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Events
2021 Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger Hunt – Red River

Scavenger Hunt – Red River

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!

Robin

#1. Bird - AMERICAN ROBIN

Larger than most songbirds. Males slightly darker in color than females. Pulls up earthworms from ground. Adapted to both wilderness and city living.

Larger than most songbirds. Males slightly darker in color than females. Pulls up earthworms from ground. Adapted to both wilderness and city living.

Nice job finding a Robin!

Hairy woodpecker

#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.

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!

Red Tailed Hawk

#3. Birds - RED-TAILED HAWK

Comes in variety of colors from chocolate brown to mostly white. Tail reddish. Males and females look alike. Found perching high or circling above open fields.

Comes in variety of colors from chocolate brown to mostly white. Tail reddish. Males and females look alike. Found perching high or circling above open fields.

What a majestic bird!

Bird - Red Winged Blackbirds

#4. 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!

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 - Cottontail Rabbit in grass

#6. 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.

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?

Mammal - Gray Squirrel on limb

#7. Mammal - GRAY SQUIRREL

Found across Minnesota from woods to urban yards. Build leaf nests in summer.

Found across Minnesota from woods to urban yards. Build leaf nests in summer.

Nice job! Did you know squirrels sometimes pretend to bury a nut to throw off potential thieves.

Mammal - Red Fox in grassy field

#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.

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!

red delicate flower

#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.

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.

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 - Goldenrod

#11. Wildflower - GOLDENROD

Blooms Jul-Sep l Grows in the sunny areas. Plant grows 1-6 feet tall. MN has 17 types of goldenrod that look similar with small yellow flowers.

Blooms Jul-Sep l Grows in the sunny areas. Plant grows 1-6 feet tall. MN has 17 types of goldenrod that look similar with small yellow flowers.

Yes! This is a very common flower that’s important for pollinators.

Flower - Aster

#12. Wildflower - NEW ENGLAND ASTER

Blooms Aug-Oct | Grows in fields and wood edges. They are important late-blooming food source for bees and butterflies.

Blooms Aug-Oct | Grows in fields and wood edges. They are important late-blooming food source for bees and butterflies.

How great! Do you see bees enjoying the nectar?

Tree - Basswood

#13. Tree - BASSWOOD

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

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

Wonderful job finding this basswood!

Tree - Quaking Aspen

#14. Tree - QUAKING ASPEN

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

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

Great job!

Tree - Red Oak

#15. Tree - RED OAK

Leaf has 7-11 lobes that are notched about half-way to the center of the leaf and each lobe ends in pointed tips. Produces acorns that feed wildlife.

Leaf has 7-11 lobes that are notched about half-way to the center of the leaf and each lobe ends in pointed tips. Produces acorns that feed wildlife.

Super!

Tree - Silver Maple

#16. Tree - SILVER MAPLE

The tree grows in floodplains and can withstand seasonal floods. Leaf is same shape as all maples (think Canada flag) but very jagged with deep notches.

The tree grows in floodplains and can withstand seasonal floods. Leaf is same shape as all maples (think Canada flag) but very jagged with deep notches.

Super, you found a silver maple!

People - Angler

#17. Humans - ANGLER

Someone fishing

Someone fishing

Does it look like their catching anything?

two people bicycling on paved trail

#18. Humans - BICYCLIST

Someone riding a bicycle

Someone riding a bicycle

Pedal on!

three people with binoculars

#19. Humans - BIRDWATCHER

Someone with binoculars

Someone with binoculars

Wonder what they see?

finish

Results

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St. Paul MN 55101-1626
651-726-2457 or 800-944-0707

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