Superior Experiences, a new series of guided adventures on the SHT that benefit the Trail, will debut on June 22 with a birding expedition in Beaver Bay, led by North Shore birders Jim and Sharon Lind. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to support the Trail and Association.
What to expect on this Experience: An exceptional guided hike in a prime birding destination with a post-hike lunch provided by Camp 61.
This will be a relatively slow-paced hike with a focus on seeing and hearing birds rather than covering a lot of miles. Depending on bird activity, the total length of the hike should be less than 2-3 miles and take 3-3.5 hours beginning at 9am. We hope to hear and see several species of warblers, flycatchers, thrushes, sparrows, woodpeckers and others. There are more than 20 warbler species that nest in the region, and we can expect to see species such as Magnolia Warbler, Canada Warbler, Northern Parula, and American Redstart. All of these nesting species are utilizing the explosion of insect life in the boreal forest in June, so be sure to bring your headnet and/or insect repellent! After the hike, you’ll be treated to a delicious lunch served by the Camp 61 Restaurant (one lunch entree per registrant included).
What: Beaver Bay Birding Experience — Guided Hike and Lunch
When: June 22, 2019 – 9am to 12:30pm (approximate finish time). Please plan to arrive by 8:45am.
Where: Meet at the Beaver Bay Trailhead. Directions: At Hwy. 61 milepost 51.1, turn left on Lake Co. Rd. 4 (Lax Lake Rd.) and go 0.8 miles to trailhead parking lot on right.
Please provide your own transportation to the trailhead and from the trailhead to Camp 61 for lunch. We recommend you sign up with a friend and carpool.
About Jim and Sharon Lind: The Linds have been active birders for more than 30 years and have worked on bird projects in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, Virginia and Maryland. For the past 20 years they have explored the Superior Hiking Trail, Lake County and the North Shore from their home in Two Harbors. Jim and Sharon participate in several volunteer and citizen science projects including Christmas Bird Counts, owl and woodcock surveys, bioblitzes, and dragonfly surveying. Jim is also a regional reviewer for the online bird database eBird.
About Camp 61: Located on Hwy 61 in Beaver Bay, Camp 61 is the oldest “new” restaurant on the North Shore. The original portion of the current building was built in 1937 and was operated as Lorntson’s Cafe’. Over the years it has been known as Berryman’s, the Half-way House, the Beaver Bay Inn, The Blue Heron Lounge, the Inn at Beaver Bay and since 2010 – Camp 61. Beyond the restaurant, Camp 61 operates a small lodge with eight guest rooms and one guest house. Learn more at: campsixtyone.com
A special thanks to Jim and Sharon Lind and Camp 61 for making this Superior Experience possible.
We hope you can join us! Click here to get registered for this experience. Please contact Jaron Cramer at [email protected] with any questions.
Stay tuned for more Superior Experiences coming soon!