Tag Archives: MN North: Sax-Zim Bog

Attack of the Peanut Butter Snatchers!

Year 11
I have served as a volunteer for 10+ years at Sax-Zim Bog, but I have never seen the famous Admiral Road Pine Martens. I just don’t have the patience to sit and wait at the feeders for their appearance. A few weeks back I decided it was time to rectify that omission. With my trusty Jif Peanut Butter in tow, I drove up to the Bog from my Duluth home. As instructed I smeared peanut butter all over the branches and logs. NOOOOOO! I was foiled by the Attack of the Peanut Butter Snatchers. I am still zero for ten years.
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Note: Although Pine Martens LOVE peanut butter, so do Gray / Canada Jays and Chickadees.

Snow! Great Gray Owl!

Year 11

It finally snowed Friday night, and then yesterday morning I found a Great Gray Owl which auditioned for the role as next season’s “Christmas Star” at the top of the tree. Should I hire the owl?

When it heard the position was already taken by “an angel”, it got upset and left!

I was actually up in Sax-Zim Bog, but not on one of the two most popular roads (Admiral and McDavitt). Instead I enjoyed a private experience with the owls. In fact, the second owl I watched let me know I did NOT belong. LOL!! (see the sign … on a gate somewhere in the Bog one should NOT go through)

The day’s excursion was also nice given my 10th Anniversary Theme for January, #365Birds01White. Snow Flocked Trees (and signs).

Comment on the Plan to Kill / Shoot Barred Owls

Background, Year 10

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has a draft management plan to kill / shoot Barred Owls to save Spotted Owls in the Pacific Northwest. The Spotted Owl is native to this region, and the Barred Owl is encroaching upon their range. I think this plan is morally wrong. NBC News and others have recently reported about this “draft plan”. You may wish to read their news story about the Spotted and Barred Owl conflict.

It is wrong to kill one bird species to save another. This action will teach Barred Owls to fear humans. In addition it was likely humans who messed up the old growth forest habitat with excessive logging. Should we shoot loggers? While you may not agree with me, anyone may comment upon this proposed owl management plan. The comment period closes on January 16, 2024. Most news stories do not include a direct link to the US Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Plan Comment Page. Here is the link:

  • Comment upon the Barred Owl / Spotted Owl Draft Mgmt Plan