Special Day today I saw my 900th species of bird in Aitkin Cty, MN. Not only did I see it, but we spent a good 30 minutes observing @30 Sharp-tailed Grouse displaying & feeding. Such an amazing way to bring in #900 with good friends (Kent & Linda) and great birds & Alex Lamoreaux with Wildside Nature Tours.
The day started off with the first of several Rough-legged Hawk.
Then we happened upon my 900th species!
Sharp-tailed Grouse - in all 33 of them!
Barred Owl
Ruffed Grouse
More Ruffed Grouse
We had several Trumpeter Swan flyovers earlier, but this was the prize sighting!
This is a animal carcass but I initially thought there was an Eagle on the ground.
Black-billed Magpie
Ring-necked Pheasant
Bald Eagle
Ring-necked Pheasant
Common Raven
Sax-Zim Bog Visitor's Center
Pine Siskin
Redpoll
Pine Siskin Green Morph
Redpoll
There was a deer carcass hanging on a tree outside the Visitor's Center -- this Red-breasted Nuthatch seemed to like it...
Canada Jay
Downy Woodpecker
Nice berries!
Canada Jay
More Vegetation
Canada Jay
Barred Owl
Again, we dipped on the Northern Hawk-owl – no one has reported it for a day, but apparently I am a good Ruffed Grouse in a tree spotter. Went into the bog late in the day – it was actually warm. Alex spotted a White-winged Crossbill flock in a tree but they flew before I could grab a photo.
The snow was melting and the sun was out. This is not good for spotting Owls – they like cold and clear. Not as many people but less Owls as well.
No water again when we returned to the hotel - you would think they would at least give each room a bottle of water – Nope!
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