Well a last minute trip to the Duluth area, prompted by a friend having the weekend off, turned out to be a very productive jaunt. We pulled out Friday night at around six. Seven excited folks ready to bird the shit out of the Minnesota bogs and birds. A quick stop at the Toledo airport for our eighth passenger and we were off. So after blasting through Chicago I decided to just push through the night. We arrived in Duluth around 7:30 the next morning. 3 redbulls, lots of coffee and I was ready to go. We pulled into a parking lot and everyone layered up with subzero gear. Our main target was a boreal owl that had been seen in this area a day prior. A few phone calls, a little reconnoitering and piling back in the van we decided to try a bit of a more reliable spot.
Up north a ways along scenic 61 we stopped at Stoney Point Road and spread out looking for this tough little owl. An hour and 25 minutes later and still no bird. We decided to drive a bit farther to Alseth Road and park and try again. Everyone wasn't even out of the van before we were on the bird. Perched out on the end of a deciduous branch for all the world to see. Bam. Within five minutes 50+ birders decended on the spot. Cameras snapped and shuttered. High fives all around. Fist bumps. Life bird dances. It was kind of fantastic. The little ruffian sat and intently listened and watched the snow covered ground below him. He flew to a small tree then another branch before he decided to hunt further down the road. Score one for the trip. A life bird for all eight of us!
After soaking in this amazing moment we decided to make a very necessary food and bathroom break. I caught ten minutes of power sleep in the van while the others regaled and chowed down and we were off again. This time in search of yet another boreal visitor. Northern Hawk Owk. Twenty minutes later we pull over on Martin Road and scan the area where this bird has been seen numerous times. I'm out scanning when the van door flies open and the crowd says there's a car pulled over with a scope out a few hundred yards down the road. A few moments later we are all standing there looking at the next beautiful owl of our trip. He's perched high on a snag with his wicked face looking about intently. Again more photos. Conversation with a local guide who was there who shared lots of info. High fives. Fist bumps. Life bird dances for some. This is a bird that I have seen before but still can't seem to tear my eyes from. He takes flight and sails down the road to another perch. A collective sigh of relief and smiles overtake our group. Score! Target #2. Check!
From here we decide to gun it up to Sax-Zim Bog. A fabled place of owls and woodpeckers, grouse and magpies, chickadees and jays. It doesn't completely disappoint. The Admiral Road feeders are bustling with activity. Common redpolls descend in whirl of noise and feathers. Among them two crisp Hoary Redpolls. Black-capped Chickadees are all over and among them are at least two Boreal Chickadees. Beautiful cousins to our normal fare. They move about making quick business of suet and seed. Stopping only for the briefest of moments. Shutters of cameras fill the air again. Another life bird for most of the group. A gray jay pops in to add to the icing on the cake that is already pretty sweet. At this point it's about 4 pm and honestly I'm a bit tired but rejuvenated a bit by these birds. We press on.
Exploring the entirety of this bog would, I think, take days. We simply don't have that much day light left. We cruise the roads slowly looking for signs on life. A flock of pine grosbeaks in the distance are a nice find and later after speaking with another very friendly local guide we find a distant Black-billed Magpie. These birds are at their farthest eastern point of existence. It's a really cool bird that I wish we had had better looks at. But the view is distant and in fading light before the bird drops from sight. Regardless, we'll take it. Tonight we strike out on the big bad boy. Great Gray Owl. We still have a few more days. It's now almost dark and I'm spent. We head to the hotel to check in after driving up the worlds steepest driveway. We are all thankful the roads are clear and this drive clean. Maybe too thankful.....tomorrow is another day and in Minnesota the weather and road conditions can change pretty rapidly.
Check in. Discard 14 layers of clothing. Eat a pizza. Pass out. Tomorrow would be an early day.
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