Phenology

Large white chunks of ice, which have been rounded by constantly bumping into each other, float on clear water near a stony lake shore.

Have you spotted the spring's first butterfly yet?

Co-hosts Heidi Holtan and Charlie Mitchell enthuse about spring's arrival, enjoy a poem from a listener, and inadvertently create a love letter to KAXE.Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe!

Chalk illustrations show a raccoon, crocus flower, grackle, and dandelion.

Science and Nature

'The sun was winning the war against the snow,' reports student

Charlie Mitchell

During the week of March 24, 2026, we enjoy reports of warming weather, heavy snow, and lengthening days. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.

A chipmunk stands on a patch of bare ground surrounded by an inch of snow. It has full cheek pouches and wet fur.

Science and Nature

Spring's first chipmunks check out their surroundings

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of March 24, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on mergansers, chipmunks, and budding trees.

A Black-capped Chickadee drinks sweet sap from an icicle hanging from a maple tree in Finland on March 21, 2024.

Science and Nature

Nice-icles: Maples and boxelders provide a frozen sweet treat

Charlie Mitchell, Heather Johnson

In this episode, co-hosts Charlie Mitchell and Heather Johnson discuss how ants and plants help each other, the joys of gardening, and nature's popsicles.Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe!

An American Robin forages on the bare ground left by tire tracks in Lac Qui Parle County on March 19, 2016.

Science and Nature

Robins love it when you go off-roading in snowy weather

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of March 17, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on sugary icicles, brooding ravens, and robins foraging in tire tracks.

Chalk illustrations show a zebra jumper spider, a Red-winged Blackbird, a honey bee, a Horned Lark, and a sugar maple tree.

Science and Nature

Great Blue Herons wing their way north

Charlie Mitchell

During the week of March 17, 2026, we enjoy reports of Great Blue Herons, snow, and Saw-whet Owls. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.

A graphic represents the different hearing types of fall and spring chickadees. The fall chickadee is attuned to fine-scale variations in song, while the spring chickadee is better able to distinguish pitches.

Science and Nature

Why birds' ears change with the seasons

Charlie Mitchell, Chelsey Perkins

In this episode, hosts Charlie Mitchell and Chelsey Perkins revisit dinosaur songs and discuss inadvertent scientific discoveries. Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe! Charlie recommends the book "An Immense World" by Ed Yong.

A Compton tortoiseshell butterfly sits on dry leaves in Northern Cass County on Feb. 26, 2022. It is a medium-sized orange-and-black checkered butterfly.

Science and Nature

Keep an eye out for the season's first butterflies!

Charlie Mitchell

During the Phenology Report for the week of March 10, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on raccoons, star-nosed moles, and the season's first butterflies.

Chalk illustrations show snow melt 'tree rings', an American Robin, a snow flea, a red squirrel, and a junco.

Science and Nature

Is there a correlation between having cats and liking the smell of spruce trees?

Charlie Mitchell

During the week of March 10, 2026, we enjoy reports of migrating birds and the distinctive (and divisive) smell of spruce trees. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.

A Killdeer forages in shallow water near Brainerd, Minnesota on March 30, 2024.

Science and Nature

Cranes, kestrels, Killdeer: March migrators move in, and how to track them

Pam Perry, retired DNR non-game wildlife biologist, stops by each month to talk about Minnesota phenology with KAXE staff phenologist, John Latimer.