Phenology

Phenology
Nature Notes: Snowshoeing grouse?

article

In this month's Nature Notes:  Oh, the surprising things that ruffed grouse have in common with snowshoe hares and aspen trees. >>

Read more
grouse foot showing pectination
How Minnesota almost lost its wild turkeys

article

Read more
How Minnesota almost lost its wild turkeys

update

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
Wild turkey in the snow
Nature Notes: Fall is for the squirrels

article

Each year, the cool fall weather is accompanied by a flurry of wildlife activity. Most species are busy preparing for the winter — gathering and storing food, prepping their nests and burrows, and putting on a few extra pounds. In the Twin Cities, no animal is a better example of this than the gray squirrel.

While many residents consider them a bit of a nuisance — chattering from the trees, darting across streets, and leaving piles of chewed food on decks and sidewalks — these smart little critters have an interesting history and impressive adaptations that allow them to flourish in our human-dominated landscape. >>

Read more
Gray squirrel feeding on a tree branch
Nature Notes: Beautiful berries 'ecological traps' for birds

article

Each fall, two common invasive plants produce starkly colored berries: European buckthorn bears shiny jet-black fruit while bush honeysuckle produces brilliant red to yellow berries. Unfortunately, birds that dine on the fruit not only spread the invasives' seed but are negatively impacted by the berries themselves — they can even disrupt some birds' mating patterns! >>

Read more
The paired, bright red berries of bush honeysuckles are easy to spot in the fall.
Nature Notes: It's a sign! Giant stonefly found in downtown St. Paul

article

This surprise visitor to the Robert Street lift bridge is commonly found in trout streams and is considered an indicator of good water quality.

Read more
giant stonefly 1.6 inches long

Pages

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Riverside Park, St. Paul Park
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Mississippi River Gorge sand flats, Minneapolis
Thursday, May 15, 2025 - 7:30pm
DeLaSalle High School, near Nicollet Island, Minneapolis