Owl, Grouse & Northern Specialties

Spend time in one of North America’s most celebrated winter birding destinations, with excellent chances for Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, and other boreal specialties in their quiet, snow‑covered habitat.Experience the thrill of seeing Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak, Boreal Chickadee, Canada Jay, and crossbills in the deep north woods.Scan the icy harbor and breakwalls for Long‑tailed Ducks, Harlequin Duck, and a suite of Arctic gulls riding the wind over Lake Superior.Look for Snowy Owl, Rough‑legged Hawk, Short-eared Owl, and Northern Harrier hunting across frozen agricultural fields and grasslands.Search for Spruce Grouse, Ruffed Grouse, and Sharp‑tailed Grouse in their cold‑season habitats — from quiet conifer forests to open grasslands.Experience the stark beauty, stillness, and wildlife drama of a northern winter.

While we cannot guarantee sightings of the birds listed below, we believe that encountering these species is quite likely during this tour. Great Gray OwlSnowy OwlNorthern Hawk OwlBarred OwlHarlequin DuckBoreal OwlShort-eared OwlRed CrossbillRedpollPine and Evening GrosbeaksBoreal ChickadeeBohemian WaxwingSpruce, Ruffed and Sharp-tailed GrouseLong-tailed DuckAmerican Three-toed WoodpeckerCanada JayPileated Woodpeckerand many more!

OSCAR CARMONA

This tour is best described as easy to moderate. Most birding will take place from roadsides, pullouts, boardwalks, and other easily accessible locations, with only limited walking away from the vehicle. Because of snow and icy conditions, even short walks can require extra care due to potentially slippery surfaces. In some areas, we may take brief walks on snowy trails to improve our chances of seeing specialty species.The pace of the tour is moderate, with full days in the field designed to make the most of the daylight hours. Daily walking is usually light to moderate, generally about 1–2 miles in total, spread across the day. Field time is typically 7–10 hours per day, weather permitting, with mornings beginning at the hotel and departures usually between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. We bird through the morning, pause for lunch, continue through the afternoon, and gather for dinner in the evening. Because of the cold, meals are generally taken indoors rather than in the field, and we return each night to the same hotel in Duluth.February in Northern Minnesota brings true winter conditions, and guests should be prepared for sustained cold. Temperatures often range from the single digits to the low 20s, with wind chills that can drop well below zero, especially in open areas. Snow and ice are common, and footing can be uneven around roadside pull‑offs and feeding stations. While walking distances remain short and the pace is easy, the cold can feel intense during extended periods outside the vehicle. Warm, layered clothing, insulated boots, hand warmers, and wind protection are essential for comfort and enjoyment throughout the tour.Our daily itinerary will remain flexible to accommodate changes in weather, local conditions, and patterns of bird activity. This flexibility allows us to adjust both the timing and the order of locations visited, ensuring that participants experience the best possible birding opportunities throughout the trip.

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The tour price is $2,610 USD per person based on double occupancy. The single supplement is $400 USD and will be applied if you request single accommodations, or if you prefer to share a room but no roommate is available and we are unable to pair you with another participant.To register for this tour, please complete an online reservation form. A non‑refundable deposit of $300 USD per person is required to secure your space. All payments—including deposits and final balances—may be made by credit card, check, money order, or bank/wire transfer (bank details will be provided).Deposits are due within 14 days of submitting your reservation form. The remaining balance is due as soon as the tour is confirmed or 60 days prior to the tour start date, whichever comes first. We will invoice you accordingly.

