on Hwy. 210.
10:30 a.m. Snuck up on Stevie, the blind woodchuck, on the orienteering field.
6:00 p.m. Five rascally raccoons scampered around the bird feeder outside of the dining hall.
10:00 p.m. Cat & Errin heard a large animal (bear, buffalo, possibly an elephant) in the woods by the orienteering field. Cat & Errin ran away with the speed of 1000 cheetahs...
8.9.06
Sundews blooming on floating bog. Bladderwort and arrowhead is also blooming.
A hummingbird moth was in the butterfly garden.
8.8.06
Spotted mama blue heron with baby and two pairs of swans with one young baby.
8.7.06
7:40 a.m. Spotted "Osprey Jr" on Townline nest having a snack.
7.31.06
Afternoon. .75 inches of rain fell at Meagan's house by Aitkin.
7.26.06

A captive Cecropia caterpillar is spinning its cocoon.

7.25.06
Another day in the 90"s - trees and other flora showing effects of a drought - Rain is a must have!
07.24.06
2:30 p.m. Bat stuck in quiver #2 on the archery field.
daytime A phoebe flew into the lab after a month and sipped around trying to catch it while Pat and Ryan watched.
7.23.06
11:30 p.m. 2 Barred Owls talking outside window at Director's house.
7.17.06
7:30-8:00 p.m. 6 Great Blue Herons flocking in the oaks
7.11-13.06
River Trip. Tons of bald eagles - a nest with juvenile and adult. 3 softshell turtles, 1 huge man-eating snapper, lots of big northerns, redhorse suckers, and some bass. 4 does, one with 2 fawns, male kingbird sitting on nest made on snag branch in the middle of the river. Very hot and sunny. Deerflies really bad with gnat snowstorms. Also saw two yellow labradors (very cute).
7.12.06
7 a.m. Doe & fawn in the overflow parking at LLCC.
7.11.06
Spotted red fox across Highway 169 at mile marker 265.
7.10.06
8:30 a.m. Gray fox seen crossing LLCC road outside gate.
7.8.06
10:00 a.m. Fawn running across the LLCC campus.
7.6.06
Afternoon. Monarches from the hungry caterpillar group emerge from chrysalises.
7.1.06
Morning. Big storm blows down the osprey nest on Hwy 210. Mournful parents look on.
6.23.06
11:00 a.m. Cat & Errin saw a green tree frog down by the lake.
6.21.06
8:00 p.m. Pileated woodpecker in the tree behind the Marcum House.
6.20.06
7:45 a.m. Mama raccoon with 4 kids ran from the Director's house down to the lake.
6.15.06
9:00 a.m. 10 male Goldfinch at the feeder at one time.
3:00 p.m. Fledgling bluebirds out with their dad.
6.13.06
All day. Tons (too many to count) of Monarch caterpillars on the milkweed in the Butterfly Garden!
6.12.06
7:25 a.m. Doe and fawn in the wood lot.
10:00 a.m. Two Admiral butterflies froliking in my yard at Fleming Lake. A Yellow Swallowtail butterfly also spotted in the yard.
12:15 p.m. Young buck and young doe in the wood lot.
6.7.06
Afternoon. Cranberries blossoming in bog.
10 p.m. Lots of fireflies.
6.2.06
7:15 a.m. Snapping turtle laying eggs north of the luggage shed.
6.1.06
8:00 a.m. Nine different moths found at LLCC's Admin Building's entrance, including the Cecropia, Luna, IO, Rosy Maple, and several others.
Morning. Field students observe a snapping turtle in the woods.
Morning. Another group of Field students observed a Loon, a turtle, and minnows on the lake.
2:00 p.m. Beaver swam past Field students canoeing class about 15 feet from the shore, disrupting the naturalist's talk.
5.31.06
7:30 a.m. Loon relaxing on the lake near the shore.
