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Friends of Sax Zim Bog Newsletter February 1, 2015
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The Big Year Movie showing & Gala with Greg Miller
NOT TOO LATE TO BUY TICKETS!
President's Day, Monday FEBRUARY 16th, 2015 in Duluth
5:30-8:30pm...or so :) Peace Church 1111 11th Ave East in Duluth
Meet one of the real “Big Year” stars, Greg Miller and get the behind-the-scenes stories of the making of the movie. After the "meal and mingle" time, we'll show the entire The Big Year movie on a big screen. Greg will stop the movie occasionally to tell behind-the-scenes stories...You know, the ones we all want to know about. And Greg will answer all your questions...even the hard ones! We will also have a Silent Auction and book sale. Chili, hors d'oeuvres and drinks are included.
$20 per person which includes dinner and an Annual Membership (free field trips for the next year). PREREGISTRATION ENCOURAGED! Space Limited. $25 at the Door.
Buy Tickets at HERE!
FIRST 50 TO SIGN UP GET A FREE 2015 FRIENDS OF SAX-ZIM BOG CALENDAR! Space is Limited!
Greg Miller (right) with Jack Black who played him in the Hollywood movie, The Big Year. Greg was a consultant on the movie
About Greg Miller
I have been birding since…umm…well I can’t remember because I was too young. I do not remember getting my first pair of binoculars or my first birding trip with my dad. It was my father that got me into birding at an early age. I have been birding for over 50 years and have birded in all 50 states and much of Canada. And I have always been smitten by the birding bug. I love to get outside and go find birds. Every trip out is an adventure!
In 1998 I zigzagged across the continent–traveling 130,000 miles while trying to hold down a full time job at a nuclear power plant–to try to see as many species of birds in one calendar year as possible. It was an incredible experience passing the 700-species mark—an achievement many birders aspire to in a lifetime. But there was competition. Two other birders, Sandy Komito and Al Levantin also did Big Years the same year as me and also broke the 700-mark. Our competitive quests are documented in the 2004 non fiction book, The Big Year, by Pulitzer Prize winning author Mark Obmascik. And unbelievably, Twentieth Century Fox made a full feature motion picture inspired by the book! It has A-list actors Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson and a really strong support cast. It was produced by Ben Stiller and directed by David Frankel (who also did Marley & Me and The Devil Wears Prada). Worldwide release date was October 14, 2011. It is available now on both DVD & Blu-ray.
I had the fortunate opportunity to be the Bird Consultant for the movie, The Big year. It was filmed in spring & summer of 2010. I was on the set for 3 weeks with many of the actors and crew and got a chance to meet the stars, Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson. It was truly a treat to watch the movie being made and to have a part in the creation of a story for the silver screen.
I currently live in Sugarcreek in the heart of Amish Country in Northeast Ohio.
New Records set in FIFTH Annual BRRRRdathon!
Once again, frigid temps for the photographers but mild for the birders
The only thing that seemed to elude birders taking part in the FIFTH ANNUAL BRRRRdathon were frigid temps!
Records were set in the 2-DAY BRRRRdathon and 1-DAY BRRRRdathon…and not just beaten by 1 or 2 species but SMASHED!
Team Benny and the Bensons (pictured above...Dave Benson, Ben Yokel, Lars Benson (not pictured)) amassed 57 species (including all 10 winter finches!) breaking the former record held by Wisconsin's Team Badger Irruption/Eagle Optics by THREE species.
Bohemian Waxwings were only found on West Knife River Road. They have been rare this winter.
The Coldfinches defended their 2014 title and smashed the old record by 16 species! (from left: Cindy Edwardson, Kim Eckert, Barb Akre (not pictured: Mary Gabrys)
Teams explored the wilds of Sax-Zim Bog, Lake County, MN, Duluth, Superior, WI, Carlton County and some ventured as far as Crow Wing County, MN and Burnett County, Wisconsin! Steve Millard did an adjunct BRRRRdathon in OtterTail County, Minnesota. It takes much strategy to find the most species over two days in such a large "playing field" (all of NE MN and NW WI)
Northern Pintail male (one of four...two males, two females) in Canal Park Duluth.
The female Common Eider was seen by most groups in Duluth's Canal Park.
Almost all groups tallied the Common Eider and Northern Pintails that linger at Duluth's Canal Park. Rare gulls included Iceland, Thayer's, Glaucous and Greater Black-backed found at Superior Landfill, WLSSD and Canal Park. Lakeside of Duluth and Leif Brush's yard yielded Juncos, Cardinals and a surprising Northern Flicker. In the same area, some teams found the Golden-crowned Sparrow that has been coming to a feeder for over a month.
Big numbers of redpolls, siskins, Purple Finches were expected and they did not disappoint. The Yokel Boys had a TEN OWL DAY with 7 different Snowy Owls in Superior, WI and all 3 reported Hawk Owls in MN. Judd Brink had an impressive 5 Northern Shrikes in Crow Wing and Aitking Counties…a bird that has been seen in lower than normal numbers in Sax-Zim Bog.
Surprising misses included Great Gray Owl (though one was seen in Sax-Zim on Friday by non-competing birders), Spruce Grouse, and Black-backed Woodpecker.
Steve Millard in Otter Tail County added several species that were not found in the "official playing field" of NE MN and NW WI, including Greater Prairie Chicken, Pied-billed Grebe, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, Trumpeter Swan, Barrow's Goldeneye, Red-winged Blackbird and Rusty Blackbird.
The Wintergreen/non-motorized division boasted two teams this year. And both biked their entire route in the Duluth city limits (half on "fat bikes" and half on regular mountain bikes). Not only battling the elements and exhaustion, the peddlers have to navigate Duluth's icy roads and hills. "Guys Gone Fat" (Andrew Webster, Pat Kohlin, Sean Walsh) edged out the "Broken Chain Gang" (Tim Bates, Bryan French, Shannon Walsh) by ONE SPECIES with a total of 30 species.
