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    December 6, 2017
    The American robin nest used in the process of fledging three young birds early in the summer is now exposed to deteriorating conditions. By Keith Corliss
    Flight Lines: When it comes to nesting, the sky's the limit
    It's empty now, exposed to the elements and slowly deteriorating. It's assuming the look of unkempt hair, messy, scraggly, loose pieces swaying...
    sports/outdoorsDecember 6, 2017 - 7:39am
    October 5, 2017
    Expecting a gray jay to visit a bird feeding station in Fargo-Moorhead is perhaps unrealistic. But one never knows. This bird is at a well-known suet feeding site in northern Minnesota's Sax-Zim Bog.
    To feed or not to feed
    Among the more frequent questions I get asked regarding birds is what and how to feed them. Before taking a look into this area, let's begin...
    sports/outdoorsOctober 5, 2017 - 5:08am
    August 31, 2017
    Further information confirmed this nest to be that of a dusky flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) some of us spotted recently in the Black Hills. By Keith Corliss.play button
    Flight Lines Audio: Flycatcher group presents challenge with
    Specialists come in just about any field of interest, from automobile racing-- Indy cars, stock cars, and sprint cars for instance—all...
    newsAugust 31, 2017 - 12:39pm
    August 2, 2017
    The Black Hills of South Dakota rise starkly above the surrounding plains and represent a meeting place for eastern and western bird species. By Keith Corliss
    Flightlines AUDIO: Black Hills is unique for many reasons
    That the Black Hills of South Dakota is a unique place is not lost on people around here. Most everyone I know has made the trek at one time...
    newsAugust 2, 2017 - 6:19am
    July 5, 2017
    Great blue herons are unmistakably large wading birds with S-shaped necks, white-topped heads, and robust, loon-like bills. Keith Corliss
    Flight Lines: The water giveth and it taketh away
    With a spare moment last week I decided to check on the only great blue heron nesting area that I am aware of in Cass County. A handful of miles...
    sports/outdoorsJuly 5, 2017 - 5:37am
    May 17, 2017
    Tiny piping plover tracks left in damp sand on an east coast beach will not be evident for long. Photo by Keith Corliss
    The sometimes subtle clues birds leave, including tracks
    As a young teenager I found and read a book about tracking animals. The idea that creatures leave prints, signs or some clue to their having...
    sports/outdoorsMay 17, 2017 - 11:50am
    April 26, 2017
    A bonus bird was encountered last week by the author in southeast Arizona's Ramsey Canyon. Flame-colored tanagers are not quite as rare as tufted flycatchers, but are uncommon nonetheless and even more visually appealing.By Keith Corliss
    Confessions of a traveling rarity chaser
    The count was 0- 2; I was deep in the hole. I had just swung wildly at the second pitch and come up empty. I stepped out of the batter's box,...
    lifestyleApril 26, 2017 - 10:18am
    March 22, 2017
    Its central breast spot, rust-colored eyeline, and bi-colored bill help separate this American tree sparrow from the similar chipping sparrow. By Keith Corliss
    Canadian bird heading back home for summer; Early spring means tree sparrows; Misnamed bird making an appearance
    There are Mexican jays and American crows so why can't our neighbors to the north be in possession of a goose? Instead, the possessive form of...
    sports/outdoorsMarch 22, 2017 - 6:51am
    March 8, 2017
    Long-tailed jaeger is a very rare bird in our area but a common spring and early summer visitor to Churchill, Manitoba. By Keith Corliss
    Oh the places I would go
    In my capacity as a professional aviator I end up flying to places all over. This fits quite well with my love of travel. There's also a huge...
    sports/outdoorsMarch 8, 2017 - 6:31am
    February 22, 2017
    A black-capped chickadee gathers nest material from a dead red squirrel. By Keith Corliss
    Assessing nature not always clear-cut
    The fact that red squirrels are major predators of songbirds in the eastern U.S. makes some people anthropomorphically uncomfortable. Those fun...
    sports/outdoorsFebruary 22, 2017 - 6:10am
    February 1, 2017
    Snow bunting (left) and horned lark are just two of 61 species tabulated on New Year's Day in North Dakota and submitted to eBird. Photo by Keith Corliss.
    Personal journeys now shared on website
    A funny thing happened on New Year's Day. Oh sure, a lot of people woke up with foggy heads after a long night of end-of-year revelry to see...
    sports/outdoorsFebruary 1, 2017 - 7:04am
    January 4, 2017
    Flight lines: Staying connected with birds and those who watch them
    Like it or not, the digital media cloth has been inextricably woven into our cultural fabric. These days, anyone who is anyone has a Facebook...
    sports/outdoorsJanuary 4, 2017 - 6:23am
    December 21, 2016
    A rough-legged hawk--a high Arctic nesting bird--sits warming itself in the sun near the Fargo landfill last Saturday. It was one of eight seen during the Fargo-Moorhead Christmas Bird Count. By Keith Corliss.
    Flight Lines: Difficult conditions don't stop local bird count; local birders take part in hemisphere-wide census
    I can only imagine the thoughts bouncing around in Mr. Chapman's mind as the holidays drew nearer every year during the latter part of the 19th...
    sports/outdoorsDecember 21, 2016 - 6:11am
    November 9, 2016
    Large round eyes add to the eerie sense of unease humans often attribute to owls.
    Nocturnal bird a rich source of lore
    Twice in the last 10 days I've heard from friends telling me of their encounters with owls in the dark. Neither one actually saw the animals,...
    sports/outdoorsNovember 9, 2016 - 6:00am
    October 26, 2016
    The invasion of the Eurasiaon collared-dove has taken place since Janssen's book, Birds in Minnesota, was published and so doesn't get a mention in it. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer
    Flight Lines: Ranges not static, never have been
    There is a mistake commonly committed by birdwatchers of all stripes, particularly those just starting out. That is treating the species range...
    sports/outdoorsOctober 26, 2016 - 5:27am
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