5.30.06
9 a.m. Cecropia Moth spotted outside the shop.
11:40 a.m. Both Osprey parents feeding young on Townline nest.
3:00 p.m. Large snapper turtle on hill above Long Lake's beach.
5.29.06
Temps over the Memorial Day Weekend reached over 90 degrees.. up to 92 at LLCC.
5.26.06
8:00 a.m. Another Cecropia Moth on the Admin Building - newly emerged.
10:30 a.m. Bluebird in the tree outside the dining hall.
5.25.06
8:00 a.m. Cecropia Moth found on Admin Building - newly emerged from cocoon - getting ready to fly.
p.m. Bluebead Lily, Wild Strawberry, Canada Mayflower, and Wild Columbine blooming.
4:50 p.m. Pat & Field students came across a fawn lying in the greass near a trail by the Lava River on CCC.
5.24.06
2 p.m. Barred Owl spotted flying across County Rd 88 being harassed by two crows.
4:30 p.m. Monarchs are back!
5.22.06
4 p.m. Bluebird lands on rock in garden while I was weeding. 3 hawks soared overhead.
4 p.m. Fawn spotted - could hardly walk - in field along Hwy 210.
5.21.06
a.m. Starflowers are blooming.
a.m. Sharp-Shinned hawk on Hwy 210, Oriole in McGregor & 2 male grosbeak.
5.20.06
a.m. A male Indigo Bunting was at Pat's feeder (4 miles north of Aitkin) all morning.
5.18.06
8:10 a.m. Hummingbird visits feeder.
12:30 p.m. There are 2 Ospreys on hte Town Line nest.
Mom and Dad geese watch over 10 goslings at Hwy 169 peat plant.
5.15.06
7:15 a.m. Rose Breasted Grosbeak at Director's feeder.
7:50 a.m. Pair of geese with 5 little ones near oar house.
3:30 p.m. Tanager on feeder at dining hall.
5.11.06
5:00 a.m. 2 Barred Owls vocalizing loudly at Chris' house north of Aitkin.
6 p.m. Prothonotary warblers at Meagan's house.
5.10.06
Least flycatchers & orioles at Meagan's house.
Rose breasted grosbeaks at Pat's feeder; A bobolink was on fence on her yard.
5.08.06
Large bear spotted by staff while picking up along highway.
Nest of mallard eggs spotted while picking up along highway.
5.7.06
White capped sparrow, rose breasted grosbeak in McGregor. Also, pheasants and sandhill cranes.
5.6.06
7:30-9:00 a.m. Snow flurries fell on LLCC!
5.4.06
5:45 a.m. Bald Eagle soars over LLCC parking lot.
N. Aitkin County - Trillium in bloom.
5.3.06
Lake gauge at 2.28 inches after many days of rain.
Many butterflies out.. yellow and black swallow tail and Imperial.
5.2.06
Daytime. Pin cherries in bloom, pussy toes blooming in Meagan's yard.
8:30 a.m. Trumpeter swans; 1 adult, 1 immature on the lake all morning.
Daytime. Bald eagle and 2 Ospreys were fighting over nest on Hwy 210.
5.1.06
All Day. Been drizzly raining since 4.28.06 (4 days now!). Air is cooler.. low to mid 50's. ...Moisture was needed!!
Daytime. Marsh Marigolds in bloom.
11:30 a.m. A Meadowlark was on Hwy 169 near the flats.
5:45 p.m. Two Timber Wolves cross County Road 5 headed towards LLCC.
4.30.06
Daytime. Abby (Meagan's dog) flushes an American Bittern & gets her 1st porcupine quills in the nose. Very cute baby porky. Meagan discovered it was just fine after the canine encounter & got her 1st quills too!
4.28.06
6:49 a.m. A pair of Marsh Hawks sitting on County Rd 5 hunting; 1 brownish-red and 1 grey.
