May Cardinal Newsletter
In this issue learn about:
- Ways you can advocate for birds
- About one person’s journey to support native plants
- Upcoming Board Elections
- Volunteer your tech skills!
- All of the May Bird Outings and Program
Upcoming Program – May 14 – Does that Bird Need Help?
** Co-Sponsored with Land of Lakes Bird Alliance **
** In-Person Only – Registration Required **
Determining whether a wild bird needs help can sometimes leave you scratching your head. This presentation will cover common scenarios that lead people to call the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) for advice, including broken bones, grounded fledglings, and nests in hazardous locations. You will learn how to help wild birds in need, when to leave them alone, and how WRC helps their avian patients take flight.
April 2026 Cardinal
The latest Cardinal has:
- Information about the upcoming Board of Directors Elections
- Update on Landscape Revival
- Woodcock Viewing Events
- Warbler Weekend Registration is filling up fast
- Volunteer at Cedar Creek
- Recording of Kara Snow’s Pileated Woodpecker Project
- Upcoming Bird Outing Events
- And More
Photo Credit – Dennis-Derby
Kara Snow – Project Pileated Woodpecker – Recording Available
Here is the link to the recording!
Kara Snow – Project Pileated Woodpecker: Characterizing Tree Cavity and Use by Minnesota’s Wildlife (One-year update!)
The Pileated Woodpecker is a keystone species in Minnesota’s forests, creating large cavities that many other wildlife species later use. In this talk, Ms. Snow shared an update from the first year of her Pileated Woodpecker project, including the methods they used to locate and monitor nesting cavities across a gradient of forest management.
Ms. Snow touched on some of the challenges she and her team faced in the field, early successes from the first season, and what they are beginning to learn about habitat use. She will also highlight ways the public can help by sharing observations of Pileated Woodpeckers and cavity use, which can play an important role in supporting this research going forward.
Photo-Rolland-Swain
Bird’s Eye View – Kiki Sonnen, President
Thanks to everyone for supporting the Saint Paul Bird Alliance through your generous financial donations, attendance at birding events, volunteering in numerous activities, and support for the Alliance’s mission and values.
The Saint Paul Bird Alliance’s mission is to engage a diverse community in enjoying, understanding, and protecting birds and the habitats all living beings need to thrive.
Our Values are to be a welcoming community that strives to remove barriers and provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy birds and nature.
If you wonder who oversees the Saint Paul Bird Alliance, the answer is our Board of Directors. We are all volunteers. Each year at our May Annual Meeting, our members elect the Board. Our Nominating Committee continues to identify candidates for these offices. If you’re interested in serving on the Board, let us know.
Click here to see who is up for election to the Board of Directors this year.
Photo Credit: Travis-Bonovsky
Warbler Weekend Registration – Almost Full
Registration is filling up fast. Don’t wait! Warbler Weekend 2026 takes place May 8-10. Click here for all the details and to register. Don’t delay, this event has limited spots and usually fills up fast!
We welcome all levels of birding experience and strive to create a supportive, inclusive environment. We are excited to meet you.
Red-Headed Woodpecker Project – Volunteer
Volunteer with Us at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve for the 2026 Field Season!
Are you a birder or naturalist looking to contribute to real ecological research this summer? We’re recruiting volunteers for two field projects at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in east-central Minnesota, and we’d love to have you join us!
March 2026 Cardinal Newsletter
The latest Cardinal has:
- Information about the Welcome Back Kestrel Events
- The American Woodcock Facts and Viewing Events
- Warbler Weekend Information Update
- Upcoming Bird Outing Events
- And More
Birding through the Months at Silverwood Park
March 17 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
This is the 2nd of a 4-trip Silverwood Park birding experience (February through May). Attend one or all the trips!
Silverwood Park is a beautiful urban park on the shores of Silver Lake. The park’s variety of habitats — oak forest, marsh, grassland, and lakefront — makes it a great birding destination, with over 180 species sighted there.
Birding at a single location over several months can be a great way to get started. This series of four field trips will repeat popular excursions from last year, giving participants the chance to get to know the park and watch for different birds each month as the seasons change. In addition to getting to know the birds of Silverwood, participants will also be introduced to basic birding techniques and tools, including digital resources. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars; a few extra pairs will be available.
Birds and Beers
March 18 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
You’d better come to Birds & Beers so we can discuss Horned Larks & other Early Birds. We’ll gather on Wednesday, March 18, at Sweeney’s, 96 N. Dale St., St. Paul, at 5:30 pm. All are welcome!
Photo Credit: Andy Raupp/Audubon Photography Awards
