12 weeks

12 weeks of winter: Celebrate spring with a "bird day" cake!

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Bird feeding is a fun activity for people of all ages, and we've already taught you which bird feed to use to encourage various species to visit your yard this winter. And though temps are warming, birds will still appreciate finding...

12 weeks of winter: Take a closer look at snowflakes

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu We've all heard that every snowflake is unique, but did you know that they can be categorized into several broad categories? As you can see from this Field Guide to Snowflakes, there are eight shapes that snowflakes can come in, but the...

12 weeks of winter: Find a "snow angel"

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu We might be getting a little late in the season to have much luck with this week's winter activity—a few days of balmy temperatures can turn a Minnesota winter into spring in no time! But if you happen to live in an area that just...

12 weeks of winter: Participate in a citizen science project

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu When members of the general public undertake directed scientific work, that's called citizen science! These projects are often done in collaboration with professional scientists and scientific institutions. Participants in citizen science...

12 weeks of winter: Find some winter camouflage

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu The snow flies and some critters turn white. Why does this happen? It seems that if keeping the animal hidden in the snow was the reason for this coloration, more snow-dwelling critters would be white. While white coats can provide...

12 weeks of winter: The scoop on scat

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu We've already practiced our tracking skills during the 12 weeks of winter. Now it's time to see what other clues animals leave behind for us to discover. Head out to your favorite wildlife viewing spot and look for signs that the...

12 weeks of winter: Visit your local watering hole

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Open water attracts animals of all sorts to drink, hunt and fish, and makes an ideal spot for enthusiasts to observe nature. It can be tricky to find a spot where there is open water all winter, but you can often find locations on rivers...

12 weeks of winter: Take a walk in the woods

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Taking a walk in the woods on a moonlit, snowy night is a magical experience. On a clear, calm night, with the snow helping to dampen ambient sounds, it can seem like you're in a different world. This is a great activity for families,...

12 weeks of winter: Feed your feathery friends

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Birding is a great way to pass the long cold winters in Minnesota and can provide you with hours of entertainment. By providing a variety of food types you will increase the number of species that will frequent your feeders. Get your bird...

12 weeks of winter: Wildlife tracking

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu Once the ground is covered by snow it's a great time to brush up on your tracking skills. Dress warmly, bring your binoculars and head out to find some animals! The best time to watch for wildlife is at dawn and dusk, but a patient tracker...