A respectable 17 birding teams braved bitter winter temperatures and wind chills during this year's BRRRRdathon – the World's Coldest Birdathon. Covering such northern Minnesota "coldspots" as the Sax-Zim Bog and locations along the north shore of Lake Superior as far south as Duluth and as far north as Grand Morais, birders braved the ultra-cold weather and reported 63 different wintering species. Conducted by Friends of the Sax-Zim Bog, teams competed to find the most bird species and raise money to support land protection and a variety of programs at the Sax-Zim Bog.
Some birders braved –9F temperatures with a –20 degree wind chill on the first day of competition, but the wind died down and temps warmed into double digits during Day 2 of the event. The total of 63 species was impressive considering the conditions, but it was well below the record 81 species observed in 2024. Species highlights included 3 new birds to bring the composite list total to 125 – a Short-eared Owl, Mountain Bluebird, and a Golden Eagle. Other exciting birds observed included a Harlequin Duck, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, a Northern Hawk Owl, Snowy Owls, an American Wigeon, Townsend's Solitaire, and many Bohemian Waxwings.
Although 17 birding teams wasn't a record number, it was actually more teams than have been participating in recent years. You can learn more about the 16th BRRRRdathon (including anyone interested in braving the cold next year) at 17 Teams for BRRRRdathon 2026! : Friends of Sax-Zim Bog