July 19th, 8:30-10:30 AM: Volunteer at “Cardinal Woods” in Como Park “Cardinal Woods” is a property formerly managed by the St. Paul Bird Alliance and needs maintenance. Join us and members of the St. Paul Parks Department in maintaining the area so that “Cardinal Woods” can better support birds. The St. Paul Parks Department is not yet sure whether it will be a planting event, trash pickup, weeding, or something else- but they will provide all the necessary equipment. All you have to do is show up ready to help out!
The Cardinal is changing and this is the last issue in the familiar newsletter format. We will continue to keep you updated on everything that’s happening, but in the form of more frequent emails, called Cardinal News, with brief information and links to more details online. Meanwhile, here are the highlights of this issue:
Warbler Weekend Wrap-up — the final species counts and the highlights of the year
Bird’s Eye View — a message from Kiki Sonnen, new president of Saint Paul Bird Alliance
Annual Butterfly Count — July 12
Update on Kestrel Nest Box Activity
Bird Walks and field trips — through the summer and into the fall
https://saintpaulbirdalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/New-Audubon-Logo-Color-Outline.png176460Greg Burneshttps://saintpaulbirdalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/New-Audubon-Logo-Color-Outline.pngGreg Burnes2025-05-26 09:04:382025-05-26 09:44:40New Cardinal Available
Local communities have great power to incorporate bird-friendly designs and practices intended to keep birds safer while flying, particularly during migration. Bird-safe building practices, including lighting, siting, and glass guidelines, are proven to decrease impacts on migratory birds. By including bird-friendly practices in local ordinances, particularly in critical areas such as the Mississippi River flyway, we can help birds in the face of climate change, urban development, and other threats.
In January 2023, St. Paul released and considered a robust, bird-friendly ordinance for the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA). Audubon Upper Mississippi River and the St. Paul Bird Alliance supported this ordinance during public hearings. Unfortunately, it was never finalized; the newly updated draft (link is external) leaves out important bird-safe building practices.
Passing a strong Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA) ordinance is integral to riverfront protection and future development.
https://saintpaulbirdalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SaintPaulwaterfront.jpg13081958Greg Burneshttps://saintpaulbirdalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/New-Audubon-Logo-Color-Outline.pngGreg Burnes2025-04-18 06:49:562025-04-20 08:52:16Urge St. Paul to Pass Bird-Friendly Ordinance
Registration Full – No refunds after April 20, 2025
Warbler Weekend 2025 is May 9-10, and here is everything you need to know.
Special Friday evening guest speaker – Stan Tekiela. He will give his stunning “Bird Migration” presentation based on his award-winning book of the same title.
Accommodations: Birders staying overnight must make reservations. Lake City, Red Wing, and Wabasha are good options.
Location: Hok Si La Park Dining Hall, Lake City, MN, is the hub for all activities.(www.hoksilapark.org)
On-site Information Announcements will occur after each meal. The Bird Boards, Schedule, Notice, and Places to Bird will be posted prominently.
Schedule
Friday, May 9 6:30 pm Coffee, cookies and socializing 7:00 pm Presentation – Stan Tekiela – Bird Migrations (you must be registered for Warbler Weekend to attend this session)
Saturday, May 10
Bird Walks: Morning: 6:45-8:30 am and 9:45 am–12:15 pm Afternoon: 1:45-3:15 pm and 3:45-5:00 pm Evening (after Bird Tally): Swifting at Villa Maria.
Gather on the grass at the parking lot around appropriate signs to form groups at least 5 minutes before each scheduled trip. Likely spots include Frontenac State Park Sand Point Trail and campground, Frontenac Town Cemetery and Town Walk, Villa Maria Grounds, and Hok-Si-La North and South. Birding by car on your own is always an option.
Meals, With Important Announcements 8:30-9:00 am Breakfast. Announcements 9:15 am 12:15-12:45 pm Lunch. Announcements 1:00 pm 6:00-6:30 pm Dinner. Announcements at 6:45 pm, followed by Bird Tally
Evaluation Forms: We want your input! All birders will be asked to complete an evaluation form to continue improving Warbler Weekend.
The new Cardinal has information on our April and May speaker series, registration information for Warbler Weekend, a listing of our summer field trips, and many volunteer and advocacy opportunities. Join Us!
Pig’s Eye Survey
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is developing a plan to clean up the Pig’s Eye Dump and restore Saint Paul’s natural resources. You can find more information on the Task Force, the Pig’s Eye Dump and the survey here: mnpca.info/pedtf
Learn more about the organization’s work site, Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, and Wakaŋ Tipi (dwelling place of the sacred). WTA’s work centers on restoring the honor, ecosystems, and community connection to the land and natural world while engaging the community in creating and caring for bird habitat in the Mississippi River Twin Cities Important Bird Area (IBA).
https://saintpaulbirdalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WTAMaggie-e1711204960339.png633883Greg Burneshttps://saintpaulbirdalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/New-Audubon-Logo-Color-Outline.pngGreg Burnes2025-02-21 10:26:572025-02-21 10:28:57Recording Available – Restoring Honor, Connections, & Land at Wakaŋ Tipi
Keystone Woods WMA offers a unique opportunity to safeguard one of our state’s most rare habitats: grasslands. The state recently purchased this 1,820-acre property in Washington County, which opened to the public in September last year. It has already proven to be a rich birding area, with over 169 species reported on e-bird, including Short-Eared Owls, Bobolinks, Meadowlarks, Dickcessel, Rough-Legged hawks, and many varieties of sparrows, shorebirds, and waterbirds.
We are coordinating numerous conservation organizations to provide input and resources to support Keystone. The DNR staff has been welcoming of input and suggestions. However, dog training groups have asked the DNR for an accommodation to allow dogs to run off-leash in areas of the property during the bird breeding season (April 15 – July 15).This activity was allowed when the land was under private ownership, but it should not continue now that it is public land, and this accommodation does not align with the DNR’s standard practices. Here is a link to an article that provides more background.
Action Requested – Take 5 Minutes to Respond to the DNR Survey
The Saint Paul Bird Alliance, Land of Lakes Bird Alliance, Urban Bird Collective, and Sustainable Stillwater/Bird City encourage people who care about protecting habitats and birds to take the DNR’s online survey and express their opinion about the future use of Keystone Woods WMA. The survey closes on March 2, 2025.
Want to Help Even More?
We are planning spring surveys and habitat conservation activities. If you want to be considered for our teams, please email us at contact@saintpaulbirdalliance.org.
The new Cardinal has information on our Feb and March speaker series, a report on the Christmas Bird Count and our Field Trips, a field trip series at Silverwood Park, updates on the Outdoor – Together and Birds and Beers, and much more.
