Evening Grosbeaks Galore! Winter Finches Arrive Sax-Zim Bog Virtually Live 31 S3:E6

[@piccadillypie]

Thanks, Sparky! Always a pleasure.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thanks Kevin!

[@MRIVERSSC]

Wow, so glad I found this series, incredible.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for watching and lots more videos to come :-)

[@justinreed456]

Enjoyed the video! We just missed you. We arrived at SZB last night. Headed out again today and tomorrow. What a great place to explore.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Have a great trip Justin! I hope you find lots of good stuff.

[@kathrynclark9921]

Merry Christmas Great captures you make me want to drive up over Holidays

[@SparkyStensaas]

Do it!

[@robertrear64]

Heading your way for the first time in early to mid January can't wait!!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Great! Where are you traveling from?

[@robertrear64]

@@SparkyStensaas Arkansas

[@mobilestrike5182]

Brings back many happy memories of my trip from UK to the February festival. And our day out with yourself. Keep up the great work Sparky. Alan and Karen.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hi Allen and Karen… I remember you guys! Didn’t we go up to the Superior National Forest for Spruce Grouse?

[@mobilestrike5182]

@@SparkyStensaas we did. Had a great day. Always enjoy your videos. Good to see Mary Lou is back up and running well. Stay safe.

[@servanfotografie15]

Always a joy Sparky.. amazing o.a. the Evenings Crossbeaks to see..so bright and colorfull. where here in the Netherlands his cousin the Hawfinch, defenitely you know him too, is the not very common stunning big finch

[@SparkyStensaas]

I’ve never seen a Hawfinch! But I have seen the “Christmas Bird” up in Finland and Norway…the Bullfinch!

[@servanfotografie15]

@@SparkyStensaas thats an amazing specie too sparky especially in winterconditions

[@JohnnyAmato]

Awesome video, Sparky. We'll be up in late December! :)

[@SparkyStensaas]

Good deal! Hope you have a productive trip.

[@MrEpistolary]

Perfect antidote to being stuck inside and working today. Thanks!

[@SparkyStensaas]

Glad I could help, Charles!

[@Johnny-mu3vc]

hooray for the nichols lake rd

[@SparkyStensaas]

Always a road worth driving

[@Johnny-mu3vc]

@@SparkyStensaas chance to see moose as well 4 over last 4 or 5 years including 2 big bulls

[@rerolley]

Living near Baraboo, WI, I hear a few Evening Grosbeaks have been sighted in our area but so far none at our feeders.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Keep an ear and eye out! Big year for them

[@terryroth2855]

Great Video, Sparky. Doesn’t look overcrowded there, at the present. Have a Merry Christmas.👍👍

[@SparkyStensaas]

It isn’t! But it’s early. Back in the day we never used to open until mid December when the real winter birding kicked in.

[@birdsofray]

Great video as usual! Bog bound soon! 🦉

[@SparkyStensaas]

Thanks Ray! Hope you have a productive trip!

[@birdsofray]

@@SparkyStensaas Thank you!

[@mieczyslawkuzma3739]

I'm missing Red and White-winged Crossbills in your awesome video, haven't these birds arrived in Sax Zim Swamp yet? I will be there in January and I really hope to see them.

[@SparkyStensaas]

They haven’t been seen yet. According to the winter finch forecast there is a good spruce cone crop farther north in Canada …so the White-winged Crossbills might not be coming down. There is some talk that there might be a little bit of a red crossbill irruption but mainly in the northeast. But often crossbills are more common later in the winter. But every year is different.

[@mieczyslawkuzma3739]

@@SparkyStensaas thanks a lot for your information 👍

[@bradgriffith8297]

Gr8 Video! Do you have any suggestions for park restoration resources. I am a member of the Friends of Swede Hollow in Saint Paul and we would like to continue to restore Swede Hollow Park to a more natural state. That is, removing invasives and planting natives to improve habitat for birds and birders.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Hello Brad, sounds like a very worthy project you have going! We are very fortunate that the mature black spruce and tamarack bog we purchase usually doesn’t take any management at all. This type of forest is a climax forest that will regenerate in perpetuity. Plus, due to the very acidic sphagnum moss soil we have very little problem with any invasives at all. So I’m afraid I can’t help you but I know there are many resources out there for invasives. Start with the Minnesota DNR website. Good luck!

[@Chris_Wolfgram]

So many cool birds that I'd love to get.... But if gets down to 50F it's too cold for me.

[@SparkyStensaas]

Ha! That would limit you to visiting between June and September :)

[@Chris_Wolfgram]

@@SparkyStensaas I was kind of being just a little bit facetious :) Crazy as I think this is, I'm actually starting to plan a trip there for next Winter.... And I'm a car camper. So I'm trying to work out the logistics now. I mean, I guess I will need chains, or snow tires ? I plan to come in from the South, and prepared to stop 600 or 800 miles shy, to wait for a clear, stable stretch in the weather. 15 or 20 degrees above zero would be nice :)

[@Johnny-mu3vc]

Couldnt find the app you mentioned, Google play? thanks

[@SparkyStensaas]

Sorry… I didn’t make that clear. It is a web based app so you have to look it up on your web browser (on your phone when in the field).

[@torinkyifh5085]

What was making that sound in the background of the grouse footage?

[@SparkyStensaas]

That was a Common Raven calling

[@torinkyifh5085]

@@SparkyStensaas okay. That's what I thought but I wasn't sure :)