Phenology Report

A small blue and brown falcon with vibrant black and white markings and a hooked bill is shown against a blurry green and brown background.

A hungry kestrel family strikes fear into the hearts of grasshoppers

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of Aug. 11, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on Red-eyed Vireos, blooming flowers, and Carolina grasshoppers.

Ripe raspberries dangle in bunches from purple stems of raspberry plants.

Science and Nature

Early August has glimpses of the autumn ahead in Northern Minnesota

Charlie Mitchell, Heidi Holtan

During the Phenology Report for the week of August 4, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on ripening berries and nuts and caterpillars turning into butterflies.

A viceroy butterfly sits on a bergamot flower. It has orange and black wings like a monarch buttterfly, but has a black line going through the hind wings that monarchs lack. The flower it is sitting on is purple, and there are green leaves in the blurry background.

Science and Nature

Wild bergamot provides oasis for butterflies and hummingbirds

Heidi Holtan

During the Phenology Report for the week of July 27, 2026. Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on ripening berries, budding flowers and a bear visitor.

Vibrant red berries of a staghorn sumac pop out amongst green leaves.

Science and Nature

Like lemonade? Try sumac-ade, a wild alternative!

Charlie Mitchell, Heidi Holtan

During the Phenology Report for the week of July 21, 2026 Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on sumac, ripe berries, and a veritable rainbow of wildflowers.

A basswood tree blooms in Woodbury on July 26, 2024.

Science and Nature

Fragrant basswoods bloom in northern MN

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of July 14, 2026 Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on blooming basswoods, hawks hunting in harvested fields, and more.

A plant with large white clusters of flowers grows in a green wetland area.

Science and Nature

A wild bouquet blooms in Northern MN (but beware the water hemlock)

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of July 7, 2026 Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on blooming wildflowers, the poisonous water hemlock and crab spiders.Send us a voice memo through SpeakPipe!

A red raspberry dangles from the vine in Aitkin County on July 29, 2025.

Science and Nature

Red raspberries ripen, heralding beginning of July berry season

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of June 30, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on ripening fruits, blooming flowers, and chipmunks calling.

Two large orange-and-black butterflies mate on a purple flower in Minnesota on Aug. 22, 2024.

Science and Nature

Monarch butterflies: Minnesota's unlikely martial artists

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of June 23, 2026 Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on monarch butterfly mating, a good crop of berries ripening, and turtles nesting.

A stand of balsam poplars grows by a roadside in St. Louis County on July 29, 2023.

Science and Nature

Winds reveal the brown-red underside of roadside balsam poplar leaves

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of June 16, 2026 Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on monarch butterflies, balsam poplars, and the reappearance of a Bald Eagle nestling.

A mottled brown fledgling bird with a big mouth sits on a green lawn, looking over its shoulder at the camera.

Science and Nature

First robins fledge in Grand Rapids

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of June 9, 2026 Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on fledging robins, flowering plants, and turtles crossing the road.