The short version is "very slow." I missed all the specialties (Spruce Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, and Northern Goshawk). I usually get at least two of those on a northwoods trip. Nevertheless there was good birding around feeders and due to the recent snowfall, the woods are very beautiful. The details: The trip to Crandon on STH55 through Menominee and Langlade counties was nearly birdless. Several ravens were seen and a single Pine Grosbeak was at the end of North Rolling Stone Lake Rd.. The house with the feeder along the road had lots of chickadees, and a few nuthatches (both species). No Purple Finches this year. Crandon had a great platform feeder at the end of Prospect Ave. There were many redpolls, Pine Siskins, and a few Red Crossbills. I was working on a very probable Hoary Redpoll when a flock of Starlings flew into the yard and all the birds left the feeder even though the Starlings didn't go to the feeder. CTH O east of Argonne had a small mixed flock of Red and White-winged Crossbills feeding on the same pine. Newald had a Cardinal and some Common Redpolls. Alvin had just a few Common Redpolls (it never has been good in the afternoon when I've been there), and the Brule River Campground was birdless. Wednesday I started at Firelane Road northeast of Conover and saw 2 ea. Red-breasted Nuthatches, White-winged Crossbills, and Black-capped Chickadees. Land 'O Lakes had Common Redpolls and Pine Siskins and a flock of larger UFO birds that flew across the road (Crossbills? Waxwings?). That small town is surprisingly busy and after I pulled over I couldn't locate the flock. Phelps had more redpolls at the feeders on CTH E coming into town. I then proceeded down Blackjack Road to Military Road. It was dead all the way. I spent 2 hours on FR2043 looking for the birds Mike Duchek had reported, but all I could find were small flocks of Black-capped Chickadees. I would advise snowshoes now. There was much more snow than I expected. Next was the Pine River Bridge and FR2182 which were also dead. I easily found the debarked trees that Jerry DeBoer had reported and my hopes were up when I heard a lot of activity and saw some bark chips falling. It was all being caused by 4 Hairy Woodpeckers and 2 Downy Woodpeckers doing their best Black-backed impression. I tried the spot again today but found only 1 Hairy Woodpecker working. Still, since Black-backed Woodpecker has been frequently reported at the bridge I would continue to check this stand if I was in the area. Although the trail was hard to follow, I finally found the boardwalk on the Giant Pine Wilderness Trail, but saw nothing but Hairy Woodpeckers along the way and nothing on the boardwalk. By now it was getting close to sundown, not the best time to bird. Today I tried the Old A Bog west of Three Lakes and heard Black-capped Chickadees and Crossbills (White-winged I think), but saw nothing. Birds in town were very good. I found them on Bonack Loop in town which can be accessed from the road that leaves STH 45 next to the Citgo station (I think it is Winkler). There were dozens of redpolls and Pine Siskins, a few Pine Grosbeaks and Evening Grosbeaks, and one Cardinal. I tried the forest roads again before heading home but found nothing. Thomas Wood, Menomonee Falls, Waukesha County #################### You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn