I had not been on Admiral and McDavitt Roads since early December. While these are great birding roads, I tend to go elsewhere during the prime winter months and leave these two locations for the Bog’s visitors. However, over the past week I had noticed the number of eBird reports had dropped radically for Sax-Zim Bog, and I know from experience that most tour groups finish their visits to northern Minnesota by the last full week in February.

Jackpot! I spent 90 minutes on these two prime birding roads, and saw nary another person the entire time. I did have to deal with two snow plows but surprisingly even when the monster, loud trucks plowed within 15 yards of the the owl, it did not flush. I felt certain I would get some flights photos, and have about 20 images of two snow plows and an owl which seems to be thinking, what … me worry?!

Anyhow … from this morning!

Admiral Road:

• Barred Owl
• Gray Jays / Canada Jays
• Pine Grosbeaks

Barred Owl … Hunting Movie (video link for email subscribers)

McDavitt Road:

• Evening Grosbeaks

Highway 47: (The flight pic of the NHO is from an earlier birding excursion, but never processed. I have been watching this owl since right after Thanksgiving, and enjoyed two weeks with the bird before it was discovered by “the rest of the birding world”.)

• Northern Hawk Owl

Now is a great time to visit the Bog. The feeders will remained filled for about two weeks, with the Welcome Center still being open. One may now enjoy the solitude, particulary during mid week like today.