Are there seagulls in the Great Lakes?

[jennifat]

Originally Posted by cheese plate

Isn't it crazy? I've seen a couple great snowy owls in northern WI over the last year, apparently they've re-appeared in the area as well. Bald eagles used to be a "wow" moment, but now I see multiples on every trip all across the region. A tagged mountain lion was confirmed about 5 miles from a cabin I spend time in every year in northern WI. A great thing. You ever see sandhill cranes there? WI did a big restoration deal and now they are sighted commonly. I know they've started filling in places in MN and the UP as well. Impressive birds.

Not sure about sandhill cranes since they look so similar to herons and egrets (which are ubiquitous in Minnesota). They're probably around here, too.

Snowy and great horned owls are making a big comeback here in MN – there was a story about a snowy owl last winter in the north metro who would perch on windowsills and watch pets inside peoples' homes. Creeped out a lot of people, to say the least!

[cheese plate]

Nah, you'd know them - we have herons and egrets here, and sandhill cranes still stand out quite a bit. There was an intensive in-state program, and outside isolated spots, they are only in Canada and then a swoosh down to Wisconsin through the UP and covering a chunk of N MN. Just haven't heard that they're out there in numbers yet, but I'd guess it'll be soon:



They're 4 ft+ tall and make a really weird call. Very dinosaur-like. Looks like some are summering west of Detroit, too.

Side note: hear about those fools going over the waterfall in MN near the border? Yesterday, I think.