Our compilation dinner at the Aspenwood Clubhouse was a relaxed affair with pans of lasagna, loaves of bread, salad and fantastic desserts! Thanks to Ben Yokel, Sarah Beaster, and Lori Williams for the yummy fare!
2-DAY BRRRRdathon RESULTS
57 species—Benny & The Bensons (Dave Benson, Lars Benson, Ben Yokel)
50 species—Apter Raptors (John Ellis, Alex Ellis)
40 species—OtterTail Only (Steve Millard)
27 species—Team Dudley (David Dudley)
19 species—Brink of Greatness (Judd Brink)
1-DAY BRRRRdathon RESULTS
46 species—Coldfinches (Cindy Edwardson, Barb Akre, Kim Eckert, Mary Gabrys)
?? species—Yokel Boys (Ben Yokel, Uri Yokel)
WinterGreen/Non-Motorized BRRRRdathon RESULTS
30 species—Guys Gone Fat (Andrew Webster, Pat Kohlin, Sean Walsh)
29 species—The Broken Chain Gang (Tim Bates, Bryan French, Shannon Walsh)
The "Playing Field" for the BRRRRdathon/Photothon
PHOTOTHON produces some Amazing Bird & Mammal Photos!
The PHOTOTHON was also extremely close with excellent bird and mammal photos from Rich Hoeg and Jason Mandich ending in a virtual tie. Jason edged out Rich, scoring high points for his Mink and Flying Squirrel photos. Rich's excellent Snowy Owl photos also scored high marks.
Unlike the BRRRRdathon, the Photothon time frame (Dec 26-Jan 14) held some bitter cold conditions, with temps bottoming out at Minus 27 F air temperature!
Please check out the photographers websites!
Jason Mandich Photography
Rich Hoeg's 365 Days of Birds
Here are some of the judge's favorites:
2015 saw the additon of mammal photos as eligible in the 10-image portfolio. Jason Mandich's Flying Squirrel photo scored the most points. All images were judged on Execution, Creativity, and Rarity by a panel of judges (judges did not know who made what images).
Northern Hawk Owl preening by Rich Hoeg
Saw-whet Owl in Duluth by Jason Mandich
Female Pintail by Jason Mandich titled "Shakin' her money maker"
"Katie" Snowy Owl by Rich Hoeg
Wind-blown Snowy by Rich Hoeg
"Magnificent Mustelid" Mink by Jason Mandich
Tote Bags Made from Bird Seed Bags!
A tote bag made of a recycled bird seed bag! Tough, strong and lightweight…And sure to be the talk of your friends (and only $12!). Measures about 18 x 18 x 5. Made and DONATED by Scott Belknap of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. All proceeds go to Friends of Sax-Zim Bog whose mission is to Preserve, Promote and Protect the Sax-Zim Bog Important Birding Area.
Order Tote Bags Here
2015 SAX-ZIM BOG WILD CALENDAR—FIRST EVER!
PRICE DROP! NOW ONLY $12
Our first ever 12-month wildlife calendar CELEBRATING THE BIODIVERSITY OF THE SAX-ZIM BOG is out. Order a bunch today for delivery before the Holidays! THEY MAKE GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENTS!
ORDER HERE (www.birdnerdz.net is coordinating the sales of these calendars)
PAYMENT OPTIONS: PayPal or send check made out to "Friends of Sax-Zim Bog"
Photographs from Sax-Zim photographers including Stan Tekiela, Jason Mandich, Sparky Stensaas, Heidi Pinkerton, Terry Crayne. Interesting natural history facts are sprinkled throughout.
OVER 70 PHOTOS!
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN IN THE SAX-ZIM BOG
Moon phases, Sunrise & Sunset times weekly, Friends of Sax-Zim EVENTS and more
Keep a bit of the Bog in your home all year round.
12-month, 8 1/2 x 11 inches
$12 plus shipping. ALL FUNDS FROM THE SALE OF THIS CALENDAR WILL GO TO FRIENDS OF SAX-ZIM BOG to continue our Mission of PRESERVING, PROMOTING AND PROTECTING the Sax-Zim Bog.
Thank You!
[You can also get the calendar and add $20 to your purchase to become a member of Friends of Sax-Zim Bog (free field trips and more.)
The Calendar layout includes phenology for that month, events, lunar stages, and other natural history.
Snowy Owl near Zim Road by Heidi Pinkerton/Root River Photography
APRIL—Dancing Sharp-tailed Grouse at Poplar Rd lek by Jason Mandich
SEPTEMBER—Bull Moose on Stone Lake by Terry Crayne
Welcome Center Open 7-Days a Week 10a-3p
Directions to Welcome Center on Owl Avenue
Directions from Cotton, MN on US53...
*Go West from Cotton on CR52/Arkola for 11 miles
*Turn South (left) on Owl Avenue
*Go 1.75 miles (second curve) to Welcome Center
Directions from Meadowlands, on CR133...
*Go East on CR133 to CR229/29
*Turn North (left) on CR229/29
*Go North to T at Correction Line Rd
*Turn West (left) on Correction Line Rd
*Road curves North and becomes Owl Ave
*Go North on Owl Avenue for 2.5 miles to Welcome Center
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Free Birding Map!
See it here
We've developed a revised birding map for the Sax-Zim Bog. It highlights the best birding roads for winter, summer or year round birding...Even shows places to avoid! Lists specialty species for each area and locations of gas stations, restaurants and outhouses/restrooms.
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Copyright © 2014 Friends of Sax-Zim Bog, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 3585, Duluth, MN 55803
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