It's time to Give to the Max
Tomorrow is Give to the Max Day, the day when many of us help organizations that do good deeds for the environment, especially our beloved avian population.
Birders and other MRVAC friends have united to fund local projects that educate our children about the importance of pollinators, conservation, wildlife rescue, and help MRVAC speak truth about the importance of conservation legislation. But there’s so much more to do.
Give to the Max Day is one way. Please take a moment, use the green tab at the top of the home page and make your contribution to MRVAC either directly or through Give to the Max. Your gift will help fund MRVAC’s conservation education grant program.
This past year MRVAC provided grants to other local, non-profit organizations for installing pollinator gardens as a part of a school science curriculum, habitat restoration, binoculars or feeders for education, bird house building projects, avian research, youth birding clubs, books for Little Free Libraries and signage at birding locations.
Already made a gift? Thank you for your generosity!
2025 Christmas Bird Counts
By Steve Weston
Want to do some winter birding and be a citizen scientist?
New and experienced birders are encouraged to join us on the 126th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC). It is a great way to make some local birding connections and find some birding hot spots. Rest assured that if you are new, you will be paired with an experienced birder. We need as many eyes and ears as possible, especially young ears. When I went on my first count, I said, “I am not very good at this.” My birding partner responded, “I can’t hear the birds as well as you can. You point, and I’ll identify.”
If you wish to participate, check out the MRVAC-sponsored CBCs below and contact the count organizers. Bloomington — Saturday, Dec. 20: Contact Liz Stanley at lizmstanley@gmail.com. Note: We will gather at the Minnesota River Valley Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington at 5 p.m. for soup and refreshments. Excelsior — Saturday, Dec. 20: Contact Laura Hanson at lhanson@isd108.org. Cedar Creek Bog — Sunday, Dec. 14: Contact Steve Weston sweston2g@gmail.com. Other CBC’s around the Metro Area that could use your help include Elk River, Clearwater, Northern Wright County, and Lakeville. Whether you sign up to explore new areas in the CBC circle or have a big sit from your feeder, we hope you can join us! If you are interested in participating in one of the 88 other CBCs around Minnesota, visit moumn.org/CBC for more information
Venue Change: Thursday, Oct. 23 program on Red-headed Woodpeckers
The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) invites you to join us for:
Dr. Elena West, assistant professor at the University of Minnesota
"Red-headed Woodpecker Research and Recovery:
Insights from long-term monitoring of a species in decline"
Thursday, October 23: reception - 7 p.m.; program - 7:30 p.m.
Dr. West will share insights from her research on Red-headed Woodpecker ecology and conservation at Cedar Creek ESR. She discuss how this research has identified critical habitat features that support woodpecker success and the conservation implications of these findings. This talk will also explore how citizen science partnerships have advanced understanding of this declining species’ habitat requirements.
Venue Change: Due to the government shutdown, this meeting will be held in-person at the Northern Star Council Base Camp. The Scout Base Camp is located at 6202 Bloomington Road, Ft. Snelling, and is also accessible after a short walk from the METRO blue line. The program will be taking place in the Leadership Center, the black slate building located on the west side of the property. All MRVAC meetings are free and open to the public.
We expect the meeting will be simulcast on Zoom beginning at 7:30 p.m. To join the Zoom meeting click on this link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85625706373?pwd=z4utkZAUa1mwwm1CTdEHhlcDcXQI8o.1
Meeting ID: 856 2570 6373
Passcode: 112650
One tap mobile http://+16469313860,,85625706373#,,,,*112650#
Note this meeting will not be recorded for later viewing.
MRVAC Auction Set for Nov. 20
If it’s November, it must be MRVAC auction time. Save the date: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, the week before Turkey Day, at Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington.
Come early to drop off your items to be auctioned, get first pick on low-priced books, get your bidding strategies down and socialize a bit. There will be snacks and drinks and of course lots of really nifty things up for grabs. Doors open at 6 p.m.; auctioning is at 7 p.m.
There will be books, art, optics, feeders, seed and many other bird- and birding-related items. We are still soliciting contributions. All these and more would make great holiday gifts. The dynamic duo of Scott and Monica are back this year as our auctioneers. They are as funny as they are talented, so don’t pass up a chance to see them in action.
You can bring your items to be auctioned, too. Or just show up early and volunteer to help. You also can give one of the board members a shout (you can contact them by going to MRVAC.org). Proceeds will go toward MRVAC’s grant program, which helps fund local conservation education and birding projects.
Cranes in the North Star State: Special Events in October
Join the International Crane Foundation in Minnesota for two special events during the spectacular Sandhill Crane migration this October. As Minnesota’s population of Sandhills grows, let’s gather to share our passion for saving wetlands and wildlife, and protecting cranes into the future.
Voices of the Sandhill Cranes - Lecture on Migration & Conservation
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 7 – 8 p.m. (doors open at 6:15 p.m.)
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, Minnesota
Located in the MacMillan Auditorium. Please park in the Visitor Center Parking Lot Bay.
Cranes at Crex - Guided Crane Viewing
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 3:30 – 7 p.m. Grantsburg, WI
All events are open to anyone, but please register in advance. The Tuesday and Thursday events are free. Space is limited at Wednesday’s Cranes at Crex event, and a field trip fee is required—please sign up early! Registration and more information is here: https://Savingcranes.org/minnesotacranes
It's the June potluck picnic!