4.27.06
4:30 p.m. A baby painted turtle (last summer's newborn) was found on the beach; we placed it at the water's edge.
4.26.06
8 a.m. Pat saw 5 swans flying North of Aitkin.
4.25.06
Morning Pair of Goldfinches in Director's yard.
Afternoon Wood anemone have flower buds.
4.24.06
6:20 a.m. Grey tree frog calling at Meagan's house.
4-5 p.m. 1st LBO of 2006 - Dragonfly, damselfly nymphs, 2 crayfish, leeches, 1 red-tailed maggot and a baby snapping turtle.
8:45 p.m. Rival male woodcock comes in for a sparring match. Wolves howling off to the NE.
Daytime. Woods covered with a carpet of white blood root - County line N. Aitkin (Chris' house).
2:30 p.m. American Kestrel spotted along Hwy 5 in a tree in the ditch.
4.23.06
All Day. Director hears numberous Ruffed Grouse drumming while out.
4.22.06
Daytime. Dandelions blooming by staff apt.
4.20.06
7:30 a.m. Two Osprey on the Hwy 210 nest.
4.19.06
Morning Eagle flies over campus being chased by crows. Pair of Mallards and 1 Canada Goose on shore of lake. Aspen trees leafting out.
4.18.06
Evening. Killdeer at Pat's house N. of Aitkin.
4.17.06
Morning Loons on the lake. Phoebes are back. Hepatica blooming. Trailing Arbutus lushly growing. Morning Cloak flirting with Meagan and Lisa. Bumblebee loaded with pollen. Broadwing hawk calling and circling.
4.16.06
Morning. Timberwolf seen on Hwy 169.
4.15.06
Afternoon. Red maples blossoming. Wood duck on lake.
4.13.06
Afternoon. Wood frogs joined the chorus. Bluebird nest in box by Butterfly Garden.
4.12.06
4:45 p.m. Porcupine on trail behind Ryan's house.
7:00 p.m. Pussy Willows in full bloom by McGregor.
4.11.06
4:30 a.m. 60º outside! WOW!
1:00 p.m. Cock pheasant trying to cross 169 on flats.
2:30 p.m. Porcupine in white pine by road on the way to the bog.
8:00 p.m. Spring Peepers in full chorus behing NSL.
4.10.06
Day - Ice completely gone off Long Lake.
4.9.06
All Day Phoebes calling.
4:00 p.m. Western Chorus frogs calling in wetland behind Energy Center.
9:30 p.m. One Spring Peeper calling at Meagan's house.
4.8.06
7:30 a.m. Flock of 18-20 Rose-breasted Grossbeaks stopped by feeder at Fleming Lake.
8:45 p.m. Herd of 10-12 deer crossed the LLCC campus from Marcum House to the orienteering field and continued northwest across the road.
4.7.06
8:00 a.m. Kildeer at Meagan's house.
9:20 a.m. Osprey on nest at Townline Road.
4.6.06
7:04 a.m. 2 Loons calling & flying at Meagan's house.
10.00 a.m. Red fox encounters a pair of Canada Geese on the frozen lake. (Red fox retreats).
4.5.06
6:20 a.m. Kingfisher on Meagan's lake.
8:00 a.m. Woodcock is heard by the archery field.
8:15 a.m. Woodcock did the "Sky Dance".
6 p.m. 30+ white pelicans over County Rd 28 & Highway 210.
4.4.06
7:40 a.m. 2 pairs of common mergansers on Thorton Lake.
2:30 p.m. 4 Sandhill Cranes on Highway 169 by old peat plant field.
?? 2 V's of swans flew over Pat's house. Each V had 1 Canada Goose flying along in perfect formation.
2 p.m. Milbot's Tortoiseshell Butterfly on orienteering field.
4.3.06
8:00 a.m. Robins flocking & bluebirds singing at the archery field.
12:30 p.m. 5 swans on flats.
