Before there was Sax-Zim Bog, there was the Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area (WMA)! Sax-Zim has gotten all the publicity over the past decade, but this WMA which is not too far from “The Bog” as the crow flies (or the Great Gray Owl) has a great combination of flatlands, wetlands and Boreal Forest. This used to be where birders in the know looked for Great Gray Owls. 320th Place Road off Aitkin County #18 was the “Admiral and McDavitt Roads” of Willowsippi (Google Maps link). In addition this WMA is only a few miles distant from the Mississippi River (think bird migration highways).

Three mornings ago I drove the 90 minutes over to this region for some birding. It was a fun and very birdy time. How else may one describe seeing 39 Sharp-Tailed Grouse? I need to find their LEK to watch some serious dancing this winter.

In addition, this Northern Shrike and its much bigger Bald Eagle friend were searching for a kill.

Give this area near Hill City a try! Coming from the Duluth area or Sax-Zim Bog you will even get to visit the “Catfish Capital of the World“!