Following are some of our sightings during the Jan 12-16 VENT tour in Duluth and NE Minn:
- Snowy Owl: One still present in the vicinity of the Duluth airport; however, security concerns make access difficult to where it is seen. This species is more easily seen at the 2 Aitkin Co locations posted recently by Warren Nelson. - N Hawk Owl: Still consistently seen in Sax-Zim Bog along Co Rd 7, ~1/2 mi S of Stone Lake Rd; usually on the W side of 7, often several hundred yards from the road and difficult to spot. - Barred Owl: Relocated in Sax-Zim Bog along Nichols Lake Rd, ~1.5 mi E of Co Rd 7. - Am Three-toed Woodpecker: In Sax-Zim Bog on Admiral Rd, < 0.1 mi N of Zim Rd (thanks to Frank Nicoletti for reporting this location). Species also seen by other birders on McDavitt Rd and Blue Spruce Rd. - Black-backed Woodpecker: Same location as the Am Three-toed. Another in Sax-Zim Bog on Nichols Lake Rd, 1 mi W of U S Hwy 53; and another on McDavitt Rd, 3.1 mi N of Sax Rd. Species also seen by other birders on Blue Spruce Rd. - Boreal Chickadee: Most easily seen at the Varied Thrush feeder in Duluth (see below). - Townsend's Solitaire: As previously posted, present in Duluth by the pedestrian bridge between London Rd & Leif Erikson Park just E of 10th Ave E. - Varied Thrush: Still present at Christina & Dave's feeder in Duluth (see previous postings for access information). - Bohemian Waxwing: Flock still present in Meadowlands in the NW part of town. No other area sightings since last week? - Harris's Sparrow: Relocated today at 226 4th Ave in Two Harbors; first reported here Jan 5. - Hoary Redpoll: One obvious male, possibly two, and at least one female in Sax-Zim Bog at Derek's feeders on Blue Spruce Rd. Not seen - Great Gray Owl: as far as I know, despite searches by several birders, there have been no reports on Nichols Lake Rd since Jan 6, on McDavitt Rd since Jan 10, or in the Pietz's Rd/Co Rd 18 area of Aitkin Co since ~Jan 1. White-winged and Red crossbills: as far as I know, no sightings by anyone since last week? Kim Eckert
