Category Archives: Year 2

Weekend Naturalist at the Sax-Zim Bog Visitor Center

Year 2

I know everyone comes to the Sax-Zim Bog in hopes of seeing the ghost of the bog, the Great Gray Owl, and lots of owls were seen this weekend by visitors to the Bog, there are lots of other great winter birds which make birding the bog a delightful winter pastime. In was fun meeting everyone and trading birding tips and information during my weekend gig staffing the Sax-Zim Bog Visitor Center as a volunteer naturalist.  While I did not have the time I might have liked to look for owls, and other birds which would have required time away from the Center, during my commute from home, and at the center I found these birds! Enjoy winter … visit the Bog!

Turkey Time for Christmas (wild turkey flock at the corner of Overton and Arkola Rd)
Y2-M12-Sax-Zim-Wild-Turkey-Flock-1 Y2-M12-Sax-Zim-Wild-Turkey-Flock-2

———-

Seen at the Visitor Center (Pine Grosbeaks, Redpoll, Grey Jay)
Y2-M12-Sax-Zim-Pine-Grosbeaks-2 Y2-M12-Sax-Zim-Pine-Grosbeaks-1 Y2-M12-Sax-Zim-Pine-Grosbeaks-3-Snow-Beak Y2-M12-Sax-Zim-Red-Poll Y2-M12-Sax-Zim-Gray-Jay

Ski Birding … Back in Business!

Year 2

Over 1/2 foot of snow today! Still coming down. Set tracks up at my public bird feeders off Old Vermilion Trail (access map and ski trail data). I would have taken photographs, but a country work crew arrived as I was completing my ski. Good news! They are putting boulders at the entrance to my trails. Thus, no snowmobiles! They were happy to finally meet me … I am known as “squirrel man” because of my feeders. They also enjoy the birds!

On another note, try following Project Snowstorm this winter. It is a great organization which tracks Snowy Owls through a banding and radio transmitter system. Worth reading their latest blog post. The Snowy Owl apparently flew right over Duluth on the way from its summer range to wintering in central Wisconsin. Wonder if it is a snowy I saw a few weeks ago, and then could not relocated? Here is the map showing the route the Snowy Owl took.
Buena-Vista-June-6-2014

December Minnesota Birding News

Year 2

Two important items with respect to December birding news:

  • As of yesterday the Sax-Zim Bog Visitor Center opened for another season of winter birding. I’ll be working next weekend, December 19th and 20th as a volunteer naturalist. Hope to see you in the Bog!
  • Help out with this year’s Minnesota Christmas Bird Count. Openings across the state!

Finally, my Snowy Owl which I discovered on Friday, was banded sometime in the past two days. Found the same bird on the same exact roost, but now with a huge wing band and shoe polish on its head. Why? There must be better ways to band which do not disfigure the bird.

Sunday … Snowy Owl with wing band and shoe polish on head
Y2-M12-Spectre-Snowy-Owl-5-Banded

———-

Friday … Snowy Owl w/o band or head polish
Spectre-Snowy-Owl-1-Corral