Sax-Zim Bog

Minnesota · Midwest

ModerateOfficial Site

Habitat

ForestWetland

Best Seasons

Winter

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

January-March

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Open 24 hours (public roads and trails)

About This Location

Sax-Zim Bog is North America's premier winter birding destination for boreal species, situated in a vast peatland landscape of northern Minnesota. Birders travel from around the world to see Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, and Boreal Chickadee in the bog's spruce forests.

Location

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Notable Species

Great Gray Owl Northern Hawk Owl Boreal Chickadee Black-backed Woodpecker Sharp-tailed Grouse

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Regulus satrapa

3/4/2026Minnesota Valley NWR--Bass Ponds1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/4/2026Anoka County, across from Elise Stephens.1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/4/2026Elsie Stephens Park1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/4/2026Cloquet Overlook Park1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/4/202613900 Dayton River Rd, Dayton US-MN 45.22096, -93.460771 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/4/2026Cloquet Overlook Park1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/4/2026Elsie Stephens Park1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/4/2026Mississippi West Regional Park1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/4/2026Cloquet Overlook Park1 observed

Golden-crowned Kinglet

Regulus satrapa

3/4/2026Minnesota Valley NWR--Bass Ponds1 observed

White-crowned Sparrow

Zonotrichia leucophrys

3/3/2026Yardbirds, Rushford6 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/3/2026Elsie Stephens Park1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/3/2026Anoka waters (MissR HADU)1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/3/2026Elsie Stevens Park Anoka Side1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/3/2026Elsie Stephens Park1 observed

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalis

3/3/2026Blue Lake WTP1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/3/2026Elsie Stephens Park1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/3/2026Elsie Stephens Park1 observed

Harlequin Duck

Histrionicus histrionicus

3/3/2026Mississippi River as seen from Elsie Stephens Park -- Anoka County side1 observed

Red-tailed Hawk (Harlan's)

Buteo jamaicensis

3/3/2026Colman Lake Trail1 observed

Recent Observations

Northern Cardinal

McQuade Small Craft Harbor

3/4/2026

1 birds

Canada Goose

Jensen family aquatic mgmnt area dam

3/4/2026

6 birds

Common Merganser

Jensen family aquatic mgmnt area dam

3/4/2026

1 birds

Trumpeter Swan

21285 Rum River Drive, Oak Grove, Minnesota, US (45.356, -93.364)

3/4/2026

2 birds

American Goldfinch

MN home

3/4/2026

8 birds

Mourning Dove

MN home

3/4/2026

2 birds

Black-capped Chickadee

MN home

3/4/2026

2 birds

White-throated Sparrow

MN home

3/4/2026

1 birds

White-breasted Nuthatch

MN home

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Sparrow

MN home

3/4/2026

5 birds

Dark-eyed Junco

MN home

3/4/2026

6 birds

Hairy Woodpecker

Griggs Park

3/4/2026

1 birds

Mallard

Griggs Park

3/4/2026

2 birds

Wild Turkey

6600–6662 Homestead Rd, Duluth US-MN 46.98986, -91.84701

3/4/2026

4 birds

American Crow

6600–6662 Homestead Rd, Duluth US-MN 46.98986, -91.84701

3/4/2026

1 birds

Blue Jay

6600–6662 Homestead Rd, Duluth US-MN 46.98986, -91.84701

3/4/2026

1 birds

European Starling

Meister Rd

3/4/2026

27 birds

Horned Lark

Meister Rd

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ring-necked Pheasant

20465–20809 Ingersoll Ave N, Forest Lake US-MN 45.25050, -92.93721

3/4/2026

1 birds

Common Goldeneye

Oakland Park

3/4/2026

14 birds

Birding Tips

1
Join the Sax-Zim Bog Birding Festival in February
2
Dress for extreme cold and drive slowly on back roads

Amenities

Parking

Visitor Center

Nearby Attractions

Duluth Waterfront

Birding Guides

Winter Birding Tips: How to Bird in the Cold

7 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

Best Birding Apps for 2026

7 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Sax-Zim Bog for birding?▼

The best months to visit Sax-Zim Bog for birding are January-March. The best seasons are Winter.

What birds can I see at Sax-Zim Bog?▼

Notable species at Sax-Zim Bog include Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Boreal Chickadee, Black-backed Woodpecker, Sharp-tailed Grouse. The area supports forest, wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at Sax-Zim Bog?▼

Birding at Sax-Zim Bog is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

Is there an entrance fee at Sax-Zim Bog?▼

There is no entrance fee at Sax-Zim Bog. Hours: Open 24 hours (public roads and trails).

What amenities are available at Sax-Zim Bog?▼

Sax-Zim Bog offers the following amenities: Parking, Visitor Center.