Pileated Woodpeckers: Citizen Scientists Needed
By Kara Snow
NRRI’s Avian Ecology Lab is reaching out to birders, naturalists, and amateur ornithologists to help locate nesting cavities of Pileated Woodpeckers in Minnesota.
The Pileated Woodpecker is a keystone species in our forests. The cavities they create provide critical habitat for many other wildlife species. By documenting where they are nesting, we can better understand their habitat use and help inform conservation and forest management.
You can help us by reporting potential nest cavities!
What to report:
We are looking for active nests. These can be reported using this Google Form:
PIWO Nest Cavity Documentation
(Please note this requires a Google account.)
What details to include:
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Location (GPS coordinates or a pinned map location)
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Photos of the cavity and surrounding habitat, if possible
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Notes on activity (e.g., feeding behavior, presence of young, signs of predation, or when the nest becomes inactive)
Where to look:
Pileated Woodpeckers typically nest in large trees that are dead or have signs of decay. Nest cavities are large, round or slightly oval openings, unlike the rectangular holes they create while foraging.
Please observe ethically:
Always keep a respectful distance and avoid disturbing nesting birds.
Lab members may follow up with additional questions. In some cases, we may also coordinate visits to confirmed nest sites in the fall, after nesting is complete.
If you have questions or would like to share this with your community, feel free to reach out.
Thank you for helping us better understand and conserve this important species.
March 26 meeting recording: The Search for Lost Birds
The Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter (MRVAC) hosted John Mittermeier of the American Bird Conservancy for "The Search for Lost Birds," Thursday, Mar. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Around the world, nearly 120 bird species are currently “lost,” meaning they are not considered extinct but there has been no confirmed documentation of their existence in 10 or more years. What are these lost birds, where do they live, and why can’t anyone find them? Do they matter for conservation? The Search for Lost Birds project is a collaborative effort by conservation organizations to find these birds. Join John C. Mittermeier to learn more about this large scale project and the efforts underway to rediscover bird species around the world. The Black-naped Pheasant-pigeon pictured was captured only partially on a trail camera!
This meeting was only via Zoom and not in person. All MRVAC meetings are free and open to the public.
John's presentation recording is here:
Feb. 26 program recording: The Red-tailed Hawk Project
The recording of Bryce Robinson's Red-tailed Hawk Project presentation Thursday, Feb. 26, is available below.
Bryce outlined the work of the Red-tailed Hawk Project, including many stories of surprising things the working group has learned in their investigation into the unknowns of this common species. He co-created the Red-tailed Hawk Project, a group that aims to fill gaps in our understanding of the life history and evolution of the species. Bryce W. Robinson, Ph.D., is postdoctoral researcher at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, where his research focuses on the evolution of diversity in the Red-tailed Hawk.
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: |