Day 2: The Sax-Zim Bog. In a word, legendary. This area has famously held the highest density of wintering specialties for northern Minnesota. We will search for hulking Great Gray Owls, awesome Northern Hawk-Owls and powerfully-built Northern Goshawks; and there is always the chance of coming across the ghostly form of a Snowy Owl on the hunt. In invasion years, when the area hosts a bonanza of owls, a Boreal Owl may also put in an appearance. We’ll drive the well-groomed snowmobile paths to search for buzzing flocks of Common Redpoll, sifting through them in hopes of finding a Hoary Redpoll or two. A flock of Gray Jays should entertain us with their curious antics.

Day 3: North to Two Harbors. The afternoon will be spent along the shores of Lake Superior, scanning for Glaucous, Thayer’s, and Iceland Gulls. Birding around the lake gets us great looks at these subtle species in a variety of different plumages. Burlington Bay is often loaded with wintering waterfowl. Along the beautiful North Shore Scenic Drive, we’ll visit some access points to the lake, including Stoney Point, which may yield an American Three-toed Woodpecker or a family of Boreal Chickadees.

Day 4: Superior National Forest. As we explore the spruce-dominated landscape, a Black-backed Woodpecker may alert us to its presence with distinctive drumming and we’ll spend some time in pursuit of the cryptic Spruce Grouse. Checking eastern red-cedar groves will increase the likelihood of spotting a Northern Saw-whet or Long-eared Owl. Back in Two Harbors, we’ll bird around some of the local suburbs in search of small, vocal parties of Bohemian Waxwings feeding on the mountain ash berry harvest. Colorful, mixed groups of winter finches are another highlight and we’ll be on the lookout for Evening Grosbeak, Pine Grosbeak, and Red and White-winged Crossbills. A late afternoon survey of the lakefront could produce any of the three species of scoter or even a Long-tailed or Harlequin Duck.