Sax-Zim Bog in Minnesota is a unique place where species thrive that you won’t find elsewhere in the U.S. In spring, myriad birds seek varied habitats to nest or rest briefly during migration. Visitors can come and witness this spectacular seasonal movement through self-guided or guided tours.
About an hour northwest of Duluth lies the Sax-Zim Bog, which covers more than 300 square miles. The area is a blend of upland aspen and maple forests, thick black spruce and tamarack bogs. Streams, lakes, and meadows are also spread across the property. It forms one of the larger bogs in the southern reaches of the boreal forest. Sax-Zim is especially popular with birders seeking a variety of owls, migratory, and boreal birds.
Spring migration starts in mid-March, but the birds don’t arrive in large numbers until later in the season. As the days warm, a variety of songbirds, such as warblers, finches, and sparrows, appear. Some will stay and raise their young, while others are just passing through.
According to the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog (Friends) birding report, over 20 warbler species nest in the bog. You can best view these little birds, some with bright pops of color at winter feed stations, in boggy areas, or along the edges of woods.
Ducks return to open bodies of water, including ring-necked ducks, hooded mergansers, buffleheads, and goldeneyes. Graceful trumpeter swans come back to seek nesting sites and raise their fluffy gray cygnets. By June, many other woodland babies appear throughout the wetland and forests.
Other creatures also thrive in the bog, where they breed and raise their young among new leaves and grasses. You may see bigger mammals, such as moose, deer, timber wolves, and foxes wandering about. Smaller mammals like porcupines, pine martens, ermines, and snowshoe hares thrive in the region, too.
Importance of bogs
The Sax-Zim Bog gets its name from nearby towns. The bog established its place in birding circles when a massive invasion (called an irruption) of owls descended upon the area in the early 2000s. They sought food after their normal habitats further north experienced a cyclical dip in prey. Soon after, organizers created a festival named after the bog, and as social media postings increased, more people sought out great birding and photographic opportunities.
In 2011, conservationists and folks who cared about the future of the bog formally organized into the Friends to preserve and protect the area. Although bogs often receive less attention than other habitats, they play a crucial role in the ecosystem by serving as a major carbon sink. The bog covers over 25,000 acres of mostly public land, with pockets of private land and a few small towns.
The bog has captivated Sparky Stensaas, executive director of the Friends, since he first saw it in 1981. Spring migration and the return of familiar—and sometimes unfamiliar—birds still excite him. “I love showing people a warbler through a scope.” The return of sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans reminds him of conservation successes. “Many of these birds were nearly extinct or uncommon in the bog 40 years ago. It’s good to celebrate these conservation wins.”
When to visit
Winter is the best time to see resident birds, but visitors should plan to come in May and June to experience the peak of nesting and migration. According to Stensaas, warblers are the main draw, and visitors especially hope to spot the Connecticut warbler.
Stensaas says May guided field trips are popular and give people a chance to see a wide variety of birds. Besides spotting the warblers, birders also hope to see LeConte’s Sparrows, Black-billed cuckoos, American Bitterns, and Bobolinks.
If you go, pick up or download a map of prime birding locations throughout the property. Hike the trails and boardwalks, or, depending on your interest and time, take a recommended driving tour. Gravel roads in the bog often become very soft and muddy in early spring. According to the website, people should visit later in the spring.
While you’re exploring the bog, keep your voices low and give wildlife plenty of room. Please do not chase wildlife on foot or in a car, as this creates undue stress on them. Be mindful and considerate of others and give everyone space to watch, photograph, and experience a wildlife encounter.
When you arrive, stop at the Welcome Center for the latest bird report. For the summer season, the center is open from June 1 through September 30, 10 am to 3 pm every day.
While access to the bog is free, donations fund this non-profit organization. You can find information online to help you plan your visit.
