ALWAYS IN SEASON
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Three chicken-like species make a birding hat trick 
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The other day, I had a hat trick, but not at the rink. It happened on the road. I was on my way to Bismarck for the opening of the Legislature, and I saw three species of chicken-like birds.
By Mike Jacobs , January 13, 2013
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Local bird counters find record number of species
This year’s round of Christmas bird counts produced both delight and disappointment — but more delight than disappointment.
The Grand Forks count took place Dec. 16 and produced 65 speci
By Mike Jacobs , December 30, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: The blue jay: Insouciance embodied
When it comes to describing blue jays, quite a few words come to mind. This is because the blue jay projects contradictory images.
By Mike Jacobs , December 16, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Red River Valley hosts a variety of owl species
The owls are freighted with folklore. The ancient Greeks thought them wise, the Old Testament regarded them as unclean. Many cultures regard them as portending misfortune, even death. Harry Potter finds them magical. We in the Red River Valley often think of them as signs of approaching bad weather.
By Mike Jacobs , December 09, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Collared doves conquer the continent
Probably no species has conquered North America more quickly than the Eurasian collared dove.
By Mike Jacobs , December 02, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: What does the eagle see?
The turkey is the bird usually associated with Thanksgiving, of course, but in my mind, the holiday is linked with the bald eagle.
By Mike Jacobs , November 25, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Early winter brings unusual bird sightings
Last week brought the expected and the not so likely in the bird world.
The first snowy owls of the season showed up, right on time. Most years, these birds are here by mid-November. So far, reports are encouraging, and it could be a good year for snowy owls.
By Mike Jacobs , November 18, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Unpredictable redpolls show up early
Jacobs ponders an early surge in the redpoll population.
By Mike Jacobs , November 11, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Comfort birds or ill omens? Robins play both roles
My partner says robins are “comfort birds,” but I’m here to tell a different story.
By Mike Jacobs , October 28, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Birds have an uncanny knack for turning up as anticipated
It’s uncanny how often a bird shows up soon after someone mentions it to me, and quite often when I simply think of the bird myself. Sometimes I think the birds are sending out brainwaves, subtly invading my consciousness.
By Mike Jacobs , October 21, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Red-tailed hawks come in many variations
A couple of weeks ago, I confessed confusing a red-tailed hawk for a goshawk, another raptor. But goshawks and redtails are not particularly closely related nor very similar in appearance or habits.
By Mike Jacobs , October 14, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: What if you gave a bird walk and nobody came?
No people showed up at a bird walk I was supposed to lead a week ago Friday, but the birds came anyway.
By Mike Jacobs , October 07, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: The challenge and wonder of cranes
Cranes are extraordinary birds, and they come freighted with millennia of accumulated lore. This is cultural, even spiritual.
By Mike Jacobs , September 30, 2012
MIKE JACOBS/ALWAYS IN SEASON: Early guess proves wrong in bird identification
Mary J. Gust thought it was an eagle at first, but when the bird turned, she noticed bright white legs and a spotted belly. These field marks led to a tentative identification: Red-tailed hawk.
By Mike Jacobs , September 23, 2012
ALWAYS IN SEASON: Movement of birds remains a mystery
Perhaps invasion is too strong a term, because it implies malevolent intent. Nevertheless, it is the word that scientists use to describe what’s going on. The species in question is the red crossbill. Its invasion may be abetted by its close relative, the white-winged crossbill.
By Mike Jacobs , September 09, 2012
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