Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Phenology Talkbacks, March 7 2023

A small falcon sits on a bare branch. It has vibrant colors, with steel-blue wings, reddish stomach and back, and a white head. There are dark vertical stripes on the head. It has a deeply curved, hooked beak. The image is captioned "American Kestrel".

It was a great week- enjoy!

Lake of the Woods phenology report from March 7th, 2023

Abigail reports from Andrew Pierson's class at Lake of the Woods School in Baudette!

Cohasset Elementary phenology report from March 7th, 2023

The phenology report from Zac Erickson's class at Cohasset Elementary!

North Shore Community School phenology report from March 7th, 2023

Nico reports from Darcie Rolfe and Leigh Jackson's class at North Shore Community School in Duluth!

Pike Lake Elementary School phenology report from March 7th, 2023

Colton and Logan report from Rob Marohn's class at Pike Lake Elementary near Duluth!

Long Lake Conservation Camp phenology report from March 7th, 2023

Lily and Tristan report from Bertha-Hewitt's trip to Long Lake Conservation Center:
"We visited Long Lake Conservation Center from February 27th through March 1st. Before the new snow, March lived up to its name from the Ojibwe - Onaabani-Giizhis - “Crust on the Snow Moon.” During the warm days, the snow on the hills on the north side of Long Lake had entirely melted exposing the grasses and plants. In the snow, we saw lots of interesting tracks. We identified Bobcat, Raccoon, deer, rabbit, grouse, coyote and, of course, porcupine tracks. It was the first raccoon tracks of the season. A deer was spotted covered with snow on Wednesday morning, and a JJ heard an owl outside of his window at night, probably a Barred Owl. The feeders were a busy place. Chickadees were abundant and seen chasing after each other. The typical assortment of woodpeckers, Blue Jays and Nuthatches were busy eating. A Grey Squirrel was getting its share of seeds as well. The feeders were soon empty and our class filled them up. It was interesting that in less than three minutes all the birds returned. Dill Prickles the porcupine was ever present, and was spotted eating in his favorite Red Oak, but moved to a Norway Pine where we saw him sleeping at around 8 p.m. The Pussywillow catkins are just starting to break open; a sure sign that spring is fast approaching. It’s a great time to explore the world and we want to remind everyone to unplug, get outside and to…LIVE CONNECTED!"

Eagle View Elementary phenology report from March 7th, 2023

Hadley, Anika, and Lucy report from Deanne Trottier's class at Eagle View Elementary School in Pequot Lakes!

Roots and Wings Forest School phenology report from March 7th, 2023

Kip, Greta, Finley, and Hazel report from Leona Cichy's class at Roots and Wings Forest School in New York Mills!

Priarie Creek Community School phenology report from March 7th, 2023

Aspyn and Betty from Michelle Martin's class at Prairie Creek Community School in Northfield.

Judd Brink phenology report from March 7th, 2023

Somehow, we missed this note in late January! It was sent by Judd Brink, a guide and naturalist who leads "Birding the Bog" tours in the Sax-Zim Bog:
"Here are the birds and mammals reported from this past week's tours.  Great Gray Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Pine and Evening Grosbeaks, Ruffed Grouse, Northern Shrike, Trumpeter Swan, Common Redpoll, Pine Siskin, American Goldfinch, Snow Bunting, Black-billed Magpie, Black-capped and Boreal Chickadee, Blue Jay, Canada Jay, Red-breasted and White breasted Nuthatch, Bald Eagle, Common Raven, American Crow, Wild Turkey, Barred Owl, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker an Bohemian Waxwing.  A few mammals seen include Coyote, Snowshoe Hare, Porcupine and Red Squirrel.  Others reported include Pine Marten, Bobcat, Timberwolf, Ermine and a Mink.  Happy Birding!"

As a mail carrier in rural Grand Rapids, Minn., for 35 years, John Latimer put his own stamp on a career that delivered more than letters. Indeed, while driving the hundred-mile round-trip daily route, he passed the time by observing and recording seasonal changes in nature, learning everything he could about the area’s weather, plants and animals, and becoming the go-to guy who could answer customers’ questions about what they were seeing in the environment.
Heidi Holtan is KAXE's Director of Content and Public Affairs where she manages producers and is the local host of Morning Edition from NPR. Heidi is a regional correspondent for WDSE/WRPT's Duluth Public Television’s Almanac North.
Charlie Mitchell (she/they) joined the KAXE team in February of 2022. Charlie creates the Season Watch Newsletter, writes segment summaries for the website, and coordinates our Engaging Minnesotans with Phenology project. With a background in wildlife biology, she enjoys learning a little bit about everything, whether it's plants, mushrooms, aquatic invertebrates, or the short-tailed shrew (did you know they can echolocate?).