Scavenger Hunt – Grand Portage – Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

BIRDS – Minnesota parks offer excellent birding opportunities.

#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.

Woohoo! You found a chickadee!

#2. Bird - DOWNY or HAIRY WOODPECKER

These two woodpeckers are nearly identical with the Downy a little smaller at ~6" and Hairy ~9". The female doesn't have the red mark on head.

Great job finding this one!

#3. Birds - NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER

Small bird that flits through upper levels of forest. Males have bolder colors than females.

Amazing! This is a unique bird to spot.

#4. Birds - RUFFED GROUSE

Chicken-like bird with long squared tail. Male and female look alike. Found in deep woods. In spring the males loudly drum their wings.

Wow! Good eye finding this secretive bird.

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

#5. Mammal - RED SQUIRREL

A cute little critter with a loud bark/chatter. The white ring around its eye only adds to the cuteness.

Fabulous! Was it making noises when you saw it?

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 - MOOSE

The largest member of the deer family, moose are about 6 feet tall and can weigh 1,000 pounds. Fun fact is that their hair is hollow, which traps air and helps with insulation.

Stupendous! Moose have rather poor eyesight, but acute senses of smell and hearing.

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

#9. Wildflower - BUNCHBERRY

Blooms May-July | This cheery little ground flower grows in the shade of moist woods and bogs.

Isn’t this a sweet one? Nice job!

#10. Wildflower - CANADA ANEMONE

Blooms May - July | Grows in moist fields and along shores. Has 1-3 long-stemmed flowers with white petals and large jagged leaves.

Wonderful job finding this anemone.

#11. 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.

Great job!

#12. Wildflower - THIMBLEBERRY

Blooms Jun-Jul | Grows in wood edges and along streams. Clusters of 2-9 flowers with white petals. Its red fruit is edible, but mushy and bland.

Reward time! If you see any berries you can eat them in the parks–just don’t collect the flower part, that needs to stay.

TREES – The lungs of our world

#13. Tree - PAPER BIRCH

Leaf is oval to triangular shaped with jagged teeth. Bark is used in making some canoes and other crafts.

Great job!

#14. Tree - QUAKING ASPEN

Leaf is rounded with saw-tooth edge and flattened leafstalk that helps with tremble in breeze.

Great job!

#15. Tree - WHITE CEDAR

Grows in northern Minnesota, usually in moist, stony places. Leaves are flat and scale-like and have aromatic scent.

Wonderful! Can you smell it?

#16. Tree - WHITE SPRUCE

Needles are sharply pointed and short. The tree bark is dark gray or grayish brown and scaly. Found in moist soils and swamps.

Great job! Can you smell the needles? Some people think they have a bit of an odor.

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

#17. Humans - BIRDWATCHER

Someone with binoculars

Wonder what they see?

#18. Humans - DOG WALKING

Someone walking their dog

Woof!

#19. Humans - PHOTOGRAPHER

Someone with a camera

Oh snap!

Scavenger Hunt – Grand Portage

BIRDS – Minnesota parks offer excellent birding opportunities.

#1. Bird - BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE

#2. Bird - DOWNY or HAIRY WOODPECKER

#3. Birds - NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER

#4. Birds - RUFFED GROUSE

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

#5. Mammal - RED SQUIRREL

#6. Mammal - WHITETAIL DEER

#7. Mammal - BEAVER (or signs of)

#8. Mammal - MOOSE

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

#9. Wildflower - BUNCHBERRY

#10. Wildflower - CANADA ANEMONE

#11. Wildflower - HAREBELL

#12. Wildflower - THIMBLEBERRY

TREES – The lungs of our world

#13. Tree - PAPER BIRCH

#14. Tree - QUAKING ASPEN

#15. Tree - WHITE CEDAR

#16. Tree - WHITE SPRUCE

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

#17. Humans - BIRDWATCHER

#18. Humans - DOG WALKING

#19. Humans - PHOTOGRAPHER

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