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Events
2021 Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger Hunt – Beaver Creek Valley

Scavenger Hunt – Beaver Creek Valley

Thank you for participating in Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota’s All-Ages Scavenger Hunt!

You are tasked with finding as many of the specific “items” listed below as you can, which are grouped into these categories:
◎ Birds ◎ Mammals ◎ Wildflowers ◎ Trees ◎ Humans

RULES AND PRIZE DRAWINGS

Submit this form to be entered in our weekly drawing for a $20 gift card to Minnesota State Parks.

Anyone from age 1-100+ may participate, but for participants age 12 and under, a parent/guardian will need to submit the form.

Entrants are limited to one hunt per park or trail during the event season. But feel free to do them all!

POINTS = ENTRIES IN WEEKLY DRAWING

20 pts – For submitting this form
1 pt (19 max) – For each “item” you find
20 pts – For sharing an Instagram photo of your adventure
5 pts (10 max) – For each child age 12 and under who participates with you

“The real source of inner joy is to remain truthful and honest.”

Good luck and happy hunting!

small bird with black head

#1. Bird - BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE

Friendly bird found throughout MN shows curiosity for humans as it flits around looking for seeds to eat. Male and female look alike.

Friendly bird found throughout MN shows curiosity for humans as it flits around looking for seeds to eat. Male and female look alike.

Woohoo! You found a chickadee!

small blue bird

#2. Birds - INDIGO BUNTING

Male is vibrant blue, while the female is all brown. Mostly seen along woodland edges eating bugs.

Male is vibrant blue, while the female is all brown. Mostly seen along woodland edges eating bugs.

Amazing! This are truly a remarkable find!

cardinal

#3. Birds - NORTHERN CARDINAL

Male is vibrant red, female brown with reddish highlights. Both have distinct crest on head. They sing loudly their sweet songs all year.

Male is vibrant red, female brown with reddish highlights. Both have distinct crest on head. They sing loudly their sweet songs all year.

Lovely–cardinals are fun to see!

Bird - Red Winged Blackbirds

#4. Birds - RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD

Male is all black with prominent red patch on wings. Female is all brown. Often seen perching on reeds as they sway in the wind along water edges.

Male is all black with prominent red patch on wings. Female is all brown. Often seen perching on reeds as they sway in the wind along water edges.

Nice job!

Mammal - Beaver grooming its tail

#5. Mammal - BEAVER

Spends most of its time in water near its lodge, which they build from sticks and mud and enter from underwater.

Spends most of its time in water near its lodge, which they build from sticks and mud and enter from underwater.

Woohoo, you found a creature that plays an important role in Minnesota’s wetland ecosystem.

Mammal - chipmunk on rock eating

#6. Mammal - CHIPMUNK

They are very active and inquisitive and find home in hollow logs, tree cavities, or underground dens where they store piles of food.

They are very active and inquisitive and find home in hollow logs, tree cavities, or underground dens where they store piles of food.

Oh, lucky! These are fun to spot.

Mammal - Raccoon

#7. Mammal - RACCOON

Notorious as evening visitor to campsites where it will help itself to any food that's left out.

Notorious as evening visitor to campsites where it will help itself to any food that's left out.

Great job!

Male deer with antlers and females deer with fawn

#8. Mammal - WHITETAIL DEER

One of the largest mammals in MN yet camoflagued and stealthy. Sleeps in different spot each night. Only males grow antlers.

One of the largest mammals in MN yet camoflagued and stealthy. Sleeps in different spot each night. Only males grow antlers.

Nice job! Isn’t it amazing how quiet they can be.

Flower - Harebells

#9. Wildflower - HAREBELL

Blooms June-Oct l Grows in the sun or part shade along rocky slopes or open woods. Flowers are about ¾ inch long, pale blue to violet to bright purple, bell shaped.

Blooms June-Oct l Grows in the sun or part shade along rocky slopes or open woods. Flowers are about ¾ inch long, pale blue to violet to bright purple, bell shaped.

Great job!

Flower - Jack-in-the-Pulpit

#10. Wildflower - JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT

Blooms Apr-June l Grows in the shade of moist woods. This unique flower is tube-shaped with a hooded flower that's green with brown stripes. In late summer, a cluster of bright red berries appears.

Blooms Apr-June l Grows in the shade of moist woods. This unique flower is tube-shaped with a hooded flower that's green with brown stripes. In late summer, a cluster of bright red berries appears.

Great job–These can be hidden in plain sight!

Flower - Jewelweed

#11. Wildflower - JEWELWEED

Blooms Jul-Sep | Grows in thickets, usually along shorelines or wetlands. Green seed pods form in late summer--gently pinch them to see the seeds explode outward!

Blooms Jul-Sep | Grows in thickets, usually along shorelines or wetlands. Green seed pods form in late summer--gently pinch them to see the seeds explode outward!

Nice job! Were you able to see the exploding pods?

Flower - Joe Pye Weed

#12. Wildflower - JOE-PYE WEED

Blooms Jul-Sep | Grows in sunny spots along shores. Pink to purple flowers. An important nectar source for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

Blooms Jul-Sep | Grows in sunny spots along shores. Pink to purple flowers. An important nectar source for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

Super job finding the Joe-Pye Weed!

Tree - Basswood

#13. Tree - BASSWOOD

Leaf is heart-shaped with jagged teeth. Bees love to make honey from basswood flowers.

Leaf is heart-shaped with jagged teeth. Bees love to make honey from basswood flowers.

Wonderful job finding this basswood!

Tree - Eastern Cottonwood

#14. Tree - EASTERN COTTONWOOD

This large tree produces fluffy, cotton-like seeds that blow around in wind. Its bark changes from light gray to dark gray and rough as it ages. Leaves are triangular shaped with edges that are toothed or wavy. Underside of leaf is covered with soft white hairs.

This large tree produces fluffy, cotton-like seeds that blow around in wind. Its bark changes from light gray to dark gray and rough as it ages. Leaves are triangular shaped with edges that are toothed or wavy. Underside of leaf is covered with soft white hairs.

Great job!

Tree - Silver Maple

#15. Tree - SILVER MAPLE

The tree grows in floodplains and can withstand seasonal floods. Leaf is same shape as all maples (think Canada flag) but very jagged with deep notches.

The tree grows in floodplains and can withstand seasonal floods. Leaf is same shape as all maples (think Canada flag) but very jagged with deep notches.

Super, you found a silver maple!

Tree - White Oak

#16. Tree - WHITE OAK

White Oaks are mighty trees whose acorns feed many wildlife. Leaf has 5-9 finger-like lobes that can be notched deeply or shallow.

White Oaks are mighty trees whose acorns feed many wildlife. Leaf has 5-9 finger-like lobes that can be notched deeply or shallow.

Fabulous! Do you see any acorns?

three people with binoculars

#17. Humans - BIRDWATCHER

Someone with binoculars

Someone with binoculars

Wonder what they see?

person in creek flyfishing

#18. Humans - FLY FISHERS

Someone fly fishing

Someone fly fishing

Isn’t it mesmerizing watching them cast?

Person with hiking poles on dirt path

#19. Humans - HIKER

Someone hiking

Someone hiking

Great, you saw a hiker!

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St. Paul MN 55101-1626
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