December Nature Notes
Irruptions of birds occasionally occur during Minnesota winters. These mass movements of birds into territories not usually frequented are generally due to a lack of food. According to Ron Pittaway, birch seed and pine cone crops are poor to low to the north and northeast of Minnesota, resulting in an influx of winter finches. Expect to see greater numbers of pine grosbeak, evening grosbeak, purple finch, white-winged crossbill, common redpoll and hoary redpoll. Learn more at Winter Finch Forecast 2018-2019.
December offers us a chance to view vast numbers of North America's largest waterfowl, the trumpeter swan. 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 up river. 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 throughout the winter, attracting eagles and a variety of waterfowl due to 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 Refuge Recent Bird 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 119th Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is the world's longest-running wildlife census! Bird counts will be held from Dec. 14, 2018 through Jan. 5, 2019 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. 8, 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 River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. 952-240-7647
Dec. 8, Little Falls
Backyard Bird Feeder
Minnesota winters can be long and cold. Bird feeders attract life to our frozen backyards and can help birds survive through the winter. Learn about different feeder styles, placement, seed selection and how to maintain your feeding stations, then build your very own feeder to take home! Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Maintenance Shop. 320-632-1575
Dec. 8, Meadowlands
Winter Raptors Field Trip
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. naturalist@saxzim.org
Dec. 9, Meadowlands
Winter Finches Field Trip
Take a field trip through the Sax-Zim Bog in search of bright winter visitors, such as pine grosbeak, evening grosbeak, common redpoll and crossbills. Staff will also introduce the natural history of these boreal wanderers. Sax-Zim Bog. naturalist@saxzim.org
Dec. 9, St. Paul
Bird, Books and Binoculars
Join a park naturalist for a birding hike after learning how to use a field guide and binoculars. Equipment provided. Dress for the weather and meet at the Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center (two miles from park entrance -- plan for an additional 10 minute drive through the park). Registration required. Fort Snelling State Park. 612-725-2724
Dec. 15, Bloomington
Bloomington Christmas Bird Count
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, Excelsior
Excelsior Christmas Bird Count
Attend the Christmas Bird Count, and help search for birds in parts of Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Chanhassen, Chaska or Shakopee. A portion of Carver Park will also be covered. 763-694-7650; 612-710-1451
Dec. 15, St. Paul
St. Paul Christmas Bird Count
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. 612-568-5272
Dec. 17, Park Rapids
23rd 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. 218-699-7251
Dec. 28, Hastings
Minnesota Campus 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. 29, North Branch/Almelund
Feathered Feeder Favorites
Winter is a great time to do your bird watching from the comfort of inside your home. Find out how to attract birds to your yard, what birds you may see at your feeders and what they want to eat. You will also get a chance to make your own suet feeder to bring home and hang from a tree. This program is for all ages. Registration required. Wild River State Park. 651-583-2125
Dec. 29, 2018, Elba
Winter Owl Prowl
Bring the whole family to experience the Whitewater Valley on a winter night. After an indoor presentation, participants will snowshoe outdoors and call to the owls. Bring your own snowshoes or use the park's. Whitewater State Park. 507-312-2300
Dec. 29, Sandstone
Year End Dinner with Craig Blacklock
The Year End Dinner is a wonderful banquet dinner followed by a beautiful presentation by award-winning nature photographer Craig Blacklock on a photography tour of the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers. Appetizers start at 6 p.m., and presentation following dinner. Audubon Center of the North Woods. 320-245-2648
Dec. 29, Silver Bay
Live Peregrines at the Park
Peregrine falcons are an important aspect of Tettegouche State Park, with Palisade Head being the site of the first wild peregrine nest, post-recovery. Jackie Fallon, of the Midwest Peregrine Society, will bring her live falcons to Tettegouche for you to meet. 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-owls, barred owls and great horned owls. Dress for the weather, and try to wear clothes that don't make noise when you move. International Owl Center. 507-896-6957
Jan. 5-6, 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. 218-341-3350
Jan. 11-12, Meadowlands
Boreal Birds Workshop
This is 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. naturalist@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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