Day 2: And So it Begins

Friday: February 9th

So we were a bit disappointed about our start, but that's how birding goes. We focused our thoughts to the possibilities of Day 2 at the famed Sax-Zim Bog. We awoke early enough to carry out our twenty minute dressing routine and head to the Bog to arrive before sunrise. Our first plan was to head down McDavitt Road, a spot that had appeared frequently in the posts from the area. Birding in Minnesota is very different from Georgia birding, and I don't think I was prepared for just how different it would be. With the sun breaching the horizon, we discussed potential game plans. Should we drive or walk? Well I'm big on walking; it allows the use of all the senses. I wasn't dissuaded by the -29 degree temperature reading on the dash. But it quickly became apparent that splitting up and covering distance on foot was not the best idea. As I walked down the road, I saw one Pileated flyover, but the most striking thing was the silence. Ice formed in my nose and on my eyelashes, and before long Jim and Uncle Chris were heading towards me in the car.

Typical Minnesota Morning

We had interacted with several birders on the road, and all of them had remained in their cars. Some had even had success cruising that morning. And they weren't wearing all of the obstructive clothing that we had on. Cruising was the way to go. But hearing about a Great Gray near the tracks led us to investigate that area, again on foot. While heading down the tracks, Uncle Chris spotted a suspicious bird on a tree. Hmm, long tail, plump body. Our minds jumped to a certain Owl. We rushed back to the car to put a scope on the bird just in time for someone to ride by and mention Northern Shrike. Good enough! A lifer for Jim and me.

Northern Shrike on McDavitt Road

Sweet first lifer and one that we had somewhat predicted as the first lifer. We headed on down the road for the "parking area." After walking a ways west and only seeing a flyby Woodpecker sp., we headed back to the car. The extreme cold caused problems that I had never imagined while birding. Frozen eyelashes and constantly fogged optics and car windows was not something I expected. I found myself holding my breath just to get a clear scan of the treetops. Before loading into the car, we spoke with Jesse Anderson and the NC crew. What a help they would end up being to us! We left them as they suited up and went on the search. In our route to the feeders on 788, we spotted some Finch activity in a yard. Common Redpolls and Pine Grosbeaks! Two lifers for me! Up towards the intersection of McDavitt and 27, we had our first Common Raven on a powerline strut.

At the feeders, we watched Gray Jays gracefully alight for a peanut butter snack. Black-capped Chickadees swarmed, and our first Red-breasted Nuthatch hung out nearby. Just down the road, a Porcupine sunned in a distant tree.

Gray Jay Visiting Feeding Station

We continued our route on. During a stop to investigate Raven-covered carrion (dead Turkey), we got word from Jesse of the whereabouts of a Northern Hawk Owl. Ooh. We better go for that while he have the chance. And good thing we did because it was our last. Another lifer for Jim and me!

Northern Hawk Owl

It was pretty nice to nail a target and to watch it in action. With another lifer in our pocket, we headed to the visitor's center feeders. Along the way, we saw a suspicious Buteo, but it dodged us before we could get diagnostic looks. 

I thought it was pretty cool to see roadkill carcasses hanging alongside feeders. That's a pretty clever way to attract birds and mammals to the scene. Redpolls and BCCH swarmed the Visitor's Center feeders, but mainly Redpolls. After getting a tip about Snow Buntings in the area, we ducked inside to check the place out. The visitor's center was a cozy little spot, and I was happy to be able to buy a patch and a calendar. Several birders were inside, and they were discussing a pair of Hoary Redpolls that had been coming to the feeders. While we waited, we watched White-tailed Deer pick up seeds and Gray Jays swoop in to the carcasses. Heck, even Chickadees and Downy's got in on the carcass action. Eventually a paler Redpoll sp. showed up. It was proclaimed as the female Hoary, but we were not so convinced. The bill just seemed too large. But the bird was frosty and the scapulars were unmarked white. Still not sure about this one, but it didn't seem diagnostic enough to call it for a life bird.

Pale Common Redpoll?

It was after noon at this point and we were all hungry. But we had to follow a tip on a Black-backed Woodpecker location. There was also a rarer American Three-toed Woodpecker in the area, but we all had that bird. We zipped on over to the Warren Nelson Memorial Bog. We poked around in the area, seeing our first European Starlings of the trip on some feeders. Finally, we headed towards the area of congregated cars. The North Carolina crew was leaving the scene, having seen the bird. As we headed down the trail, we heard shouts of "I've got it." However, we had a hard time locating any Woodpecker, trying to cue in on pecking. I suggested splitting up and taking different routes back to the car. Uncle Chris came through, finding the bird and putting Jim and me on it. We watched it work a windthrown tree at eye level until we were satisfied. Another lifer for the two of us in the bag. 

Black-backed Woodpecker: Lifer Looks

Finally, we headed down to the Wilbert Cafe for a bite to eat. An adult Bald Eagle soared overhead.  Refueled, we followed the Snow Bunting lead. We were not disappointed. Uncle Chris caught the flock out of the corner of his eye at the intersection of 5 and 133. A lifer for Jim and me!

Snow Bunting Flock

The Dance of the Snow Buntings

Such an impressive bird and one of my favorites of the trip. Across the field from the Buntings was a perched Buteo. Knowing the odds, we tried for a better vantage. Nine Wild Turkeys foraged in a nearby field, providing another species for the trip list. As we set up on the bird, light was too poor to discern. But then it flew. The characteristic floppy flight of a Rough-legged Hawk. Nice trip bird!

Daylight running low, we decided not to push our luck at Mary Lou's feeders. Instead, we retraced our tracks and found our way back to McDavitt. Light was fading and everything looked Owly. In passing, I spotted a large shape in a tree off the road. WHAT WAS THAT!? We backed up slowly to reveal a Ruffed Grouse in a tree! We had heard of many sightings throughout the day, but this was my life bird. Nemesis nailed!

Ruffed Grouse Silhouetted in the Fading Light

Even though we learned cruising was the way to go, it didn't pay off for us that night. McDavitt was hectic. There was even a full busload of people riding around. Heading down 778 and looping back, we spotted 6 more Grouse. Towards the end of the evening, we passed by a car whose driver pointed out a "Gray" in a very distant tree. Could this be it? As they left, we put the scope up to find the very same Porcupine from earlier! Always worth investigating!

And thus, our day at the Bog concluded. We had more success than the day before, and we gave it our all. We were starting to get the hang of this MN birding. This would prove to be my most lifer-heavy day of the trip.

End of Day Tally:

13 species added (Total of 25 on the trip)

7 Lifers for me

4 for Jim