4.1.06
7:45 a.m. Great Blue Heron near intersection of Highway 169 & County Rd. 3. Gold finches - large flock for N. Aitkin County.
5:30 p.m. 19 Sandhill Cranes fly over while cooking off maple syrup. Got 1 quart from 1 tap!
Evening 2 dozen Evening Grossbeaks and a pair of Cardinals in Palisade.
3.31.06
7 p.m. Snow Owl on pole 3.5 miles N of Aitkin on County Rd 1.
8 p.m. Chorus of wood frogs heard at the pond by home at Fleming Lake.
3.30.06
6:30 a.m. Flicker feeds on peanut butter cake at feeding station.
6:45 a.m. Flock of Purple Finches - Several Junco's sighted.
7:45 a.m. Wooly Bear caterpillar behind dining hall.
11:15 a.m. Osprey flying near Crosby over a pit lake.
12:50 p.m. Bluebirds singing during wilderness meal.
2:33 p.m. Raven calling and flying over bog.
Afternoon Catkings on Birch trees. Wild starwberries sprouting.
9 p.m. Wood frogs on walkway near the brick wall.
3.29.06
5:20 a.m. Moth hatch - lots in truck head lights.
7:50 a.m. Saw a blackbird chasing an eagle by Wilkens & Fleming Lakes.
9:00 a.m. Purple finches at feeder.
5:00 p.m. Red winged blackbirds, red polls at feeder in McGregor. Many feral cats roaming town.
03.28.06
5:45 a.m. Large Gray Owl on post along Highway 3.
10:30 a.m. (2) Sandhill Cranes calling and flying over Meagan's house.
3.26.06
Daytime - Buds on Red Maples starting to swell.
5:50 a.m. (17) deer in field on Hwy 5, 3.5 miles N of LLCC.
7:45 a.m. Porcupine in a tree on LLCC road.
9:30 a.m. (6) Robins in Pam's yard in Palisade.
4:00 p.m. Bluebirds, bald eagle, and 3 deer spotted south of McGregor, 3 Robins in town.
3.25.06
all day - (6) chipmunks playing around the admin building and lab building.
8:30 a.m. Woodchuck digging around the pump house, then went under the deck at the schoolhouse.
3.24.06
2 p.m. Bluebirds, Robins, & Ratwings at Meagan's. Also 4.5 gallons of sap from 1 maple tree.
3.23.06
5:45 a.m. Barred Owl on post along Hwy 3. 5 Raccoons along Hwy 5.
7:08 a.m. Meagan chased a big woodchuck down her driveway.
Daytime - Around 50 swans by Onamia in the Rum River.
1:45 p.m. (4) swans in Moose River by Hwy 169 N.
3.22.06
Early a.m. - Staff spots 2 swans flying over campus.
3:30 p.m. (2) hawks in field on Hwy 5 flats; 1 Redtail and 1 Cooper.
3.21.06
4 p.m. (2) eagles soaring above the archery field.
3 p.m. Chipmunk running around.
3.20.06
Daytime - Antler buds on Buck (approx age >2 yrs) at Blind Lake in Aitkin.
Evening - Snowy Owl spotted flying over marsh patch by Fleming Lake.
3.18.06
11:00 a.m. One bluebird seen west of Aitkin.
3.17.06
Daytime - On Hwy 169 at start of flats, Timber Wolf seen at side of road.
7:30-7:45 am (2) Timber wolves seen crossing County Road 5 approximately 3.5 miles North of LLCC.
3.16.06
All Day Canada goose, bluejays, rabbits in McGregor.
7:30 a.m. A coyote was out hunting in a field North of Aitkin.
12:30 p.m. (4) Rough-legged Hawks flying over the Marcum House.
3.15.06
1:30 p.m. Bald Eagle seen circling over the North Star Lodge - Looking for a tasty 5th grader perhaps??... or looking for its nest?
3.13.06
5:58 p.m. Osprey flying over the flats.
