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Here are a few of this week's stories from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources:
See other news releases, Showcasing the DNR stories, photos and other resources at Michigan.gov/DNRPressRoom.
PHOTO FOLDER: Larger, higher-res versions of some of the images used in this email are available in this folder.
Ready for some outdoor fun with family and friends? Join in this winter’s Free Fishing Weekend – Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17-18 – two full days when residents and visitors can fish without a license, though all other fishing regulations still apply.
It’s a great time to get out and explore: During Free Fishing Weekend, the DNR also waives the regular Recreation Passport entry fee that grants vehicle access to Michigan’s 103 state parks and more than 1,300 DNR-managed boating access sites.
Michigan has celebrated Free Fishing Weekend every year since 1986 to promote awareness of the state’s fine fishing and vast aquatic resources. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, over 52,000 miles of rivers and streams and 10,899 inland lakes, Michigan and fishing are a perfect match.
Before heading out, make sure you and your fishing buddies are prepared for changing winter weather. As always, brush up on our ice safety tips at Michigan.gov/IceSafety, too.
If you already have a fishing license, take someone new along for the fun and fish tales! Learn more at Michigan.gov/FreeFishing and get the most current fishing regulations at Michigan.gov/DNRRegs.
Questions? Contact Sierra Williams at WilliamsS100@Michigan.gov.
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It’s probably no surprise, but this colder time of year is when Michigan’s winter birds are most resilient. How do these small birds thrive when temperatures drop? From storing food to fluffing up their feathers, Michigan's birds are masters at doing what it takes to weather our winters.
We’re highlighting a couple of our favorite winter birds that have adapted to freezing temperatures across the state. Learn how they stay warm, how to identify them and where to spot them!
Downy woodpecker
Fun winter facts: An advantage in the winter, the downy woodpecker’s small size allows it to feed on small weed stalks and in large trees. Downies construct new tree cavities in the fall, where they roost and keep warm during cold winter nights.
How to ID: This is the smallest woodpecker in North America, between the size of a robin and sparrow. It has a white back, black and white striped face and a very short, stubby bill. Males have a red spot on the nape (back of the neck).
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Black-capped chickadee
Fun winter facts: Storing food from bird feeders in bark crevices helps chickadees late in winter when other food sources are scarce or trapped under snow or ice. Chickadees are also experts in shivering to stay warm. They can control and lower their body temperature to conserve energy at night, entering what is known as regulated hypothermia!
How to ID: These small and lively birds have a black cap and bib, gray back and buff wash on their sides.
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Finding winter birds in Michigan
When you’re dressed for the elements, winter can be an exciting time to go birding. Look for winter birds in forests and woodlands or along woodland edges, grassy and weedy fields, and city and suburban parks and yards.
Go birding on your local public lands, such as Audubon Important Bird Areas, or IBAs, state game and wildlife areas and Wetland Wonders. Learn more about Michigan's birding trails and where to go birding this winter.
Check out the MI Birds blog at the Audubon Great Lakes website for the full story about winter birds in Michigan.
For media questions, contact Erin Ford at 313-820-0809.
MI Birds is a public outreach and education program presented by Audubon Great Lakes and the Michigan DNR that works to build and bring together wildlife enthusiasts across the state to engage with and conserve Michigan’s public lands for the benefit of birds and people.
Need a little warm-weather inspiration? Catch the next episode of “Wardens” – the Outdoor Channel's weekly show that tells the story of dedicated DNR conservation officers and other staff members and the work they do to protect and conserve Michigan's natural resources.
This week's show – here’s a teaser video – airs Friday and takes you to PaddleFit yoga classes at several state parks and summertime lake patrols in southeast Michigan.
To get the Outdoor Channel, ask your local TV service provider or go to outdoorchannel.com, myoutdoortv.com or Amazon Prime Video, or call 855-44-OUTDOOR. More than 78 episodes of "Wardens" have featured Michigan and tallied over 36 million viewers!
Episodes air on the Outdoor Channel every Friday at 9 p.m. Previous episodes air on FOX UP/WLUC-TV6 every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The show also is available under the title "Wardens of the North" or "Michigan Wardens" on Animal Planet.
Questions? Contact Dave Haupt at 517-420-0819.
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 See more pictures by Michigan state parks photo ambassadors at Instagram.com/MiStateParks. For more on the program, call Stephanie Yancer at 989-274-6182. (This photo is by Brandon Johnson, for the Michigan DNR, at Hog Island Point State Forest Campground on the shore of Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula.)
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