NEWSLETTERS ~ CURRENT NEWS ~ BUTTERFLY COUNT ~ CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT ~ NATIVE PLANTS & PRAIRIE ~ VOLUNTEER
Current News
March 26, 2025 - ZVAS Monthly Program
ZVAS Board Member Joel Dunnette appeared on KIMT News tonight talking about rollbacks on penalties for the accidental death of migratory birds. President Mike Degerstrom was also quoted You can see a short clip and read the entire article here:
https://www.kimt.com/news/zumbro-valley-audubon-says-migratory-bird-treaty-act-rollback-could-endanger-minnesota-birds/article_80d7b0a6-7e70-4610-8787-8a8facadbcb4.html
ZVAS Board Member Joel Dunnette appeared on KIMT News tonight talking about rollbacks on penalties for the accidental death of migratory birds. President Mike Degerstrom was also quoted You can see a short clip and read the entire article here:
https://www.kimt.com/news/zumbro-valley-audubon-says-migratory-bird-treaty-act-rollback-could-endanger-minnesota-birds/article_80d7b0a6-7e70-4610-8787-8a8facadbcb4.html
March 25, 2025 - ZVAS Monthly Program
Author Randi Minetor entertained us with stories about the role of birds in history and mythology at last night's ZVAS meeting. Before scientists went to work figuring out how the world works many people believed birds created the world. Randi shared with us stories from all over the world of birds swimming down to the bottom of the endless waters to bring up mud so people could live on land.
Until just a couple hundred years ago people believed that certain birds simply "vanished" each fall - and then reappeared in the spring. Aristotle thought that swallows flew into ponds and buried themselves in the mud to wait out winter! And then there are the stories of mythical birds like the Phoenix that rises from the ashes - these stories go on and on.
It was a fascinating look at birds that we don't often hear about. Thank you, Randi!
Bestselling author Randi Minetor writes the Bird finding and Best Easy Bird Guides series for Falcon Guides/Globe Pequot Press and is the author of Backyard Birding and Butterfly Gardening for Lyons Press. Her most recent book, The Complete Language of Birds, is an encyclopedia that unites classic illustrations, science, folklore, and mythology about more than 400 bird species around the world.
Author Randi Minetor entertained us with stories about the role of birds in history and mythology at last night's ZVAS meeting. Before scientists went to work figuring out how the world works many people believed birds created the world. Randi shared with us stories from all over the world of birds swimming down to the bottom of the endless waters to bring up mud so people could live on land.
Until just a couple hundred years ago people believed that certain birds simply "vanished" each fall - and then reappeared in the spring. Aristotle thought that swallows flew into ponds and buried themselves in the mud to wait out winter! And then there are the stories of mythical birds like the Phoenix that rises from the ashes - these stories go on and on.
It was a fascinating look at birds that we don't often hear about. Thank you, Randi!
Bestselling author Randi Minetor writes the Bird finding and Best Easy Bird Guides series for Falcon Guides/Globe Pequot Press and is the author of Backyard Birding and Butterfly Gardening for Lyons Press. Her most recent book, The Complete Language of Birds, is an encyclopedia that unites classic illustrations, science, folklore, and mythology about more than 400 bird species around the world.
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!
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
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
February 25, 2025 - Invasion of the Vole Snatchers
At last night's program Sparky Stensaas, Executive Director of Friends of Sax-Zim Bog (FOSZB), told us about their efforts to create a "forever home" for the boreal flora and fauna located about an hour northwest of Duluth - and they've already preserved more than 25,000 acres of peat land (so far). The Sax-Zim bog is our closest link to the incredibly diverse boreal forest and is home to more than 3,800 species!
The second half of his talk was titled "The Invasion of the Vole Snatchers". Sparky, a naturalist, publisher, and wildlife photographer, used his still photos and stunning film clips to teach us about the many owls and mammals that depend on voles. Did you know the Great Gray Owl's diet is 97% vole? Snowy Owls, Boreal Owls, Hawk Owls, Fox, Ermine, Coyotes and more think these cute little creatures are delicious.
