Tag Archives: MN Central

Boreal Forest Bog Tour

Year 10, ,

As noted with yesterday’s post about Surf City USA on Lake Superior, the weather up here in the Northland has been horrible. During these super poor birding conditions, I often go exploring. Sometimes I find my explorations have really bad potential (like yesterday NW of Sax-Zim Bog), but occasionally I find routes where the habitat looks grand even if I don’t see many birds. Two days ago I explored over toward Aitkin and a Boreal Forest Bog Area which Kim Eckert describes in his Birder’s Guide to Minnesota. Before Sax-Zim Bog became famous, this was where folks went in search of Great Gray Owls … County 18 and Pietz’s Road. Obviously I had to first get over to the area, and my mapped route travels along Boreal Forest Bog (County Rd #8) and the Mississippi River  (Great River Road / Hwy 10). In better conditions, I suspect this could be a very good bird outing. One could shorten the drive from the Duluth area a bit by taking US #2, but I have never seen much along the stretch from Hwy 53 to Floodwood. Regardless, here is my map.

I have seen a few birds over the past week, but the pickings have been poor.

Wet Birds (Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Ruffed Grouse, Bald Eagle, Spruce Grouse)

Western Grebes Dancing!

Year 9

Have you ever seen Western Grebes Dancing? If not, or you would just like to see this great spectacle once again, I have personally arranged a tour conducted by the locals on Lake Osakis (west central Minnesota … Osakis, Minnesota). For years the Grebes have danced as they courted on Lake Osakis. While there is no charge to take the boat tour (an 11 passenger pontoon boat), a donation to the Alexandria Area Let’s Go Fishing organization is HIGHLY encouraged! There is NO guarantee the Grebes will dance for us, but we will be visiting during the window when mating normally occurs.

You MUST contact me by email ASAP, and the spots are on a first come, first serve basis. My email address is RichardHoeg{at sign}GMail.com. You should be able to figure the email address out, but automated webbots cannot!

Basic details (specific details provided upon confirmation):

  • Wednesday, May 25th at 9:30 am on Lake Osakis (meet at 9:15 am)
  • Depending upon demand, another tour might run in the early afternoon.
  • No bad weather dates!

Photo Credit: Audubon.Org

The Owl Next Door! (A Talk by Me!)

Background, Year 9

Does everyone have spring fever? This winter has been cold and long. Thus, what could be better than to escape to a small organic farm a bit north of the Twin Cities on Saturday … enjoy homemade hard cider while I speak about the Amity Owls! Assuming the weather permits, you would also be able to walk around the farm and visit the maple syrup operation in progress. The talk will be in Sapsucker Farms modern cider barn with plenty of warm space. Although you are welcome to bring your own food, the farm will have a food truck present serving “Fireman’s BBQ”! This is a great family friendly event. My talk is just part of Sapsucker Farm’s Spring Day! Learn more.

  • Sapsucker Farm’s Spring Day: Saturday, March 26th
  • Time: 12:00 to 8:00 pm
  • The Owl Next Door Talk (me): 2:00 pm
  • Learn more via Sapsucker Farm’s web site.
  • Cost: Free!
  • Address: 2752 215th Avenue, Mora, MN 55051
  • Google Maps Link
  • Download a free PDF copy of my book, Do You Hoot?