On my way up to a July Gunflint Trail area 10 day solo I stopped at the Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center just before Taconite Harbor. I asked some bird questions and was told I might enjoy the bird banding session they do every Thursday morning. I was exiting my trip on a Wednesday and staying in Grand Marais to re-orient to the modern world, so Thursday was a go with bird banding.

I knew they would be out there early so I bought a dozen donuts at the famous donut shop and headed down the road. The donuts were a hit and the banding was amazing. There were some very expert folks handling the birds and helpers recording data. They had such a busy morning that they collapsed the nets to catch up. American Redstarts, Tennessee Warblers, Chestnut-sided Warblers, Golden-winged Warblers, Cape May Warblers, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak(real biter) and many more.

As busy as they were they took the time to show me how they did their work and answer all my questions. They were working fast, but were still so gentle with the birds.
I had arrived at 7:30 and figured to stay for an hour. It was noon before I left. As they got caught up with the first flush of catches I help one of the volunteers go out and open the nets again.

From now on I will plan my canoe trip to make a Thursday banding session going or coming.

So, you've met Margie then.

Absolutely! We were too busy to talk owls at the time. What wonderful person. I learned a lot in those few hours at bird banding.

I’ve known her for many years. We have mutual friends at the Raptor Center and I’m a member of The North Shore Stewardship Association. I’ll probably see her at Hawk Ridge in Duluth in a couple of weeks.

Been to the banding a few times in June. Not as much action but a great experience.

There were a lot of juvenile warblers. Identifying them is a real highly skilled endeavor. There were lots of reference books on the table that I had never seen before. I've never seen so many Redstarts as I did on the north shore in July.