Minnesota wildlife

Meet the loggerhead shrike, the rare butcher bird of FMR-restored prairies

by sue rich

August 29, 2019

This small, striking songbird is a fearsome prairie predator. Sadly, it's considered endangered in Minnesota. Read more

A loggerhead shrike perched on the tip of a bare branch, with a grassy field in the background.

by Karen Schik

April 21, 2019

One member of the weasel family, the fisher, is more commonly a denizen of Minnesota's north woods than our metro woodlands. Finding a fisher recently at Spring Lake Park Reserve in Dakota County was a rare treat. >>

Calling all cameras: Citizen science for the Twin Cities Coyote and Fox Research Project

by Alex Roth

February 19, 2019

Coyotes and foxes are mostly secretive animals, but sightings of these species are becoming more and more common throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area. Now, a group of researchers and partner organizations (including FMR) are setting out to better understand how these critters use the urban environment, and maybe just dispel some myths along the way. You can help! >>

How Minnesota almost lost its wild turkeys

November 7, 2017

Once on the brink of extinction in Minnesota and beyond, wild turkeys are now a common sight for Twin Cities and greater Minnesota residents alike. Read more

'Don't worry, I come in peace!' Meet the one-of-a-kind pelecinid wasp

by Tom Lewanski

July 12, 2017

Of the 18,000 species of ants, bees and wasps in North America, the pelecinid wasp is among the most interesting. This insect is so unusual it shares its family (Pelecinidae) with just three other species in the world, with no others in North America. But don't worry, that 'stinger' isn't what it looks like. >>

'What’s it got in its pocketses?'

April 10, 2017

Fans of The Lord of the Rings will recognize this query of Gollum, the odd underworld creature, as he pondered the riddle of Bilbo’s pocket contents. This month's conservation star is also a creature of the underworld, seldom seen above ground. And like Gollum, these animals have a lead role in the world they inhabit. >>