Fortunately the bog has a lot of red-backed and meadow voles. A pair of Meadow Voles (the larger of the two) is mature at just 20 day and can have a litter of up to 11 pups five to eight times a year. Theoretically one pair could have a million descendants in a single year! Thankfully 90% of them are eaten by the vole snatchers listed above - which keeps everything in balance as nature intends.
The winter season at the bog is winding down and the Visitor Center will close on March 9 (before the bears wake up and go after the bird feeders). It will reopen for the summer season on June 1. After the winter owls head north to nest, spring and summer comes alive with at least 20 species of warblers, including Connecticut and Golden-winged (which Sparky says should be the Minnesota State Bird since over 50% of the entire world's breeding population is in Minnesota). You'll also find many seldom seen orchids, amphibians, dragonflies and other bog plants along the many elevated boardwalks.
I could go on and on. Thank you Sparky for your excellent, informative and fun presentation!
Learn more about Sax-Zim, see more photos and watch some of Sparky's entertaining videos here: https://saxzim.org/
You can find even more videos by searching for "Sparky Stensaas" on YouTube.
At last night's program Sparky Stensaas, Executive Director of Friends of Sax-Zim Bog (FOSZB), told us about their efforts to create a "forever home" for the boreal flora and fauna located about an hour northwest of Duluth - and they've already preserved more than 25,000 acres of peat land (so far). The Sax-Zim bog is our closest link to the incredibly diverse boreal forest and is home to more than 3,800 species!
The second half of his talk was titled "The Invasion of the Vole Snatchers". Sparky, a naturalist, publisher, and wildlife photographer, used his still photos and stunning film clips to teach us about the many owls and mammals that depend on voles. Did you know the Great Gray Owl's diet is 97% vole? Snowy Owls, Boreal Owls, Hawk Owls, Fox, Ermine, Coyotes and more think these cute little creatures are delicious.
Fortunately the bog has a lot of red-backed and meadow voles. A pair of Meadow Voles (the larger of the two) is mature at just 20 day and can have a litter of up to 11 pups five to eight times a year. Theoretically one pair could have a million descendants in a single year! Thankfully 90% of them are eaten by the vole snatchers listed above - which keeps everything in balance as nature intends.
The winter season at the bog is winding down and the Visitor Center will close on March 9 (before the bears wake up and go after the bird feeders). It will reopen for the summer season on June 1. After the winter owls head north to nest, spring and summer comes alive with at least 20 species of warblers, including Connecticut and Golden-winged (which Sparky says should be the Minnesota State Bird since over 50% of the entire world's breeding population is in Minnesota). You'll also find many seldom seen orchids, amphibians, dragonflies and other bog plants along the many elevated boardwalks.
I could go on and on. Thank you Sparky for your excellent, informative and fun presentation!
Learn more about Sax-Zim, see more photos and watch some of Sparky's entertaining videos here: https://saxzim.org/
You can find even more videos by searching for "Sparky Stensaas" on YouTube.
February 1, 2025 - Bird Walk at Quarry Hill
Our group of about 20 people found 17 bird species on our walk around Quarry Hill this morning. Conditions were cloudy and temps were in the 20s with a very cold east wind. We all missed the unusually warm weather we had a few days ago!
We saw most of the regular resident winter birds plus a single Robin. And most of the birds were near the feeders - they know a good thing when they see it! Most Robins migrate and don't return until spring but there are always a few that decide to stay - all they need is open water, food (usually berries and seeds) and brushy areas for shelter - and Quarry Hill has all of that. Plus, the birds that stay have first choice of breeding territories, so it can be an advantage for them.
We'd heard reports of Red Crossbills and White-throated Sparrows in the park earlier this week but didn't find any today. If we get some snow in the next few days that should concentrate the birds at the feeders - so we'll have to visit again for another look.
