Scavenger Hunt – McCarthy Beach – 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!

Male mallard with green head standing next to brown female mallard

#2. Bird - MALLARD

Common ducks of MN. Male has green head, Female is splotchy brown.

Nice job!

#3. Birds - WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH

Hops headfirst down tree trunks. Small gray bird with white belly. Males have black cap/neck, females have gray cap/neck.

Great! Hopefully you got to see it hopping down a tree!

#4. Bird - COMMON YELLOWTHROAT

The male looks like the masked bandit of the bird world with its black mask on yellow body. Female doesn't have a mask. Cheerful song of "witchity-witchity-witchity-witchity"

Super! You found it!

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 - RIVER OTTER

A semi-aquatic animal that loves to play by bellyflopping in the water and sliding down hills near water.

How great to spot an otter! Did you know that after an absence of more than a century, their range is again extending into southern Minnesota.

#8. 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.

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

#9. 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.

#10. Wildflower - JEWELWEED

Blooms Jul-Sep | Grows in thickets, usually along shorelines or wetlands. Green seed pods form in late summer--gently pinch them to see the seeds explode outward!

Nice job! Were you able to see the exploding pods?

#11. Wildflower - SELF-HEAL

Blooms Jun-Oct | This tiny flower grows in lawns and is considered a weed by some, but is beneficial for bees and butterflies. Bend down to inspect the delicate purple petals.

That is great attention to detail to find this oft-overlooked flower!

#12. Wildflower - WHITE WATER LILY

Blooms Jun-Sep | This lily grows in slow-moving water where it forms dense colonies. White petals swirls around yellow stamens. Appears to float on water.

Stupendous! You must be at the water.

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 - QUAKING ASPEN

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

Great job!

#15. 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!

#16. Tree - WHITE PINE

Needles are 3-5" and bound into clusters of five needles that are wispy. (memory device: 5 needles for the 5 letters in WHITE). A favorite for bald eagles to nest.

Great! Did you count the needles in the bundle?

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 - CANOEIST or KAYAKER

Someone canoeing or kayaking

Great! What a fun way to explore the park!

#19. Humans - SWIMMER

Someone swimming

Scavenger Hunt – McCarthy Beach