Scavenger Hunt – Lake Bemidji – Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota

BIRDS – Minnesota parks offer excellent birding opportunities.

#1. Bird - GREAT BLUE HERON

Looking like a cousin to the prehistoric Pterodactyl, this common bird wades along shorelines. Males and females look alike.

Woohoo–you found it, nice job!

#2. Bird - BALD EAGLE

The head turns white by age 4-5. Male and female look alike. A conservation success story--nearing extinction by the 1970s, it rebounded after a ban on DDT pesticides.

Woohoo, you found a bald eagle!

#3. Bird - COMMON LOON

Water birds that are agile swimmers and divers. Typically stay close to shore and have an eerily beautiful call.

We all LOVE loons, don’t we? Hopefully you also got to hear it making its call.

#4. Birds - PILEATED WOODPECKER

The largest woodpecker in Minnesota is about the same size as a crow. They are known for their crest, which is bright red and looks like they are wearing a cap.

Woot woot!

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 - BLACK BEAR

Usually all black but some brown. Keep your distance. Tend to avoid humans, but are incredibly strong and fast.

So special to see a black bear. Stay safe and stay back.

#8. Mammal - PORCUPINE

A slow-moving mid-sized mammal that has sharp quills. A single porcupine may have as many as 39,000 barbs and will eat most anything.

Fabulous job! Did you know porcupines will eat most anything, including canoe paddles, outhouses, and even automobile radiator hoses.

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

#9. Wildflower - LABRADOR TEA

Blooms May-Jun | This common bog plant has unique, curled leaves that have wooly brown hair underneath. The leaves are evergreen, meaning they remain on the plant year-round.

Amazing job finding this flower!

#10. Wildflower - PITCHER PLANT

Blooms May-Aug | This carniverous plant's leaves form a "pitcher" that collects rainwater and traps insects. Look for their "nodding" purple flowers rising above the bog floor. Once you find those, then you'll find the pitchers!

You must have visited the bog–great job!

#11. Wildflower - SHOWY LADYSLIPPER

Blooms Jun-Jul l Grows in moist prairies. The inflated "slipper" is 1-2 inches long. The official state flower of Minnesota.

How exciting to find the state flower!

#12. Wildflower - SUNDEW

Blooms Jul-Aug | This tiny carniverous plant (2"-8") uses sticky-tipped hairs to trap their insect prey. There are 4 types of sundew native to MN, and they love bogs!

How about that! Did you see any insects trapped in it?

TREES – The lungs of our world

#13. Tree - BLACK SPRUCE

This tree is common in bogs and marshes and can handle the acidic soil. It has very short needles, is often very skinny and scraggly, and grows slowly.

Super! You found a black spruce!

#14. Tree - RED PINE

Needles are 4-6" long and bound into clusters of two with sharp tips. Gets its name from its reddish bark.

Great job finding the red pine!

#15. Tree - TAMARACK

This tree is commonly found in bogs. While this tree has needles, it is actually considered deciduous, which means its needles fall off in the winter and grow anew in spring.

Wonderful job finding a Tamarack!

#16. 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?

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

Woman bending to pick up a rock on a beach

#17. Humans - BEACHCOMBER

Someone searching the beach. Remember to leave all rocks and pebbles in the park.

Nice! I wonder what they’ve found.

#18. Humans - BICYCLIST

Someone riding a bicycle

Pedal on!

#19. Humans - SWIMMER

Someone swimming

Scavenger Hunt – Lake Bemidji