owls — Blog — Sid B Photography

In February of 2022, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Sax Zim Bog with the Indiana Audobon Society (IAS). This vast birding area in northern Minnesota is renowned for its wide variety of bird species. Over the course of the trip, we were able to see an incredible multitude of birds, including the illusive Great gray owl, the Downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, black-billed magpie, common raven, black-capped chickadee, red-breasted Nuthatch, pine grosbeak, common redpoll and more. Despite the sub-zero temperatures and strong winds, the experience of spotting and identifying rare birds kept us warm throughout the trip.

Our IAS group guides, Sam, Shari, and Libby had extensive knowledge of the area and terrain. These guides traveling in the lead car were skilled in spotting and identifying birds from far away. This was extremely useful, as we could observe birds that we would have otherwise missed. They also shared their insights into the behavior and habitat of these birds, which enhanced our overall birding experience.

Our first stop was the Fringed Gentian Bog, where the group had the opportunity to witness the beauty of the surrounding environment, which was a combination of tall trees, shrubs, and boggy areas. The Fringed Gentian Bog is a habitat for a variety of bird species, and the group was able to spot several of them including the Downy and Hairy woodpeckers. It was fascinating to track the pecking sound till we would finally get to the bird. We also learnt how to differentiate the hairy woodpecker from a Downy woodpecker, which to an untrained eye like me looks the same- the hairy woodpecker is similar in appearance but much larger and has a longer beak. Black-billed Magpies, and Common Ravens. While at the bog, we also spotted Black-billed Magpies, Common Ravens Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Pine Grosbeaks, and Common Redpolls. The beauty of the area was incredible, and the sight of these birds in their habitat was awe-inspiring.

The Admiral Road feeding station was our next stop, where we were treated to the sight of Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers- which I could now differentiate between thanks to the earlier lesson, Blue Jays, Black-capped Chickadees, Pine Grosbeaks, Common Redpolls, Hoary Redpolls, and Brown Creepers. Trying to track the brown creeper which blends so fabulously with the tree bark with my camera was quite challenging as it kept running around the tree trunk foraging for insects. We watched in amazement as these birds ate from the feeders, and their colors and movements were breathtaking. Native squirrels were having a gala time feeding on the spilled feed on the ground from these feeders, but there was abundant grain for all.

Next, we visited Larry's Feeder, where we saw Black-capped Chickadees and Common Redpolls in abundance. The Winterberry Bog was another stop where we saw Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers again, but got to see a Pileated Woodpecker as well! We also got to see a Canada Jay soaking in the morning sunlight- maybe storing heat in the frigid cold. Each location was unique and showcased the different bird species in the area.

Having visited multiple feeders set up by the local residents of the bog, we made our way to the Sax Zim Bog Visitor Center where we learnt more about the vastness and biodiversity of the bog. Sax-Zim currently encompasses more than 300 square miles and is home to 3000 species and the list continues to grow. This " Bogdiversity " includes over 600 species of moth, over 430 species of plant, 117 species of ferns and mosses, nearly 130 species of spider, 87 species of dragonfly and damselfly, 82 species of butterfly… just to name a few! To get the guests excited at the visitor center, they had put out some feeding stations as well which attracted the plethora of birds we had been seeing in the area. We did a mile-long out-and-back walk behind the visitor center, traversing through about 2 feet of snow. But, in the end were blessed with the sighting of a boreal chickadee and a porcupine sheltering in a nearby tree!

Back on the road, we drove on Owl Avenue, where we spotted a Ruffed Grouse and White-winged Crossbill in the trees. We were able to get up close and personal with these beautiful creatures, and the sight was truly unforgettable. Another memorable stop was the Arkola Road feeders, where we saw Black-capped Chickadees, Boreal Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Common Redpolls.

Finally, we visited Mary Lou's Feeding Station, where we saw Wild Turkeys, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Common Ravens, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, House Sparrows, and Common Redpolls. The variety of birds in the area was incredible, and the guides' knowledge and experience made the trip truly unforgettable.

The weather during the trip was incredibly cold, with daytime temperatures as low as -20F and winds. However, the excitement and experience kept us all warm, and we were able to enjoy the beauty of the area and the birds despite the harsh weather conditions. One of the most unforgettable experiences was from quite early in our trip when we stopped by a group of cars along the road. Someone had spotted the Great Gray Owl. To our surprise, the owl was on a tree branch, a mere few feet away from the road. I could hear the shutter from all cameras going as the owl graciously posed for each of us. After having spent some time with us, the owl silently flew right past us to the other side of the road, providing an up-close and personal experience of how stealthily these majestic predators fly. Up until then I had only read in journals and seen YouTube videos of how silent an owl can fly. Experiencing this firsthand gave me goosebumps!

In conclusion, my trip to Sax Zim Bog with the Indiana Audubon Society was an unforgettable experience. The expert guides, vast birding areas, and abundant bird species made it an enriching and exciting trip. I would highly recommend this trip to any birding enthusiasts looking for a unique and thrilling experience.