Clod kicking is a sport known to Northland winter athletes. Amateurs use the toe of the their boots to “kick the snow clods” clear of a car’s wheel wells, but an expert clod kicker understands that a heel should always be used to avoid broken toes. It was with this knowledge that I came across Pine Grosbeaks up in Sax-Zim Bog two mornings ago which were serving as Olympic judges for this winter sport. While the uninformed might believe the birds were “gritting up”, and only the kicked clod had the necessary grit for the bird’s gizzard and digestion, I knew better. The grosbeaks were excited to visit northern Minnesota and evaluate the competition.

Pine Grosbeaks Judging a Clod Kicking Competition

Spectator Grosbeaks (Pine and Evening)

Grosbeaks Visiting the Stadium’s Concession Stand (Pine and Evening)

Note: Normally I do not like to take feeder photographs, but these images show off the differences between our two types of winter grosbeaks. The grayish birds that have a more orangey head are likely immature males, as opposed to more brown (females). One Common Redpoll also makes an appearance.

On another note, I served as a volunteer naturalist at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center yesterday. Our feeders were busy. Early morning on a cold day is always the best. Here is a list of the birds frequently visiting:

• Bluejays
• Boreal Chickadees (via Gray Jay trail … on suet at the end)
• Black-Capped Chickadees
• Common Redpolls
• Downy Woodpeckers
• Evening Grosbeak (one male who I named George)
• Gray Jays
• Hairy Woodpeckers
• Pine Grosbeaks
• Red-Breasted Nuthatches
• White-Breasted Nuthatches

Plan a visit to the Bog (link is to the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog web site)