Few things will clear out the bird feeders faster this time of year than the sudden appearance of a butcher bird. That’s the common name for a shrike, and here in a North Country winter that means …

REGIONAL— Winter recreation is set to hit high gear this weekend as recent snows have finally helped smooth area trails, both for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. The only hitch could be the …

REGIONAL— Aerial surveys conducted by the Department of Natural Resources are continuing to show widespread insect outbreaks across northern Minnesota that are continuing to harm native forests. …

This time of year, I try to get out on my snowshoe trail almost every day. And while the recent outbreaks of mild weather have prompted hoar frost on numerous days this month, what I saw the other …

REGIONAL— Catching your limit of walleye could get easier across the state if a new rule proposed by the Department of Natural Resources is ultimately enacted. Minnesota anglers would be able to …

REGIONAL—Sensational headlines about northern Minnesota have been showing up in my social media feeds with increasing frequency—first as standalone posts from pages with no identifiable local …

My first thought was bobcat when I looked out the window at the road-killed deer carcass that I had dragged home a few weeks earlier to leave out for the critters. Other than a few ravens and our dog …

By now, if you’re a birder, you have probably been asked whether you’ve watched the movie “LISTERS” on YouTube. And I’d wager there’s a good chance you’re one of the 1.4 million viewers …

REGIONAL— DNR Scientific and Natural Area naturalist Arika McGraw will lead an introductory level snowshoe hike from 4-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Lost Lake Peatland SNA. Dress for the …

I first learned about the Christmas Bird Count when I was in seventh grade, while attending my first ever meeting of the Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter. The members of the club attended a …

REGIONAL—The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently finalized one of its largest land acquisitions in recent history, resulting in the permanent protection of nearly 16,000 acres of …

The annual temporary flight from the island has long since happened to this bird.  I’ve returned to my period of town-er residency and am again, not so patiently, waiting.  Still, …

I know most folks tend to measure wealth in assets like bank accounts, 401k’s, and real estate holdings. Come early winter, however, I measure my wealth in pine grosbeaks. The first few showed …

REGIONAL— The 2025 regular firearms deer season wrapped up in northeastern Minnesota with total buck registrations up over last year. In the eight deer permit areas monitored by the Timberjay, …

“I have an idea.” For decades beginning in the late 1970’s, those four words became a launching point for dozens of initiatives that have changed the face of Minnesota, thanks to …

REGIONAL—It appears that cold, wind, and snow didn’t discourage deer hunters here in the North Country during opening weekend of the regular firearms deer season, as hunters registered …

A North Carolina State University professor emeritus told the Ely Tuesday Group that understanding where animals go isn’t enough. Researchers need to understand how animals think about their …

REGIONAL— One of the most intense solar storms in nearly twenty years generated some of the most colorful auroras in years across much of the country on Tuesday night, with some of the deepest …

REGIONAL— Hunters are almost certain to find more deer here in the North Country when they head to their stands for this Saturday’s opening of the 2025 regular firearms deer season. …

REGIONAL— Dead waterfowl, including trumpeter swans, on area lakes appear to be part of an increase in cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, in northern …

The south breeze that blew another hint of early fall warmth into the area this past weekend was enough to keep the cottongrass swaying during an afternoon trek into the Lost Lost Swamp. I’ve …

VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK— The wolf population in and around Minnesota’s only national park has fallen for the third year in a row, according to the annual population report issued by the …

REGIONAL—The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking individuals to collect tree seeds and cones this fall and winter. Seeds and cones are essential for growing the tree seedlings …

GRAND MARAIS— LynnAnne Vesper’s backpack grew heavier with each passing day on Isle Royale, but not because she was carrying extra supplies. Instead, moose skulls and leg bones …

As early oranges and reds give way to vibrant yellows, autumn's last hurrah has taken hold, as evidenced in these photos by Marshall Helmberger.