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We believe in connecting people with nature.
Most of our programs are FREE and open to the public. Check our calendar and join the fun! Recent happenings:
December 14, 2024 - Christmas Bird Count
Conditions were not ideal for our Christmas Bird Count on Saturday, Dec. 14. Last year we tolerated misty conditions but this year we had actual ice to contend with. Roads were slick first thing in the morning - then we had a bit of a break before conditions deteriorated and forced most of our teams to give up by 3pm. It was just too dangerous to be out. All was not lost though, and our nine teams were able to locate 52 species on count day. Eleven additional "count week" birds were found making a grand total of 63 species for 2024. Last year we found 57 species on count day plus 7 count week birds giving us a total of 64 - so pretty close to the same. Incredibly, a Gray Catbird was found this year by Dave Gross. It's the first time a Catbird has been found on our count - and he even got a photo! Other great finds included Red-shouldered Hawks, an immature Northern Harrier, Eastern Screech Owl, Red-headed Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmouse and Rusty Blackbirds. Several teams were able to meet up for a quick lunch at Quarry Hill that day, but icy roads later in the day meant our traditional pot luck and final tally was not well attended. We want to thank our coordinator Clifford Hanson, our team leaders and all the volunteers who went out in search of birds. Thanks also to Quarry Hill for the use of their facilities during the day, See our preliminary species list here - scroll down on the page. December 11, 2024 - Bird banding talk at Whitewater SP
It was a cold, windy and snowy day but the folks who attended this month's H.O.P. (Healthy Older People) program at the Whitewater SP Visitor Center were warm and inside, enjoying a talk about bird banding presented by Terry Grier. Terry is well known to many of us as he and his wife Joyce lead the monthly bird walks at Quarry Hill. In today's talk he talked about the history of bird banding, some of the methods used, and shared stories about banding adventures he's had over the years. Did you know that Chickadees are the toughest birds to get out of the nets? They put up a fight every time, while Saw-whet Owls are docile and are tolerant of a lot of handling. And most birds can be temporarily "hypnotized" and will remain still if placed on their backs. It was a fun talk and we hope he'll give it again at a future ZVAS meeting. After the talk a few of us had lunch by the feeders and then drove around looking for birds. Highlights included, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-throated Sparrow, Purple Finch, Tufted Titmouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Pintail Duck and even a few Snipe. Keep on birding! December 7, 2024 - Bird walk at Quarry Hill
Warm Saturday morning temperatures in the 40's with almost no wind brought out 25 birdwatchers for the December version of our monthly bird walk at Quarry Hill Nature Center. There was already a lot of activity due to the annual Nature Art Show and Sale this weekend. Terry Grier gave us his usual pep talk and we started watching the feeders, finding many of the normal winter resident birds. We had a surprise visitor at the pond when a Big Brown Bat was spotted flying over the south end of the pond! This may be the only sighting of a bat on these walks ever, and certainly the only one in the winter! The woodpeckers were active in the woods, and 3 Brown Creepers gave us lots of good looks at them. Two Red-tailed Hawks soared high over our heads enjoying the sunshine. Many thanks to Sue Hayes for keeping the bird list and posting it to E-bird. Thanks to all of the Audubon members who helped point out and identify birds, and of course to the leaders Joyce and Terry Grier. All photos by Terry Grier Birds seen on the walk, 18 species: Canada Goose, Rock Pigeon, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, American Robin, House Sparrow, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal Zumbro Valley Audubon needs your help to pay for programs, printing brochures and outreach supplies to teach kids and adults about nature. Donate to Zumbro Valley Audubon via giveMN.org
© ZVAS 2023 - Zumbro Valley Audubon Society - PO Box 6244 - Rochester, MN 55903
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