3.12.06
Morning - A pair of Kestrels were seen 4 miles North of Aitkin.
3.11.06
Morning - Leigh saw flocks of geese over McGregor.
All Day Canada Goose on Meagan's lake (ice) & 2 male red-winged blackbirds, 1 male Robin, and 1 Morning Dove also spotted.
Afternoon Norhtern Harrier seen 4 miles North of Aitkin.
3 p.m. (6) Eagles fighting over a dead animal in a field North of Aitkin.
Evening - 1st Deer tick at Meagan's house.
3.10.06
Morning - Chipmunk sitting by the lab door.
3.9.06
Morning - Chipmunk seen by student near Marcum House.
daytime Goldfinches and chickadees all over my yard!
3.8.06
7:00 a.m. 15 deer feeding on the flats (Hwy 210 just east of Aitkin).
4:16 p.m. Heat Wave! 47º high.
daytime First mosquito of the season spotted.
3.7.06
10:30 a.m. Tons of snow fleas on roadside by Meagan's house.
7:30 p.m. 2 barred owls calling on CCC during Alpha Wolf.
3.6.06
8 a.m. A female snowy owl was on a telephone pole 4 miles N of Aitkin.
5:30 p.m. A snowy owl was on a pole on the flats (Hwy 210 east of Aitkin).
3.3.06
8:45 a.m. Snow owl on dirt pile north on County Road 5.
3.2.06
6:30 a.m. 3 whitetail deer on east sid eof Orienteering practice field & one grey squirrel b/h back down into deep kettle.
2.28.06
7:45 p.m. Wolves howling during Alpha Wolf.
2.25.06
12:30 p.m. A snow bunting is feeding with a small flock of horned larks ont he roadside of County Road 1, 4 miles north of Aitkin.
2.24.06
30-40 common redpolls at the dining hall feeder at LLCC.
2.22.06 (week of)
am and pm A female snowy owl is spotted at the intersection of County Roads 1 & 22, north of Aitkin.
2.22.06
7:00 a.m. Two timber wolves together on deer trail spotted south on Hwy 47.
2.21.06
8:30 a.m. Red fox plays with food and eats. Moves on for morning hunt by NSL.
2.20.06
A fox squirrel was at Pat's feeder.
2.18.06
Evening Doe, 2 fawns, and a LARGE buck spotted in the Director's yard.
2.17.06
7 a.m. - Very cold... -21º this morning...Brrrrrr!
2.15.06
early am - Overnight low of -10º
2.14.06
1 p.m. - 2 bald eagles in tree at mile marker 165 on Hwy 210... A Valentine's tryst??
2.12.06
all day - Again, Horned Lark on roadside 4 miles N of Aitkin on Co Rd 1. morning - "Reddy Red" fox by the director's house.
late afternoon - photographed birds at feeder by Fleming Lake .. Slate junco, bluejay (1-legged), male and female cardinals, red-bellied woodpecker, nuthatch and chickadees... and a few squirrels too!
2.11.06
all day - One Horned Lark on roadside 4 miles N of Aitkin on Co Rd 1. afternoon - 2 eagles on Hwy 210. Hawk owl on County Rd 5. Great Grey Owl spotted south of Pine River.
2.10.06
Mid-afternoon - Bald Eagle in tree near Hwy 169 near Aitkin School forest. Bald Eagle sitting on road edge on Hwy 210 approx 1 mile from County Rd 5 turn off.
2.9.06
10:45 am - Red squirrel chases gray squirrel away from the feeder.
2.8.06
overnight - minus 2 degrees low temp.
4:45 pm - Snowy owl perched on top of electric pole north of LLCC on County Road 5 (approx 2-1/2 miles).
5 p.m. - Starlings at hte feeder. Skunk in the yard.
2.7.06
3:30 pm - 6 sandhill cranes seen in field on Hwy 7 in the Isanti County Cambridge area.
