Minnesota B&B Blog » Birding

Hummingbird Headquarters

embracingpines — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:57:58 +0000

The hummingbirds are at their entertaining finest! They are here to entertain you while you are enjoying your breakfast on the deck. You will not disturb them and they will allow you to photograph them, however, they will not sit still and smile!

They are waiting for you at Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast where you will find a place to relax in the woods…..on the river……across the road from the Paul Bunyan Bike Trail!

St Croix Valley Bird Banding and Snowshoeing

Pam Thorsen — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:42:38 +0000

Bird banders at Carpenter St Croix Valley Nature Center in Hastings meet weekly to capture, record, band and release songbirds. Friday December 17th (8:30 AM to noon), the public is invited to watch. There is no admission fee but it is nice to call ahead (651-437-4359) to let them know you are coming. Donations of black oil sunflower seeds are especially welcomed this time of year. The tiny redbreasted nuthatch is a winter specialty at Carpenter’s and quite fun to watch as well as a variety of woodpeckers, the purple finch, white-winged crossbill and the American goldfinch and dark eyed junco. Trails and interpretive exhibits are open daily and a self guided trail map is avaialable. Guests of Classic Rosewood in Hastings and Afton House in Afton enjoy the trails even in the winter when snowshoe rental is available. Nearby is Afton State Park with snow shoe rental ($6) as well as groomed cross country trails.

Bird Banding

Pam Thorsen — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 05:47:59 +0000

See songbirds up close and watch the experts band birds at Carpenter Nature Center near Hastings Classic Rosewood Inn. This happens the fourth Friday of every month except December when it is the third Friday( 8:30 AM to noon). Bird banding records show how long birds live, where they travel, and when they migrate. Donations of black oil sunflower seeds and suet are welcome. Any guests of Rosewood who donate $50 or more or products to the Nature Center will receive a $50 gift certificate toward a future stay. They just need a receipt from Carpenter’s for their donation.

Paul Bunyan Bike Trail Opening

embracingpines — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:04:10 +0000

The work is finally done and the signs are up! That Paul Bunyan Trail is ready to ride.

: The entire trail opens May 29

The last link of the Paul Bunyan Trail will be open for riding for the Memorial Day weekend. The long awaited completion of this trail has finally arrived. You will find Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast on the trail and open for business with the new shuttle service that is available. The shuttle will be able to pick up your belongings and move them to the next destination, or if you are wanting to ride out and be brought back, or taken out and ride home that can all be done. Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast is very near the crossroads of the Heartland Trail and the Paul Bunyan Trail, so you will be able to ride out 4 different directions without riding the same part of the trail any direction. We serve a great breakfast, and treats when you return from your ride. We will try to accommodate your plan.

Paul Bunyan Trail, Opening Soon

embracingpines — Thu, 20 May 2010 06:45:00 +0000

This is the last of the pavement being carefully smoothed as the Paul Bunyan Trail nears its completion near Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast near Walker, MN. There are signs to post and edges to smooth, and we will have the long awaited opening of this trail. Watch here for the lastest news. Anticipated opening is scheduled for June 1……..stay tuned!

Birding on the Gunflint Trail

bct — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:14:50 +0000

Lee Foster, Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B’s birding guide- Darrell and Kay Phillips, from the Chicago area. had booked a birding package Gunflint Trail’s Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B and were looking to add to their birding life lists. I told them that great birding was to be had right here on the B&B property and that appealed to them so we arranged to go out at 7am to catch some of the morning song activity. I suggested an area along Poplar Creek, which is literally within throwing distance of the B&B.

Right as we headed out on our tour we encountered the Northern Waterthrush, a warbler even though it is called a Thrush. It has none of the bright color other warblers have, but does have streaks on it’s breast, and an eye stripe similar to some Warblers. The Thrushes, excluding the Robin, usually have a spotted breast and an orbital (eye) ring. The next bird we added to their lists was the Northern Parula, also a warbler. In addition to these birds we saw Yellow Rumped Warblers, Magnolia Warblers, American Redstarts, Pine Siskens, Nuthatches, Purple Finches, some ducks and even a Bald Eagle that was being closely pursued by a crow. Darrell was fond of Winter Wrens and although we could hear them around, we couldn’t spot one in the foliage.

Note- While Lee hails from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, he has spent several years working on the Gunflint Trail. This is Lee’s second summer, working as Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B’s naturalist/bird guide. .

Hummingbird Fledglings are out!

bct — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:56:14 +0000

The little hummers are out and attempting to gather the postion that they all want in the contest for the title of ‘Ruler of the Most Feeders’! It is so fun to watch them think that they are the Big Tut! null
The eaglets are growing like crazy. We have 2 this year. We have seen them attempt to fly. It is interesting to watch them try to fly but still chirping to the parents. null
Lucy, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, has been to the breeder. We will know in about 2 weeks if she is going to have a blessed event. She isn’t telling!!!
The late summer perennials are blooming. It seems to be the orange, yellow, purple, and blue stage. The hummingbirds are sure taking advantage of these delicacies.
Whether you are interested in watching the birds, canoeing the river, playing with the Cavalier, biking, or just sitting on the deck just listening to the sounds, you are welcome to do so at Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast We’ll take the phone outside with us so that we don’t miss your call! See you soon! >

BandB and Birds

bct — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:36:11 +0000

The orioles and rose-breasted grosbeaks are back at our feeders. This seems unusual since we remember them coming up the flyway in May and heading back much later. Does this mean that winter will be coming early?!

Whatever the season, here at The River Nest we have plenty of birds for you to see while sitting on your deck, taking a hike, riding your bike, and/or enjoying a Mississippi River backwater birding tour with Big River Adventures.

Maybe those orioles and grosbeaks will be here to help us co-host!

Bill and Carol Dunn, Innkeepers
The River Nest Bed and Breakfast

A mile upriver from Wabasha at:
20073 County Road 77
Reads Landing, MN 55968

651-560-4077
bcdunn@wabasha.net >

New Birding Package at The River Nest

bct — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:01:09 +0000

Now, in addition to all the birds you can see from your suite at The River Nest in Reads Landing, you can take a two-hour guided jon boat tour through the Mississippi River backwaters.

Come enjoy the river from your suite, treat yourself to our “no one ever leaves hungry” breakfast, then join Big River Adventures for their Backwater Jon Boat Tour.

Call The River Nest for package pricing. >

The Hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles are here 2008

bct — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:09:59 +0000

The very first of the hummingbirds logged in yesterday. I have had the feeders out since May 1st, but I guess that they have been holding out for a warmer climate. I am on the way out to add more feeders to the two that I have currently offering the syrup. I will add until we have full flowers for them or I can keep up with the syrup. It increased last year to 1 gallon per day, in addition to the 7 perennial gardens with offerings for them.
The Baltimore Orioles signed in on Tuesday, and the grape jelly is already the hot item on their menu.
You can see these and many more of our feathered friends at Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast
Come visit ‘all of us’! They will join you on the deck for breakfast! >