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Recent happenings:

March 8, 2025 - International Festival of Owls
A big thank you to Joel Dunnette, Clifford Hansen, Greg Hokanson, and Sue Wieseler for helping staff the ZVAS display at the International Owl Festival in Houston, MN on Saturday, March 8th.

Everyone had a great time talking with the hundreds of kids and adults about owls (and other birds), butterflies, native plantings and more. The bird wheel was busy and every kid was able to snag a bird bookmark of their own. Our owl posters were also quite popular and so many folks picked up copies of "Plants for Birds" and "Plants for Butterflies" brochures that we ran out.

The Owl Festival is a big deal each year - especially the live owl programs and interactive events. We didn't have time to get more photos - but trust us - if you've never been there you need to mark your calendar now for next year (hint - it's the first full weekend in March).

Thanks also go to all the Owl Center staff and volunteers who work hard all year long to put on the festival - great job all!

March 1, 2025 -Bird Walk at Quarry Hill
Cedar Waxwings were the bird of the day on our walk at Quarry Hill this morning. A flock of 20 or so were hanging out near the feeders just before the walk started but quickly flew off as more people arrived - which meant that not everyone got to see them. Waxwings are often found in large groups at this time of year feeding on crab apples and other berries. They can be hard to locate as they are quite nomadic - but always a joy to see.

Other than the Waxwings we didn't see anything very unusual today. A couple people got a quick glimpse of a Pileated Woodpecker and one person heard a White-throated Sparrow. We did note that the Cardinals and Chickadees are singing their "spring songs" - a welcome sound on a nippy morning!

All in all we found 17 species. Today is the first day of meteorological spring so bird numbers should start to increase in the coming weeks as early migrants begin to return.

Thanks to Terry & Joyce Grier for leading today's walk! Photos by Sandy Hokanson.

Species seen or heard:
Canada Goose
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal

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