Aitkin County Breeding Owl Records 1973-2014

Northcentral Aitkin County is one of few places in Minnesota where two boreal species, Great Gray Owls and Northern Hawk Owls, regularly breed. In addition, this area hosts state-threatened breeding Short-eared Owls as well as many overwintering owls. Management of the forest resource must be intentional to maintain both nesting cover as well as a prey base and foraging habitat. In addition to boreal forest owls, the area supports Boreal Chickadees and Gray Jays and thus attracts bird watchers seeking boreal species.