The Sax-Zim Bog Visitor Center staff and volunteers met today up at the Bog in preparation for another year of winter birding. However, given the temperatures in the 40’s and minimal snow on the ground, it didn’t feel much like winter.

Most of us birded on the way to and from the bog, and the birds definitely were accommodating. Two Great Gray Owls were spotted. The first GGO’s was seen a bit south of Overton Rd on Owl Avenue around 9:30 am, while the second GGO was seen around 3:00 pm on rt 133 just west of hwy #7.

In addition, gray jays and pine grosbeaks are already visiting the feeders at the Visitor Center, and on the way home Frank and I saw many bald eagles, ruffed grouse and sharp-tailed grouse in addition to the GGO.

The Friends of Sax-Zim Bog look forward to having you visit both the Bog and the Visitor Center this winter. We open for the season this Saturday, December 12th at 10:00 am. Here are a couple of my photographs from this afternoon.

Great Gray Owl

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Sharp-Tailed Grouse