Scavenger Hunt – St. Croix – 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!

#2. 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.

Nice job finding a Robin!

#3. Bird - AMERICAN GOLDFINCH

Common at feeders. Males are brilliant yellow while females are more dull.

Nice job finding a goldfinch! While fairly common, they are a treat anytime you see them.

#4. 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!

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 - 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 - 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 - BLACK-EYED SUSAN

Blooms: Jun-Oct | Found in sunny fields, along roads or lakeshores. Cheery yellow petals swirl around a black center.

Nice job! Aren’t they pretty

#10. Wildflower - BLAZING STAR

Blooms: Jul-Sep | Found in prairies, open woods, along roads. Feathery pink flowers with grasslike leaves grow in clumps in prairies.

Wonderful! Lovely flowers

#11. 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.

#12. Wildflower - JOE-PYE WEED

Blooms Jul-Sep | Grows in sunny spots along shores. Pink to purple flowers. An important nectar source for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

Super job finding the Joe-Pye Weed!

TREES – The lungs of our world

#13. Tree - GREEN ASH

Between 7-9 leaflets are attached to each stem. An invasive insect known as the emerald ash borer is spreading across the state and killing off many ash trees.

Nice job! Look for evidence of the Emerald Ash Borer, which leaves “S” shaped etchings in the bark. Let’s hope you don’t see any!

#14. Tree - JACK PINE

Needles are pretty short, about 1-2" long and grow in clusters of two. They have serotinous cones, meaning the cone needs fire (or extreme heat) in order to release the seeds to grow new trees.

Nice job finding the Jack Pine!

#15. Tree - QUAKING ASPEN

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

Great job!

#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.

Super, you found a silver maple!

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

#17. Humans - CANOEIST or KAYAKER

Someone canoeing or kayaking

Great! What a fun way to explore the park!

#18. Humans - HIKER

Someone hiking

Great, you saw a hiker!

Scavenger Hunt – St. Croix