This week brings us our first phenology report from Aaron Brown, a listener from Balsam Township. He's been observing some interesting behavior from his local songbirds, now that a Northern Shrike has taken up residence! We also get updates from phenology students in Cohasset, Duluth, Long Lake Conservation Center, and Bemidji!

Hear our students' voices!

This week, John's gone back in the archives to report on weather and snow conditions in years past. He also tells the story of a Great Horned Owl snatching a rabbit by a bird feeder, how Wolf Ridge ELC had a brief bout of hurricane-force winds on December 23rd, and shares a few sightings of rare birds that have visited the area in December!

Listen to John's report!

Here's a great mini-documentary on the Paper Birch and its importance to Anishinaabe peoples!

Helen Peltier, who is Anishinaabe from Fort William First Nation, has reconnected to her culture and community through the humble birch bark tree. For Anishinaabe people, the birch tree is a cornerstone of the culture. For generations, birch bark has been used in many different applications. Learning about this tree, the seasons and how its parts all work together has re-connected Helen to the land and her community. Along with Audrey Duroy, a knowledge keeper, Helen strives for a deeper understanding about the tree of life: Wiigwaasabak.

Enjoy!

Left: Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus).

Right: Boreal Chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus).

Ojibwe: Gijigijigaaneshiinh.

Look at the 'cap' on the head and the size of the white cheek patch to distinguish Boreal Chickadees from the more common Black-Capped Chickadees! Boreal Chickadees have brown caps and smaller white cheek patches.