November Nature Notes
Some of the largest bird species are the last to leave Minnesota as they travel south. Watch for bald eagles, golden eagles, American white pelicans, sandhill cranes and tundra swans.
While Minnesota's southbound migration is nearly over, some birds are just beginning to arrive from the north. Artic species to watch for include tundra swans, pine grosbeaks, snow buntings and dark-eyed juncos. For many birders, the arrival of juncos is a bittersweeet sign that winter is just around the corner.
Large groups of tundra swans are a common sight on the Mississippi River backwaters in November. Most of these birds are traveling south from their summer homes in Canada, Alaska and the Arctic Circle, stopping to rest and feed in shallow water areas until ice forms. The spectacular sights and haunting sounds of huge concentrations of tundra swans is always a memorable experience. To view these amazing birds (sometimes in the tens of thousands) check the Mississippi River backwaters in the Brownsville, Minnieska and La Crescent areas. Learn more. Bird counts for tundra swans and other species within this portion of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge can be found on their website at Recent Bird Sightings.
Did You Know?
It can be hard to know which feeder to choose for your backyard. Fortunately, The Birding Wire has written an article explaining the difference between popular styles of feeders. Learn more at Assessing the Variety of Seed Feeders.
If you haven't finished raking your yard, that's great! In fact, "messy" yards are preferred by birds. Learn more at To Help Birds This Winter, Go Easy on Fall Yard Work.
Are you a backyard birder? You can help scientists track the movements of winter bird populations, as well as bird distribution and abundance by participating in Project Feeder Watch. All you need to do is gather and report data while enjoying the birds at your feeders. This year's Project Feeder Watch begins Nov. 9. Find out how you can participate.
The National Audubon Society has developed a quiz so you can discover which owl is most aligned with your personality. Have some fun, and check out Whooo are you?
Upcoming Birding Events
Nov. 6, Hastings
Minnesota Owl Banding
Learn about the migration patterns of saw-whet owls. Join nature center naturalists as they venture out to band some of our native owls. Space is limited so please reserve your spot early. This program is weather dependent. Carpenter Nature Center. 651-437-4359
Nov. 9, Brooklyn Park
Raptors: Who's Who?
See wild songbirds safely trapped, studied and tagged with numbered rings. Bring a camera. Drop in anytime. Coon Rapids Regional Park. 763-694-7790
Nov. 9 & 17, Shakopee
Bird Watching Trek
Attend a bird walk to learn about the birds that visit the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge during the fall migration. Birders of all skill levels are welcome. Bring your binoculars and favorite field guide. Meet at the Wilkie Unit Trailhead at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. 952-854-5900
Nov. 9, St. Paul
Turkey Talk
Wild turkeys have made quite a comeback since the 1970s, and they are often easy to spot at Fort Snelling State Park. In this family-friendly program we'll "talk turkey" and share lots of information about these large feathered creatures. Fort Snelling State Park. 612-725-2724
Nov. 16, Elba/west of Winona
Tundra Swan Field Trip
Each November thousands of migrating tundra swans stop at the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge on their way to Chesapeake Bay. Join a naturalist for a short presentation, then caravan through the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area to Weaver Bottoms on the Mississippi River to observe tundra swans. Binoculars, spotting scopes and handouts will be available. Please provide your own transportation. Whitewater State Park. 507-312-2300
Nov. 16, Wabasha
Eagle Watching Field Trips
Learn about eagles in the Upper Mississippi River Valley and get great views of bald eagles in the wild on a guided eagle tour. Attendees travel by coach bus with expert naturalists to eagle viewing hot spots in and around the Mississippi River Valley. National Eagle Center.651-565-4989
Nov. 16, Houston
Owl Prowl to Call in Wild Owls
Learn how to identify local owls by size, shape, silhouette and sound with the Owl Center's human and owl staff. Following the indoor portion of the program, participants will carpool to known owl territories in and around Houston to call for eastern screech-owls, barred owls and great horned owls. Reservations required. International Owl Center. 507-896-6957
Nov. 16, Winona
Tundra Swan Watch
The bus tour will leave Winona to visit the Weaver Bottoms area, then travel on to the Brownsville Overlook for spectacular sights and sounds of tundra swans. Interpreters will be onboard to answer questions, and binoculars, spotting scopes and brochures will be provided for the day. Seating is limited; reservations are required. The tour begins at the Winona Visitor Center. 507-494-6238
Nov. 22, Hastings
Public Bird Banding
Bird banders welcome you to see birds up close and learn about the birds who share our ecosystem. Banding runs continuously for 3.5 hours but visitors may come and go at any time. Please call ahead of time to say you are coming. Donations of bird seed or suet are greatly appreciated. Carpenter Nature Center. 651-437-4359
Nov. 23, Bloomington
Refuge Bird Trek - Bass Ponds
Join a naturalist for a walk in search of migrating and wintering waterfowl, raptors and other species. All levels of experience are welcome. Please bring binoculars and a field guide, and dress for the weather. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. 952-854-5900
Nov. 23, Toivola
Winter Birding Preview Field Trip
The first of the winter visitors arrive and settle into reliable locations at the Sax Zim Bog by the end of November. The group will search for winter specialties like rough-legged hawk and northern shrike, as well as resident species such as Canada jay and boreal chickadee. With luck, winter finches and the first northern hawk owls will also be found. Sax-Zim Bog. 218-744-7448
Dec. 7, Rochester
Zumbro Valley Audubon Society Bird Walk Enjoy a casual walk through Quarry Hill Park to look for wintering and migrating birds. Bring binoculars if you have them or borrow a pair from the nature center. No registration required. Quarry Hill Park. 507-328-3950
Dec. 8, Toivola
Winter Raptors Field Trip
Colorful winter finches often get lots of attention from visitors to the Bog in the winter months, but finches are not the only winter visitors to see. This field trip will search the open ag-land and roadsides of the Bog for visitors from the Arctic, such as rough-legged hawks, northern shrikes, northern hawk owls and more. Sax-Zim Bog. 218-744-7448
Recent Bird Sightings
Check the Minnesota Ornithologists' Union web site for recent bird sightings and rare bird alerts.
For additional information, consider joining the Minnesota Birding community on Facebook.
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