Tag Archives: MN North: Sax-Zim Bog

Pig Out! Pheasants, Pine Grosbeaks & Common Redpolls

Year 11,

Ever wonder up here in northern Minnesota why Common Redpolls are not visiting your feeders? One answer is the dreaded invasive wildflower, Tansy. These finches love to chow down on the seeds … spreading spillage to plant even more Tansy. I had fun watching a flock of about 200 Common Redpolls pig out on Tansy early this morning.

And the spillage … being eaten off the snow (definitely merits my anniversary tag of #365Birds01White )

The Pine Grosbeaks did not want to miss out on the pig out … underneath a forest feeding station in Sax-Zim Bog.

Finally, just south of Meadowlands and The Bog, Ring-Necked Pheasant were also enjoying some seeds …

I have managed to get out birding the past two mornings. It has been therapeutic.

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).