Brutally Cold! How do birds survive at MINUS-38F? Sax-Zim Bog Minnesota Virtually Live 24

How do birds survive at Minus-40 F?? On this BRUTALLY COLD episode of Virtually Live Sparky will share some tricks our boreal birds use to not only SURVIVE, but THRIVE in these temperatures.
He films and shares winter natural history for White-winged Crossbills (3,000 seeds per day!), Common Redpolls (a metabolism trick "down their throat"), Pine Grosbeaks, Sharp-tailed Grouse (warmer in the subnivean world!) and Great Gray Owl (super powers of hearing).
Witness the incredible sounds of spruces "popping" at Minus-38 degrees when the first rays of sun hit them and their cells explode.
Sparky also visits our NEW LITTLE FREE LIBRARY at the Bob Russell Bogwalk at Winterberry Bog and finds some interesting titles!
Links for more in depth natural history on these two special bog species...
CLINTON'S CRITTERS: SHARP-TAILED GROUSE video: • Clinton's Critters: Sh...
CLINTON'S CRITTERS: WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL video • Clinton's Critters: Wh...

[@GeorgeRhodesMN]

I live at the Bog, vicariously through your videos. I especially enjoy your bird vocalizations and the bird song that you capture. Thank you so much for making and posting them! I've learned so much from you.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thank you George! Glad you like my bird calls… not sure I fool any birds! :)

[@rocketmist82]

Thanks for braving the cold for us!

[@rerolley]

We were up that way a week or so ago and it was only -28 between Two Harbors and Ely. That was cold enough for us.

[@kathrynclark9921]

Look up Swany Toaster mittens that have a thin inner glove liner, zipper along length of glove so you can unzip stick fingers out then slide them back in to keep warm. You can also put hand warmer in. It is a ski mitten, waterproof windproof I had mine on 2-25-22 -36 when we were in the bog. They are the best. Worth every penny.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thanks for the glove tip Kathryn!!

[@stans6582]

Excellent ...........thanks Sparky

[@barbaracross7426]

Super video again Sparky

[@andrewlamberson539]

How do you protect your camera and lens when shooting in that kind of temperature? If your glasses are fogging up...is your gear subject to it also?

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hi Andrew, I don’t do much. The biggest no-no is shooting out an open car window at those temps. The heat pouring out of your car creates massive heat shimmer and therefor blurry photos. I always try to get out to take photos. I also try to have multiple spare batteries.

[@davearchbell9921]

I really enjoy your Sax-Zim bog videos. It is fast becoming a bucket list destination for me. Unfortunately I'm 14 hours away by car in Toronto.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hi Dave, thanks for your kind words about the videos. More coming! Fly to Minneapolis? Then just a 3 hour drive.

[@davearchbell9921]

@@SparkyStensaas Can you suggest accommodations?

[@tbonovsky3016]

Wonderful video, thank you for sharing!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thank you Travis!!

[@eleanorfuller8101]

Awesome thank you for sharing this is amazing!!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thank you Eleanor!

[@kerryjane910]

I was birding in the Sax-zim bog today and watched your video in the parking lot of the Warren Nelson Memorial bog. Windchill today is -19 below. I can really appreciate all your problems with the cold today. Birds are amazing creatures!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Ha! Excellent!

[@piccadillypie]

Thanks, Sparky! Great Raven call! Excellent footage of the WWCR feeding.

[@StephenJStephen_Photography]

Great series of videos especially of the Crossbills!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thank you Stephen! White-winged Crossbills are one of my favorites!

[@barbaracross7426]

Super reminder of winter days in the bog, thanks Sparky

[@joekwasniewski9407]

Excellent video as always! Watched this concurrently with a snowstorm in MI, but it's a balmy 30ºF here.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thank you Joe!

[@4star62]

I'm relieved for the birds. Thanks for educating us!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thank you Elizabeth!