Scavenger Hunt – Great River Bluffs – 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 - BLUE JAY

Unmistakable bold blue and white feathers with crest on its head. Male and female look alike. Often heard making loud shrieks.

Woohoo! You found a blue jay!

#3. 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!

#4. Birds - YELLOW WARBLER

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

Excellent job!

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

#5. Mammal - COTTONTAIL

One of the most common small mammals in MN. Often seen running along trails within thick brush. They live within about the same 5 acres all year long.

Fabulous job spotting the cottontail. Did you notice its white tail?

#6. Mammal - THIRTEEN-LINED GROUND SQUIRREL

Long body with 13 stripes on back. Found scurrying along ground or darting into its undergound home.

Wonderful job spotting this small creature!

Male deer with antlers and females deer with fawn

#7. 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.

#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 - 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.

#10. Wildflower - COLUMBINE

Blooms May-Jul | Grows on cliffs and forest edges. A dainty flower with an interesting shape. Hummingbirds drink nectar from this flower.

Great! Look closely to see the fine details on this flower.

#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!

Flowers in field with pink frilly petals

#12. Wildflower - PURPLE PRAIRIE CLOVER

Blooms Jun-Aug | Grows in sunny fields and rocky areas. Plant is 1-3 feet tall. Attracts many pollinators.

Super job finding this clover!

TREES – The lungs of our world

#13. Tree - BASSWOOD

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

Wonderful job finding this basswood!

#14. 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!

#15. Tree - SHAGBARK HICKORY

Unique shaggy bark with strips loosely attached. Found only in the southeastern corner of MN mostly along streams and hillsides. Five leaflets grow per stem.

Great rare find!

#16. Tree - SUGAR MAPLE

Maple syrup is made from this tree by collecting sap in the spring. Leaf has 3 pointed lobes with 2 smaller points near the stem (symbol on Canada flag).

Wonderful, you found a sugar maple!

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 - HIKER

Someone hiking

Great, you saw a hiker!

#19. Humans - PHOTOGRAPHER

Someone with a camera

Oh snap!

Scavenger Hunt – Great River Bluffs