Scavenger Hunt – Blue Mounds – Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

BIRDS – Minnesota parks offer excellent birding opportunities.

#1. 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.

Nice job!

#2. Birds - TURKEY VULTURE

Constantly soaring high in the sky. From this distance, their red head is hard to see. Vultures soar with wings up in a slight V-shape, while eagles' wings are nearly straight out.

Of course you found it! They are such a common bird.

#3. Birds - YELLOW WARBLER

This yellow bird is found in shrubby areas near water. Males make a sweet whistle song from perches.

Excellent job!

#4. Birds - SCARLET TANAGER

The male is a brillant-colored red bird with black wings. The female is much less distinct and yellowish-gray. Found high up in mature, large forests. Migrate to Central and South America.

What a lucky find!

MAMMALS – Many mammals are hiding out there–can you find them?

#5. Mammal - CHIPMUNK

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

Oh, lucky! These are fun to spot.

Male deer with antlers and females deer with fawn

#6. Mammal - WHITETAIL DEER

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.

#7. Mammal - BEAVER (or signs of)

Spends most of its time in water near its lodge, which they build from sticks and mud and enter from underwater. Look for tree stumps that have been chewed by beavers--this counts as finding this mammal.

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

#8. Mammal - RED FOX

Usually red-orange in color, some yellow or black. Tend to hide from humans, so only the lucky will spot one.

Amazing that you found such an elusive creature!

WILDFLOWERS — nature’s artwork, these flowers are important part of the ecosystem.

#9. Wildflower - BLUE VERVAIN

Blooms Jun-Sep | Grows in sunny, wet ditches and shores. Plant is 1-3 feet tall. Flowers are on spikes 2-5 inches tall. They attract bumblebees and other important pollinators.

Wonderful! Look for bees and butterflies enjoying this plant.

flower with big green leaves and pink petals

#10. Wildflower - COMMON MILKWEED

Blooms Jun-Aug | Grows along shores and wood edges. Pink or white flowers. Monarch butterflies rely on milkweek to lay their tiny eggs, then the caterpillar eat the leaves.

Wonderful! Now, look closely for the green and yellow caterpillars of the monarch.

#11. Wildflower - PLAINS PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS

Blooms May-July | Yes, Minnesota does have native cacti (3 species actually)! The flat, broad leaves have spines and the flowers are a brilliant yellow, attracting flies, bees, and beetles to pollinate.

Amazing! That is quite the find!

#12. Wildflower - ROUGH BLAZING STAR

Blooms July-Sep | Found in sunny and partly sunny prairies and openings in the woods.

Great job finding this flower! Do you see any butterflies drinking its nectar?

TREES – The lungs of our world

#13. Tree - BITTERNUT HICKORY

Leaf is composed of 7-11 narrow leaflets with pointed tips and fine-toothed edge. Has round nut that is too bitter to eat but used in smoking foods.

Fantastic spotting!

#14. Tree - BUR OAK

Leaf has 7-9 rounded lobes that can be notched deeply or shallow. The leaf tip is large and wavy. Produces acorns that feed many wildlife.

Fantastic job finding the bur oak!

#15. 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.

Great job!

#16. Tree - HACKBERRY

Leaf is skinny and pointed with jagged teeth. The tree has corky bark and berry-like fruit that birds love.

Lovely! You found a hackberry!

HUMANS – Yes, we are mammals, but we do very unique activities, don’t we?

#17. Humans - DOG WALKING

Someone walking their dog

Woof!

#18. Humans - HIKER

Someone hiking

Great, you saw a hiker!

#19. Humans - ROCK CLIMBER

Someone who is rock climbing

Nice!

Scavenger Hunt – Blue Mounds