Swans

Minnesota has some unique opportunities to see some very special birds in the winter. You don’t have to be an expert birder to find them; these birds are there for the viewing.

Swans in MonticelloAlthough trumpeter swans generally migrate, hundreds of these magnificent birds winter along the Mississippi River at Monticello, northwest of Minneapolis off I-94, where the release of warm water from a power plant keeps the river unfrozen. Trumpeter swans are the largest waterfowl in North America, over three feet tall with a wingspan of about seven feet. All white, with a black bill, they are elegantly beautiful.

The swans are an impressive sight, and can be viewed from a small park along the river in a residential neighborhood in Monticello. Best viewing is mid-November through February. The Monticello chamber website provides interesting information about the swans, directions to the viewing site, and information on where to eat while you’re in town and even where you can buy swan merchandise; you can print out a brochure with all this information.

More info: monticellochamber.com, 763-295-2700

Eagles in Wabasha

National Eagle Center, Wabasha

The waters of the Mississippi River stay ice-free at Wabasha, and this draws a large concentration of bald eagles here for the winter. In fact, eagles can be seen here year-round, both in the wild and at the National Eagle Center, which has three resident eagles-Angel, Harriet and Columbia. The center, which moved into a striking new facility at the river’s edge in downtown Wabasha, offers exhibits and naturalist programs focusing on eagles.

From the center’s observation deck, or indoors through its tall windows, visitors can watch for eagles diving for fish or perched in branches of trees along the river. There are spotting scopes and binoculars available for up-close viewing. On March 7-9, the “Soar with the Eagles” weekend includes speakers, kids’ activities and motorcoach tours to other eagle-viewing sites. Wabasha is about 75 miles southeast of St. Paul.

More info: nationaleaglecenter.org, 877-332-4537

Owls in Houston

There’s a mystique about owls, in part because they’re active at night and not commonly seen by most of us. An annual weekend program at the Houston Nature Center in southeast Minnesota lets folks get up close and personal with owls. The unique Festival of Owls, Feb. 29-Mar. 2 this year, draws folks from far afield for the chance to see and learn about owls.

At the Friday evening banquet, visitors will meet Alice, the great horned owl, injured when she fell from the nest years ago, who makes regular appearances at the nature center’s programs. The program also includes a talk on great horned owls. On Saturday, there will be live owl programs, owl nest-box building, hands-on owl displays, a kids’ owl hooting contest and other kids’ activities, and an “owl prowl” to call for owls in the wild. You can also register to participate in owl photo sessions on Sunday. Houston is about 25 miles south of Winona.

More info: festivalofowls.com, 507-896-4668

Posted by James Riemermann / Birding Report and Winter and Winter Articles