Minnesota's Northwoods - May 2026
Dates: May 31-June 5, 2026
Leaders: Erik Bruhnke & Peter Zika
E-bird
Total Species: 117 birds
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Overall Summary
This year’s Minnesota Northwoods tour was another delight to the senses, as we explored the incredibly diverse flora and fauna of the heart of the region, topped off with delightful local dining and so many great memories along the way.
On our first stretch of birding before the opening dinner, we explored the nearby expanses of Park Point and enjoyed views of many birds, including gorgeous breeding-plumaged Common Loons, Northern Flickers, Eastern Kingbirds, and the first-ever-for-this-tour Hudsonian Whimbrels (a locally rare sight)!
Our first day was spent savoring many special areas of Sax-Zim Bog. One of the first birds of our day was an adult Broad-winged Hawk perched out in the open! The magic of the northern prairies opened up as we headed to a special field and enjoyed a fantastic, up-close experience with a dapper, singing LeConte’s Sparrow. Sedge Wrens and Clay-colored Sparrows kept nearby watch, as did a family of adorable Red Foxes watching from a distance. As the morning continued, we readied ourselves to trek into the woods after a singing Connecticut Warbler. His impressive song carried deep through the woods, and we locked the scope onto this bird a little later. It was great to appreciate this beautiful regional specialist. A beautiful Black-backed Woodpecker was seen and heard calling along the road while we enjoyed a tasty breakfast-in-the-bog that morning. A Mourning Warbler was a show-stealer a little later on. Yellow-bellied Flycatchers che-bunked their calls deep in the woods. The rest of the day was full of birdlife, warblers and sparrows alike, as we explored fields and woods.
The next day we headed up to the Superior National Forest. It was another "perfect Duluth day" in terms of weather. We took time to enjoy the early morning sun along Lake Superior first and enjoyed views of incredible birds like Red-throated Loon and Red-necked Grebe. The Gitchi Gami waters were like glass. Up north we started our woodland experiences with Northern Parulas, Blackburnian Warblers, and Least Flycatchers, to name a few. Cedar Waxwings dazzled in the treetops as a sassy Northern Waterthrush called along a vast lake of stunning perfection. The bulk of the morning was spent casually exploring the wilds of the deep forests, where we enjoyed many gorgeous Tennessee Warblers and a Cape May Warbler. A Canada Warbler was appreciated well for its complex and distinct field markings, as was a male Purple Finch. A tasty picnic lunch along Lake Superior came with pleasant lake-effect air conditioning on the warm, sunny day. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and flyover Sandhill Cranes were enjoyed during our picnic. In the afternoon we enjoyed both Red-breasted and Hooded Mergansers, the adorable Franklin’s Ground Squirrel, and Lake Superior-bound waterfalls. Throughout this day alone, we enjoyed views of eighteen warbler species, all breeding locally where we observed them! We ended the day with some fine dining, with many opting for the done-just-right walleye and wild rice combo.
The next day started bright and early in Sax-Zim Bog. An up-close, post-perching Wilson’s Snipe brought big smiles to our faces, as did a Sandhill Crane walking across the road and a Black-billed Magpie (the bog contains the easternmost population of this species). As the day progressed, we enjoyed wonderful moments with a sought-after Golden-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, a sweet-whistling Black-capped Chickadee, and more. A gorgeous bog boardwalk was a treat to the senses, and a singing Baltimore Oriole later on was a show-stealer in his own way. In the afternoon we found a Least Flycatcher building a nest, in addition to Bobolinks and locally uncommon Brewer’s Blackbirds over vast fields. It was lots of fun to visit the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center, explore everything both inside and out, and make a donation to them, which VENT does on each of its seasonal Minnesota tours. A special brewpub was a treat for our tour, with many folks choosing the legendary (and always surprisingly tasty) homemade wild rice burgers. A good night’s rest had us ready for one more full day in the field.
We took time to appreciate the vast birding opportunities of the world’s longest freshwater sandbar a little more on this last day, enjoying wonderful sightings like both Common and Red-throated Loons on the great lake, along with a gorgeous Pine Warbler atop a pine tree. Both Chimney Swifts and (locally uncommon) Purple Martins were observed as the morning continued, along with Semipalmated Sandpipers, Sanderlings, Dunlin, and Common Terns. Exploring the Wisconsin side of this grand peninsula complex was lots of fun across various habitats, which brought forth a squadron of American White Pelicans! In the afternoon, after one more tasty picnic amidst the beautiful weather, we took time to explore the beauty of Hawk Ridge, discussing the breathtaking spectacle and magnitude of migration that passes through this airspace every fall, all just minutes from our hotel.
Leading this tour brings my heart much joy each year, as it is exciting to share the charm and birding thrill of this area that I am grateful to call home. Throughout this year's tour we enjoyed 21 species of breeding warblers and so much more. It was a joy to lead this tour with Peter Zika this year, as we teamed up for birds, plants, and more. His legendary plant expertise was much appreciated every day. A special thank you to everyone who was part of this tour this year. We had a great time birding together, and the camaraderie and friendship all around were wonderful!
Day-by-Day Summary
May 31 - Meet n greet, followed by local birding along the immediate Lake Superior area, then dinner.
June 1 - Breakfast-in-the-bog, Sax-Zim Bog birding & exploring all day long.
June 2 - Brighton Beach & Lester River area, Greenwood Lake, Superior National Forest birding with breakfast-in-the-woods, Tettegouche State Park, Black Beach, Gooseberry Falls State Park.
June 3 - Sax-Zim Bog all day, starting with breakfast-in-the-bog.
June 4 - Caribou Coffee, Park Point, Canal Park, Wisconsin Point, Lester River, Hawk Ridge.
June 5 - Rides to the airport for departures.
Wildlife Seen:
MAMMALS:
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Red Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
Franklin’s Ground Squirrel
Common Muskrat
Eastern Cottontail
Snowshoe Hare
Red Fox
Moose (just the tracks)
White-tailed Deer
BUTTERFLIES:
Monarch
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
Spring Azure
Mourning Cloak
Bluegill