Thanks to Sandy Hokanson and Dave Gross for leading today's walk.
Species list:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Bald Eagle
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Photos by Sandy Hokanson
Our group of about 20 people found 17 bird species on our walk around Quarry Hill this morning. Conditions were cloudy and temps were in the 20s with a very cold east wind. We all missed the unusually warm weather we had a few days ago!
We saw most of the regular resident winter birds plus a single Robin. And most of the birds were near the feeders - they know a good thing when they see it! Most Robins migrate and don't return until spring but there are always a few that decide to stay - all they need is open water, food (usually berries and seeds) and brushy areas for shelter - and Quarry Hill has all of that. Plus, the birds that stay have first choice of breeding territories, so it can be an advantage for them.
We'd heard reports of Red Crossbills and White-throated Sparrows in the park earlier this week but didn't find any today. If we get some snow in the next few days that should concentrate the birds at the feeders - so we'll have to visit again for another look.
Thanks to Sandy Hokanson and Dave Gross for leading today's walk.
Species list:
Canada Goose
Mallard
Mourning Dove
Bald Eagle
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Robin
House Sparrow
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Photos by Sandy Hokanson
January 18, 2025 - Golden Eagle Survey
On Saturday several teams of birders took part in the annual Golden Eagle Survey sponsored by the National Eagle Center. Only one out of 3 ZVAS teams was able to locate a Golden Eagle and all reported that not many birds of any kind were flying.
It was a sunny day, around 15 degrees and there was a stiff north wind. Our teams found lots of other raptors including Kestrels, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Coopers Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles. Lots of woodpeckers were out and we found several Bluebirds and Tufted Titmouse as well.
The species list for Route 6 is below. We'll post the full tally from all the teams when the Eagle Center provides it (they have a lot of teams to correlate)! Many thanks to all the volunteers who took part in this year's survey and to the National Eagle Center for making it all possible.
Route 6 Species List:
Wild Turkey 3
Rock Dove 40
Mourning Dove 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 8
Red-tailed Hawk 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 12
Black-capped Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 4
Horned Lark 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 7
Eastern Bluebird 6
House Sparrow 12
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 7
Dark-eyed Junco 22
Northern Cardinal 2
Photos by Sandy Hokanson (who apologizes for the poor quality - the birds were just too far away!)
On Saturday several teams of birders took part in the annual Golden Eagle Survey sponsored by the National Eagle Center. Only one out of 3 ZVAS teams was able to locate a Golden Eagle and all reported that not many birds of any kind were flying.
It was a sunny day, around 15 degrees and there was a stiff north wind. Our teams found lots of other raptors including Kestrels, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Coopers Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles. Lots of woodpeckers were out and we found several Bluebirds and Tufted Titmouse as well.
The species list for Route 6 is below. We'll post the full tally from all the teams when the Eagle Center provides it (they have a lot of teams to correlate)! Many thanks to all the volunteers who took part in this year's survey and to the National Eagle Center for making it all possible.
Route 6 Species List:
Wild Turkey 3
Rock Dove 40
Mourning Dove 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 8
Red-tailed Hawk 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 4
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 2
Blue Jay 5
American Crow 12
Black-capped Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 4
Horned Lark 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 7
Eastern Bluebird 6
House Sparrow 12
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 7
Dark-eyed Junco 22
Northern Cardinal 2
Photos by Sandy Hokanson (who apologizes for the poor quality - the birds were just too far away!)
January 4, 2025 - Bird Walk at Quarry Hill
Birds and people alike were "fluffed up" trying to conserve their warmth on our walk at Quarry Hill this morning. The sunshine was much appreciated, a north wind and temps in the single digits less so. After gathering near the bird feeders our group of 16 decided to warm up a bit by going in to the Nature Center for a few minutes to view birds from the bird room. All the regulars were seen plus we also got to see a Brown Creeper - a very nice winter bird that we don't always find.
