Cardinal News – June 2025
Volunteers & Event Schedules
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Cardinal June-July 2025
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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
Urge St. Paul to Pass Bird-Friendly Ordinance
| ACTION ALERT |
| Dear Bird Advocate, 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. Please use this easy form to urge St. Paul to pass a robust, bird friendly MRCCA ordinance without further delay. |
| Sincerely, |
| Lindsay J. Brice Policy DirectorAudubon Upper Mississippi River |
Warbler Weekend – Registration Closed
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.
April – May 2025 Cardinal
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 – Your Input is Needed!
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
Recording Available – Restoring Honor, Connections, & Land at Wakaŋ Tipi
Presented by: Maggie Lorenz, Executive Director of Wakaŋ Tipi Awaŋyaŋkapi (WTA)
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).
Keystone WMA – Your Input Needed
Keystone WMA – Your Input Needed Today
Help Protect our Grassland Birds –
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.
Additional Information:
Star Tribune article about Keystone
Our Organization’s Response to the DNR
Short-eared owls at Keystone Woods WMA. (Greg Seitz/St. Croix 360)
Feb – March 2025 Cardinal
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.
December – January 2025 Cardinal
The new Cardinal has information on our Dec. and Jan. speaker series, Big and Wild River Journeys updates, a field trip series at Silverwood Park, a heartfelt story about an acclaimed photographer, an engaging book review, and much more.
