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Thinner-necked and smaller-billed, while even showing a purplish sheen, these lesser scaup drakes seem more alert than greaters due to their high-headed look. Inset photo: Greater scaups appears more thick-necked and larger-billed, with a broader, more rounded head than lessers. The broad black "nail" is even evident on this drake's bill tip. Keith Corliss / Pioneer

Flight lines: Look-alike ducks present difficult, though not impossible, challenge.

There are groups of birds that stubbornly defy easy identification for beginners and experts alike. To some it's part of the appeal of the hobby. A dare, a challenge, from...

outdoors / flight lines Mon, May 13, 2013 - 1:31pm

This winter might very well be remembered for the irruption of two northern species, red crossbills and pine grosbeaks (pictured). Keith Corliss

Birding year in review: A look back at the notable sightings of 2012

Everyone seems to relish in the annual practice of reviewing the previous 12 months when late December rolls around. It's a nearly sacred rite in some media circles. In the...

outdoors Wed, Jan 02, 2013 - 12:00am

Blane Klemek column: Wild rice is one of Minnesota’s great gifts

By Blane Klemek Twenty-three years ago I canoed the upper Mississippi River for the first time. It was early October on a glorious blue-sky day with brightly colored fall foliage...

news / outdoors Fri, Sep 07, 2012 - 6:17pm

A pair of young blue herons climb branches for a better view of their territory in a small pond north of Bemidji. Monte Draper | Bemidji Pioneer

Young blue herons spotted near Bemidji

A pair of young blue herons climb branches for a better view of their territory in a small pond north of Bemidji. Monte Draper | Bemidji Pioneer

news / outdoors Fri, Aug 31, 2012 - 1:56am

Blane Klemek column: For birds, flocking serves dual purposes

One of the most interesting aspects of birds is their flocking behavior. Of course it isn’t just birds that flock; other animals also gather together in large numbers. Over the...

news / outdoors Fri, Aug 24, 2012 - 5:34pm

Blane Klemek column: ‘They’re there’: Find the ways to tell

Many years ago when I first wet a line in pursuit of stream trout on the Straight River near Park Rapids, I felt doubtful that a fish could be caught,...

news / outdoors Fri, Aug 17, 2012 - 9:59pm

These mute swans, present at the West Fargo lagoons on June 24, represent Cass County's first record of the species.

Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

Flight Lines: Eurasian species shows up, but is it welcome?

Mention the phrase "invasive species" in the presence of a biologist and she'll usually respond with elevated blood pressure, a knitted brow, and a less-than-friendly stare. And for good reason;...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Jul 04, 2012 - 12:00am

Somewhat camouflaged on a multi-colored granite rock is a painted lichen moth caterpillar. Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

Flight Lines: Little discoveries on the North Dakota prairie

"I doubt it." That was my answer to the question, "Do you think these caterpillars are eating lichens?" Sure there were quite a few of them crawling on the large...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Jun 20, 2012 - 12:00am

Joe Gregg, Horace, awaits an appearance from a rare Acadian Flycatcher near West Fargo along with other area birders. Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

Flight Lines: Elusive flycatcher found near West Fargo

Last Sunday I asked for a copy of North Dakota's most recent record of Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens); it soon arrived via email. In the dispassionate language of scientific data,...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Jun 06, 2012 - 12:00am

Very few records of Kentucky warbler exist for North Dakota. This one was discovered in Turtle River State Park, May 23, 2010. Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

Flight Lines: No mystery, now is the height of songbird migration

Dates are important. Always have been; just ask Julius Caesar about the Ides of March. Whether to recognize birthdays or anniversaries, or to memorialize an event for a specific reason...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, May 23, 2012 - 9:27am

Eastern phoebe can be identified by its dark head with no eye-ring, lack of wing-bars, a tail it habitually dips downward, and a voice announcing its own name. Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

Flight Lines: First flycatcher of spring defies convention

There is any number of ways we can divide birds into groups: Pelagic (oceangoing) vs. land-based, precocial vs. altricial young, cavity nesting vs. nest building, or perhaps vegetarian vs. flesh-eating...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, May 09, 2012 - 12:00am

This glaucous gull represents the first recorded appearance in Cass County. Photo submitted by Dean Riemer.

Flight Lines: West Fargoan adds species to county bird list

A 2006 poll conducted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service showed North Dakotans among the least likely Americans to be bird watchers on a per capita basis at 14...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Apr 25, 2012 - 12:00am

A number of raptor species have increased their presence within the boundaries of cities and towns over the last few decades including merlins, which now nest in West Fargo. Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

City-dwelling raptors no longer things of rarity

On the 18th of December, 1993, I saw my first merlin sitting in a tree in Fargo's industrial park. By then I had been birding for over 15 years and...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Apr 04, 2012 - 12:00am

A whitetail doe sneaks through the woods during a recent firearms deer opener. Tyler Shoberg / West Fargo Pioneer

N.D. Game & Fish notebook: Report shows 2011 deer season success was lowest in recent history

As expected, North Dakota deer hunters took fewer deer last fall than in previous years, according to harvest statistics recently finalized by the State Game and Fish Department. Slightly more...

outdoors Wed, Mar 28, 2012 - 12:00am

Ben Schwartz feeds one of a pair of greater roadrunners that shows up daily at his place near Tucson, Ariz. Keith Corliss / Forum Communications Co.

Flight Lines: Roadrunner very real, just not here

From the following list of cartoon birds, select the one with the specific real life counterpart and matching name: Big bird, Roadrunner, Woody Woodpecker, Daffy Duck, Woodstock, and Tweety. Woody...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Mar 21, 2012 - 12:00am

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