Nearest Town: Jacobson

The Rabey Tree Farm is a wonderful birding area found in the northern part of Aitkin County along State Highway 200 near milepost marker 186. The tree farm owned by the UPM – Kymenne - Blandin Paper Company consists primarily of Black Spruce. We acknowledge our appreciation to UPM – Blandin for allowing public recreation use on the Rabey Tree Farm. Located on both sides of the highway, the largest portion is on the north side of the road, but several trails make the southern portion much more accessible. In a plat map book, the area covers a big portion of sections 9 and 16 of unorganized “B” plat.

The south side of the tree farm is the great for birding and for nature watching in general. The Elliot Forest Road borders the east side. From the intersection of Highway 200 and the Elliot Forest Road, a snowmobile trail runs generally towards the east crossing a couple of north/south trails. Birding can be very good just by walking along the snowmobile trails but it can be beneficial to walk down the rows and around the trees to the south of the snowmobile trail. In the summer, the area produces some wonderful birds. It’s one of the most reliable locations to find Cape May Warbler in the state of Minnesota, nesting here in loose colonies of up to three dozen pairs. It is also home to the Boreal Chickadee, another much sought after bird. The area has Magnolia Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, Gray Jay, Ruffed Grouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Common Raven, Hermit Thrush and White-throated Sparrow, to mention but a few.

Animal life is abundant near the tree farm. While they might be unseen, winter’s newly fallen snows display the tracks of Red Fox, Coyote, Gray Wolf, Bobcat, White-tailed Deer, Snowshoe Hare, Cottontail Rabbit, Red Squirrel, Mink, Least Weasel, Short-tail Weasel and numerous species of rodents.

When birding and hiking in the winter, please remember that these are active snowmobile trails with heavy snowmobile traffic, particularly on the weekends. Snowmobiles have the right of way on these designated trails.

Directions: From Jacobson, six miles west on State Highway 200 near mile marker 186 or 11 miles east of Hill City.
Contact Information: UPM–Blandin, 115 SW First St, Grand Rapids, MN 55744, Phone: 218-327-6200.