There have been documented reports of Northern Goshawks nesting in Sax-Zim Bog in the last couple years by volunteers participating in the Northern Goshawk census project headed by the Non-Game Department of the DNR. Last winter an adult and immature Northern Goshawk were spotted numerous times along the McDavitt Rd by birders visiting the Bog.  I am always excited to see Goshawks in the Bog during the winter months because at times its almost easier to spot a Great Gray Owl during the winter months vs. spotting a Northern Goshawk.

Northern Goshawks have population cycles that are closely related to the population cycles of Ruffed Grouse.  When Ruffed Grouse numbers are down along with snowshoe rabbit numbers, Goshawks begin to head south to look for other food sources.  This past year the Ruffed Grouse numbers are down and according to the raptor counters at Hawk Ridge there should be a irruption of Northern Goshawks next fall season.  So if you are in need of observing this large accipiter make plans to visit Hawk Ridge during October-November 2012.

The big news for the fall/winter season of 2012-13 is owls.  Yes owls!  Every four years Boreal Owls irrupt and head south from the far northern Boreal Forests in Canada.  Many of these small secretive owls are reported in residential back yards near feeders looking for mice and voles beneath the feeders.  Boreal Owls can also be found along the north shore of Lake Superior where snow is not as deep away from Lake Superior.  The winter of 2012-2013 is the next irruptive cycle for these owls as the last irruptive movement was 2008-2009.

Some birders and raptor enthusiasts are also predicting that Great Gray Owls will also irrupt during the winter season of 2012-2013.  The last big movement of these large owls was 2004-2005.  I do not know why these folks are predicting this and what facts they have to back their predictions but seeing a lot of Great Gray Owls are always fun to witness when these irruptions take place.

Right now there seems to be plenty of White-winged Crossbills and Common Redpolls being reported along the north shore of Lake Superior. Also flocks of these birds are being reported away from the lake.  This winter season might be shaping up to be a decent winter to view the winter specialties of the Bog.

Good Birding