The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) invites you to join us for the newly-renewed annual potluck picnic Thursday, June 26. The potluck will begin at 6 p.m. at the classroom at the visitors center at the Bloomington refuge HQ. MRVAC will provide plates, utensils and beverages, and folks should bring a favorite dish to share and join the fun.
We have postponed our scheduled program on the "Red-headed Woodpecker Research and Recovery" until October. This is a beautiful time to get out and bird, and the trails around the visitor center will be open. Check the MRVAC website for the list of free field trips and special interest group meetings this summer, too!
This meeting will be held in-person at the refuge but will not be simulcast on Zoom. The Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is located at 3815 American Boulevard East in Bloomington and is accessible after a short walk from the METRO blue line. All MRVAC meetings are free and open to the public.
Recording of the May 22 Meeting: Dale Gentry on Audubon working lands strategy
| Here is the link to the recording of MRVAC's May 22 program on "Audubon Working Lands Strategy" by Dale Gentry, Audubon Upper Mississippi's director of conservation. Audubon’s Working Lands Strategy aims to bring bird-friendly practices to private lands across the Western Hemisphere. Dale has a B.S. in zoology from Idaho State University, a M.S. in biology from the University of South Dakota, and a Ph.D. in atmosphere, environment and water resources from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He will discuss how the Audubon conservation ranching and Audubon bird-friendly maple syrup programs are helping grassland and eastern forest bird communities while also supporting soil health, climate resiliency and overall biodiversity in the upper Midwest.
This meeting will be held in person at the refuge and simulcast via Zoom. The refuge visitor center is located at 3815 American Boulevard East in Bloomington and is accessible after a short walk from the METRO blue line. All MRVAC meetings are free and open to the public. Here is the recording from tonight's recording: |
MRVAC is Exploring a Name Change
by Steve Weston
The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter is exploring dropping the name “Audubon.” Across the country Audubon chapters have been changing their names. The Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis is now the Land of Lakes Bird Alliance, and the St. Paul Audubon Chapter is now the St. Paul Bird Alliance.
While John James Audubon was a naturalist and a revolutionary artist of nature and the founders of the National Audubon Society idolized him as they launched the bird conservation movement, it has come to light that he was a strong supporter of slavery, an enslaver himself, and had other issues abhorrent to society now. His desecration of indigenous graves as pseudo-science is deeply troubling and many of his contributions to science have come into question. Many chapters have found that the association with the Audubon name has been a barrier to younger people joining. We no longer think the Audubon name aligns with our chapter’s incredible work or its values of welcoming everyone who shares our mission.
The board will be studying the issue and seeking members comments over the next few weeks before it makes a decision to ensure that all of our stakeholders have an opportunity to be heard. You can use the green “contact us” button at the bottom of the home page at MRVAC.org to share your thoughts.
Link to April 24 program: All about Flammulated Owls
Here's the link to the Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) April 24 program by Dr. Markus Mika, assistant professor at UW-La Crosse on "Making a Living when Things Heat Up: Breeding and Life History in Flammulated Owls of Northern Utah." For 17 years Dr. Mika has studied populations of these tiny insectivorous birds in northern Utah and is observing how climatic and landscape changes are impacting the forests and resources on which these owls rely.
Passcode: z%=MunM8
Recording Summary
The meeting focused on Mika's extensive research on Flammulated Owls, covering their migration patterns, habitat preferences, and breeding behaviors. Discussions included the use of various tracking technologies, the impact of climate change on owl populations, and the importance of community science in research efforts. The meeting also touched on the evolution and classification of the species, as well as conservation challenges and future research plans.
Pileated Woodpeckers: You can help
By Steve Weston
NRRI's Avian Ecology Lab is looking for birders to assist in locating nesting cavities of Pileated Woodpeckers across the state. The Pileated Woodpecker is an iconic bird, and finding its nesting sites will contribute significantly to understanding its behavior, conservation efforts, and habitat preferences.
Where to Look: Pileated Woodpeckers typically nest in large trees that are either dead or contain significant decay. Nest cavities are large circular or semicircular holes, unlike the rectangular holes made by foraging Pileated Woodpeckers.
How to Help: Volunteers can report sightings of active Pileated Woodpecker nests using this Google form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfXFV1XCxEp_-K2asz8OWV0Q3yCxzMJ3Ir9T3Xyo5hvfrwKDQ/viewform
Recording Details: When documenting active nests, please take clear notes on the location of the cavity. Also, if possible take photographs of the cavity and surrounding habitat (from a respectful distance). Record the location using a pin on your cell phone map or GPS coordinates if possible. Finally, monitoring the nest (at a distance) and providing information on nest success would be extremely beneficial to our project. For example, documenting behavior such as feeding or nest predation, or noting when cavities are no longer “active”.
Ethical Considerations: Respect the birds' space and do not disturb them during nesting. Nesting sites should be observed from afar to prevent any stress to the birds or their young.
Contact: Kara G. Snow, MSc., Avian Ecology Lab, Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI), University of Minnesota Duluth, snowx043@d.umn.edu