Nathan & I headed north yesterday, covering portions of Duluth, Two Harbors, Sax-Zim, Aitkin County and Kathio State Park (briefly). Highlights included a Boreal Owl, Northern Hawk Owls (7), Great Gray Owls (32), Northern Goshawk and Black-billed (American?) Magpie (two life birds for Nathan, lifer and two state birds for me).
Also significant were the misses: Boreal Chickadee, Harlequin Ducks (in Agate Bay the night before and early AM, according to observers), Evening Grosbeaks, either Crossbill, more common owls. Only heard a single Pine Grosbeak (despite checking numerous feeders), saw one Gray Jay. Uniquely, my year list includes Boreal - Northern Hawk - Great Gray - Saw-whet Owls, but no Great Horned or Eastern Screech. Interestingly, saw more Great Grays than any other bird except Redpolls (which were mobbing most feeder areas). Thanks to Peder Svingen & the Cooks (sp?) for their assistance in Two Harbors. Good birding to all! Al & Nathan Schirmacher Princeton, MN Mille Lacs & Sherburne Counties