The we went out to walk around the pond. A Red-tailed Hawk was spotted perched in a tree far down the meadow, some crows were about aa well as a few woodpeckers, juncos and sparrows. Otherwise the woods were very quiet.
So to save our freezing fingers and toes we headed back to the warmth of the bird room and continued watching from there. Those who stayed the longest were rewarded with good views of a Red-breasted Nuthatch - another uncommon winter bird. All in all we saw 17 species today.
Many thanks to Joyce and Terry Grier for leading today and to Dave Gross for spotting both the Creeper and the Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Species list: Mourning Dove, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, House Sparrow, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow. Northern Cardinal
Photos by Sandy Hokanson
Birds and people alike were "fluffed up" trying to conserve their warmth on our walk at Quarry Hill this morning. The sunshine was much appreciated, a north wind and temps in the single digits less so. After gathering near the bird feeders our group of 16 decided to warm up a bit by going in to the Nature Center for a few minutes to view birds from the bird room. All the regulars were seen plus we also got to see a Brown Creeper - a very nice winter bird that we don't always find.
The we went out to walk around the pond. A Red-tailed Hawk was spotted perched in a tree far down the meadow, some crows were about aa well as a few woodpeckers, juncos and sparrows. Otherwise the woods were very quiet.
So to save our freezing fingers and toes we headed back to the warmth of the bird room and continued watching from there. Those who stayed the longest were rewarded with good views of a Red-breasted Nuthatch - another uncommon winter bird. All in all we saw 17 species today.
Many thanks to Joyce and Terry Grier for leading today and to Dave Gross for spotting both the Creeper and the Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Species list: Mourning Dove, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, House Sparrow, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow. Northern Cardinal
Photos by Sandy Hokanson
January 1, 2025 - Whitewater Christmas Bird Count
It was cloudy, very windy and light snow flurries were in the air while birding teams scoured the area around Whitewater State Park and the Wildlife Management Area on their annual Christmas Count today.
Several ZVAS members took part and found some great birds to start off their 2025 lists. We won't have the official tally for a few days yet, but an informal count numbered around 30-35 species - a very respectable number for mid-winter in Minnesota.
Some highlights included Merlin, Tufted Titmouse, Golden Eagle, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Pintail, lots of Cedar Waxwings and American Robins, and even 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (which should have flown south long ago!).
Several people stopped for lunch in the Visitor Center and watched birds at the feeders before heading out again in the afternoon to continue searching. It was a really fun day and we'd like to thank Jeremy Darst and the other staff at Whitewater SP for organizing this event (and providing coffee and muffins to start the day)!
Getting photos was a challenge in the field (much easier at the feeders.) I've included the tally sheet for Section 5 as that's the only one I have at the moment. We'll post again when I have all the numbers.
Reported by and photos by Sandy Hokanson
It was cloudy, very windy and light snow flurries were in the air while birding teams scoured the area around Whitewater State Park and the Wildlife Management Area on their annual Christmas Count today.
Several ZVAS members took part and found some great birds to start off their 2025 lists. We won't have the official tally for a few days yet, but an informal count numbered around 30-35 species - a very respectable number for mid-winter in Minnesota.
Some highlights included Merlin, Tufted Titmouse, Golden Eagle, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Northern Pintail, lots of Cedar Waxwings and American Robins, and even 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (which should have flown south long ago!).
Several people stopped for lunch in the Visitor Center and watched birds at the feeders before heading out again in the afternoon to continue searching. It was a really fun day and we'd like to thank Jeremy Darst and the other staff at Whitewater SP for organizing this event (and providing coffee and muffins to start the day)!
Getting photos was a challenge in the field (much easier at the feeders.) I've included the tally sheet for Section 5 as that's the only one I have at the moment. We'll post again when I have all the numbers.
Reported by and photos by Sandy Hokanson