Go for a hike in any wooded area and you are bound to see holes in trees. Some may be from branches that have died and fallen off, some may be from one tree falling and hitting another, but many are probably from the percussion section of nature’s band: the woodpecker.
A Force for Good: Chuck and Hope Lea
Volunteers Chuck and Hope Lea gave more than 11,000 hours of their time to Belwin, monitoring bird activity, recording weather data, documenting wild flowers, and connecting kids with the natural world.
Kestrels at Belwin
Great news for declining kestrel populations! In June 2021, members of the Saint Paul Audubon Society Conservation Committee (SPASCC) found five kestrel chicks in one of two nesting boxes at Belwin. The birds fledged after about 30 days. In 2020, SPASCC members found four nestlings and one unhatched egg in a box at Belwin. 1… Continue Reading Kestrels at Belwin
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Birds
Caruncle, Wattle, Snood and Beard
Caruncle, wattle, snood and beard, tom, hen, gobble and strut… A new language? Some new rap lyrics? Nope! They all refer to the wild turkey.
“Hope is the thing with feathers”
“‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers –That perches in the soul –And sings the tune without the words –And never stops – at all – ”— “Hope is the thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson I have not suffered like many during this last pandemic year. Even so, it’s been a challenge. I’ve been caring… Continue Reading “Hope is the thing with feathers”
Signs of Spring
It’s oh, so cold out right now! We are donning extra layers and paying attention to fingers and toes that might be prone to frostbite. We are weary and it seems like winter will go on forever. But take heart! We have passed the point of no return and nature is already preparing for the coming spring.
Silence Turns to Sound
If you step outside in the pre-dawn hours at this time of year, you may hear this: nothing. Perhaps as you listen closer, the wind may make its presence known but more often than not, it’s the crisp air and silent landscape that makes this time its own.
Notes from the Land: Great Horned Owls
As the season turns from fall to winter, many of us are hunkering down and staying cozy in our homes. Early darkness and cold can keep us from venturing out; however, if you’re looking for some magic and want a little adventure it’s time to start listening for owls. Their mating season has begun! There… Continue Reading Notes from the Land: Great Horned Owls
Creating Living Landscapes: Why They Matter and What You Can Do to Help
As you drive down any street in any town, city, or even the countryside, what you most likely see are squares of mowed green grass, maybe a flower garden and a few shrubs. These are dead landscapes as far as insects, reptiles, amphibians and birds are concerned. There may not be cover for a bird… Continue Reading Creating Living Landscapes: Why They Matter and What You Can Do to Help
Birds in the Heartland: Aerial Insectivores
Float up, dive down, quick turn, out and back from the twig perch. Graceful, flowing, surprising in their agility as they move through space. This describes the aerial acrobatics of a group of birds that hunt for food “on the fly.” What are they looking for? Any winged or flying insect that would make a… Continue Reading Birds in the Heartland: Aerial Insectivores