The tour package includes:Expert guiding serviceGround transportation during the tourEntrance fees to parks/preservesAccommodations as stated in the itineraryThe hotel on this tour provides complimentary breakfastsIt does not include meals, travel expenses including but not limited to airfare to and from the tour destination, travel insurance, extended stays (before and/or after the tour), alcoholic beverages, gratuities, and items/expenses of personal nature.About Meals:  The hotel on this tour provides complimentary breakfast. Depending on the day’s route, lunches will be combination of quick “grab and-go” fast food or sit-down at a casual cafe with dinners at a local restaurant. Evenings are left open so you can choose from the restaurants near our lodging or explore local dining on your own. You are always welcome to join us for dinner. Joining the group is completely optional; your tour leader will share where they’re heading for dinner so you can join if you’d like. We will carry light snacks and water daily.

Cancellations must be submitted in writing. The following schedule applies:Cancellations made 90 days or more before the tour start date:   Full refund of payments made minus the non‑refundable per‑person deposit. As a one‑time alternative, you may transfer payments made beyond the non‑refundable deposit to another tour (subject to availability) for up to 12 months from the cancellation date. Failure to reschedule within 12 months results in forfeiture of all transferable payments. Cancellations made 89–61 days before the tour start date:   50% refund of payments made minus the non‑refundable per‑person deposit. Cancellations made 60 days or less before the tour start date:   No refund. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in the event of unexpected circumstances.For full details, please review Terms and Conditions before booking any of our tours or services. Our Terms and Conditions include important information about how we operate our tours, including cancellation policy, travel insurance, health and fitness requirements, and other essential guidelines to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

ITINERARY Day 1 — Arrival at Duluth International Airport (DLH) before 2 pm. Guests arrive in Duluth, where Lake Superior sets the tone for the week. After settling into the hotel, we take a short, optional walk along Canal Park. In the evening, we gather for a welcome dinner, and preview the week ahead. Overnight: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Duluth North – Miller Hill.Days 2-4 — Sax–Zim Bog & Superior National Forest. We will have three full days to enjoy the boreal forest of Northeast Minnesota.  We will spend at least two days exploring the world-renowned Sax–Zim Bog, just an hour northwest of Duluth. The bog feels like stepping into another world; black spruce, tamarack, and snow-draped meadows stretching in every direction. Sitting at the southern edge of the boreal forest, the bog creates a “magic mix” of habitats that reliably draws species that are difficult or impossible to find elsewhere. Target species for the day include Boreal and Black-capped Chickadees, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, Canada Jay, Black-billed Magpie, White-winged Crossbill, Redpoll, Black-backed Woodpecker, and Snow Bunting, among others. We also search for owls - Great Gray, Boreal, Northern Hawk, Barred, and Snowy are all possible in this location. On the fourth day, we will head northeast from Duluth to Superior National Forest. The forest feels like stepping into the deep heart of the North Woods, a sprawling expanse of spruce, fir, aspen, birch, and countless lakes that stretches all the way to the Canadian border. It is one of the largest intact forest landscapes in the Lower 48, and for birders, it offers a rare chance to experience the full richness of the boreal biome without leaving the country. Our main focus here is finding Spruce Grouse, a specialty that feeds off the needles of spruce and other conifers. We will then bird our way back to Duluth along the North Shore of Lake Superior scanning the lake for Harlequin Duck, Red-breasted Merganser, Long-tailed Duck, Common Goldeneye, and Rough-legged Hawk. Overnight: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Duluth North – Miller Hill.Day 5 — Flexible Day: Catch‑Ups, Rarities & Local Opportunities. Today is intentionally left open, a flexible day designed to make the most of whatever the north has to offer. Rather than following a fixed route, we will use everything we have learned over the previous days to shape a plan that maximizes both quality sightings and overall experience. If there are key species we only glimpsed briefly, or missed entirely, this is our opportunity to return to the most productive habitats. We will also remain attentive to recent bird reports and changing conditions across the region. Winter in northern Minnesota is dynamic, and new opportunities can emerge quickly. Overnight: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Duluth North – Miller Hill. Day 6 — Tour Conclusion & Departures. We will have one final morning of birding near the hotel before departure. Participants may arrange departure flights out of Duluth International Airport after 2 pm.