December Nature Notes
December marks the end of the southbound migration, but it is also a beginning of a special birding season. Many arctic birds that have arrived from the north become the focus of birders, many from other countries. These birds include boreal chickadees, evening grosbeaks, pine grosbeaks, hoary redpolls, common redpolls, gray jays, red-bellied woodpeckers, snow buntings, pine siskins, northern shrikes and red-breasted nuthatches. And northern owls rarely seen in the U.S. — snowy, boreal, northern hawk and great gray — draw birders from all over the world to add to their life bird lists. The Sax-Zim Bog in northeastern Minnesota, an Audubon Important Area, is one of the best sites to view boreal birds.
December offers us a chance to view vast numbers of North America's largest waterfowl, the trumpeter swan. These swans gather in abundance where water continues to flow in the winter. One location where these birds gather in abundance is on the Mississippi River in Monticello where water flows year round due to a power plant upriver. For directions and to learn more about these spectacular birds, visit the Monticello Chamber of Commerce Trumpeter Swans web page.
This is also a great time of year to view hundreds of wintering bald eagles. Various spots along the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota remain open in the winter, attracting eagles and a variety of waterfowl due to easy access to fish. Some of the best locations include the city park at Red Wing, Read's Landing south of Lake City, and areas near Wabasha. Learn more at the DNR's Bald Eagles in Winter web page. Weekly counts of numerous bird species can be found on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge ebird Sightings web page.
Did You Know?
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology offers a wonderful Winter Bird Feeding Guide covering which types of feed and feeders are best for winter birds.
This year marks the 120th Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC). The CBC is the world's longest-running wildlife census, both a social and citizen science event. Bird counts are held from Dec. 14, 2019 through Jan. 5, 2020 at sites throughout the U.S., Canada and many other countries in the Western Hemisphere. The information gathered at specific sites over a 24-hour period is summarized by scientists to gain insight into bird populations and patterns. Volunteers of all skill levels are needed, and there are dozens of bird counts in Minnesota looking for participants — locate a bird count near you!
Upcoming Birding Events
Dec. 7, 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; 952-240-7647
Dec. 8, Meadowlands
Winter Raptors Field Trip
Colorful winter finches often get lots of attention from visitors to the Bog in the winter, but finches aren't the only winter visitors to see. The group 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. Registration required. Sax-Zim Bog. 218-744-7448
Dec. 8, Rochester
Bird Banding & Nature Art Show & Sale
Enjoy a Sunday afternoon experiencing the beauty of birds up close. Observe trapping, netting, banding and releasing birds back into the wild. And don't miss the stunning artwork created by ten artists inspired by nature. Quarry Hill Nature Center. 507-328-3950
Dec. 14, Winona
Winona Christmas Bird Count
Birders of all ages are welcome to contribute to this enjoyable citizen-science project which provides ornithologists with a crucial snapshot of our native bird populations during the winter months. Organizers will pair fledgling birders with experienced counters, and provide route maps, count forms and guidelines. Meet at Mugby Junction at 451 Huff Street in Winona. 507-452-5727
Dec. 14, Henderson
Christmas Bird Count
Join the Ney Nature Center for its annual Christmas Bird Count. Families, friends, professional and novice birders will head out with bird guides and checklists to observe their bird feeding stations or explore select areas within a 7.5 mile radius of the Nature Center. Simultaneously, thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas will take part in this adventure that has become a tradition. Ney Nature Center. 507-248-3474; 507-357-8581
Dec. 14, Bloomington
Bloomington Christmas Bird Count & Winter Potluck Dinner
Join the annual Christmas Bird Count and help count birds. Young birders with good eyes and ears are especially appreciated as an addition to a team of more experienced birders with good ID skills. 612-205-3071; 612-723-2632
Dec. 15, St. Paul
Winter Bird Feeding Tips
Attracting birds to your backyard feeders can sometime be a challenge. Learn how you can attract more species by using a variety of seeds and feeders. Also learn how you can improve the habitat in your yard to increase numbers and varieties of birds. Fort Snelling State Park. 612-725-2724
Dec. 16, Park Rapids
24th Annual Winter Bird Count
Explore Itasca's count area in search of winter bird residents. Stay a few hours or spend the whole day. Information collected is used to track migration patterns and changes in winter bird species abundance throughout North America. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Lobby between 7:30 and 8 a.m. for assignment of count areas. Itasca State Park. 218-699-7259
Dec. 21, McGregor
The Great Christmas Bird Count
Participate in the Christmas Bird Count at the McGregor Marsh Science & Natural Area (SNA) during the winter solstice. The group will follow the trail through the SNA and take a census of the birds found. The hike will occur snow or shine so please dress warmly and wear good hiking boots. McGregor March SNA. 218-735-3971
Dec. 27, Hastings
Public Bird Banding
Bird banders welcome you to see birds up close and learn all about them. Banding runs continuously for 3 ½ hours but visitors may come and go at any time. Please call ahead. Donations of bird seed or suet are greatly appreciated! Carpenter Nature Center. 651-437-4359
Dec. 28, Carlos/Alexandria
10th Annual Christmas Bird Count
Take part in the 120th Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Explore the Alexandria count area in search of winter bird residents. Stay a few hours or spend the entire day. Information collected is used to track migration patterns and changes in winter bird species abundance. Lake Carlos State Park. 320-852-7200
Dec. 28, Silver Bay
Falcon Focus!
What makes a falcon different from hawks and eagles? And how can they fly at speeds over 200 mph? Come discover things that make a falcon such a unique species of bird of prey. Naturalist Jackie Fallon will bring several live birds to show you the differences in person. Don't forget your camera. Tettegouche State Park. 218-353-8809
Dec. 31, Houston
Owl Prowl at the International Owl Center
Learn how to identify local owls by size, shape, silhouette and sound with the Owl Center's human and owl staff. Following an indoor program, participants will carpool to known owl territories to call for eastern screech-owl, barred owl and great horned owl. Dress for the weather, and try to wear clothes that don't make noise when you move. Reservations required. International Owl Center. 507-896-6957
Jan. 3-4, Meadowlands
BRRRRdathon
The BRRRRdathon may be the world’s coldest birdathon but it can also be the most exhilarating with the possibility of many boreal specialties. Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. Sax-Zim Bog. 218-744-7448; 218-341-3350
Jan. 11, Houston
Owl Prowl at the International Owl Center
Learn how to identify local owls by size, shape, silhouette and sound with the Owl Center's human and owl staff. Following an indoor program, participants will carpool to known owl territories to call for eastern screech-owls, barred owls and great horned owls. Dress for the weather, and try to wear clothes that don't make noise when you move. Reservations required. International Owl Center. 507-896-6957
Jan. 11-12, Meadowlands
Boreal Birds Workshop
Attend a multi-day, intensive birding experience and workshop featuring presentations by Executive Director Sparky and Head Naturalist Clinton. Each day will feature birding through northern Minnesota in search of special species that make the boreal forest home. Sax-Zim Bog. sparky@saxzim.org
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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