Sax-Zim Bog winter birding offers a great pandemic getaway. 7:00 pm, Jan. 20, 2021 ×
John Alexander Kay (left) and John Heino photograph birds at Sax-Zim Bog recently. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)
MEADOWLANDS, Minn. Flittering around a bird feeder set along a gravel county road, in the middle of nowhere in the heart of the Sax-Zim Bog, ruddy pine grosbeaks were the stars of the moment.
They come this far south most winters, but they really inundated the bog in December, and on a 9-degree morning they were battling for landing zone space with Canada jays (whiskeyjacks), black-capped chickadees, a big blue jay, hairy woodpeckers and assorted red squirrels.
Sax-Zim Bog winter birding offers a great pandemic getaway close to home. 12:00 pm, Jan. 8, 2021 ×
John Alexander Kay (left) and John Heino photograph birds at Sax-Zim Bog recently. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)
MEADOWLANDS Flittering around a bird feeder set along a gravel county road, in the middle of nowhere in the heart of the Sax-Zim Bog, ruddy pine grosbeaks were the stars of the moment.
They come this far south most winters, but they really inundated the bog in December, and on a 9-degree morning they were battling for landing zone space with Canada jays (whiskeyjacks), black-capped chickadees, a big blue jay, hairy woodpeckers and assorted red squirrels.
Invasion of evening grosbeaks could be heading south from Canada Once-common grosbeaks being seen over wider range.
By Bill Marchel, Special to the Star Tribune January 2, 2021 9:41pm Text size Copy shortlink:
BRAINERD, MINN. – During these difficult times, the outdoors has become the place to be, a safe place so it seems. Thankfully, Minnesota has a lot to offer those willing to step outside.
Bird-watching, or birding as it is called, is more popular then ever. And this winter, birders are especially excited about an invasion, or movement southward out of Canada, of evening grosbeaks, a large, heavyset, colorful and relatively tame member of the finch family.
Our suggestions on how to celebrate winter solstice outdoors Richard Chin, Star Tribune
Now, when the Northern Hemisphere has leaned as far as it can from the sun, it s tempting to just pull down the shades, pour a drink, fire up Netflix and huddle indoors and spend the longest night of the year dreaming of spring.
But the mental and physical benefits of getting outdoors don t apply only when it s warm and sunny. Besides, if you stay indoors, you ll miss something rare and wonderful, something that won t happen again for hundreds of years.
Here are a few things that might get you away from your screens and out of the house.