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2021 Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger Hunt – Blue Mounds

Scavenger Hunt – Blue Mounds

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!

Bird - Red Winged Blackbirds

#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.

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!

Scarlet Tanager

#2. 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.

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!

Turkey Vulture

#3. 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.

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.

yellow bird

#4. Birds - YELLOW WARBLER

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

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

Excellent 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 - Red Fox in grassy field

#7. Mammal - RED FOX

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

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!

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 - BlueVervain

#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.

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.

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.

Flower - Plains Prickly Cactus

#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.

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!

Flower - Purple Cone

#12. Wildflower - PURPLE CONEFLOWER

Blooms Jun-Oct | Grows in sunny fields. A tall flower with 15-20 pinkish-purple petals swirling around a reddish-brown center.

Blooms Jun-Oct | Grows in sunny fields. A tall flower with 15-20 pinkish-purple petals swirling around a reddish-brown center.

Spectacular job finding this pretty flower!

Tree - Bitternut Hickory

#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.

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!

Tree - Bur Oak

#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.

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!

Tree - Eastern Cottonwood

#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.

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 - Hackberry

#16. Tree - HACKBERRY

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

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!

Person sitting on ground with dog

#17. Humans - DOG WALKING

Someone walking their dog

Someone walking their dog

Woof!

Person with hiking poles on dirt path

#18. Humans - HIKER

Someone hiking

Someone hiking

Great, you saw a hiker!

silhouette of person climbing on cliff

#19. Humans - ROCK CLIMBER

Someone who is rock climbing

Someone who is rock climbing

Nice!

finish

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