It is time for some “Northwoods Birding Notes”. Many of these notes apply for anyone who travels the Northland’s roads.

1. Winter Emergency Kit: When the unexpected happens, it is unexpected. Be prepared! My parents always required me to carry emergency supplies in the car. Although my parents are no longer around to enforce this rule, I still listen to them. My kit has very warm clothes, a blanket, a car towing cable, and a battery charger plus jumper cables. On my person I carry an extra set of car keys (even folks with AutoStart / Push-button tell me this is a good idea). Remember, the temperature in northern Minnesota will drop well below zero. These items can be life saving.
2. Keep your car or truck’s gas tank above 1/2 full
3. Dress warmly even in the car: When birding in the winter, I often cruise slowly with the windows down. If your car gets to warm given your heavy clothes, just turn the heat down! When outside, wool socks and long underwear are your friends!

Now some actual bird notes …

1. I saw my first Pine Grosbeaks of the winter season yesterday morning at the Greenwood Bird Feeders! It was only three birds. There are huge flocks of Redpolls, but not at the feeders.
2. Crossbills are everywhere this winter. I am seeing a much larger number of white-winged rather than red. Once again, the crossbills are not visiting feeders.
3. Great Gray Owl numbers appear to be very good. In the last week I have seen six unique Great Gray Owls, and only one was located in Sax-Zim Bog. In addition, the Sax-Zim owl was no where near the popular Bog roads. Another neat feature is my owl sightings have been scattered across NE Minnesota
4. I saw a Snowy Owl last Sunday … in November! Given how horrible last year was for Snowy Owls, I am hopeful for this winter’s birding season.
5. Super Cool … let me repeat … Super Cool!!! The Friends of Sax-Zim Bog’s Welcome Center now have a live bird feeder cam! (daily hours). I will be volunteering all day at the Welcome Center on Friday the 13th of December. Stop by to say hello. I will make the 13th your lucky day!
   • Sax-Zim Bog Bird Feeder Cam (cam link for email subscribers)

And a few pics …

Playing Peek-a-Boo with the Sax-Zim Bog Great Gray Owl

White-Winged Crossbills enjoying some pine cones near my home … female and male.