Red Squirrels: Small, but Significant
It’s hard to mistake the chattering of the red squirrel for anything else in our northern forests, whether you’re pleased to hear the sounds of wildlife or want it to be quiet lest it gives away your hiding place. Whatever you think of them, these rodents are a significant part of the forest ecosystem with natural habits that ensure the growth of the woodlands they reside in.
more...

Gray Fox Move North
A more southern species, gray fox were first noted near Duluth in the early 1980s. They are now found throughout northern Minnesota.
more...

Why Do Grouse Drum, Moose Have Antlers and Men Wear Cologne?
The simple answer to the title question is: to better their chances for reproduction. In nature, one sex (typically the male) displays to potential mates that it is the fittest of its species. Females then select the fittest male for breeding, because they want their young to carry the best genes possible, thus increasing their chance of survival.
more...

Frogs and Toads get Ready for Winter
Slowly but surely the long, hot days of summer give in to the shorter, cooler days of fall. This results in a change in activity for our local frog and toad populations.
more...

Late Summer and Fall Pests
I recently spent two days at a Home Insect Control workshop led by Jeff Hahn, associate professor and extension educator. We learned some really cool things like--there are 11 common ant species in Minnesota; termites occur only in a few counties in the southern third of Minnesota; and the most common spider bite you might encounter in northeastern Minnesota would probably be from a yellow sac spider.
more...