9 am - Chickadees, red polls, sparrows, bluejays, at my feeder in McGregor.
2.5.06
Mid-afternoon - Fox caought vole next to staff apartment door. Played with vole - threw into the air, pounced, batted with paw, before finally eating the vole and moving on.
2.2.06
Early am - Fox spotted by North Star Lodge.
2.1.06
Overnight - 2-3 inches of fresh snow.
1.31.06
7:45-8:15 am - Wolves howling during Alpha.
1.27.06
Early am - Overnight low of 39º and 1/10th inch of rain fell overnight!!
5:00 am - 41º morning - Very little snow left.
1.26.06
Early am - Students saw the red fox near the Marcum House.
1:30 p.m. 44º at LLCC - Is this Minnesota in January??
2:30 p.m. 45º and mud! High for the day.
1.25.06
4:00 p.m. - Mouse seen near "snake" track. Mouse ran up student's leg; Hickory, Dickory, Dock!!
4:45 p.m. - Two deer venture into Director's yard checking out bird feeders.
1.24.06
9:00 p.m. - Fox seen by students near the front door of the North Star Lodge while coming in from Alpha Wolf.
1.23.06
7:50 a.m. - 13 Pine Grosbeaks at the Director's feeder.
1.22.06
All Day - Male Varied Thrush seen at LLCC campus.
1.20.06
Last 2 weeks - Varied Thrush seen several times at Dean's house north of Palisade.
a.m. - Red Fox seen curled up and sleeping on the snow near the ore house. Was viewed there for a couple of hours before he was awakended by sound and headed towards Ryan's house (Instructor Coordinator).
Daytime - Varied Thrush seen on the LLCC campus.
1.19.06
12:30 pm - Large eagle soared overhead of van while driving south on Hwy 5 just north of LLCC about 1 mile - got very close... pulled over to watch it fly over the wooded area to the west.
1:30 pm - Several pine grosbeaks at the feeder by the dining hall.
Daytime - LLCC receives fresh coating of snow - 2 to 3 inches.
Evening - Live wolf howls heard during Alpha Wolf program.
1.18.06
Morning - "Reddy Red," the red fox, visits the director's yard checking out the bird feeders.
1.17.06
6:10 am - 4 deer quickly crossed the road in front of me on County Rd 88 just before the entrance to LLCC. One stopped to look at me before continuing across.
1.13.06
8:30 am - Pine and Evening Grosbeaks are on the feeder by the dining hall.
1.12.06
7:50 am - Deer runs out in front of my car on Hwy 210.
11:00 am - Grey squirrel near feeders. Chickadees and bluejays spotted.
10:45 am - Downy woodpecker at the feeder.
1.11.06
7:20 am - Ruffed grouse walking along LLCC driveway.
11:00 am - 23 Starlings in yard at McGregor.
1.10.06
1:30 pm - "Reddy Red," LLCC's red fox, was spotted peering in the windows of hte dining hall doors.
1.9.06
8:00 am - Sun-Sun-Sun & blue sky! after 21 days of no sunshine. December 19th was last day of sun before today.
12:00 pm - A starling is at the bird feeder.
1.7.06
6:15 a.m. - Heard the loud wail of a screech owl at home by Fleming Lake.
1.3.06
Mid-Morning - Pine and Evening Grosbeaks at Director's feeder, adding color to the white snow.
Afternoon and Evening - Red fox beds down in front of Director's house providing several hours of fascinating viewing.
1.2.06
Daytime - Several bald eagles spotted in different locations along the way to Moose Lake.
All Day - Highs reach into the 30's again at LLCC... Very warm!
Day - Mourning doves were at Pat's feeder.
1.1.06
Morning - Pine and Evening Grosbeaks were at Director's feeder. Red fox walks through yard.
Long Lake Conservation Center
28952 438th Lane
Palisade, Minnesota 56469
1-800-450-5522

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